Shakespeare's New Place, Stratford-upon-Avon (must see)

Before entering Shakespeare's New Place on Chapel Street, look across the street toward the Guild Chapel. Beside it, along Chapel Lane, stands King Edward VI School. These surviving buildings help give a sense of the Stratford streetscape Shakespeare would have known.

Shakespeare bought New Place in 1597, when he was already a successful playwright, actor, and shareholder in the Lord Chamberlain's Men. The house, originally built in the late 15th century by Hugh Clopton, was one of Stratford's grandest residences. Its frontage had five gables and three bays, and Shakespeare later altered the building, apparently rebuilding the front and adding a gallery.

As you enter the site, look down at the paving. Bronze lines mark the footprint of the vanished house, including the gatehouse, courtyard, service areas, and main hall. These markings help you imagine the scale of a substantial property that probably contained between 20 and 30 rooms.

Continue forward to the circle of hornbeam trees. This marks the approximate position of the original hall. Inside the circle, look for the bronze sculpture known as His Mind's Eye, representing Shakespeare's creative imagination. Nearby is a bronze desk and chair where visitors can sit and look across the garden.

From here, continue toward the rear of the property into the Great Garden. Follow the paths and look for bronze sculptures inspired by Shakespeare's plays, including Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, The Tempest, and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Also look for the Knot Garden, distinguished by its low hedges arranged in formal geometric patterns. Its design reflects garden styles familiar in Shakespeare's time.

Beside the gardens stands the Nash House, now used for exhibitions about New Place and archaeological discoveries from the site.

Shakespeare lived here until his death in 1616. The original house was later demolished and replaced, and that second building was itself pulled down in 1759. Today, the gardens preserve the footprint of Shakespeare's final home and help visitors imagine the place where he spent the later years of his life.