The clue for today was “Look down”. It’s worth looking all around when you visit Shakespeare’s New Place next month, but there’s a special reason to look down: the house footprint. Remember that you’ll be walking on the site of Shakespeare’s family home, the one that is said to have had five gables, 10 fire places, and at least one orchard.
The house was demolished in 1759 by its then owner Rev Francis Gastrell, who was apparently annoyed by visiting Shakespeare enthusiasts(!), and struggling with the local parish over a tax dispute. Although there’s no building any more, the re-interpreted site contains the memory of it in a physical way. Bronze bands in the floor will show you the layout of the house and its courtyard. All you have to do is look down...
Shakespeare’s New Place opens Summer 2016. Come and walk in Shakespeare's footsteps and meet the man behind the works in a fascinating new exhibition. Discover beautiful gardens and specially-commissioned artworks.
Find out more about Shakespeare's New Place.