A Weekend in Stratford-Upon-Avon

This year we celebrate the 460th anniversary of Shakespeare’s Birthday. To mark the occasion, The Harvard Club of the UK (HCUK) and Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (SBT) have organised a weekend getaway for Harvard alumni, families and friends in charming Stratford-Upon-Avon, home to the Shakespeare and Harvard families.

Stratford-upon-Avon is located in the Midlands, approximately 2.5 hours by train or a 2-hour drive from London. The programme will start early afternoon on Saturday, 27th April with visits to Shakespeare’s Birthplace; Harvard House, John Harvard’s mother’s house (not normally open to the public); Holy Trinity Church; and Shakespeare’s New Place to see the “Hidden Voices: The Lives of the Women Who Made Shakespeare” exhibition. In the evening, those interested in attending a play at the RSC may make their own arrangements and chose one of two plays: “Love’s Labour’s Lost” or “The Buddha of Suburbia”. Day 2 will follow with a visit to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage in the morning.

You are welcome to join for the full two-day programme or only for the first day, with or without evening activities on Saturday. Please see below for the full programme and registration details.

Saturday 27 April

13.00 – Welcome and Visit to Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Meet outside the Visitor Centre to Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Henley Street CV37 6QW
The group will be welcomed to Stratford-upon-Avon by Tim Cooke (SBT’s CEO and former Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School), and Luke Purser, Director of Development. In advance of a visit to Shakespeare’s Birthplace, William Shakespeare’s childhood home in the heart of the town. Here you will hear tales of Shakespeare’s family life and get up close to objects from the Trust’s world class collections as you discover how the extraordinary playwright continues to shape our lives today.

14.15 – Visit to Harvard House
This was built by John Harvard’s grandfather and became the home of John Harvard’s mother. In the early 1900s, the house was given to Harvard University and became known as the Harvard House. SBT now maintains the house on behalf of the University. The tour will start with an introduction to the building and its former inhabitants and will include light refreshments. The house is not normally open to the public.

15.15 – Visit to Holy Trinity Church
Shakespeare’s final resting place.

16.15 – Visit to Shakespeare’s New Place & the new “Hidden Voices: The Lives of the Women Who Made Shakespeare”exhibition
Shakespeare’s New Place is the site that was William Shakespeare’s family home for 19 years. Join us at the site of the grandest house in Jacobean Stratford-upon-Avon, and explore the stories of life and loss, commerce and healing as we explore the hidden voices of the remarkable women who lived and worked here together.

17.00 – Free time / hotel check-in

19:15 – Optional evening at the Royal Shakespeare Company (not organised by HCUK)
For those who wish to attend a play at the RSC, “Love’s Labour’s Lost” and “The Buddha of Suburbia”.
are showing on 271h April. Attendees should book their own tickets with the RSC website or by ringing 01789 331111.

Sunday 28 April

10.00 – Visit to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
End your Stratford-upon-Avon experience with a visit to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the family home of William Shakespeare’s wife-to-be. It is here that Anne was born and raised and where the young Shakespeare would have visited her during the early part of their relationship. The cottage is a 20–25-minute walk from central Stratford or short taxi journey. Local buses are also available.

11:00 – End of visit

Pricing

Tour of sites
HCUK members £33 (up to one guest at this price per person)
Non-members £43
Children 16 and under £16

Notes

Transport to Stratford and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage as well as accommodation are to be organised by attendees individually. All trips on Day 1 are on foot.

HCUK aims to make our events inclusive and family-friendly where possible. Please also note that the historic houses do not allow pushchairs on the tours. There is also a fair bit of walking between historic sites. Parents who wish to bring children are requested to use their discretion.