Why is the site grey? In memory of Sir Patrick Stewart (1940–2026), who gave 16 years to the RSC in Stratford

Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford Goes Spooky for Half-Term

Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and a witch perform every 30 minutes at the Birthplace from 24 October to 1 November, with trails, backpacks and a gift for children in costume. CV37 residents go free.

By Alex Harrington 2 min read Source: Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Henley Street in Stratford-upon-Avon, home of Shakespeare's Birthplace
Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon. Photo: Chris Morgan, CC BY-SA 2.0

Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and one of the witches will be performing every half hour at Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford this October half-term, from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s half-term programme also has free trails, explorer backpacks and a free gift for children who come in Halloween costume. Everything is included in admission, and people who live in a CV37 postcode go free.

On this page
  1. At Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Henley Street
  2. At Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and New Place
  3. Times, tickets and Residents Go Free
  4. More for half-term

At Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Henley Street

  • Macbeth live: performers from Events From History act out scenes in the garden’s Actors’ Circle every 30 minutes, every day of the holiday, and wander the garden between shows offering prophecies.
  • Birthplace Treasure Trail: a free trail through the Birthplace, the Shakespeare Centre and the shop, looking for objects from the trust’s collections.
  • Costumes welcome: children who arrive in Halloween costume get a free gift to take home, and staff will be dressing up too.

At Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and New Place

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage in Shottery lends Nature Explorer Backpacks for exploring the garden, and the Garden Café opposite has pumpkin spice drinks, Halloween treats and colouring sheets. Shakespeare’s New Place on Chapel Street has Creative Explorer Backpacks. The backpacks are for children aged 4 to 11 and are handed out first come, first served. A family trail about the women in Shakespeare’s family runs across all three houses, for children aged 4 and over.

Times, tickets and Residents Go Free

The programme runs from 10am to 5pm, though opening times vary by house, so check the trust’s opening times before you go. The trust asks visitors to book. If you live in the CV37 postcode area you get in free with a Residents Go Free ticket, and up to four guests pay half price; bring proof of your address. Details and booking are on the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s half-term page.

Mary Arden’s Farm and Hall’s Croft are not open for general visits, so the half-term activities are only at the three houses above.

More for half-term

Our October half-term guide has everything else on in and around Stratford, and our Halloween in Stratford guide covers ghost walks, pumpkin patches and parties. For year-round ideas, see things to do with kids in Stratford.

Alex Harrington

Alex Harrington grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and runs What's up, Stratford? as an independent guide to the town.

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