Shakespeare's birthplace, home and final resting place are all in Stratford-upon Avon in Warwickshire, and the history of the town is inextricably interlinked with that of its famous son.

Thanks to National Lottery players, we have invested over £7.5million in Stratford in projects celebrating the life and works of the Bard, including:

New Place

New Place was Shakespeare’s family home from 1597 until his death in 1616. It was the only family home he ever bought. Supported by a £2.2m HLF grant, New Place is reopening after more than 250 years as a garden and six years as an archaeological site.

Dr Diana Owen, Chief Executive Officer of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (SBT), said: “Shakespeare’s New Place will be the jewel in the crown of our national literary and cultural heritage as the adult home of our most famous playwright.”

[quote=Dr Diana Owen, SBT Chief Executive Officer]“Shakespeare’s New Place will be the jewel in the crown of our national literary and cultural heritage.”[/quote]

Restoration of the Swan Wing

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has been performing Shakespeare’s plays in Stratford since 1879, when the original Shakespeare Memorial Theatre was constructed. Thanks to National Lottery grants, the RSC has been able to restore and redevelop the Grade II* Swan Wing, the only surviving part of the Victorian theatre. As part of the £2.8m project the RSC’s archive of over 10,000 items will be opened up to the public.

Shakespeare’s schoolroom

The 15th-century Guildhall at King Edward VI School was Stratford-upon-Avon’s first theatre - and Shakespeare's school. Thanks to £1.4m from HLF, it is being opened up to give visitors the opportunity to visit a rarely seen part of Shakespeare’s early life.

Bennett Carr, Headmaster of King Edward VI School, said: “I am delighted that we are at last able to open this building to the public and share this hidden treasure.”

Let slip the dogs of war

Thanks to a grant of £8,500, SBT used items from their collection to explore themes of war in Shakespeare’s plays, curate an exhibition, and bring the local community together to commemorate the role of Stratford and its residents during the First World War.