About The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is an independent charity that owns and cares for the five historic Shakespeare houses in or near Stratford-upon-Avon: Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Hall's Croft, Mary Arden's House, Nash's House and New Place, and Shakespeare's Birthplace. The Trust, through The Shakespeare Centre also arranges international cultural and educational activities, including but not limited to courses for students and symposiums for scholars.

The Shakespeare Centre serves both as the administrative headquarters of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and as a library, research and study center. The Shakespeare Centre Library owns a vast collection of printed books, archival manuscripts, facsimilies of the folios and quartos, as well as memorabilia relating to Shakespeare's times, life and works. The Library also has books on local history as well as an extensive collection of prints, drawings and photographs of Stratford and Warwickshire. In addition, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s sound and video recording productions are available by appointment. The Library is open to the public free of charge.