Mary Arden's Farm facts for kids

Mary Arden's House, also known as Glebe Farm

Mary Arden's Farm is a special place in England. It was once the home of Mary Shakespeare, who was the mother of the famous writer William Shakespeare. This historic farm is also known as Mary Arden's House or Glebe Farm.

For a long time, people thought a different house was Mary Arden's home. That house is now called Palmer's Farm. Both Glebe Farm and Palmer's Farm are very old and important buildings. They are located in a village called Wilmcote. This village is about three miles from Stratford-upon-Avon, where William Shakespeare was born.

Glebe Farm: The Real Mary Arden's House

Glebe Farm is the actual house where Mary Arden lived. It is a smaller building compared to Palmer's Farm. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust bought Glebe Farm in 1968. They wanted to protect it as part of a historic farm. At first, they did not know it was Mary Arden's true home.

This old house has changed a bit over time. Some of its original wooden frame is gone. It also has some brickwork added during the Victorian era. Scientists used a method called dendrochronology to study the wood. This method helps them find out how old the wood is. They discovered the house was built around the year 1514.

Palmer's Farm: A Neighbor's Home

Palmer's Farm, once thought to be Mary Arden's home

Palmer's Farm was once believed to be Mary Arden's house. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust bought this house in 1930. They decorated it to look like a home from the Tudor period. This house has a strong wooden frame. It has been kept in great condition for many centuries.

In the year 2000, experts made an important discovery. They found out that Palmer's Farm actually belonged to a friend of the Arden family. His name was Adam Palmer. After this discovery, the house was officially renamed Palmer's Farm.

Exploring the Historic Farm

Today, both Glebe Farm and Palmer's Farm are presented as a "working Tudor farm." This means visitors can see what farm life was like during Shakespeare's time. It is a fun way to learn about history.

The farm is home to many special animals. These are often rare breeds that were common long ago. You might see unique pigs like Mangalitza and Tamworth pigs. There are also Cotswold sheep and Longhorn cattle. Other animals include Bagot and Golden Guernsey goats. The farm also has geese and birds of prey, like a hooded vulture.