New Place facts for kids
New Place was once a very important house in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. It was the home of the famous playwright, William Shakespeare, after he stopped working in the London theatres. Many years after he died in 1616, the house became a popular place for visitors. But a neighbor, who was tired of all the constant tourists, bought the house and had it torn down.
Contents
Discovering Shakespeare's Last Home
Who Was William Shakespeare?
William Shakespeare is known as one of the greatest writers in the English language. He wrote many famous plays like Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet. He also wrote many poems. Shakespeare was born and grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Why New Place Was Special
New Place was the largest house in Stratford-upon-Avon. Shakespeare bought it in 1597 when he was already a successful playwright. It was a grand home for him and his family. He spent his later years there after retiring from his busy life in London.
Life at New Place
Shakespeare lived at New Place for about 19 years. He died there on April 23, 1616. After his death, the house stayed in his family for many years. It was passed down through his daughter, Susanna Hall, and then to her daughter, Elizabeth Barnard.
The House Becomes a Tourist Spot
Over time, New Place became famous because Shakespeare had lived there. People from all over wanted to visit the house. They wanted to see where the great writer had spent his final years. This made it one of the first places to become a "tourist attraction" because of its link to a famous person.
Why New Place Was Demolished
In 1759, a man named Reverend Francis Gastrell owned New Place. He was very annoyed by all the visitors. He was also upset about paying taxes on the house. To stop the constant flow of tourists and avoid taxes, he decided to tear down the house. This was a sad loss for history.
What Remains Today
Today, New Place is no longer a standing house. However, the site is still very important. You can visit the beautiful gardens that have been created there. These gardens show what the area might have looked like when Shakespeare lived there.
Exploring the Gardens
The gardens at New Place are a peaceful place to visit. They include a Knot Garden, which is a type of formal garden with plants arranged in intricate patterns. There are also sculptures and displays that tell the story of Shakespeare and his family.
Nash's House and the Foundations
Next to the New Place gardens is Nash's House. This house belonged to Shakespeare's granddaughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, Thomas Nash. You can still see the foundations of New Place. These are the parts of the original house that were underground. They show where the walls of Shakespeare's home once stood.
Learning About the Past
Archaeologists have carefully dug up parts of the New Place site. They have found many objects from Shakespeare's time. These discoveries help us understand more about his life and the house he lived in. The site is now managed by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. They work to preserve Shakespeare's legacy.
Images for kids
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Great Garden, New Place
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Gardens
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Knot Garden, New Place
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Artist impression of Shakespeares New Place opening July 2016
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Site of the ruins of New Place next to Nash's House in January 1864
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Photograph of the ruins of New Place in 1864
