Information for record number MWA8593:
Shakespeare's Birthplace grounds

Summary A 19th century formal garden, of interest as an early attempt to recreate a "Shakespearian" garden. It is associated with the Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford upon Avon.
What Is It?  
Type: Formal Garden, Garden
Period: Imperial - Industrial (1751 AD - 1913 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Stratford upon Avon
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 20 55
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 Walled formal garden to north of Shakespeare's Birthplace, which site was bought by the Shakespeare Birthplace Committee in 1847. 19th century illustrations show layout, similar to today. Features include topiary, Shakespearian plants, mulberry, cedar, yew hedges, all probably c1865. Recommended for addition to Parks and Gardens Register.
2 Garden of interest because it shows what the Victorians of the 1850s felt was an appropriate setting for the building.
3 The only one of three major Shakespearian sites in Stratford not yet on the Parks & Gardens Register, this site is significant as one of the earliest attempts to recreate a 16th century style Garden. Neighbouring properties were demolished in the 19th century to create a dignified setting. Shakespeare's father's plot had been a large one (it was subdivided in Shakespeare's lifetime), though it was a glover's yard [plot history included]. The Shakespeare's Birthplace Committee was formed when the land came up for sale in 1847; the house was restored and a Garden laid out between 1847 and c1858. The Garden is simple in plan, with Features including gravel walks, herbaceous borders, specimen trees and hedges and topiary work. Considerable documentary evidence for the site's development is held by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. [Photographs included].
4 Garden visible on OS 1:10560 1886 Sht Warks 44NW.
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwickshire Register Review Data Tables (Stratford on Avon)
Author/originator: Lovie, Jonathan
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwickshire Register Review Report & Recommendations
Author/originator: Lovie, Jonathan
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwickshire Register Review Report & Recommendations
Author/originator: Lovie, Jonathan
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Map
Title: 44NW 1:10560 1886
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1886
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 44NW
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
technique Documentary Evidence Documentary evidence is another name for written records. The first written records in Britain date back to the Roman period. Documentary evidence can take many different forms, including maps, charters, letters and written accounts. When archaeologists are researching a site, they often start by looking at documentary evidence to see if there are clues that will help them understand what they might find. Documentary evidence can help archaeologists understand sites that are discovered during an excavation, field survey or aerial survey. back
period Imperial 1751 AD to 1914 AD (end of the 18th century AD to the beginning of the 20th century AD)

This period comes after the Post Medieval period and before the modern period and starts with beginning of the Industrial Revolution in 1750. It includes the second part of the Hannoverian period (1714 – 1836) and the Victorian period (1837 – 1901). The Imperial period ends with the start of the First World War in 1914.
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monument YARD * A paved area, generally found at the back of a house. back
monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument HERBACEOUS BORDER * A long bed planted with perennial flowers and plants. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument FORMAL GARDEN * A garden of regular, linear or geometrical design, often associated with the traditional Italian, French and Dutch styles. back
monument PARK * An enclosed piece of land, generally large in area, used for hunting, the cultivation of trees, for grazing sheep and cattle or visual enjoyment. Use more specific type where known. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument WALK * A place or path for walking in a park or garden. Use more specific type where possible. back
monument GARDEN * An enclosed piece of ground devoted to the cultivation of flowers, fruit or vegetables and/or recreational purposes. Use more specific type where known. back
monument HEDGE * Usually a row of bushes or small trees planted closely together to form a boundary between pieces of land or at the sides of a road. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record