Visitors flock to Shakespeare sites amid ‘Hamnet’ buzz

On a somber winter’s day in Stratford-upon-Avon, visitors are flocking to sites associated with William Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway. These include the Bard’s Birthplace, where he once lived as a young man, and nearby Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the residence of his wife.

The influx of tourists stems from the box office success of “Hamnet,” a BAFTA and Oscar-nominated film that offers a fictional depiction of Shakespeare’s relationship with his wife Agnes (as Anne is known). The movie’s popularity has attracted an additional wave of visitors to sites across central England, according to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Typically, around 250,000 UK, European, American and Chinese visitors walk through these heritage sites each year. These include New Place, where Shakespeare died in 1616, and Hathaway’s Cottage, which is rich with history as it was once a gathering place for the couple’s family.

The film’s success has led to a surge of interest in Shakespeare’s Birthplace, where William once lived, and Anne’s home. Visitors are particularly interested in Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, where they can explore the spaces and landscape that influenced the playwright. According to Richard Paterson, Chief Operating Officer at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, visitor numbers have increased by around 15-20% across all sites since “Hamnet” was released last January.

Visitors are drawn in part by “Hamnet,” Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel that inspired the film. The movie centers on the relationship between Shakespeare and his wife, highlighting their grief over the death of their son Hamnet in 1596, an event said to have influenced one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays.

Shakespeare was just 18 when he married Anne Hathaway at 26, and together they had three children: Susanna (born in 1583), Judith (in 1585) and Hamnet, who tragically died at age 11. The film explores how these complex relationships might have influenced Shakespeare’s writing.

“Hamnet” is nominated for eleven BAFTAs, including Best Film and Best Actress, as well as eight Oscars. Professor Charlotte Scott of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust describes this film as a “beautiful opening up” to understanding Shakespeare’s heart and emotional processes behind his work.

The popularity of “Hamnet” has renewed interest in Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, underscoring its significance as a symbol of the Bard’s personal life and relationships. As the film highlights, these historical sites not only preserve architectural heritage but also offer insights into the private lives that informed Shakespeare’s larger works.

For audiences unfamiliar with the playwright, “Hamnet” offers an opportunity to see how creative and personal experiences can shape artistic expression. It encourages viewers to appreciate both the storytelling process as dynamic and evolving and its emotional core, making it accessible even for those who might not have previously engaged deeply with Shakespeare’s work.