Town house, now museum. Late C15 and late C16, severely restored 1858, following drawing of 1769. Timber-frame and with plaster infill; rubble plinth; tile roof with rubble stacks. 4-unit plan. 2 storeys with attic; 4-window range. The facade to the right half is mostly C19 replacing c1800 brick refronting. 3 entrances with wide-boarded doors, a pair to left end have pentice continued over flanking windows and with central gablet; entrance to right end unit. Wood-mullioned projecting windows, mostly C19: ground floor has 1:3:1-light bay window and 4-light windows; 1st floor has two 4-light windows with 3-light window to left end and 1:3:1-light oriel with hipped roof and moulded base to right end; attic has 2 gabled dormers with 4-light windows and gable to right end with 3-light window; all windows with leaded glazing, 1st-floor window to left of centre has plastic protective screen. Small panel of exposed wattle to left of centre. End stack and stack to rear wing. Rear has gabled wing with similar details… HISTORICAL NOTE: William Shakespeare born here April 23, 1564. His father John lived here c1551-1601, the right end unit probably being his wool shop. The house passed to the Hart family, descended from Shakespeare’s sister, until 1794, and was a tourist attraction from the 1740s or before. It was bought by the Shakespeare Birthplace Committee for preservation as a national monument in 1847. LBO

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