Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall — Attraction in Stratford-on-Avon

I'm not sure what I expected of this place seeing as it's so much cheaper than the other 3 main Shakespeare based attractions in Stratford but I can confirm that the lowish entry price is by no means a sign of a lesser visitor experience as this place is absolutely brilliant! You read some interesting information boards while you wait and then are given an introduction to the story of the building by a guide on the ground floor, and watch a couple of very engaging videos. The guide was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and engaging (she even stayed on after her home time talking to me for 15 mins as she loves it so much). You then go upstairs to meet an actor playing Shakespeare's school teacher. Our group had a truly interesting discussion about the mode of pedagogy used in Shakespeare's time and the reasons behind it, which was thought provoking and a real eye opener. The school room upstairs is still used by a school next door for lessons some days, which is an amazing privilege for the pupils (to be able to say you studied in the same room as Shakespeare!) to be part of the line of history, and I hope they appreciate it. The graffiti carved into the desks through time is a beautiful link to the children who did them. Aside from the visitor experience, the building itself is a relatively unchanged medieval treasure, which Shakespeare himself would still recognise himself apparently, you see what he saw! I absolutely loved everything about this experience and I would say that although it's probably the less obvious of the Shakespeare attractions to visit, I would highly recommend you make sure you visit it if in Stratford...it's the thinking man's/woman's...

Wonderful and beautiful historical attraction situated in the heart of Stratford upon Avon that is dedicated to the famous playwright and writer William Shakespeare. The building itself dates back to 1420 well before Shakespeare but the building is absolutely amazing in the sense that there some of the original furnishings still there and also there is an informative exhibition about the building and its use as a Guildhall, the religious workings of the Guild and its use as a Schoolroom when Shakespeare attended there. There are some wonderful introductory films about the Guild and how Shakespeare came into existence at the hall attended school there and also a nice a film on the Priests Chapel and the discovery of a painting back in 2016 of John the Baptist and how they still best preserve the painting to this day. The staff are exceptional and helpful giving you some interesting facts about Shakespeare and his family and also how came to attend the Guildhall and go to School. You can get an input from staff dressed as a Schoolmaster who are very informative about school lessons and what they were like in the Tudor Times and this aspect of it is particularly enjoyable. There is a small gift shop at the site with a range of gifts at reasonable prices. The staff are very helpful and make the visit very enjoyable and interesting. Overall a great place to visit and somewhere people will learn something very interesting about history and...

Have lived locally for around 3 years now but never ventured into this place. Decided to take a punt and was not disappointed.

On arrival, we were greeted by friendly staff who ushered us to join the tour that was taking place, usually we would just do our own thing at such places but being typically British we just went along with the flotsam.

The initial short introduction was a great starting point and worth sitting through. Just when we were about to think we were free we were ushered into another room for another short talk. This room contained some great secrets of the building which would not be apparent had we not sat and went along with the tour.

We were well invested by this time in the benefit of joining a tour and found ourselves ushered once again upstairs into the old school classrooms and were treated to a great historical display of life in school during Shakespearean times. This really was the best part of the experience and the presenter / actor was fantastic and so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the building and general life during those times.

We were then passed to another informative and enthusiastic guide who showed us the other rooms and allowed us to take part in a few activities including using a real feather quill and ink.

I will definitely be joining in more guided tours from now on.

We were at the venue for approximately one and a half hours and we both...