“All the world’s a stage, and all men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances” – as does Shakespeare Hall, believed to be where William Shakespeare wrote “As You Like It”.

And as luck would have it, “As You Like It” happens to be the centrepiece of this year’s RSC summer season – https://www.rsc.org.uk/as-you-like-it/

Shakespeare Hall, in the village of Rowington, in Warwickshire, has now made its own grand entrance, being brought to the market for the first time in 36 years by leading estate agents DM & Co. Homes.

The timber framed house, dating from the late Tudor period, with various additions in later years, is set on a beautiful English country estate boasting over 20 acres of grounds, in the golden triangle of Stratford-upon-Avon, Henley-in-Arden and Warwick in one of the most sought-after areas of North Warwickshire.

And yet this historic site south of Solihull is just minutes from the M40, rail connections to London and Birmingham International Airport.

The house was built in the 16^th century for the Shakespeare family, relatives of William Shakespeare, and local legend has it that he wrote “As You Like It” while at Shakespeare Hall in 1559.

Indeed, the small room on the first floor where he is believed to have worked on his manuscript may be the site of first instance of “working from home”!

Kathy Griffiths, Head of Premium at DM & Co. Homes, said: “The house today is a Grade II listed building and has remained in private hands since its construction.

“The accommodation comprises seven bedrooms and six bathrooms in the main house, with kitchen, reception rooms, gorgeous drawing room and dining room on the ground floor displaying period splendour at its very best.

“But not only will the new owner be the proud owner of Shakespeare Hall, the estate also comes with four cottages and stables, with plenty of paddocks for horses or livestock.”

According to local records, the oldest part of the house appears to date from around 1548, and this is the centre block, which is flanked by two small gabled wings. Later, cross wings were added to each side of the main block. About 1900, a further wing was added.

The exact history of the hall is lost in the annals of time, but in 1682 it was certainly occupied by Thomas and Isabelle Shakespeare as one of the front gable clearly shows “1682 TS IS” etched into the building’s fabric and highlighted.

In 2019, a ring was found in the field next to the hall bearing the inscription “Truth Betrays Not” which appears to date from around this period.

Kathy Griffiths said: “This is clearly a significant historical building as you can see from a brief viewing and it contains features such as myriad examples of stain glass in the windows that point to its legacy.”

She believes that Shakespeare Hall’s destiny could contain a number of outcomes. As a grand Tudor manor beloved by an owner devoted to its legacy, or possibly as a boutique hotel for wealthy world travellers who want to experience the full Shakespeare atmosphere before they visit the RSC.

And while we cannot be totally certain that William Shakespeare lived there, he did leave the following in his Will that suggests he may have had more than a passing interest in the eponymous property.

In William Shakespeare’s will, he leaves to his daughter Judith, among other bequests: “All her estate & Right that shall discend or come vnto her after my deceas or that shee nowe hath of in or to one Copiehold tenemente with thappurtenaunces lyeing and being in Stratford vpon Avon aforesaied in the saied countie of Warr, being parcell or holden of the mannour of Rowington”.

And who could argue with that?

Shakespeare Hall is on the market for offers over £4.5 million and details are available at https://dmandcohomes.co.uk/property/7-bed-for-sale-warwick/537657 , by emailing kathy.griffiths@dmandcohomes.co.uk or calling 01564 777314.

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For further information, please contact:

Kathy Griffiths, Head of Premium, DM & Co. Homes

T: 01564 777 314 E: Kathy.griffiths@dmandcohomes.co.uk

Unit 2, Forest Court Shopping Centre, Dorridge, Solihull, B93 8FG

www.dmandcohomes.co.uk

Editors’ notes:

DM & Co. Homes is a local, independent estate agent covering Solihull, Dorridge, Lapworth, Tanworth-in-Arden and the surrounding areas.

The company has traditional high street offices at The Forest Shopping Centre, Station Road in Dorridge and at The Pavilions, Cranmore Drive in Solihull, along with a recently launched Land and New Homes division that is quickly growing.

It has made a major investment in its head office, based on Cranmore Drive, where its land & new homes, lettings, financial advisors, sales progressors and administration teams are based.

DM & Co. Home’s media team also operates from the Cranmore Drive offices, providing photography, video and content planning that attracts more than 100,000 views a month via YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.