Shakespeare Hotel, Stratford-on-Avon
The Shakespeare Hotel is a 16th-century timber-framed Grade II* hotel in the heart of historic Stratford-on-Avon. Our Historic Buildings Consultants have been supporting the client team at the hotel since 2022 with a complex Listed Building Consent process. The multimillion-pound refurbishment and renovation scheme has included widespread repairs to the historic fabric and structure. A major new interior design scheme, upgraded building services and facilities were also part of the refurbishment.
The hotel is a fascinating structure. It is formed of two laterally connected timber-framed houses dating from the early 16th century: ‘Four Gables’ was once an inn, whilst ‘Five Gables’ was a high-status merchant’s house. They were amalgamated in the late 19th century to become the ‘Shakespeare Hotel’. Shakespeare’s ‘New Place’ – his family home – lies directly adjacent to the hotel, so it is likely that the Bard himself visited the building!
Our work on the project began with a detailed building assessment to understand the structure’s built fabric and complex development through time. Building assessment surveys establish heritage value and significance, to inform designs and plans for development or refurbishment. In this case we were able to support the client team with solving intricate issues relating to constraints, and to guide them on the opportunities for change and sensitive intervention. For historic buildings there are often tensions between the need for modernisation (including building regulation compliance) and significance. We work collaboratively to navigate these issues, being an advocate for the Listed Building and its special qualities, whilst working towards our client’s goals, in agreement with the Local Authority and Historic England.
We have subsequently managed the submission of a second application for detailed repairs to the building envelope. We are also acting as a ‘heritage guardian’ in terms of the works on site which are due to start in earnest this autumn. We are looking forward to seeing this special old building restored and looking its best, when it opens its doors in 2026, as one of Stratford’s most spectacular hotels!
