Shakespeare family home damaged by reversing driver | UK News

A 17th-century building that housed William Shakespeare’s family has been left damaged after a driver reversed into it.

A picture of the Grade I listed building following the crash showed significant damage to the outside walls, with the timber overhang appearing to be supported by scaffolding.

“Yesterday morning, a vehicle was accidentally driven into Halls Croft, located in the Old Town area of Stratford-upon-Avon,” a spokesperson for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust told Sky News.

“First and foremost, we are relieved to confirm that no one was injured in the incident and the building has been made secure to prevent any further damage,” they said.

“This is a stark reminder of how fragile our heritage is,” the Trust added in a post on X.

The Trust, which looks after Shakespeare heritage sites in Stratford-upon-Avon, is now working closely with conservation specialists, insurers and partners to start repair works.

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“All necessary remedial works will be undertaken promptly and with the utmost care,” the Trust said.

The building was the family home of William Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna Hall and her husband, physician John Hall, from 1613-1616.

It was bought by the heritage charity in 1949 and restored to its former Jacobean glory. The restorations cost around £45,000, more than £1.3m in today’s money, according to the Bank of England.

“For most of its history, it has been the home of prosperous, often professional people and in the mid-1800s it served as a small school,” explains the Trust on its website.

“Today, the property is home to our learning hub for secondary school students, university and life-long learners bringing Shakespeare to life through award-winning programmes across the year.”