Architectural records from 1668 have unearthed a previously unknown floorplan of a Blackfriars property, now identified to have been owned by Shakespeare.
While the discovery resolves several clues in one puzzle, it also unlocks a new and tantalising mystery of its own.
Professor Lucy Munro made headlines this spring after uncovering three documents in the London and National Archives that allowed her to pinpoint the exact location and size of Shakespeare’s only London home.
Her discovery brings fresh intrigue into how much time Shakespeare may have spent in London during his final years.
However long Shakespeare lived here, identification of the exact site means visitors can now stand amid an accurate outline of his London home.
For years, a dark blue City of London plaque has adorned a 19th‑century building at 5 St Andrew’s Hill, noting that “on 10th March 1613 William Shakespeare purchased lodgings in the Blackfriars Gatehouse located near this site.”
Different perspective
The newly identified footprint covers what are now the eastern end of Ireland Yard, the bottom of Burgon Street, and parts of 5 Burgon Street and 5 St Andrew’s Hill. The plaque was unknowingly placed on the site of the house itself.
Narrow lanes around St Andrew’s Hill feel set apart from the City’s main routes, even though major landmarks such as Ludgate Hill and Millennium Bridge are only moments away
The original gatehouse has long disappeared, replaced by Georgian and later terraces, but a medieval street pattern remains. The 1668 plan shows that Shakespeare’s property measured roughly 45 feet east to west and 13 to 15 feet north to south, and that by 1645 it was large enough to have been divided into two houses.
Shakespeare lived in the parish of St Andrew by the Wardrobe, a 13th‑century church later rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London.
Munro’s findings indicate he may have spent more time in London in his later years than previously thought, suggesting he used his Blackfriars house personally rather than solely as an investment.
How the new discovery challenges the Shakespeare’s return to Stratford timeline
Munro’s mapping of the Blackfriars gatehouse has reopened the question of when Shakespeare left London.
The property has long been treated as an investment he bought shortly before retiring to Stratford.
The newly identified floorplan shows a substantial two‑storey house, not a mere token holding, and large enough to have been divided into two dwellings by the mid 1600s.
Now, thanks to Munn’s research, it has even been suggested our most famous playwright may never have fully settled back in Stratford.
The documents also confirm that Shakespeare’s home stood exactly where the plaque at 5 St Andrew’s Hill is, placing him in the centre of Blackfriars, close to his own company’s indoor playhouse and within convenient reach of legal, commercial and theatrical districts.
The precision of the location, combined with the property’s dimensions, suggest he may have continued to spend more time in London after 1613 rather than returning to Stratford immediately.
Munro’s findings muddy a traditional narrative of a clear break between Shakespeare’s London career and his later life in Warwickshire, raising the possibility that his return to Stratford was more gradual than assumed. If he went back at all.
How to visit Shakespeare’s newly confirmed London home
Shakespeare’s Blackfriars home can be visited easily, whether walking, or by public transport. The confirmed site is at 5 St Andrew’s Hill, with the mapped property also covering parts of Ireland Yard and Burgon Street, all close together.
There are no dedicated tours to this unique discovery for now, but the location features in wider Shakespeare and City heritage walks run regularly by City of London Guides, London Walks and Footprints of London, with private guides available all year round.
Independent visits are straightforward. The site is a three‑minute walk from Blackfriars Underground and mainline station, and around ten minutes from St Paul’s. The medieval street pattern survives, making it best explored on foot. Taxis can drop visitors at the top of St Andrew’s Hill; driving is strongly discouraged as parking is limited congestion restrictions are in place.
A short route on foot takes in the plaque at No. 5, adjoining stretches of Ireland Yard and Burgon Street, and nearby St Andrew by the Wardrobe, Shakespeare’s parish church. The former Blackfriars Playhouse site lies just west of the house, allowing visitors to follow the Bard’s London life within a small but significant area.
Available tours
Several heritage organisations include the Blackfriars site within broader Shakespeare walks. London Walks runs regular Shakespeare routes covering nearby historic locations.
Shakespeare’s Walks also offers guided routes to explore Shakespeare’s London life, with tours lasting around two hours.
Tickets for these operators generally range from £15 to £24, and private tours can be arranged for visitors seeking a more tailored experience. Most tours begin within easy reach of Underground and mainline stations.
Accessibility
The confirmed site at 5 St Andrew’s Hill is on standard streets that can be accessed without stairs, although some surfaces are uneven due to their historic layout.
Tour operators provide accessibility notes on their booking pages, including information on mobility considerations and support for visitors with hearing or visual needs. Photography is permitted throughout the area, including at the plaque.
Seasonal opportunities
Shakespeare‑themed walks run throughout the year. Operators such as London Walks and Shakespeare’s Walks publish fixed schedules that continue through all seasons, although the number of departures can vary according to programming.
Special events linked to Shakespeare’s Birthday in April and City heritage festivals can increase the availability of themed walks, and booking in advance is recommended.
Linda Aitchison is the author of A Shakespeare Lover’s Guide to England. (White Owl, 2027)