18 October 2025 , 20:13
938
0
A 17th-century property associated with William Shakespeare’s family has been damaged after a driver backed into it.
A photo of the Grade I listed building taken after the crash showed extensive damage to the exterior walls, with the timber overhang apparently 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.
"Firstly, we are relieved to confirm that no one was injured in the incident and the building has been secured to prevent any further damage," they said.
"This is a powerful reminder of how vulnerable our heritage is," the Trust added in a post on X.
The Trust, which cares for Shakespeare heritage sites in Stratford-upon-Avon, is now working closely with conservation specialists, insurers and partners to begin repairs.
More from Sky News: "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 much of its history, it has been the home of prosperous, often professional people and in the mid-1800s it served as a small school," the Trust explains on its website.
"Today, the property is home to our learning hub for secondary school students, university and lifelong learners, bringing Shakespeare to life through award-winning programmes throughout the year."
Head of Investigations