Shaw's Corner
Country home of playwright Bernard Shaw for 44 years
Shaw's Corner
Facilities and access
Shaw's Corner
Overview
Country home of playwright Bernard Shaw for 44 years
Playwright, politician, philosopher and wit George Bernard Shaw lived in this Edwardian villa for over 40 years from 1906. When he moved in, he was at the height of his fame. If you'd been walking up the drive 70 years ago, you would have been coming to visit one of the most famous, most photographed and most quoted men in the world.
Today, his home remains much as he left it. You can walk from room to room, enjoying the beautiful Arts and Crafts interiors, and finding fascinating links with the past. The tranquil gardens are a restorative and relaxing place at any time of year. They provide you with a space to reflect on the wit and wisdom of this great man of words - and maybe find the inspiration to write masterpieces of your own.
- Telephone
- +441438821968
- shawscorner@nationaltrust.org.uk
Shaw's Corner
How to get here
- Address
- Ayot St Lawrence, near Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL6 9BX
- By cycle
- NCN12, 1 mile
- Cycle route information
- By bus
- there is no public transport to Ayot St Lawrence. The nearest bus stops are in Wheathampstead and Blackmore End, both of which are 2 miles away from Shaw's Corner, and would require a walk down narrow country lanes to reach the property.
- By train
- Welwyn North 4½ miles; Welwyn Garden City 6 miles; Harpenden 5 miles
- By road
- There are many routes into Ayot St Lawrence, but all involve access down relatively narrow lanes. The route below is the quickest and easiest and the one that we strongly recommend unless there has been heavy rain. If there has been heavy rain please follow the directions below. If you are unsure which route to take, please call us on 01438 820307 and we will do everything that we can to help. If coming from the A1(M)/Welwyn Garden City/Hatfield: (15 minutes) Exit A1(m) at junction 4, and take the first exit, following signs to Wheathampstead. At the next roundabout (Stanborough Lakes) take the first exit, followed by the second exit at the next roundabout onto Brocket Road/B653. Continue straight for three miles, then take the second exit at the next roundabout (Shaw’s Corner is signposted from here). Take the next right onto Codicote Road. Take the next left, again onto the Codicote Road. *Follow for just under a mile, then take the next left onto Bride Hall Lane. Follow for a mile, then take the next left onto Bibbs Hall Lane. Shaw’s Corner car park is 200 metres up the lane. If coming from St Albans/M1 Junction 6/M25 Junction 21A: (20-25 minutes) From St Albans city centre head north towards the village of Wheathampstead on the B651. Follow the B651 for 4 miles until you come to Wheathampstead village centre. Continue through the village, past the church and The Bull pub, then at the next roundabout take the third exit onto Codicote Road.(Shaw’s Corner is signposted from here). Take the next left, again onto the Codicote Road. Then follow as above from *. If coming from Harpenden/Luton/M1 Junction 10 (20 minutes – from Luton) Follow signs for Wheathampstead along the B653 Lower Luton Road. Continue to follow the Lower Luton Road, through two roundabouts at Batford. At the next roundabout continue straight (second exit) onto Codicote Road. Take the next left, again onto the Codicote Road. Then follow as above from *.
- Parking: free small car park, 30 yards from house. Please be aware that our car park is very small, and be prepared to wait on busy days. Not suitable for large vehicles.
- SatNav:
- Driving instructions following heavy rain
- "Ayot" means island, and following heavy rain it is possible to see why. This route is the best one to follow on days when the main route is flooded. If you are unsure which route to follow, please give Shaw's Corner a ring on 01438 820307. If coming from the A1(M)/Welwyn Garden City/Hatfield: (25 minutes) Exit A1(m) at junction 4, and take the first exit, following signs to Wheathampstead. At the next roundabout (Stanborough Lakes) take the first exit, followed by the second exit at the next roundabout onto Brocket Road/B653. Continue straight for three miles, then take the second exit at the next roundabout (Shaw’s Corner is signposted from here). At the next roundabout, take the third exit onto B651 Lamer Lane. *Continue for just over a mile, then turn right onto B651 Ballslough Hill. Take the next right onto Bibbs Hall Lane. Continue on Bibbs Hall Lane until you see the Shaw’s Corner car park. If coming from St Albans/M1 Junction 6/M25 Junction 21A: (20-25 minutes) From St Albans city centre head north towards the village of Wheathampstead on the B651. Follow the B651 for 4 miles until you come to Wheathampstead village centre. Continue through the village, past the church and The Bull pub, then at the next roundabout take the second exit onto B 651 Lamer Lane. Then follow as above from *. If coming from Harpenden/Luton/M1 Junction 10 (20 minutes – from Luton) Follow signs for Wheathampstead along the B653 Lower Luton Road. Continue to follow the Lower Luton Road, through two roundabouts at Batford. At the next roundabout take the first exit onto Lamer Lane. Then follow as above from *.
Shaw's Corner
Prices
Whole property
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | N/A | £7.75 |
| Child | N/A | £3.85 |
| Family | N/A | £23.25 |
|
Group Adult
Minimum group size 10
|
N/A | £6.65 |
|
Group Child
Minimum group size 10
|
N/A | £2.85 |
What is Gift Aid?
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points. Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
- Gift Aid Admission or
- Standard admission
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you the Gift Aid Admission prices. But it's entirely up to you which ticket you choose. If you want the Standard Admission instead, just let us know when you come to pay.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid* — an extra 25 per cent — potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below: Payment of the additional percentage donation is entirely voluntary, so if you prefer to pay the standard admission please advise our reception staff at the till point.
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid donations must be supported by a valid Gift Aid declaration and a Gift Aid declaration can only cover donations made by an individual for him/herself or for him/herself and members of his/her family.
Shaw's Corner
Opening times
Please note...
Please note that the last entry to the house is at 16.30 each open day. During our Open-air Theatre periods (usually the last weekends of June and July, but check current dates elsewhere on the website), we may have to close the house a little earlier).
Friday 22 September
- House 12:00 - 17:00
- Garden 12:00 - 17:30
Saturday 23 September
- House 12:00 - 17:00
- Garden 12:00 - 17:30
Sunday 24 September
- House 12:00 - 17:00
- Garden 12:00 - 17:30
Monday 25 September
- House Closed
- Garden Closed
Tuesday 26 September
- House Closed
- Garden Closed
Wednesday 27 September
- House 12:00 - 17:00
- Garden 12:00 - 17:30
Thursday 28 September
- House 12:00 - 17:00
- Garden 12:00 - 17:30