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Shaw's Corner
Country home of playwright Bernard Shaw for 44 years
Ayot St Lawrence, near Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL6 9BX
Book a visit
Important notice
Shaw's Corner will be closing at 3pm on Thursday 10th July due to a staff briefing. Last entry to house and garden will be at 2.30pm. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Opening times for 14 July 2025
Asset Opening time House Closed Garden Closed Book a visitGuided tours of the house are available Thursday to Sunday at 10.15 and 11.15. Must be pre-booked. Booking is not required after 12.30pm.
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Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £12.10 £11.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £6.10 £5.50 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £30.30 £27.50 Family 1 Adult, 2 Children £18.20 £16.50 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Assistance dogs only
Assistance dogs only inside the house.
- Bookshop
Second hand book shop inside our kiosk.
- Car park
Small car park.
- Dogs allowed
Dogs welcome on leads in garden.
- Guided tour
Pre-booked guided tour of the house at 10.15 and 11.15. Non-bookable free-flow access thereafter.
- Kiosk
Books, plant sales, small food and drink offering.
- Plant shop
Small selection of plants available to buy.
- Toilet
Toilet to the right of the house.
Blue Badge parking. Step access to toilet. Steps up to house entrance, gardens partially accessible.
- Accessible toilet
Accessible toilet is available.
- Designated parking
Two spaces available.
- Induction loop
Induction loop at our visitor reception.
- Large print (guide or menu)
Large print guide available for the house.
- Narrow corridors
Narrow corridors in the house
- Powered mobility vehicle available
2 single mobility vehicles for use around the garden.
- Ramped access/slopes
Portable ramps available to access the house and kiosk.
- Seating available
Seats available in the garden and foldable seats available for the house.
- Steps/uneven terrain
Some uneven terrain and inclines in the garden. Steps to the upper floor of the house only.
- Virtual tour
Virtual guide available for the upper floor of the house.
- Wheelchairs available
We have a wheelchair available.
- 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 coming from the A1(M)/Welwyn Garden City/Hatfield: (15 minutes) Exit A1(m) at junction 4, taking the first exit and 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 *. If there has been heavy rain please follow the instructions in the labelled box 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.
Parking: There is a small, free 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.
Sat Nav: Postcode AL6 9BX. Please note that Sat Nav routes will be the quickest, but not necessarily the easiest - if coming from the North /A1(m) sat navs will bring you through a ford and routes to Shaw's Corner that are not signposted.
- By train
Welwyn North 4½ miles; Welwyn Garden City 6 miles; Harpenden 5 miles
- By bus
There is unfortunately no public transport to Ayot St Lawrence. The closest bus stops are in the surrounding tows and villages, requiring a walk down narrow country lanes to reach the property. However, if you do wish to travel by bus, routes 45 and 304 offer a flat walk from Blackmore End. Alternative options are routes 44 and 314. Please use the journey planner on Intalink to plan the best journey for you.
- Cycling
NCN12, 1 mile. Chilterns Cycleway also passes close by.
Plan your route to Shaw's Corner using the CycleStreets journey planner via the by bicycle link below (This journey planner uses OpenStreetMap data which is generally excellent by accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If you come to a footpath or other cycle-prohibited track, please don’t ride on it).
- 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 *.
Planning your visit
Outdoor Theatre at Shaw's Corner
Join us in the garden for a summer of outdoor theatre and film. 25 - 26 July = Arms and the Man 23 August = Sense and Sensibility 24 August = Robin Hood 25 August = Shakes versus Shav April Booking essential.
Article
Booking your visit to Shaw's Corner
Shaw's Corner's season has now ended. The house and garden will reopen in March 2025.
Article
Accessibility at Shaw's Corner
We believe Shaw's Corner should be open and accessible for all. Read on to discover how best you can visit to experience and enjoy nature, beauty and history.
PDF
Article
Visiting the garden at Shaw's Corner
The garden at Shaw’s Corner extends to 3.5 acres and is in a conservation area. Kept as Shaw liked it, the garden looks just the same today.
Article
Visiting Shaw's Corner with your dog
Dogs are welcome to explore the garden at Shaw's Corner on a short lead. Read more to find out how to make the most of your visit with your four-legged friend.
A year in the garden
Starting October 2024, read about the work that goes on behind the scenes! Track our progress and discover what our Senior Gardener and his team of loyal volunteers get up to...
Highlights
House
Edwardian country home of playwright, politician and philosopher George Bernard Shaw, with Arts and Crafts features and collection.
Garden
Tranquil garden with rolling lawns, vibrant summer borders, a fruit orchard and Shaw’s iconic rotating writing hut.
Second-hand bookshop
Bookshop fully stocked with pre-loved books including an extensive Shavian and playwrights section.
Things to see and do
Article
Visiting the garden at Shaw's Corner
The garden at Shaw’s Corner extends to 3.5 acres and is in a conservation area. Kept as Shaw liked it, the garden looks just the same today.
Article
Booking your visit to Shaw's Corner
Shaw's Corner is open for pre-booked house tours Thursday - Sunday at 10.15am and 11.15am. Find all the information and to book your visit here. Visits to the house from 12.30pm-5pm and visits to the garden only do not require pre-booking.
Article
Visiting the house at Shaw's Corner
Discover Shaw’s Corner, the home of playwright, George Bernard Shaw. Explore the beautiful Arts and Crafts interiors and find fascinating links with the past.
Article
Visiting Shaw's Corner with family
The enclosed garden at Shaw's Corner provides the perfect location for a family visit. From family trails to garden games, there's plenty on offer.
Top trails
Trail
Wheathampstead to Shaw's Corner circular walk
Walk in the footsteps of the playwright George Bernard Shaw and visit his former home on the Wheathampstead to Shaw's Corner circular walk.
Upcoming events
Event
Garden Trail: Shaw's Scrumptious Veg
Bernard Shaw loved his vegetable patch, especially when it was made into rhubarb pie! This summer, help our housekeeper and gardener look after our imaginary patch on this interactive garden trail.
Event
Outdoor Theatre: Arms and the Man
With his home at the backdrop, Rumpus are proud to present an exciting new production of the Bernard Shaw play, Arms and the Man, for the playwright’s Birthday weekend!
Event
Outdoor Theatre: Sense and Sensibility
With Shaw's Corner as the backdrop, DOT Productions presents the Jane Austen classic: ‘Sense & Sensibility’
Event
Outdoor Family Theatre: Robin Hood
Who’s ready for an adventure? With Shaw's Corner as the backdrop, DOT Productions presents their 2025 family show: Robin Hood
Event
Outdoor Cinema: Shakes versus Shav
This August Bank Holiday Monday, join us for a garden screening of madcap puppet film, Shakes Versus Shav: a fresh and fitting tribute to two of the greatest writers in the English language…with strings attached.
Event
Afternoon House Tour: Masterpieces at Shaw's Corner
Get up close and personal to Bernard and Charlotte's fabulous art collection.
Event
Garden Tour: Day in the Life of a National Trust Gardener
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a National Trust gardener? Join this bespoke tour of our garden to find out!
Event
Apple Day
Move over pumpkins – this autumn, the humble apple takes centre stage at Shaw’s Corner!
About Shaw's Corner
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 inspired 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.
History
Article
The history of Shaw's Corner and its owner
Discover the history of Shaw's Corner, Hertfordshire and George Bernard Shaw – the playwright, activist and Nobel Prize winner who lived there.
Art and collections
Article
The collection at Shaw's Corner
Discover more about the collection at Shaw’s Corner. From the bust of Shaw sculpted by Auguste Rodin to a Best Screenplay Oscar for the film adaptation of Pygmalion and the daily tools of a writer, the collection at Shaw's Corner is full of treasures. The bust by Rodin is now one of the National Trust’s 125 treasures.
Support us
Article
Volunteer opportunities at Shaw’s Corner
Do you have some spare time to help us look after Shaw’s Corner? Find out about the different volunteering roles such as room guide and play reader, and how you can join the team.