
Discover more at Shaw's Corner
Find out when Shaw's Corner is open, how to get here, things to see and do and more.
The garden at Shaw’s Corner extends to 3.5 acres surrounding the Edwardian villa and is in a conservation area. The gardens have been kept as Shaw liked them, and photos inside the house show him in the garden, looking much as it does today.
The north approach to the house, which used to be the carriage drive, is formal and simple. Seek out the scent of the cherry blossom in spring as it drifts along the drive.
To the front of the house a rolling lawn unfolds, bright green and pristinely lined: an ideal spot to take a moment’s rest and enjoy the garden. In summer the herbaceous borders are a riot of colour, filled with bright alliums, yellow achillea, foxgloves and delphiniums.
The garden is also home to a wildflower meadow, in which cowslips can be found in spring, followed by swathes of native wildflowers in summer. The wildflower meadow is home to chalkland flowers and is designated a Local Wildlife Site by the Wildlife Trust.
The orchard to the west is planted with apple, greengage and pear trees, bringing sweet-smelling blossom in spring. The trees are underplanted with bright narcissi, blooming in March and April. This tranquil spot is a great place to sit and watch the birds visiting the feeders.
A stroll to the bottom of the garden reveals one of the most famous garden sheds – Shaw’s wonderful revolving writing hut. Tucked away, it would have had far-reaching views of the surrounding countryside.
The wooden hut was mounted on a revolving mechanism so that as he worked, Shaw could follow the sun throughout the day. In this retreat behind the trees, he wrote many of his plays.
Details for 2024 will be released soon, please keep checking back!
Find out when Shaw's Corner is open, how to get here, things to see and do and more.
Keep your garden or green spaces thriving with our winter gardening tips. There are plenty of jobs to keep you busy, including protecting your plants and wildlife, planting for winter colour, pruning rose bushes or planning ahead for warmer days.
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.
Discover the history of Shaw's Corner, Hertfordshire and George Bernard Shaw – the playwright, activist and Nobel Prize winner who lived there.
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.
Shaw's Corner is now closed for 2023. We look forward to welcoming you back in Spring 2024.
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.
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Discover our gardeners’ top tips so you can make the most of your garden, plot or window box.