Shaw's Corner - National Trust

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Shaw's Corner - National Trust

Home of world-famous playwright George Bernard Shaw, this lovely Edwardian villa and garden is now a

If you stepped through the green front door of Shaw's Corner 70 years ago, you would have been coming to visit one of the most famous men in the world. Today the house is a treasure trove of fascinating objects and stories, all linked to one of our greatest playwrights and thinkers: George Bernard Shaw.

23/06/2026

Outdoor theatre returns to Shaw's Corner this summer!

There are three fantastic shows with tickets on sale now. Our summer theatre season is a highlight every year, so book your tickets to see theatre in an unforgettable outdoor setting 🎭

Candida: Rumpus are proud to present an exciting new production of the Bernard Shaw play, Candida, for the playwright’s Birthday weekend!
📆 Fri 24 & Sat 25 Jul (doors open at 5:45pm, performance starts at 6:30pm)
🎟 https://tinyurl.com/4wue5598

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: step onto the Yellow Brick Road this summer with DOT Productions’ magical family theatre adventure, based on the Frank L. Baum classic.
📆 Wed 19 Aug (doors open at 12:30pm, performance starts at 2pm)
🎟 https://tinyurl.com/ya4xmvt9

Lady Windermere's Fan: DOT Productions presents a sparkling revival of an Oscar Wilde classic, brimming with wit, charm, and the company’s signature comedic flair.
📆 Sat 22 Aug (doors open at 6pm, performance starts at 7pm)
🎟 https://tinyurl.com/de58bay2

21/06/2026

This week was National Picnic Week!

With plenty of sunny days ahead this summer, the gardens here at Shaw's Corner really come into their own. There is plenty of space for picnics, and we have a small selection of ice creams, snacks, and hot & cold drinks available to purchase.

If you decide to visit for a picnic, you can enjoy the sight of swathes of native wildflowers in summer. The meadow is also home to chalkland flowers, and is designated a Local Wildlife Site by the Wildlife Trust 🌱

Image copyright (images 1 & 3): James Dobson / National Trust Images
Image copyright (image 2): David Levenson / National Trust Images

19/06/2026

Today marks the 89th anniversary of J. M. Barrie's death.

One of Shaw's contemporaries, J. M. Barrie was a novelist and playwright who is, of course, best remembered for being the creator of Peter Pan.

Shaw described Peter Pan as "ostensibly a holiday entertainment for children but really a play for grown-up people", suggesting deeper social metaphors at work.

The images of J. M. Barrie used in this post are from the photographic archive here at Shaw's Corner.

Did you know: Barrie and Shaw were neighbours in London for several years, and Shaw once participated in a Western that Barrie scripted and filmed!

Images: ©Society of Authors/National Trust

15/06/2026

On this day (15th June) in 1885, Shaw bought his first Jaeger suit using money from his father's life insurance.

This wasn't just a style choice - it reflected the way in which Shaw was living his life. Jaeger suits were based on the idea that wearing animal fibers next to your skin was better for your health than wearing plant fibers, because the wool allowed the body to breathe.

Having started his professional career as a journalist and critic, he was intimately aware of the impact that his clothes had on his public image. Shaw, therefore, used his collection of suits to craft the public perception of himself, making suggestions to editors on which photograph of himself would work best with each article.

Within the collection at Shaw's Corner, we have a number of Shaw's woollen suits, including the very dapper suit (pictured), which has recently been put on display.

©Society of Authors/National Trust

13/06/2026

161 years ago today...

On 13th June 1865, W. B. Yeats was born in Ireland. The playwright, poet & literary critic was a contemporary of Shaw, with the two receiving their Nobel Prize for Literature within two years of each other.

These images of Yeats were taken by Shaw, and his portrait is hung in the study here at Shaw's Corner.

📸 Society of Authors/National Trust

07/06/2026

As we come to the end of Volunteers’ Week, we want to say a big thank you to all of the people who help out here at Shaw's Corner 👏

There are many different roles that volunteers can have here - pictured are several of our fabulous volunteers doing a dramatic reading of Shaw's plays to educate and entertain our visitors!

Whether you have years of experience or knowledge to draw upon, or you just want to help us keep this special place running smoothly, you’re welcome to join our volunteering team here at Shaw’s Corner.

If you're interested in volunteering at Shaw's Corner, email the team at [email protected].

04/06/2026

Throwback Thursday ⏳

Back in March, members of the NT Textile Conservation Studio came to Shaw's Corner for some essential maintenance to the Morris & Co curtain in the entrance hall.

Net was applied to the Peacock and Dragon patterned material, which will help to stabilise any damaged areas and reduce the chance of threads fraying in the future.

In these images, you can see tests being completed on the net to ensure the colour blends in well so that it isn't visible from a distance.

01/06/2026

128 years ago today, George Bernard Shaw and Charlotte Payne-Townshend were married!

On June 1st 1898 (when both of them were 41 years old), Bernard and Charlotte tied the knot in the register office in Covent Garden. At the time, Shaw was recovering from foot surgery, and they started their married lives living together at 10 Adelphi Terrace, London, overlooking the Embankment.

8 years later, in 1906, the couple moved into Shaw's Corner, where they lived together until Charlotte passed away in 1943.

📸 Society of Authors/National Trust

Image description: Charlotte and Bernard sit together, Bernard in a wheelchair, looking at Charlotte, who's sitting in a chair and reading a large unfolded document.

28/05/2026

Time for another update from the garden here at Shaw's Corner!

The shrub pictured is a Kolkwitzia amabilis (commonly known as the 'beauty bush'). These gorgeous white and pink flowers have appeared just in time for summer, and can be spotted on the Dell bank 🌸

For more info on the garden at Shaw's Corner and how to visit, click here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/shaws-corner/visiting-the-garden-at-shaws-corner

25/05/2026

It is going to be another warm day this Bank Holiday Monday, so if you can't make it to the beach why not try Shaw's Corner instead.

The house and gardens are open from 10am today. We may not have a sea breeze, but we do have ice creams and a shady orchard to relax in.

Last entry at 4:30pm, normal admission applies. To see more details please visit our website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/shaws-corner

📷 Society of Authors/National Trust

Address

Shaws Corner
Ayot Saint Lawrence
AL69BX

Telephone

+441438820307

Website

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/shaws-corner/

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