For the sheer number of novels and films that his work has inspired, there is very little we seem to know of Shakespeare’s personal life. The latest cinematic attempt is Hamnet, Chloé Zhao’s film adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel, which talks about the bard’s early life and the loss of his only son (an 11-year-old) and the grief that later inspired many of his creative outpourings, such as Hamlet.
Like the book, Zhao’s Oscar-nominated film, which stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, presents 16th-century England as its main character. So, the black-and-white timber-framed facade of Cwmmau Farmhouse, which was chosen as the perfect location to stand in for Stratford-upon-Avon, is equally central to the Golden Globe-winning film.
In the film, the cottage, which is actually managed by the National Trust, is Agnes Hathaway’s (Jessie Buckley) family home, Hewlands. It is against its imposing Tudor exterior that William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) first meets and then falls in love with the free-spirited Agnes—the place is where their powerful and moving love story unfolds.
So, if you are a fan of the film, or just someone who can’t say no to a bit of Shakespeare trivia, at the Cwmmau Farmhouse you have the opportunity to step into the world of Hamnet with a romantic stay straight out of a movie. Situated on a wedge of the Welsh Marches and tucked in ancient woodlands and meadows, the holiday cottage is a 16th-century Jacobean farmhouse with all the modern creature comforts and untouched landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see.
A winding lane leads up to the entrance through a cobbled courtyard, with multiple footpaths and a bridleway passing through the expansive property. This striking monochromatic house was once the centre of a large farm in Brilley. Today, many of its original features—massive oak beams, stone floors, leaded windows, and an old kitchen complete with bread ovens and stoves—remain intact, offering a rare glimpse into the elaborate lifestyle enjoyed by the farming families who called this home hundreds of years ago.
With the farmhouse functioning as a self-catered holiday let, one has the opportunity and freedom to sample the exceptional seasonal produce and prepare your favourite dishes just the way you like them in the fully kitted kitchen. Enjoy your meals in the dining room, which has a staircase leading to the first floor with five spacious bedrooms and two bathrooms. Two of the bedrooms come with dramatic four-poster beds. The Porch Bedroom, where Shakespeare first sees Agnes in Hamnet, features beautiful hand-drawn crayon paintings, says Blake Chadwick, area manager for Holidays at the National Trust.
The Cwmmau Farmhouse costs approximately ₹2 lakh for a three night's stay that can accommodate 10 guests across five bedrooms
While you’ll be tempted not to leave the cosy comfort of the house, you’ll be seriously remiss to be in the middle of the fairytale Herefordshire countryside and not go exploring.
With fields, wildflower-dotted meadows, and woodlands surrounding the property, there are plenty of walking routes promising excellent views. Just pray for a clear day, so that unrestricted views of the Bannau Brycheiniog or Brecon Beacons, the stunning Welsh mountain range, await you.
If you’re not the type to go hiking, then the cottage grounds graciously bring the outdoors in for you. Go for a meandering walk in the lawned garden, with a quaint pond just beyond it. Or grab a book (bonus points if it’s an English literary classic) and relax into one of the benches in the porch with a drink in hand.
Summer seems like the obvious time of year to pay a visit, with its mild weather, carpeted green meadows and fields, and the feeling of having all the time in the world to slow down and relax. However, Lucy Armstrong-Blair, cultural heritage curator at the National Trust, points out, “There’s a special loveliness in the quieter months, especially with the colour of autumn and the sparse beauty of winter.” The farmhouse has log burners to settle in front of with a tipple and a roast dinner, and the rooms are especially warm and inviting after a wet stomp in the wintry countryside.
Whatever you do, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported straight back to the Elizabethan era. For Armstrong-Blair, who oversaw the shoot of Hamnet, the experience felt like time travel, too. “Cwmmau Farmhouse, with its stone base, timber framing, and leaded windows, is one of those rare places where the past feels close at hand.”
Filming for Hamnet took place during the summer of 2024, with the nearby Tudor village of Weobley standing in for Stratford-upon-Avon. Hamnet has left a palpable mark on Cwmmau Farmhouse, with the location fees funding crucial conservation work on the Grade-II listed structure. The release of the film has also increased interest in the property, with Chadwick noting that even though Cwmmau Farmhouse has always been a popular destination, many are now relying on last-minute cancellations to book their stay at the cottage.
Outside the cottage, real apple trees used as props and period-style timber fencing were donated to Cwmmau, standing as forever markers of the film’s tangible impact and its legacy on the heritage farmhouse.
Address: Cwmma Road, Hereford HR3 6JP
Cost: £2,700 (₹3.3 lakhs) onwards for seven nights
Number of guests: 10 guests, 5 bedrooms
Getting there: Fly into Cardiff; the property is roughly a two-hour drive from Cardiff airport. Alternatively, you can take the train to Hereford and book a taxi for the final leg of the journey
Book: nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays
