Shaw's Corner, The National Trust property, Welwyn, Hertfordshire
Details
Accessibility
Disability Parking
"Designated mobility parking in main car park
Two steps to entrance of house, ramp available. Ground floor has very limited turning space. Narrow door to the kitchen, small step to the scullery. Stairs to other floors. scrapbooks on life of Shaw
Large print guide
Partly accessible grounds, not ideal for self-propelled wheelchairs. Plan shown on property leaflet. Level access to parts of garden"
Brief description
"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."
Address
Ayot St Lawrence, near Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL6 9BX
shawscorner@nationaltrust.org.uk
Phone
01438 821968
Website
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/shaws-corner
Directions
"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.
SatNav: 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.
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 *.
By cycle
NCN12, 1 mile"
Opening Times
Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change
February 2021 "Important notice - We're working hard to reopen many of our places where it is safe to do so. However, Shaw's Corner is currently closed."
Transport
"By train
Welwyn North 4½ miles; Welwyn Garden City 6 miles; Harpenden 5 miles
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."
Amenities
Toilets
Garden
"Gift and souvenir shop
Free parking, 30 yards. Small car park, not suitable for very large vehicles
Variety of home grown plants for sale
Open air performances of George Bernard Shaw's plays each summer in the garden
Tours available, please contact us before you visit
Groups welcome, please contact us before you visit"
Travel Information
For further travel information please see: www.traveline.info
Or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge)
Location
Nearest Venues
St Lawrence Church, Ayot St Lawrence, Welwyn
323 metres*
Peace Memorial Hall, Codicote, Hertfordshire
1.70 miles*
1.72 miles*
1.75 miles*
St Peter's Church, Ayot St Peter, Hertfordshire
1.85 miles*
*Distances are calculated in a straight line from the current venue, please allow extra time/distance based on available paths or roads.