Car Damages 17th-Century Shakespeare Family Home in Stratford

Halls Croft, a Grade I-listed 17th-century building in Stratford-upon-Avon that was once home to William Shakespeare's daughter Susanna and her husband Dr. John Hall, was significantly damaged after a car reversed into it. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, which owns and manages the site, confirmed there were no injuries and the building has been secured to prevent further harm. The building was already undergoing a major conservation project, and the Trust is now collaborating with specialists and insurers to start repairs promptly and carefully. The Trust highlighted the fragility of heritage sites and the challenges posed by rising conservation costs and a shortage of skilled craftsmen. Halls Croft has historically been home to professional residents and served as a school in the mid-1800s; it was purchased by the Trust in 1949 and opened to the public after restoration in 1951. The Trust also appealed for donations to help fund ongoing conservation efforts and plans to keep the public updated on repair progress.