The Falstaff’s Experience

The Falstaff's Experience is a waxworks museum right in the heart of Stratford-Upon-Avon about 100 yards from the River Avon.

It tells the dark history Stratford and, although it’s not Shakespeare-orientated, The Falstaff’s Experience do have close Shakespeare connections, including William Rogers, the tavernkeeper, who is said to be Shakespeare's inspiration for Falstaff. His wife, Elizabeth Walker's nephew, William Walker, was Shakespeare’s godson.

There has been property here since 1196, when the Bishop of Worcester divided the area into plots. Over the centuries it has been a tavern, billet for Civil War troops, makeshift hospital, shops and grain store. Three mayors have been residents here, including the very first Mayor of Stratford, John Woolmer in 1651. Edward Gibbs, was another resident Mayor in 1872 and was known as 'The Shakespeare Architect' as he 'renovated' the Swan and Maidenhead pub in Henley Street into what is now the called The Birthplace Trust.

In the evenings there are lantern-lit ghost tours of the building and ghost hunting vigils at the weekend and has sometimes been called "..the most haunted building in the country".

The Falstaff's Experience is thought, by some, to be one of the most unique properties in Stratford and well worth a visit - day or night.

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