From storytelling and sword fighting, archery and animal feeding to live performances in Shakespeare's home, the curtain is about to go up on a summer of family fun with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

A special programme of events and activities will be taking place across Shakespeare's family homes in Stratford-upon-Avon throughout July, August and into September as families are welcomed back to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the publication "Mr. William Shakespeare's comedies, histories, & tragedies" also known as the First Folio.

Highlights include daily performances in the Shakespeare's Birthplace gardens of famous scenes from 18 of Shakespeare's plays. Plays, that without the First Folio would have been lost to history.

Staying with the 'Lost Plays' theme, families will be able to explore all three of Shakespeare's family homes in a new way with the 'Lost Plays Family Trail' with clues and activities hidden in plain sight across all the properties.

Meanwhile, Mary Arden's Farm in Wilmcote will be throwing open its gates to welcome visitors more than it has been able to since 2019 with a series of family-fun events, including the all-day 'Weekends at Mary Arden's' and the hands-on 'Summer Fun at the Farm' which this year will focus on the Tempest, another of the 'lost plays.'

Alongside the special events visitors can also explore the enduring legacy of Shakespeare and the First Folio at the 'Great Variety of Readers' exhibition at Shakespeare's New Place.

Rachael North, director of visitor experience at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, said: "With the summer holidays fast approaching, we're excited to be announcing a fun-packed programme of family-friendly events across our properties.

"This is such an important anniversary year, celebrating 400 years of the publication of the First Folio, and we look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far to reconnect and enjoy Shakespeare's work, life and times and discover more about these potentially 'lost plays' with the folio's publication.

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"It is especially exciting to be able to open Mary Arden's Farm for over 20 dates this summer. This is the first time since 2019 we've been able to welcome so many families back onto the farm and we know there are in for a real treat!"

Please see www.shakespeare.org.uk for more information on the full summer programme and to book.

And for more local events, head to our What's On Page.