About
Shaw's Corner is the former home of one of the greatest writers in the English language, the Irish playwright, critic, and polemicist George Bernard Shaw. Located in the tiny, picturesque village of Ayot St Lawrence in Hertfordshire, this modest Arts and Crafts house was Shaw's principal residence from 1906 until his death in 1950, and it was here that he wrote many of his most celebrated works, including Heartbreak House, Back to Methuselah, and Saint Joan.
The house is preserved very much as Shaw left it, offering visitors an intimate and authentic glimpse into the daily life of one of the 20th century's most provocative and original minds. The rooms retain their original furnishings, books, and personal possessions, creating an atmosphere of gentle informality that reflects Shaw's unconventional personality and his deep attachment to this peaceful Hertfordshire retreat.
Perhaps the most extraordinary feature of the property is the revolving garden writing hut — a tiny wooden shed on a turntable that Shaw could rotate to follow the sun as he worked. It was in this modest but ingenious space that Shaw produced some of his finest writing, and visitors can peer inside to see his writing table and personal effects just as he left them. The hut has become one of the most photographed literary curiosities in England.
Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925, and the certificate and medal are among the highlights of the house's collection. The property also displays a remarkable collection of photographs, portraits, and theatrical memorabilia that chronicle Shaw's extraordinary life and the wide circle of artists, politicians, and intellectuals who were his friends and correspondents.
The garden at Shaw's Corner is a delightful complement to the house, with a lawned area, kitchen garden, and herbaceous borders that retain the character of Shaw's own time. The National Trust, which has cared for the property since 1944, maintains both house and garden to a high standard while preserving the sense that the great man has only recently stepped out. Shaw's Corner is a place of genuine literary pilgrimage, beloved by admirers of theatre and literature from around the world.
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Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
💡 Visitor Tips
- The revolving writing hut in the garden is the absolute highlight — do not leave without seeing it. It is unlike anything else at any literary property in Britain.
- Check the National Trust website carefully before visiting as Shaw's Corner has a limited season (roughly mid-March to end of October) and is closed Monday and Tuesday.
- Arrive when the property opens at 11:00 for the quietest experience. The small rooms can feel crowded on busy summer weekends.
- Shaw's Corner is in a very rural location — driving is by far the easiest option. Satnav to AL6 9BX works well. The nearest station (Welwyn Garden City) is 4.5 miles away and has no direct bus connection.
- Older children who have studied Shaw's plays or Edwardian history will get the most from this visit. For younger children, the revolving hut is a fascinating curiosity that fires the imagination.
- After your visit, walk 300 metres to the atmospheric ruins of the medieval church and then to the charming neoclassical New Church — the village is a gem of English rural architecture.
- The Brocket Arms in the village is one of the oldest and most characterful pubs in Hertfordshire and serves excellent food — a perfect way to end your Shaw's Corner visit.
- The writing hut in the garden photographs beautifully in morning light. The exterior of the house and the garden also make excellent photographs at any time of day.
Highlights
Discover the unique exhibits and collections at this museum.
Collections
The collection at Shaw's Corner comprises the original furnishings and personal possessions of George Bernard Shaw, including his library of several thousand volumes, theatrical memorabilia, correspondence, photographs, Nobel Prize memorabilia, and the contents of his remarkable revolving garden writing hut.
The collection is internationally significant as a record of one of the 20th century's greatest literary figures.
The House Rooms
All principal rooms preserved as Shaw left them in 1950, including study, drawing room, dining room, and Charlotte's sitting room.
The Revolving Writing Hut
Shaw's famous garden writing studio on a turntable, with original desk and personal effects.
Nobel Prize Display
Shaw's 1925 Nobel Prize in Literature certificate and medal on permanent display.
Theatrical Memorabilia Collection
Programmes, photographs, first editions, and correspondence documenting Shaw's theatrical career.
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.