Shakespeare's London House Found by King's College London

April 16, 2026

South London News Smart London Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

Forget dusty archives, we've got a real-life mystery solved! Experts at King's College London have finally pinpointed the exact location of William Shakespeare's only London property. This discovery could rewrite what we know about the Bard's later years.

A Lost Home Found

For centuries, academics have puzzled over where Shakespeare's Blackfriars house actually stood. A dark blue plaque on St Andrew's Hill in Blackfriars marks the spot, but it only says "near this site."

Now, Professor Lucy Munro from King's College London has unearthed crucial documents. These include a previously unknown floorplan from 1668.

This new evidence confirms the precise location and size of the property Shakespeare bought in 1613. It paints a different picture of where he might have spent his final years.

More Than Just an Investment?

It's long been thought that Shakespeare retired to Stratford-upon-Avon after buying his Blackfriars property. Some believed he only purchased it as an investment.

However, Professor Munro's findings suggest otherwise. The house was substantial and close to his workplace at the Blackfriars theatre.

"After all, he could have bought an investment property anywhere in London, but this house was close to his workplace at the Blackfriars theatre," Professor Munro explained.

She added, "We know that Shakespeare co-authored ‘Two Noble Kinsmen’ with John Fletcher later in 1613, and this new evidence that the Blackfriars house was quite substantial makes it not inconceivable that some of it may have been written in this very property."

Pinpointing the Exact Spot

The newly discovered floorplan shows the property covered parts of what are now Ireland Yard and Burgon Street. This means the blue plaque on St Andrew's Hill is actually on the correct spot, not just "near" it.

The property was divided into two houses by 1645. It was eventually sold by Shakespeare's granddaughter in 1665, only to be destroyed in the Great Fire of London a year later.

Dr Will Tosh, Director of Education at Shakespeare's Globe, praised the discovery. "Professor Munro’s fantastic discovery proves there’s no replacement for human graft in the archive, and our reward for her hard work is a dazzling new sense of Shakespeare the London writer."

Author

South London News Smart London Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

From sustainable urban planning to AI-driven city services, the South London News Smart London Desk offers comprehensive coverage of how our environment is evolving. Our editorial staff provide analysis on urban innovation, green tech, and local infrastructure shifts, ensuring our readers understand the technologies shaping their future neighbourhoods.

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