Like many buildings in Stratford-upon-Avon, the buildings and land which constitute The
Arden Hotel form part of the Royal Shakespeare Company estate. According to the RSC,
the Arden has a historical association with William Shakespeare himself.
It is known that Shakespeare's father, John, became a prominent member of society in
Elizabethan Stratford following his marriage to Mary Arden, a member of the local gentry,
despite being born to a relatively poor farming family.
In subsequent years John Shakespeare forged a reputation as a local entrepreneur and
it seems alongside his trade as a glover, various civic roles, and a propensity to get in
trouble with the law, he also found time to build a modest property empire - for the 1,500
population market town - of which the 'Arden' was a part.
Though the main house of the Arden dates back to the late 17th Century, and the mockTudor
Udimore House later, the land and garden used to contain an Elizabethan dwelling
called Brook House, and it is reputed that William Shakespeare wrote some of his works in
the garden and the family were associated with the house.
Since then its history is hazy but at one stage it was the Flowers Brewery Family estate
before passing to the RSC. It has been a hotel in various incarnations since 1965.
The Eden Hotel Collection took over The Arden in September 2009 in a joint venture with
the RSC. Work began on a £6 million refurbishment and modernisation with the aim to
create a stylish and sophisticated boutique-style hotel to complement the ongoing
public investment in World Class Stratford.
The Eden Hotel Collection is owned by international high-tech entrepreneur Sir Peter
Rigby, who received a knighthood for his contribution to information technology and
business in the West Midlands. The Arden is part of his strong private portfolio of luxury
hotels and restaurants,.
History of The Arden