In a quiet corner of the Hertfordshire countryside sits the former home of one of our greatest playwrights. And no wonder he wrote such great stuff - when he lived in a house like this! Originally built using local materials in 1902 as the New Rectory for Ayot St Lawrence, this huge red-brick Edwardian villa was the home of George Bernard Shaw from 1906 until his death in 1950. It was a perfect location for Charlotte and Bernard Shaw as it was close enough for them to get into London easily but also allowed them to enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside. And thanks to testimony from his former staff, the rooms remain much as he left them, with many literary and personal effects reminding visitors of the individuality and genius of this great dramatist. They originally decided on Ayot St Lawrence when in the village churchyard they found a tombstone dedicated to 'Mary Ann South. Born 1825. Died 1895. Her time was short'. The Shaws felt that if 70 years was considered short here, then it would be a good place to settle. They rented the detached property at first but then bought it outright in 1920 for £6,220 - pretty pricey for those times! However, it is said that neither of the Shaws liked their home very much. This was perhaps a blessing in disguise as Charlotte loved travelling and Shaw was devoted to his work. He was also seen as an outsider and never really joined in with village life much, writing that the place was a 'twelfth-century village where the last thing of real importance that had happened was, perhaps, the Flood'. However, some bad winter weather caused him to pitch in and help out. Nevertheless, in these wonderful surroundings, Shaw wrote nearly a play a year until 1920 plus loads of newspaper columns and political works, and was continually called upon for comment and opinion. The peaceful garden has richly planted borders and views over the Hertfordshire countryside. Shaw’s writing hut, where he wrote major works such as Pygmalion, Man and Superman and Major Barbara, is hidden at the bottom of the garden. It revolves to follow the sun. Nowadays, the house has become a centre for all kinds of cultural activities. During the summer months, the grounds provide the setting for concerts and plays - often from the pen of the great man himself. There is also a Living with the Shaws week when you can step back in time to 1933 as we recreate the role of George Bernard Shaw's domestic staff. Visitors can join in with the household chores, making the beds, and doing the laundry. And if you just want somewhere quiet to relax, read or have a picnic, everybody is welcome to enjoy the gardens. TAKE A TOUR OF SHAW'S CORNER Downstairs >> Upstairs >> The garden >> 
| Don Ariagno, Toronto, Canada | Tuesday, 29-Jul-2003 04:29:49 BST |  | | Thank-you BBCi for the tour of Shaw's Corner on your website. It's awsome. Shaw was the greatest drama critic in history, the greatest music critic in history and the second greatest dramatist in the English speaking world. You guys are the greatest information service. Take a bow, and please never change. |
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Why is Shaw's Corner so special?
