• Archival discovery rewrites Shakespeare’s London residence map with unprecedented precision
• New data links the site to his theatrical work period in Blackfriars

Researchers have pinpointed the exact location of the only property owned by English playwright William Shakespeare in London, following the discovery of a previously unknown floor plan that has clarified the historical layout of his residence in the Blackfriars area.

According to a study led by Professor Lucy Munro of King’s College London, the location and size of the property Shakespeare purchased in 1613 have now been identified, ending years of uncertainty over its exact position.

Shakespeare was long believed to have gradually withdrawn from his theatrical career after acquiring the house and returned to live in Stratford-upon-Avon. However, the new findings suggest he may have spent considerably more time in London than previously assumed.

The updated identification also means that the blue plaque located on St Andrew’s Hill is not merely near the site of Shakespeare’s home, but positioned directly where it once stood.

The property is believed to have been part of a historic structure known as the “Great Gate” at the entrance to the Blackfriars precinct, a Dominican friary dating back to the 13th century.

Munro’s findings are based on three archival documents, including two from the London Archives and one from the National Archives. Among them is a 1668 map created after the Great Fire of London in 1666, which helped establish the precise location.

The researcher explained that she came across the plan while working on a broader project, noting that previous studies assumed no further evidence existed, which had stalled research on the property for years.

She added that the new material reconstructs the full story of Shakespeare’s Blackfriars home and identifies its location with precision for the first time.

The documents also suggest the house was close to the Blackfriars Theatre, where Shakespeare worked, opening the possibility that he may have contributed to writing “The Two Noble Kinsmen” in 1613 while residing there.

Other records detail the sale of the property in 1665 by Shakespeare’s granddaughter, while the site itself is now believed to span parts of modern-day London streets including Ireland Yard, the lower section of Burgon Street, and nearby buildings.