Built as the new rectory for the village during 1902, this Edwardian villa was the home of George Bernard Shaw from 1906 until 1950. Shaw chose to live here after seeing a tombstone in the churchyard that read ‘Mary Anne South. Born 1825. Died 1895.’ The inscription goes on to note that ‘Her time was short’, and the playwright reasoned that a parish which regarded 70 years as a brief lifespan was the right place in which to look forward to a long fruitful old age. Outside, the unusual brass door knocker by Rosie Banks Danecourt depicts Shaw and is inscribed ‘Man and Superman’. The Arts and Crafts interiors are small yet beautiful. The garden contains a revolving summerhouse where Shaw used to work.
Home to world famous and highly influential playwright Bernard Shaw for 44 years from 1906 to 1950, the collection at Shaw's Corner is as varied and interesting as the man who once lived here; author, critic, wit and political activist, all of Shaw's long and active life is reflected in the objects that he surrounded himself with in this lovely Edwardian villa in the middle of the Hertfordshire countryside.
