The poignant story of William Shakespeare's family, brought to life in Maggie O'Farrell's award-winning novel Hamnet, has now hit the big screen in Australia. The film, which explores the profound grief of the playwright and his wife Agnes following their son's death, offers a fictionalised glimpse into 16th-century England. For audiences captivated by its visuals, the question arises: where were these historic scenes actually filmed?
From Page to Screen: A Story of Grief and Legacy
The film Hamnet officially opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, January 15, 2026. It is screening at major chains as well as independent venues like Luna Palace and Moonlight Cinema. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Chloe Zhao, the movie stars Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley as his wife, Agnes (historically known as Anne Hathaway).
The narrative centres on the real-life tragedy of the Shakespeare family: the death of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet, from the plague in 1596. This personal loss is widely believed to have inspired Shakespeare's later masterpiece, Hamlet. The project first found fame as Maggie O'Farrell's novel, which was published during the pandemic and won major awards including the 2020 Women’s Prize for Fiction.
Stepping Back in Time: The Chosen Filming Locations
While Warwickshire is famously known as "Shakespeare country," the film's producers faced a logistical challenge in recreating Elizabethan England in the busy streets of modern Stratford-upon-Avon. Instead, they turned to the picturesque county of Herefordshire, with its wealth of preserved Tudor architecture and quaint villages.
The village of Weobley in Herefordshire was transformed for the shoot in August 2024. Its streets were closed and given a 16th-century makeover, complete with period carts and haystacks, to stand in for Stratford-upon-Avon. Experts from Discover Britain note that Weobley is one of England's best-preserved Tudor villages, largely untouched by the Industrial Revolution. Its history in the wool and glove-making trade also parallels the known profession of Shakespeare's own family.
Another key location was the well-preserved Cwmmau Farmhouse near Whitney-on-Wye. Managed by the National Trust, this timber-framed medieval building, dating from the early 1600s, served as the childhood home of Agnes Hathaway, known in the film as Hewlands Farm. The real Anne Hathaway's Cottage is in Warwickshire, but Cwmmau Farmhouse, surrounded by woodlands and meadows, provided the perfect atmospheric substitute. Interestingly, the fees from the film have funded conservation work, allowing the Grade-II listed house to open for holiday bookings.
A Global Stage: The Globe Theatre Recreation
For scenes requiring Shakespeare's iconic workplace, the production built an exact replica of the Globe Theatre. For travellers, the reconstructed Globe in London offers a year-round opportunity to experience Shakespeare's world through performances and guided tours. The original theatre was built in 1599 and met its end in a fire in 1613.
The release of Hamnet in Australia provides a powerful new way to connect with Shakespeare's personal history. It also highlights the stunning, timeless landscapes of the English countryside, inviting film fans and literary pilgrims alike to walk in the footsteps of Hamnet.
