Shakespeare’s Birthday: A Banquet in Honour of the Bard

This April, as every year, we celebrate William Shakespeare's birthday - 462 years young!

Inspired by the feasts, gatherings, and lively tavern scenes that run through his plays, this year’s campaign takes the form of a banquet – a tribute to the Bard through food, drink, and shared moments.

A world of feasting and festivity 

Shakespeare’s works are rich with references to food, drink, and celebration. From bustling taverns to grand occasions, these moments bring characters together, revealing both joy and excess, wit and warmth.

Across his plays, meals are rarely just about eating – they are moments of connection, of storytelling, and of shared experience.

It is this sense of conviviality that inspires our celebration this year.

A taste of Shakespeare

At the heart of the campaign is a shared love of food.

Our book Much Ado About Cooking, created in collaboration with Sam Bilton, explores recipes inspired by Shakespeare’s time. Bringing together history and modern cooking, it offers simple, flavourful dishes designed to be shared – whether for a special occasion or an everyday gathering.

It’s an invitation to bring a little of Shakespeare’s world into your own kitchen.

Raise a glass

No banquet would be complete without something to drink.

Our traditional mead, a 20cl honey-based beverage brewed by Hive Mind, draws inspiration from centuries-old methods and ingredients. Smooth and naturally sweet, they offer a taste rooted in history (available for UK delivery only).

Alongside this, our selection of gins from Stratford Distillery – in flavours such as mulberry, elderflower, quince and rhubarb – bring a more contemporary note to the table.

A table of discovery

As with any banquet, it is not only what is served, but what surrounds it that creates the experience.

This year’s selection brings together a range of items inspired by Shakespeare’s life and legacy – from thoughtful gifts to objects designed to be used, worn, or shared.

Our Ultimate Shakespeare Book Box brings together three engaging reads that offer different perspectives on Shakespeare’s work, his life, and the themes that continue to resonate today, making it an ideal way to explore his world in more depth.

Shakesbear

Adding a lighter touch to the table is Shakesbear, our mascot for the year.

Dressed in a traditional doublet with a ruff collar and quill in hand, he offers a playful interpretation of Shakespeare, while also reflecting a more considered approach to making, with materials chosen for their sustainability and a design created in the UK.

Perched on a desk or resting on a shelf, he quietly observes the room – a small, thoughtful presence, as if keeping watch over the stories unfolding around him.

Coming soon

Celebrating Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s birthday, traditionally associated with 23 April, has long been a moment to reflect on his enduring influence – but also to celebrate.

“All the world’s a stage,” and this April, we invite you to take part in your own way. Whether through food, drink, reading, or gathering with others, this is a chance to connect with Shakespeare beyond the page.

To mark the occasion, enjoy 23% off a curated selection throughout April, both online and in-store. Shop the Shakespeare's Birthday Collection