Hello readers, as The Stratford Artist my favourite subjects are the historic buildings of Stratford-upon-Avon. A few years ago, I started a project to draw and paint all the town's structures that are on Historic England's "listed buildings" schedule. There are over 350 in the town centre alone of which I have dealt with 70 or so.

To add unique interest to my work I do a little research into the history of each building looking for a quirky story, be it fact or fable, which I then illustrate with my little characters.

This is number thirteen in a series of articles featuring a picture and story from my historic buildings collection. I hope you like it.

Hall’s Croft

Hall’s Croft was the first marital home of William Shakespeare’s elder daughter Susanna. She lived here with her husband, eminent physician Dr John Hall. Upon her father’s death in 1616 the couple moved to New Place.

Hall’s Croft went through many changes over the centuries. After the Halls it was home to a succession of Stratford’s gentry. A boys’ preparatory school known as Cambridge House flourished here in the mid-nineteenth century, followed by a boarding school for young ladies. From 1883 it was again a private residence. This was good news for Marie Corelli.

Marie Corelli was a famous writer, outselling Dickens and H G Wells combined. In 1890, then a London celebrity, she visited Stratford for the first time, staying in the Falcon Hotel. Poor health led Miss Corelli to move permanently to Stratford in 1899 when she rented Hall’s Croft. However, within six months she had fallen out with the proprietor of the girls’ school opposite because she claimed that the sound of piano practice interrupted her writing! Together with life-long companion Bertha Vyser she moved along the street to the Dower House before purchasing Mason Croft in Church Street. My picture imagines Marie and Bertha escaping Hall’s Croft for a walk beside the Avon!

I must mention the current state of Hall’s Croft. Time, weather and well-meaning but ill-advised restoration in the 1960s have led to the property being closed for extensive conservation work. A generous benefactor has underwritten stage one which is progressing well. Further planned work is wholly dependent upon funding. Please visit the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust website for details of their appeal for “A House For All Time”.

Originals or prints from my historic buildings collection are often available and I welcome commissions for portraits of your home or other favourite building. Email me at ken.morgan96@yahoo.com for details.

© Ken Morgan

Ken Morgan, aka The Stratford Artist, is a professional artist working from his studio close to the River Avon in Stratford-upon-Avon. His favourite subjects are the historic buildings and structures in and around his hometown. He works in ink and watercolour. Architectural accuracy is important, but his style brings life to the pictures, often helped by the addition of humorous or quirky characters.

Another thing...can you find the little blackbird which appears in all Ken's pictures?

See more of Ken Morgan's work on Instagram @thestratfordartist.