Freedom of the town - Stratford upon Avon

Conferring the title of Freewoman or Freeman of the town is the highest honour that Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council can bestow.  It has only been conferred on six occasions since it was awarded in October 1768 to David Garrick, the most celebrated Shakespearian actor at that time.

The Town Council played host to two of today’s most celebrated actors and life-long devotees of Shakespeare, Judith Olivia Dench CH, DBE, FRSA and Kenneth Branagh KB.  They were welcomed  to a special ceremony to bestow upon them the title of Honorary Freewoman and Freeman of the town of Stratford-upon-Avon.  The official unveiling of the newly restored statue of Shakespeare, gifted to the town by Garrick in the 18th century, followed.