The village of Stratford-upon-Avon is, of course, best known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare, and most of its tourist attractions are geared around the life of the bard. A tour of selected locations can take you through his life, starting with his birthplace on Henley Street, then on to the 15^th century half-timbered Grammar School in Church Street, which he attended. Most famous of all is Anne Hathaway’s cottage, home of the woman he was to marry. New Place, on Chapel Street, was the site of his late home.

“William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon on St George’s Day, April 23, 1564. Admirers of his work have been coming to the town since his death in 1616. In 1847 a public appeal successfully raised the money to buy the house in which he was born. As a result Stratford has become a literary shrine to Britain’s greatest dramatist. It also has a thriving cultural reputation as the provincial home of the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company, whose dramas are usually performed in Stratford before playing a second season in London.”

Upon our arrival in Stratford-upon-Avon we stopped to view the statue of Shakespeare before heading towards Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Henley St. The building has been converted from the public house it was when it was bought in 1847 back to the Elizabethan style of Shakespeare’s childhood. Objects associated with Shakespeare’s father, John, a glovemaker and wool merchant, are on display. There is a birth room, in which Shakespeare was supposedly born, and another room has a window etched with visitors’ autographs, including that of Sir Walter Scott. 

Continuing our tour of Stratford, we strolled past half-timbered Nash’s house, a museum of local history which sites next to the site of New Place, where Shakespeare died in 1616, which is now a herb and knot garden. On the opposite corner lies Edward VI Grammar School, where Shakespeare is thought to have attended school. Further on stands the Hall’s Croft, home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna upon her marriage to a doctor. An avenue of lime trees leads to Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare is buried. The lovely churchyard along the River Avon is a peaceful place to pass the time. Continuing our circuit of Stratford with a stroll along the river towards its junction with the Stratford Canal, we saw the Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre, which was undergoing extensive renovation. 

After devouring out lunch in the park next to the Swans Fountain, we set off towards London, where I was relieved to return our rental car, having made the entire trip without any accidents or traffic violations (well, at least, ones that I was observed and ticketed for). We hopped on the train at Heathrow and zoomed into Paddington Station.