Stratford-Upon-Avon: Visiting the Birthplace of the BardWhile masterpieces like Hamlet and Macbeth might not have been written in Stratford-upon-Avon, this village in the Warwickshire countryside is the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Stratford-upon-Avon has five, 16th century homes that are connected with the poet and playwright, and the literary history in this town is as well preserved as its stone townhouses and elegant courtyards. Built in 1196, Stratford-upon-Avon attracts literary scholars who can name all thirty-seven of Shakespeare’s plays, as well as day-trippers looking for a quiet place to picnic along the Avon River. There is no shortage of things to do and see in Stratford-upon-Avon. If you are walking the Town Trail, or visiting for a night to catch a new production at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, be sure to explore the following attractions: 1. If you do not want to tour the five Shakespearean properties, then you should at least visit the bard’s final resting place. William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway are buried at the Holy Trinity Church. However, most visitors venture to this town to see how Shakespeare lived, and the five Shakespearean properties feature authentic period furnishings and a glimpse into Tudor life. 2. In order to get better acquainted with this charming town, why not take a walk through its historic streets? Start from The Jester in Henley Street statue. Wind your way down Chapel Street, Bridge Street and into the Old Town. Historic monuments, pubs, shops and inns line the way. To celebrate the spirit of Shakespeare, why not stop in a bookstore and buy a new copy of Julius Caesar? 3. In the summer, there is nothing better than boating on the Avon. Rent a rowboat and get out on the water. Once you are back on land, you can pen a sonnet about the Avon’s beauty. If you’re no where near Stratford Upon-Avon but much closer to London, then can still enjoy the atmosphere of a Shakespearean spirit wandering through the theatre. Although London carries a different sort of character to Stratford Upon-Avon, the Globe Theatre can be found bordering the River Thames in South East London. Relatively cheap at around £10, you can stand for entire performances and be within touching distance to the actors or you can pay a little bit more to be seated at the top of the theatre. If the latter, bring a cushion as the seats wooden and you could be there for 2-3 hours!
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