Now what is it that makes Stratford upon Avon so famous? Wasn’t that where that chap lived who wrote all those plays and poems? What was his name, now? I know - Will Shakespeare!
Seriously though William Shakespeare is obviously the most famous tourist attraction here in Stratford. There is more to the town, but I’ll get the Shakespeare stuff out of the way first shall I?
His birthplace is a 16th century half timbered house where he was born in 1564. It was originally split into two parts, a workshop and a living area, and was also part of a terrace. The building was restored in 1857 to its appearance as recorded in a drawing dating from 1769. Since 1847 when it came under the stewardship of the Birthplace Trust every effort has been made to preserve as many of the original features as possible. The living part of the house has Elizabethan and Jacobean furniture whilst the workshop is now a museum.
Next to the Shakespeare’s birthplace is the Shakespeare Centre, which was built in 1964 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the famous poet. In the entrance vestibule there is a huge bronze statue of Shakespeare, signifying his dominance of the world of literature. This is the headquarters of the Birthplace Trust and also an educational centre where students can study using the 30,000 publications held in the library. A records office here holds all documents relating to Shakespeare and Stratford.
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre was opened in 1932 as a memorial to the great man. It is set on the banks of the River Avon in attractive gardens. The theatre itself has outstanding facilities for actors and audiences alike and the adjoining picture gallery and museum contains pictures of Shakespeare himself and of Shakespearean actors. There is also a dressing up box in the foyer containing costumes from Shakespeare’s plays, which you are welcome to try on. I was a coward and didn’t want to make a fool of myself so I wouldn’t have a go! What a wuss!
Shakespeare and his wife Ann and various other members of their family are buried beneath the chancel steps of Holy Trinity Church. Most of the church dates from the 12th century, with the stone spire being built in 1763 to replace the wooden one.
As I said earlier Shakespeare isn’t all that Stratford has to offer. There is a lovely shopping centre with a host of unusual shops, as well as all the usual department stores and designer outlets.
If anyone out there knows me and knows Stratford you’ll be able to guess what my favourite shop is. That’s right the Teddy Bear Museum and Shop. There is a huge bear outside the door dressed as a guardsman to welcome you to a lovely place full of teddies of all ages and even some famous bears such as those belonging to Giles Brandreth’s and Margaret Thatcher, to name but two. There is also a shop full of all things to do with teddies. I really should have my credit card confiscated before I can go in!
There is a fleet of open topped tour buses run by Guide Friday offering a guided tour of Stratford. You can buy a ticket that is valid all day and you can get on and off as many times as you like. We used it to get to Shakespeare’s birthplace and to the theatre in particular. The ticket usually also acts as a discount voucher for one or two of the other attractions in Stratford.
The area down by the River Avon is very pretty and offers some lovely walks through parks and gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the river in one of the many leisure boats offering trips at reasonable prices. If you’re really energetic you could hire a boat and row yourself! I end up going round and round in circles as one arm is stronger than the other!
I have been to Stratford a few times just for a day trip but I really would like to spend a few days there and get to see all the sights, and maybe take that trip on the river.
By the way, sorry about the title - that's a witty as it gets!
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Advantages: if you like Shakespeare and Tudor housing, boats and rivers then you will like this Disadvantages: tourists, price of parking, price of most things, bottleneck in the car parks in the evening, one way road system
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