| It was in 1196 that Stratford-upon-Avon was | | | | and furnishings typical of a middle class |
| first granted the right to hold a market and | | | | family. Also, there is a collection of |
| recognised as a town. Its name has become | | | | medical paraphernalia. Outside in the walled |
| synonymous with its most famous son - William | | | | garden, you will find varieties of herbs and |
| Shakespeare who was born here in 1564. | | | | trees used in medicines of the time. |
| | | | |
| The town remains mostly unspoilt with fine | | | | Holy Trinity |
| examples of Elizabethan buildings in a | | | | |
| picturesque setting. The river Avon runs | | | | Dating from the thirteenth century this is |
| through this pretty town and the marina | | | | the final resting place of William |
| harbours an array of brightly coloured boats | | | | Shakespeare. Alongside him rest his wife and |
| providing a holiday atmosphere to what has | | | | daughter Susanna. If you happen to be in |
| become the most popular tourist attraction | | | | Stratford on the Sunday closest to St. |
| outside London. | | | | George's day you will witness a grand |
| | | | possession of people, including school |
| Shakespeare's Birthplace | | | | children from Shakespeare's old school, |
| | | | coming to honour him and lay flowers at his |
| Shakespeare was born of middle class | | | | grave. |
| parentage and his home has been lovingly and | | | | |
| authentically restored. It provides an | | | | Harvard House |
| insight into life during the Elizabethan | | | | |
| period. The actual birth room has been | | | | There are many other attractions to entice |
| recently refurbished revealing a less austere | | | | you to visit Stratford-Upon -Avon. Harvard |
| look. | | | | House may be of particular interest to |
| | | | American visitors. Amongst the interesting |
| The room is 'decorated' with some interesting | | | | exhibits you will find the walking stick of |
| graffiti of the many famous visitors. Robert | | | | Thomas Davis the Southern leader in the Civil |
| Browning and Walter Scott are just two of the | | | | war. This house was the home of John Harvard |
| literary giants that have scratched their | | | | whose legacy is that of Harvard University. |
| names into the walls, ceilings and windows of | | | | |
| this room. | | | | The Royal Shakespeare Theatre |
| | | | |
| Ann Hathaway's House | | | | The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is the centre |
| | | | of activity for the royal Shakespeare Company |
| At aged just 18, Shakespeare married Anne | | | | famous the world over. The theatre was |
| Hathaway who was many years older than him. | | | | designed specifically for the performance of |
| Ann lived in a house situated two miles from | | | | Shakespeare's plays. Set on the banks of the |
| the centre of Stratford. It was occupied by | | | | river Avon it is best viewed at night when |
| the Hathaway family up until 1892. Here you | | | | floodlit. Here you will find many artefacts |
| will be fascinated by an Elizabethan kitchen | | | | from the theatre on view and a picture |
| and beautiful English country garden. There | | | | gallery of famous Shakespearian thespians. |
| is a seat by the great fire place where | | | | |
| Shakespeare is said to have sat whilst | | | | A visit to Stratford will take you to the |
| courting Ann. | | | | heart of the area known as the Cotswolds |
| | | | renowned for its rolling gentle hills and |
| Hall's Croft | | | | distinctive Cotswold stone buildings. Steeped |
| | | | in history and folklore, dotted with quaint |
| In 1607, Shakespeare's daughter Susanna, | | | | villages and churches, dry stone walls and |
| married local physician Dr John Hall. This | | | | village greens, this is England at its |
| impressive Tudor building was named after | | | | finest. To quote the bard himself, 'I like |
| him. Here you will find a collection of | | | | this place and could willingly waste my time |
| sixteenth and seventeenth century paintings | | | | in it. |