Stratford-Upon-Avon; Shakespeare Country

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From our home base in Ettington we day tripped northwest, to the town of Stratford on the River Avon; Shakespeare Country.

Shakespeare was born here in 1564, and here he died in 1616. He and his wife, Anne Hathaway, are buried in the Church of the Holy Trinity.

The thatch-roofed cottage in which Anne Hathaway was born at Shottery has been turned into a museum.

At Wilmcote, nearby, is the cottage where Shakespeare's mother, Mary Arden, is thought to have lived. Until recently thought to have been her home, new evidence has revealed that it is infact Adam Palmer's Farmhouse - a good friend and neighbour of the Ardens - and that the true Arden home is the adjacent property known as Glebe Farm.

Although Mary Arden's house may look modest from the outside, the interior dates from c1514, which amazingly makes it slightly older than Palmer's Farm!

Stratford is pleasant and peaceful, with wide streets and quaint half-timbered houses. The city stands where a Roman road crossed the River Avon.

A 19th-century bridge spans the river; a 15th-century arched stone bridge stands beside it. After a full day of roaming around Stratford we had dinner at Russons Restaurant on Church Street, Yummy!

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Photos

Playwright William Shakespeare
Shakespeare effigy on the north wall of the chancel, in the Church of the Holy Trinity, overlooking his grave.

Shakespeare's Birthplace
On Henley Street.

Adam Palmer's Farmhouse
Until recently thought to have been Mary Arden's house. New evidence has revealed that it is infact Adam Palmer's Farmhouse - a good friend and neighbour of the Ardens - and that the true Arden home is the adjacent property known as Glebe Farm.

Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway, was born here.

Church of the Holy Trinity
Where Shakespeare and other members of his family are buried.

Russons Restaurant
International cuisine, also fresh fish and seafood specialties.

Hall's Croft
This was the home of Dr. John Hall and Shakespeare's eldest daughter Susana, whom he married in 1607. This is where Dr. Hall had his practice, and was the couple's home until they moved to New Place after Shakespeare's death.

Nash House and New Place
This house belonged to Thomas Nash, who in 1626 married Elizabeth Hall, Shakespeare's grand daughter and was her first husband.
The site of the foundations of New Place is preserved in the garden at the side of Nash's House.

Clock Tower
The gift of an American Citizen, George W. Childs, of Philadelphia to the town of Shakespeare. In the Jubilee year of Queen Victoria.