If you want a relaxing and, at the same time, rich in culture trip: read the post and discover Shakespeare's hometown.
Stratford-upon-Avon is an English town located in Warwickshire County, in central England, in the heart of the West Midlands. It is so named because it rises along the Avon River and is known for being there hometown of William Shakespeare.
How to travel to Stratford-upon-Avon
To reach Stratford-upon-Avon it is possible to land in Birmingham, East Midlands, Bristol or London; by train or bus the city is about an hour from Birmingham, two hours from East Midlands, Bristol and London.
The city was founded by the Saxons in the XNUMXth century and has now become a very important tourist center.
The historic center is characterized by buildings typical of the XIV-XVII centuries, which make the view unique and particular.
The city of Shakespeare
First of all, it is a must to visit Shakespeare's birthplace, now a museum, a reconstructed wooden building with a half-timbered facade, in the sixteenth-century style. You can visit the interior where a copy of his first writing is exhibited.
In the "birth room", in the window, there are engraved the signatures of literary and theater greats such as Charles Dickens, Walter Scott etc ...
A five minute walk is "New Place”A house bought by Shakespeare in 1597 and where he lived until his death. The foundations of it can be seen with a beautiful Elizabethan-style garden which is accessed through the “Nash House”, an adjacent house used as a museum with period furnishings.
In the eastern part of the city, in the Bancroft Gardens along the Avon River, is the Gower Memorial, a set of statues of Shakespeare and four of his characters that symbolize philosophy, tragedy, history and comedy.
A three minute walk away is the Royal Shakespeare Theater, a modern building, where the Royal Shakespeare Company continuously represents his works and more.
Church of the Holy Trinity
Another important destination in the city center is the Church of the Holy Trinity, built in 1200 on the banks of the Avon River, where the playwright and his wife were buried. Anne Hathaway. To access the tomb it is necessary to pay 3 pounds while the visit of the garden and the church is free.
Walk on the River Avon
To have a moment of tranquility, a walk along the Avon River is perfect: there are various paths and parks that line the river, the characteristic bot-houses make the view special, and it is also possible to rent a canoe.
The Butterfly farm
Another place of interest is the Butterfly farm, which is located near the theater across the river, one large greenhouse where you can admire numerous butterflies and birds flying free, various species of fish, insects and spiders; an ideal place for the little ones and for fans.
Stratford is truly an evocative place full of history where you can learn, relax and above all "go back in time".
