William Shakespeare was born in Stratford in 1564 and died here in 1616. The various buildings linked to his life form the centrepiece of a tourist attraction that verges on a cult of personality. Experiences range from the tacky (Bard-themed tearooms) to the humbling (Shakespeare's modest grave in Holy Trinity Church) and the sublime (a play by the world-famous Royal Shakespeare Company).
Shakespeare's BirthplaceHISTORIC BUILDING
Start your Shakespeare quest at the house where the world's most popular playwright supposedly spent his childhood days. In fact, the jury is still out on whether this really was Shakespeare's birthplace, but devotees of the Bard have been dropping in since at least the 19th century, leaving their signatures scratched onto the windows. Set behind a modern facade, the house has restored Tudor rooms, live presentations from famous Shakespearean characters, and an engaging exhibition on Stratford's favourite son.
Anne Hathaway's CottageHISTORIC BUILDING
Before tying the knot with Shakespeare, Anne Hathaway lived in Shottery, a mile west of the centre of Stratford, in this delightful thatched farmhouse. As well as period furniture, it has gorgeous gardens and an orchard and arboretum, with examples of all the trees mentioned in Shakespeare's plays. A footpath (no bikes allowed) leads to Shottery from Evesham Pl.
Holy Trinity ChurchCHURCH
The final resting place of the Bard is said to be the most visited parish church in all of England. Inside are handsome 16th- and 17th-century tombs (particularly in the Clopton Chapel), some fabulous carvings on the choir stalls and, of course, the grave of William Shakespeare, with its ominous epitaph: 'cvrst be he yt moves my bones'.
BUS
National Express coaches and other bus companies run from Stratford's Riverside bus station (behind the Stratford Leisure Centre on Bridgeway). Destinations include Birmingham (£8.40, one hour, twice daily), London Victoria (£17, three hours, three daily) and Oxford (£10.70, one hour, twice daily). Bus 16 runs to Warwick (£5.40, 40 minutes, half-hourly).
TRAIN
From Stratford train station, trains run to Birmingham (£7.30, 50 minutes, half-hourly) and London Marylebone (£9, two hours, up to two per hour).
0 comments:
Post a Comment