Stratford-upon-Avon

If you are interested in William Shakespeare and the theatre, then a visit to Stratford in the heart of England is a must. You will be able to visit his birthplace, the church where he is buried and Hall’s Croft, the house where his oldest daughter lived after her marriage. You will see the school William Shakespeare attended and Harvard House, where Catherine Rogers, the mother of John Harvard (founder of Harvard College in America) lived. There is also Nash’s House which belonged to Thomas Nash, who married Shakespeare’s granddaughter, Elizabeth Hall in 1626. Next door is New Place where William Shakespeare spent his retirement from 1610; you can see the foundations of this medieval house and walk around the magnificent gardens there. If time allows, you may wish to travel to one of the neighbouring villages to see Anne Hathaway’s Cottage which was the family home of William Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway before she married. You may also wish to visit Mary Arden’s Farm. Mary Arden was the mother of William Shakespeare; if you visit the farm today, you will meet costumed actors dressed as Mary’s neighbours, the Palmers who are tending pigs, sheep, cattle and geese. There are also birds of prey to see and a wonderful nature trail for children to enjoy. Back in Stratford, you may wish to see the newly restored Royal Shakespeare Theatre and learn about the other major theatres in this charming town.