SO MUCH MORE THAN SHAKESPEARE (stratford-upon-avon)

When I was growing up in little ‘ole New Zealand I used to read about William Shakespeare growing up in Stratford-upon-Avon. 

Back then it seemed a world away (which it was, well, half a world at least!). Now it seems so strange that I can hop on a train at my local station, and find myself there in as little as an hour and a half.

In fact, I can actually visit SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHPLACE, where he was born in 1564. This carefully preserved 16th century Tudor building allows us to glimpse 250 years back in time, and brings Shakespeare back to life with live daily performances of his most-famous plays. 

Travel one mile out from the town centre, and you’ll find ANNE HATHAWAY’S COTTAGE. This thatched farmhouse sits in nine acres of stunning gardens, faithfully recreated in traditional Tudor style, and including a willow arbour and a heart-shaped lavender maze. The family home of William’s wife Anne, this is where the bard courted his young bride. 

As Spring looms, and warmer (drier!) weather heads our way, enjoy a relaxing walk along the banks of the RIVER AVON. Stretching just over a mile, this walk will take around one hour, and will give you an entirely different perspective on the town. Admire the picturesque locks, gardens, and weeping willows, and explore the grounds of Holy Trinity Church, where William Shakespeare is buried. 

On nearby Chapel Street, you’ll find the Mercure Statford-upon-Avon Shakespear Hotel. This four-star hotel is the perfect base from which to explore Stratford, and the tudor style blends in perfectly with it’s distinctive 15th century architecture. At the end of a day of sightseeing, relax in your plush room complete with four-poster bed. You can choose to dine in the AA Rosette restaurant Othello’s, or take afternoon tea in the Quill bar and lounge – which transforms into an upmarket bar in the evening. Click HERE to check out their website.

But, of course, Stratford-upon-Avon isn’t ALL about Shakespeare!

Big Sis LOVES butterflies, so I know she’d be thrilled with a visit to the STRATFORD BUTTERFLY FARM – the largest butterfly display in the UK. Here you can admire hundreds of exotic species fluttering about in their lush tropical setting, then learn about their life cycles in the Caterpillar Room. 
If you love your bugs, make sure to pay a visit to Insect City to find out all about curious crawlies such as Leaf Cutters, beetles and Stick Insects. 

Fancy your very own Fright Night? Join the Stratford Town GHOST WALK and have a scarily good time hearing about all the ghosts, ghouls, and phantoms thought to roam the ancient streets. 

Or relax with a nice cuppa, and a traditional English afternoon tea in the 1940’s inspired THE FOUR TEAS. 

Finally, you can’t travel to the West Midland without a visit to WARWICK CASTLE. This fascinating site dates back almost 11 centuries, when an earthen rampart (a raised embankment to you and me) was first built to protect the hill top settlement of Warwick. Over the next thousand years it grew to become the impressive castle we see today. 

Now a popular tourist attraction, Warwick Castle allows visitors to relive centuries gone by with faithfully restored rooms, interactive displays AND the world’s largest trebuchet (that’s worth a visit on its own!). 

So, whatever you fancy; from theatre to tea-drinking, castles to caterpillars, Stratford-upon-Avon has it all, and more. 


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