Stratford Upon Avon is most famously known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. On my way to Bath from York, I was able to spend the day here touring the small town & Shakespeare’s House.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
We started our day with a quick ride around Stratford to see some of the sights. We made a stop at Anne Hathaway’s cottage, who was William Shakespeare’s wife, about 10 minutes from the city center. It’s one of the few thatch roof buildings left in Stratford. It costs 12.50 pounds to go inside & tour the gardens. For more information check out: Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. You can also drive by Mary Arden’s fam (Shakespeare’s mother’s birthplace) while in this area.
Henley St. in Stratford Upon Avon
There is a quaint pedestrian road called Henley Street that is lined with beautiful shops and cafes where I had a bit of free time. I was able to grab a quick bite at Benson’s, so I had some free time to window shop.
Shakespeare’s House
After a bit of browsing, it was time to tour Shakespeare’s house! It costs 17.50 pounds to go inside, but only takes an hour or so to see everything. Throughout the house there are people there to explain stories about the various rooms and artifacts, as well as answer any questions.
Shakespeare was born and raised in his family house on Henley St. He also lived here with his wife for the first 5 years of their marriage. When his father, John Shakespeare passed away, William inherited the house as the eldest male. He rented part of the property, which was used as an Inn called the Maidenhead. The house stayed in the family until 1847 when the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust purchased it. They have been caring for the facility ever since!
The day we visited, there were some actors reciting Shakespeare outside. We were lucky enough to sit and listen for a while to some famous sonnets.
If you’re planning on spending some time in Stratford, I recommend purchasing the Full Story ticket. It gives you access to Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Mary Arden’s Farm, Shakespeare’s New Place & Halls Croft. It only costs 22.50 euros, so if you visit even just two places, it’s worth it. For more information about ticket pricing and opening hours, check out the link here: Shakespeare Ticket Info.
Overall, my time was short in Stratford Upon Avon, but enjoyable. It’s evident that William Shakespeare’s presence lives on in this small town. For anyone who has studied, read or seen Shakespeare’s works – it’s worth a stop if you’re road tripping through England!
“All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.” -Shakespeare
Cheers, Amanda
