Stratford-upon-Avon - Warwickshire - is an attractive market town in the heart of England. Stratford's claim to fame is that William Shakespeare was born here in 1564. Though little is known of the time he spent here, his name is everywhere - street names, souvenirs, statues, pub signs, theatres, and even the 'Shakespeare Houses'. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust administers these, undertaking continuing research and restoration and equipping the buildings with period furniture and fittings, exhibitions, and a variety of 'living history' displays.
Set in lovely gardens, Ann Hathaway's Cottage, childhood home of the Bard's wife, is a thatched farmhouse in Shottery, just outside town, while in Wilmcote, five kilometres away, the family home of his mother Mary Arden is once again a working '16th century' farm, complete with dairy and rare breed animals.
Shakespeare died in 1616 and is buried in the chancel of Holy Trinity Church; his family added the well-known effigy seven years afterwards. In his lifetime, Stratford had no theatre; now, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the Swan Theatre (a replica Elizabethan theatre) stand on the riverside. As well as performances, the theatres offer a collection of costumes and memorabilia as well as backstage tours.
When you feel like a break from all the literature culture you can go for a stroll in one of the beautiful gardens or enjoy riverside walks of which there are plenty throughout the city. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also rent a boat and sail on the River Avon.
You can visit Stratford persons at any time of year, but during the school holidays and tourist season, viewers can be a bit 'too much for some. The city itself has a population of only about 24, 000, but you can win up to 3 million tourists a year, then select the time of your visit carefully.
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