Oct 10, 2012 - To be or not to be...and the Cotswolds

To be or not to be... was the question asked by the famous bard however I must confess that I have never read hamlet. But I did visit Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare and have to say that I was a bit underwhelmed. It may have been due to the fact that this was the sixth mad day in a row or that the weather was once again drab but to me it just looked like another tudor town although their did look as though there were more preserved buildings here than elsewhere. I didn't feel the need to visit the house in which...

Aug 4, 2012 - Stratford-Upon-Avon

We caught the 10.30am bus from outside the campsite into Stratford and went first to Shakespeare’s Birthplace. We decided to get a “Five House Ticket for £42 for the two of us. This was a saving even if we only did two, but we did 4 of the 5 Shakespeare places today, dodging showers all day. Shakespeare’s Birthplace was interesting, but we more enjoyed Nash’s House & New Place. Nash was Shakespeare’s granddaughter’s house and the house is a well-preserved Tudor building. Next door are the foundations of New Place which is the house...

Jul 1, 2012 - Stratford upon Avon

Sunday, July 1, 2012 We went to Stratford and saw the places associated with William Shakespeare's birth, early life and death. The house where he was born is still there, as is his grammar school and his daughter Judith and his duaghter Susanna's house. The New House he built when he returned to Stratford and where he died is gone, but they are doing archeological work there. We didn't go in anywhere, but just walked around and looked at the outside of things because it would have been expensive. The town and the buildings have been well...

Jun 8, 2012 - Stratford-upon-Avon

We spent a rainy morning in this small but well-known town. It is where William Shake- speare was born in 1564 and died in 1616. Our local guide took us to the “bard's” church where he was baptized and later buried in the floor near the altar. There are several 1400's half-timbered old buildings and taverns as well as the recently remodeled Royal Shakespeare Theatre here. The town sits on the Avon River crossed by the 500-year-old Clopton Bridge with many narrow river houseboats tied up by the nearby locks. Many fine and quaint shops with...

May 8, 2012 - Stratford on Avon

We have had some really good places to stay, all found at the last minute. THey were comfortable, proprieters were very helpful and breakfasts were substantial. We had a walk around the Avon. Very picturesque. Loads of white swans and some white and grey Canadian geese (learned that's what they were later!) We then had a guided tour. The guide was very enthusiastic and very obviously loved her home town. However we couldn't go into any of the places other than the church (and even there it was suggested we make a donation). We were...

Aug 19, 2011 - Start of Tour

Tour started, we had early morning wake up call of 5.00 am headed out of London to visit the very pretty town of Stratford-upon-Avon. This cobblestone street, Tudor houses was the birth place of Shakespeare, we visited his home, and also the thatched cottage of this wife Anne Hathaway. (ok confession time, had a blonde moment, i did wonder why we were visiting the actors place). The bus is full of mature people i think i am the youngest by 20 years, they need to learn how to get off the bus in a timely manner, for a ten minute photo stop it...

Dec 27, 2010 - Stratford-Upon-Avon 18-20 December 2010: Would you like a Magna Carter with that?

On Saturday morning we set off for Stratford-Upon-Avon, well almost. We woke to a blanket of snow- three inches thick and growing! Our hostess at Bath was late to collect the key and payment. Fearing she was on her way and stuck in snow traffic, we waited patiently for her to arrive. Alright, it wasn't patiently. Ciro and I have never done anything patiently, there is always a certain amount of anxiety, ranting or general panic in anything we do. Anyhow, after missing the first couple of trains, we decided we might head off and leave her a...

Nov 8, 2010 - Stratford-upon-Avon

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON Stratford Upon Avon’s claim to fame is that Shakespeare was born and raised there in addition to the fact that the Royal Shakespeare Theatre is there as well. It is a very compact and crowded town with a modest selection of hotels. So do your research ahead of time and book something before arriving. Also, reserve tickets for the theatre online, www.rsc.org.uk, prior to arriving to assure you can get them. We had not booked a hotel, but luckily found one near the center of town. We knew ahead of time there were no...

Jul 12, 2010 - Stratford upon Avon

Monday 12th – Cooler weather. Travelled up to Stratford-Upon-Avon where we were to stay for two nights. Arrived about 2.15pm and parked the car at accommodation (very nice) and went for a walk into town (15 minutes). Went back into town in the evening for tea (Chinese 30 pounds). Tuesday 13th – Wet and cold. Did a walking tour of the town (6 people). The lady that took it had lived there for many years and had all the goss. Lunch at Subway and later went to a local pub for tea (7 minute walk away). 30pounds included a bottle of...

May 14, 2010 - Day 10 Stratford-upon-Avon

Wow! What a day. Decided last night that we'd head up to Shakespeare country and as it was only one and a half hour's drive it would be a breeze. However...as we've found a few times on this trip, the directions from Google Maps or our big Britain maps are simpler than in reality. We left here around 9.30am and arrived in Stratford at 12.30 after a couple of stops. Stratford was nowhere near as busy as we expected and we parked within easy walking distance. We have found that this is the best time of year to visit touristy places because...

Aug 31, 2009 - Bard Town

Arriving at our B&B yesterday afternoon thanks to the Thomsons fine hospitality, we found it securely locked and no one home to answer my persistent buzzing. I had booked and paid for this wonder (situated in the heart of Stratford-Upon-Avon) after a relentless search on the internet. In addition, Stratford-Upon-Avon is the second most visited location in Britain after London, so the lack of response raised some consternation in my mind. I called the number on the swinging sign but got the silent treatment. I went to the B&B adjacent and...

Jun 12, 2009 - Warwick Castle and Stratford: Shakespeare Country

On June 12 we traveled to Warwickshire, Shakespeare country, with all its sheep and winding Avon river. We first visited Warwick Castle which was enjoyable. Enjoy a brief movie of some of our exploits at this YouTube address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B49APMVcvgk The castle of a major hit with the students. A major highlight was the Trebushet demonstration. The highlight for me in Stratford was his buriel place which I had never seen. He is buried with one of his daughter's, his granddaughter and Thomas Nash. The St. Mary's Chapel is...