Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a market town on the River Avon in Warwickshire, England, famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare in 1564. The medieval centre has timber-framed buildings, riverside gardens and theatres, and is easy to explore on foot. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust looks after five houses connected with the playwright: Shakespeare's Birthplace on Henley Street, Anne Hathaway's Cottage in nearby Shottery, Mary Arden's Farm, Hall's Croft and Nash's House with the New Place gardens. The Birthplace has restored rooms, a visitor exhibition and costumed interpreters, while Anne Hathaway's Cottage is a thatched farmhouse with gardens and a willow sculpture area. Holy Trinity Church on the riverbank, where Shakespeare was baptised and buried, charges a small fee to see his grave. The Royal Shakespeare Company stages productions at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the Swan Theatre on the waterfront, and the theatre tower gives views over the river for a small fee. The riverside path, canal basin and Bancroft Gardens are pleasant for walking, and boats can be hired on the Avon. A full day is needed to see several attractions, though a short visit to the Birthplace and the church takes around three hours. The best photographs are of the half-timbered Birthplace on Henley Street, the swans and boats by Bancroft Gardens, and the Hathaway thatch in Shottery. The town is busiest in summer, at weekends and around Shakespeare's birthday celebrations in late April. Mornings on weekdays and the shoulder seasons are calmer, and booking RSC tickets ahead is wise, since popular productions sell out. Warwick Castle and the Cotswolds are within easy reach by car or train.