Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is most well known for being the birth place of William Shakespeare, and therefore host to countless tourists every year, wanting to view the sites associated with the famous Elizabethan playwright. A market town since the Middle Ages, Stratford-upon-Avon is steeped in history and situated in the picturesque English midlands countryside. Having good rail and road links, the town was our destination of choice for a short weekend break from London.

We left from Marylebone station with Chiltern Railways, taking just under two and a half hours to get there. Travelling by car, along the M40, takes approximately the same amount of time and a good way of preparing a route beforehand is by visiting a site such as Google Maps and obtaining directions. National Express also offers services to Stratford-upon-Avon, taking about three hours from London. There are also numerous organised one-day bus tours from London, which usually pass through Oxford and the surrounding scenic countryside.

We only stayed one night in Stratford-upon-Avon, at a B&B called Ambleside Guest House. The accommodation was clean and well-presented, and although there was nothing specifically wrong with the B&B itself, we didn't feel very welcome. In our experience, many B&Bs prefer to cater to a more mature age group rather than younger people, however it does work both ways - many young travellers feel that B&Bs are a bit too 'stuffy' and 'old' for their tastes and don't feel very comfortable staying in them. Despite all that, the Ambleside Guest House, situated opposite a park, is conveniently located and in walking distance to the town centre and the major tourist attractions in Stratford-upon-Avon. Stratford's town centre has the usual brand of high-street shops, yet still manages to retain an antiquated feel due to its traditional, old architecture.

The weather wasn't very welcoming either, being icy cold and windy, so we seemed to spend much of the weekend inside traditional pubs in the town. We did, however, manage to visit the popular sights for which the town is so famous, such as the timbered house where Shakespeare was born in 1564. There are daily tours of Shakespeare's birthplace, which is entered through the adjoining modern Visitor Centre, providing an interesting insight into the life of the playwright. Other properties relating to Shakespeare that are worth seeing include Anne Hathaway's cottage, the residence where Shakespeare's wife spent her childhood and Hall's Croft, where Shakespeare's eldest daughter lived with her husband, Dr Hall. About three miles outside of Stratford-upon-Avon lies Mary Adren's House, the childhood home of Shakespeare's mother, alongside which the Shakespeare Countryside Museum is located.

It is pleasant to walk along the banks of the River Avon, viewing the boats and swans, and generally appreciating the beautiful setting of the town. The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has three theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon, providing a range of dramatic works. The largest of the three is The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, overlooking the river. It also has a bar, restaurant and gift shop, where an extensive array of Shakesperian souvenirs can be purchased. Further along the river lies another tourist site, the ancient Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare is buried. The church is open to visitors most of the year, and a small donation is requested to view the burial area.

Despite the cold, we enjoyed our brief visit to Stratford-upon-Avon. The town is definitely a worthwhile destination for any traveller - not only because of its historical ties with Shakespeare, but also due to its traditional charm and scenic location in the heart of the English countryside.