To celebrate Dan’s birthday, I organised a surprise trip to Stratford-upon-Avon. Easily accessible by train from Bristol, the beautiful town that saw the Bard’s birth is well worth the hype.
With its medieval architecture and lovely riverside, Stratford-upon-Avon is a delight for the eyes.
We had booked an AirBnB a mere 20 mins-walk from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Looking up for small details of its long history, we had fun spotting plaques mentioning illustrious inhabitants or traces of old shops, we had fun walking around the towns’ busy streets. If you’re looking to treat yourself with some delicious food, this quirky pizzeria is not to be missed.
We were amazed as we retraced Shakespeare’s steps while visiting Shakespeare’s Birthplace, where we learned more about his parents and the workshop where William’s father John crafted gloves and other leather goods.
Shakespeare’s New Place another museum at the site where William Shakespeare’s family home stood for 19 years is also well worth a visit as a museum with beautiful gardens, sculptures and artwork.
Hats off to the team of The guides were We also loved discovering the cottage where Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway grew up. Fans of ‘Hamnet‘ by Maggie O’Farrell will enjoy imaging scenes from the book amongst the luxurious garden.
We also took time to mess about at Tudor World, and its shadowy rooms filled with fun facts!
A surprise trip to Straford-upon-Avon would not have been complete without a tasty dinner at the Rooftop Restaurant at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, where the service was impeccable before heading to the fabulous Swan theatre for a rendition of one of the Bard’s plays.
I was a bit nervous as the play in question is considered as Shakespeare’s bloodiest and I didn’t know how Dan would react, however, we were both absolutely blown away by the story and its extreme violence. Simon Russell Beale was superb as Titus Andronicus.
The end of our adventures was spent enjoying the last ray of evening sunshine while sipping on gin and tonics by the riverside. What a birthday to remember!
