To celebrate Dan’s birthday, I organised a surprise trip to Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire. Easily accessible by train from Bristol, the beautiful town where the Bard was born is well worth the hype.
With its medieval architecture and lovely riverside, Stratford-upon-Avon is a delight for the eyes.
We booked an AirBnB, a 20 minute-walk from the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Looking up for small details of its long history, we had fun spotting plaques mentioning illustrious inhabitants and traces of old shops while walking around the town’s busy streets. If you’re looking to treat yourself with some delicious food, the quirky pizzeria Red Hot Mamma is not to be missed.
We were amazed as we retraced the playwright’s steps while visiting Shakespeare’s Birthplace. We learned about his parents and the workshop where William’s father John crafted gloves and other leather goods.
Shakespeare’s New Place is on the site where William Shakespeare’s family home stood for 19 years. Its beautiful gardens, sculptures and artwork is well worth a visit.
We also loved discovering the cottage where William 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.
Hats off to the team of guides at all the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust locations who were brilliant.
A surprise trip to Straford-upon-Avon would not have been complete without a tasty dinner at the Rooftop Restaurant at the Royal Shakespeare Company, where the service was impeccable before heading to the fabulous Swan Theatre for a performance of one of the Bard’s plays.
I was a bit nervous as Titus Andronicus is considered as Shakespeare’s bloodiest play and I didn’t know how Dan would react. However, we were both absolutely blown away by the story and how the violence was created. Acclaimed actor Sir Simon Russell Beale was superb as Titus Andronicus.
It wasn’t all about Shakespeare on our trip though. We also had great fun at Tudor World, an interactive museum set in an historic 16th century grade 2* building.
The end of our adventures was spent enjoying the last rays of evening sunshine while sipping on gin and tonics by the riverside. What a birthday to remember!
