Sights in Stratford Upon Avon
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Shakespeare's Birthplace
Start your Shakespeare tour at the house where the world's most famous playwright supposedly spent his childhood days. In fact, the jury is still out on whether this really was Shakespeare's birthplace, but devotees of the Bard have been dropping in since at least the 19th century, leaving their signatures scratched onto the windows. Set behind a modern facade, the house contains restored Tudor rooms, live presentations from famous Shakespearean characters, and an engaging exhibition on Stratford's favourite son.
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Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust manages five buildings associated with Shakespeare. Three of the houses are central, one is an easy walk away, and the fifth a drive or bike ride out; a combination ticket costs about half as much as the individual admission fees combined. Opening times are complicated and vary during the off season (check the website for details). In summer, enormous crowds pack the small Tudor houses; a visit out of season is much more enjoyable. Note that wheelchair access to the properties is restricted.
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Holy Trinity Church
The final resting place of the Bard is said to be the most visited parish church in England. Inside are handsome 16th- and 17th-century tombs (particularly in the Clopton Chapel), some fabulous carvings on the choir stalls and, of course, the grave of William Shakespeare, with its ominous epitaph: 'cvrst be he yt moves my bones'.
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Mary Arden's House
Mary Arden's House at Wilmcote, 3 miles west of Stratford, was the childhood home of Shakespeare's mother. If you cycle there via Anne Hathaway's Cottage, follow the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal towpath to Wilmcote rather than retracing your route or riding back along the busy A3400. The easiest way to get there otherwise is on a bus tour. The Shakespeare Countryside Museum is housed here.
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Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Before marrying Shakespeare, Anne Hathaway lived in Shottery, a mile west of the centre, in this pretty thatched farmhouse. As well as period furniture, there's an orchard and arboretum, with examples of all the trees mentioned in Shakespeare's plays. A footpath (no bikes allowed) leads to Shottery from Evesham Pl.
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Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm
Bored of the Bard? Unleash your inner insect-lover at this 'farm', just east of the town centre. It's a large walk-through greenhouse housing hundreds of species of exotic butterflies in tropical foliage. Arachnophobes beware - the 'Arachnoland' scorpion and spider section may keep its specimens behind glass, but it is guaranteed to get your heart racing.
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Shakespeare Countryside Museum
The home of William's mother is now used to house the Shakespeare Countryside Museum, with exhibits tracing local country life over the past four centuries. Plan to spend more time here than at the other properties to appreciate its unique collection of rare farm animals.
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Knot Garden
The wealthy, retired Shakespeare bought a fine home at New Place on the corner of Chapel St and Chapel Lane. He died there in April 1616 and the house was demolished in 1759. An attractive Elizabethan knot garden now occupies part of the grounds.
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Hall's Croft
Shakespeare's daughter Susanna married respected doctor John Hall, and their fine Elizabethan town house is south of the centre on the way to Holy Trinity Church. Deviating from the main Shakespearean theme, the exhibition offers fascinating insights into medicine in the 16th century.
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Harvard House
The exuberantly carved Harvard House was home to the mother of John Harvard, after whom Harvard University in the USA was named in the 17th century. It now houses a Museum of British Pewter.
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Guild Chapel
The Guild Chapel dates from 1269, though it was rebuilt in the 15th century. It's not open to the public except for services (10:00 Wednesday and noon Saturday April to September).
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Nash's House
Displays in Nash's House, where Shakespeare's granddaughter Elizabeth lived, describe the town's history and contain a collection of 17th-century oak furniture and tapestries.
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Shakespeare Exhibition
Tickets to Shakespeare's Birthplace include admission to the adjacent Shakespeare Exhibition, where well-devised displays chart the life of Stratford's most famous son.
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King Edward VI School
Next door to the Guild Chapel is King Edward VI School, which Shakespeare probably attended; it was originally the Guildhall.
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New Place
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Falstaff's Experience
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The Shakespeare Houses
Five of the most important buildings associated with Shakespeare contain museums that form the core of the visitor experience at Stratford, run by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust . You can buy individual tickets, but it's more cost-effective to buy a combination ticket covering the three houses in town, or all five properties. Expect long queues throughout the summer.
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Nash's House & New Place
When Shakespeare retired, he swapped the bright lights of London for a comfortable town house at New Pl, where he died of unknown causes in April 1616. The house was demolished in 1759, but an attractive Elizabethan knot garden occupies part of the grounds. Archaeologists are digging beneath the plot in search of Shakespearean treasures – see www.digforshakespeare.com for the latest finds.
Displays in the adjacent Nash's House, where Shakespeare's granddaughter Elizabeth lived, describe the town's history, and there's a collection of 17th-century furniture and tapestries.
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Mary Arden's Farm
If you fancy going back even further, you can visit the childhood home of Shakespeare's mum at Wilmcote, 3 miles west of Stratford. Aimed firmly at families, the farm has exhibits tracing country life over the centuries, with nature trails, falconry displays and a collection of rare-breed farm animals. You can get here on the City Sightseeing bus, or cycle via Anne Hathaway's Cottage, following the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal towpath.
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