Wrapping up our stay in Bath, England, we realized we had a few extra days to do something special before heading to our next destination. So...we took a five day side trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon, birthplace of perhaps the greatest English writer of all time, William Shakespeare. What a lovely town, and five days was just perfect! While there is an affordable Hop-On Hop-Off bus to take you to some of the attractions on the outskirts, 80% are within easy walking distances of the town center. We loved the architecture throughout the area, and the flowers, with their explosion of colors, decorating the town were spectacular! This side trip was a perfect decision on our part.
Philadelphian George W. Childs gave this clock tower to the town of Shakespeare's birth in 1887, the Jubilee Year of Queen Victoria.
The architecture of the town, such as the Arden Park building shown here, is impressive.
Built in 1470, the Old Thatch Tavern reportedly is the only surviving thatch building within the town center.
This road island next to the Stratford-Upon-Avon marina is beautifully decorated...
...and amazingly, well maintained.
The river Avon runs through the middle of town...
...and is serviced by this foot ferry (25 pence per person, per ride)...
...except for these local residents.
Bridge Street is one of the main roads through the center of town.
The Black Swan restaurant sits along side the Avon River. During World War II, American troops stationed in the area, nicknamed the restaurant "The Dirty Duck". Currently, it is known by both names.
The oldest pub (first established in 1586) has been known as the Garrick Inn since 1795. The building next door (under the American flag) is the Harvard House. It was bought by Thomas Rogers, grandfather to John Harvard (founder of Harvard University) in 1596. Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts currently owns it.
Part of this building houses the school attended by William Shakespeare.
Actor David Garrick, a contemporary of Shakespeare's, created the Beginnings of the Royal Shakspeare Company in 1769. Today, the RSC owns three theaters in Startford-Upon-Avon, the Royal Shakespeare theater, shown here, the Swan Theater, and The Other Place.
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