Stratford Upon Avon

One of the best things about moving to the South West of England has been the opportunity to visit so many places that I never thought I'd get the chance to see. 

Places that had always really appealed to me...but not quite enough to merit the journey or the weekend.

One of those places is Stratford Upon Avon. Is it supposed to be hyphenated? I'm not sure, but I think it looks silly, so, hyphens omitted, let's get on with it.

I am an English graduate, and as such, I have come to resent Shakespeare and his body of work with a very great and pure strength. However, a recent visit from a fellow lover of literature inspired a visit to the place where it all started. 

I will admit, my expectations were not high; a recent visit to Oxford informed me that the very famous towns in this neck of the woods are so packed with tourists and other visitors that you don't see or enjoy very much at all. So, imagine my delight when Stratford had a summery, sunny buzz, with most people lolling around in the sun with an ice cream, instead of trying to bump into me. 

There is, naturally, a wealth of Shakespeare-themed attractions to visit (including one 'what if Shakespeare was a time traveller?' museum, because of reasons), but given the sun and the heat and the extortionate cost, we elected to stroll around and behold anything worth beholding from the outside.

Also, shopping.

My favourite spot was definitely down by the river, with all the little boats and picnickers, with the Royal Shakespeare Company building looming in the background. It's a bloody glorious building.

We strolled along the river from the RSC towards Shakespeare's grave. Again, my expectations were not high, because I have a certain amount of resentment for anywhere that asks for payment to look at history that has been treated disrespectfully, or barely cared for (here's looking at you, ALL of Rome), but I have to say, £3 to see such a well cared for memorial in such a beautiful church seemed reasonable. And the money very clearly goes towards the upkeep of a very old building, and not towards building a glass and chrome annex with a gift shop and a cafe in it, or anything.

I hate when old places do that.
Plus, the staff were nice and it was shady and cool (and I had already resorted to removing various items of clothing to deal with the heat).

Also, you could dress up. So, yay.

There were such a lot of strange and wonderful shops to explore, too. Antique shops, Aladdin's caves full of vintage baubles, beautiful bookshops...

My animal-mad visitor found a dog friend to talk to, so, she was happy. I wish we had asked for the pup's name; he was old, and every time someone stopped petting him, he stomped his paw like a little grumpus.

Look! History! Shakespeare's birth place and Anne Hathaway's cottage.
At least you can't complain that I don't bring you any culture.

I am definitely adding Stratford Upon Avon to my list of places to visit around Christmas, I bet it's even more lovely!

x