Today we took the train over to Stratford upon Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. It was so exciting getting to explore somewhere new and the town definitely did not disappoint! The whole place was so picturesque, filled with adorable cottages, beautiful greenery, and fun shops. Our day was made even more memorable thanks to our incredible tour guide, Tim, a former stage actor whose knowledge, wit, and passion brought every corner of the town to life.
Tim started our tour at the Gower Memorial, an impressive statue of Shakespeare flanked by some of his most famous characters. It was the perfect introduction to the day. As we gathered around, Tim gave us an engaging overview of Shakespeare’s legacy, and I thought it was so fun when we quoted many of the common sayings that Shakespeare contributed to English.
Just a short walk away, we came to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, home to the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company. Tim shared stories about how the building had been revived several times through enormous construction projects. Even from the outside, the building commands attention, with aspects of its contemporary design in the additions and traditional charm in the historical facade. In fact, it is the first significant building in England designed by a female architect, which I thought was very cool.
Next, we visited Holy Trinity Church, a serene and sacred spot nestled along the river. The graveyard outside was beautifully lined with dozens of trees, and the church itself was astonishing. This is where Shakespeare was baptized, worshipped, and ultimately laid to rest. As we walked around, we took in the atmosphere, surrounded by centuries of history. It is crazy to think that we walked the same places that such a significant person did too.
After our morning tour, it was time to refuel. We headed to The Dirty Duck, a well-loved local pub with a history as rich as the town itself. Frequented by actors and tourists alike, it offered the perfect place to relax. The food was exactly what we needed and it was a great way to sit together and just hang out. After lunch, we wandered through Stratford’s quaint shops. From handcrafted souvenirs to fun themed gifts, there was no shortage of charming finds. I loved wandering around the town and seeing all the different businesses and people. I especially loved getting to see all the dogs that everyone had!
In the afternoon, we reconnected with Tim for the final part of our tour, Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Stepping inside the house was like entering a time capsule. With period furniture, original artifacts, and some cool exhibits, the home gave us a glimpse into his early life with his family. It was crazy to me how different life was back then, and I was especially shocked to learn many of the usual habits back then, such as the fact that many of the siblings would be sharing the same bed! The stories helped us imagine young Shakespeare exploring these same halls, and just beginning his life of greatness.
After we exited the house, an actor performed some of Shakespeare’s great monologues, showing off his talent and reminding us of all the great works he has written. It was the perfect end to the tour, and I’m so glad we got to go visit such an amazing place!
