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Our tour takes us across the Chiltern Hills and the quietly rolling Oxfordshire countryside before arriving at the northern edge of the Cotswolds. There are few places more English than Stratford-upon-Avon, the charming market town where William Shakespeare, England's greatest playwright and poet was born. Something of the character of Shakespeare’s time still clings to the lovely timbered houses and old-world gardens he knew, infuses the air along the willowed banks of the river he loved, and lingers in the foundation of New Place, his last home.
Our first stop will be Anne Hathaway's Cottage. Even if this were not the birthplace of William Shakespeare’s wife, the cottage would still hold its own as an architectural gem, with irregular timber-framed walls and tiny-latticed windows beneath a trim, thatched roof. Little has changed since Shakespeare strolled through the herb-scented garden to woo the woman he was to marry in 1582. Inside he would have seen rooms furnished much as they are today, with the wooden seat in the parlour where, it is said, William and Anne sat courting.
Our tour continues with my drive around Stratford where we will see all the enchanting sights of the town including the Teddy Bear Museum, Canal basin, medieval Clopton Bridge, Bancroft Gardens, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, many Elizabethan buildings and all the town’s Shakespeare properties. Stratford is best explored on foot and I’ll take you a short walking tour where you may wish to spend some time browsing in the shops or visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, a lovely half-timbered house simply furnished in Elizabethan style. Our walk will end beside the River Avon where the tall spire of Holy Trinity Church rises. Here you may wish to visit the grave of William Shakespeare and that of his wife and his eldest daughter, Susanna.
Warwick is only a short drive away and here we will see standing next to the medieval West Gate, the Lord Leycester Hospital; a group of timber-framed buildings of 1383, their dark brown timbers and weathered stonework supporting gabled upper storeys that lean alarmingly over the cobbled pavement. The view of Warwick Castle across the River Avon was thought by Sir Walter Scott to be unsurpassed in England. Looking at that view today it is easy to sympathise with the romantic novelist, for there are few castles more romantic than Warwick. Here is no ancient monument of crumbling walls and towers, haunted only by ravens, Warwick Castle is as alive and vibrant now as at any time in its 600 year history.
I’ll guide you through the magnificently appointed State Rooms, where you’ll see the castle’s art treasures, furniture collection and displays of arms and armour. Called ‘A Royal Weekend Party, 1898’, a waxwork tableaux display depicts a visit by the Prince of Wales and other distinguished guests during the summer of 1898, when the Earl and Countess of Warwick were hosts at many such parties. Guests who stayed at the castle in earlier times and less happy circumstances are recalled in the castle dungeon, with its grisly display of instruments of torture. Bursting to the towers with action and adventure including the world’s biggest siege machine, thrilling jousting tournaments, birds of prey, daredevil knights, a ‘live’ ghost tower plus a new fully interactive attraction – “Dream of Battle”, Warwick Castle guarantees a mighty visit full of medieval fun.
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