A photographic tour of Shakespeare's Stratford

I intended to stay a few days in Stratford but with rain and strong winds, it was nearly a week.  Plenty to see and do and a very enjoyable week.  I also managed to find a new pair of boots as my old ones have not lasted a year despite costing over £100 - too far to take them back to Skipton.  Hopefully this pair will last a bit longer.  So here is my photographic record of my stay in Stratford.

And where better to start than the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.  Entrance is free and there are lots of costumes and props on display throughout.

Entrance to the 8 storey tower is £2.50 and well worth it for the magnificent views.

You can just make out the boat on my first mooring.  I later moved up a bit, away from the weeping willows, to get a TV signal.

The original 1879 buildings.

This old photograph shows the ornate water tower.  It had one purpose - to extinguish any fires and it failed in its duty miserably, in 1926, when all but the circular Swan Theatre was destroyed by fire.

I start my walking tour with a 50p trip across the river on the chain ferry to visit Holy Trinity Church where the Bard is entombed.

 

The magnificent tombs and effigies of the Clopton families from late 16th, early 17th centuries.

And I pay the small admission charge (concessionary rate - getting old does have a few advantages) to visit Shakepeare's grave.

But this ornate tomb is not for Shakespeare, rather a Dean of the church who built the Chancel.  

Shakespeare's is a much more modest affair.  He was buried here in 1616 because he was a "lay rector" of the church.

And, in 1623, his widow and friends erected a bust on the wall, thought to be a very good likeness.

The early 17th century Hall's Croft, believed to have been the home of Shakespeare's daughter

Almshouses dating from about 1500

The Guild Hall dating from 1420 and the Guild Chapel founded in 1269 as a hospital.

 

Shakespeare's granddaughter lived here from 1626. and the garden next door used to be a fine house built in the late 1490's, bought by Shakespeare in 1597 and where he died in 1616.

Now the Falcon Hotel the ground and first floors date back to 1500.  The top storey was added in the mid 17th century.

The HSBC Bank of 1883.  The terracotta friezedepicts 15 scenes from various plays.  And the Market Hall, now Barclays Bank built in 1821.

 

The Garrick Inn, on the left, and, on the right what is thought to be one of the finest houses in the town, built in 1596.

 

In a town with so many marvellously preserved buildings how could they have allowed this 60's monstrosity to be built!

The Public Library, saved from demolition in 1902 and completely restored.

Shakespeare's birthplace is a 16th century building owned and lived in by his father, John, until his death in 1601. Ownership remained with his descendants until 1806.

The canal basin which I shall travel through when I leave the river.

And, finally, the statue of Shakespeare and figures from 4 of his  plays with the canal basin moorings in the background.

A fantastic town, which I had not been to before.  Obviously very touristy but well worth the visit.