A day in Stratford Upon Avon

Shakespeare's birthplace.

Today we spent exploring the Shakespeare family homes in and around Stratford upon Avon. Our host gave us vouchers for a 2 in 1 pass for 5 houses. The first being Shakespeare's birth place. I would never have guessed I'd be so interested in this history since it was the dreaded subject at school however it was all very fascinating and we enjoyed every moment of the day.

Doing the touristy thing on the main street in Stratford.

Shakespeare's bed that he shared with his 3 brothers. His 3 sisters slept together in the next door room. They always slept sitting up as they believed that the only time you lie down is when you are dead. His father was a glove maker, a very wealthy family.

Further on down the main street was Halls Croft the home of Shakespeare's daughter Susanna and her husband Dr John Hall a beautifully furnished Jacobean home. 

The next house was a well preserved Elizabethan home where the Harvard family lived. Their son John Harvard wanted to educate the world. After following in his fathers footsteps and studying theology himself he then spent a huge sum of money on books and took them with him to America. He was the founder of Harvard University in the 1600s. His aim was to educate doctors, lawyers and teachers.

Anne Hathaway & Shakespeare's graves inside the church.

Anne Hathaways family home & garden with lots of herbs, veggies and perennials.

This is where William and Anne courted. They still had the original fine china on display. Again a very wealthy family.

In the Hathaway garden.

It was now time to head home to our little apartment for refreshments and cook up a feast of veggies and turkey. Another successful day.