Today we woke up and headed out for a tour of Stratford upon Avon. This tour is about the history of not only the town but its most famous inhabitant, William Shakespeare. We started off along the river Avon with our guide Vicky, that lead us to the Royal Shakespeare Company theater. From there we saw the church where he was baptized and buried.
It was a picturesque day that made the tour even better. We followed through the town, seeing Shakspears grammar school, his church, and finally made it to his family home and birthplace. We entered and watched a video that gave us some background.
Entering the grounds of his home was really quite beautiful. We were reminded that since his father was a glove maker the backyard would have never looked like this, it would have been full of dead animal, skins, and much more smelly stuff. But now, over 450 years later it is a beautiful garden surrounding the house.
Entering the house was interesting. I’ve toured old houses and towns before, but being there in what is said to be one of the most famous playwrights and authors homes was kind of unreal. it was small and oddly set up, but it was made so you could see and feel how they lived then.
After we left the house there were actors in the garden acting out scenes from some plays, we stayed and watched then made our way into the gift shop, where I again spent too much money. After that, we were able to head off and go shop and get lunch.
After lunch, we headed back to get the bus and go to Liverpool!