Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a town in south Warwickshire, England. In 2001 the town had a population of 23,676. Stratford is known worldwide as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. It is also the administrative centre of Stratford-on-Avon District.

Tourist attractions

The town is located on the River Avon, on the banks of which stands the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, home of the Royal Shakespeare Company. The RSC also runs two smaller theatres, the Swan, which is modelled on an Elizabethan theatre, and The Other Place, a black box theatre.

Related Topics:
River Avon - Royal Shakespeare Theatre - Royal Shakespeare Company - Swan - The Other Place - Black box theatre

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Other tourist attractions within the town include Shakespeare's birthplace and two contemporary buildings, Hall's Croft (the one-time home of Shakespeare's daughter, Susannah) and New Place, which stands on the site of an earlier house originally owned by the playwright himself. Also within the town is Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare was baptised and is buried.

Related Topics:
Shakespeare's birthplace - Hall's Croft - New Place - Holy Trinity Church

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Near to the town are two other properties associated with Shakespeare: Anne Hathaway's Cottage at Shottery, the former home of Shakespeare's wife, and Mary Arden's House, the former home of his mother.

Related Topics:
Anne Hathaway's Cottage - Mary Arden's House

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Non-Shakespearean attractions include a Teddy Bear Museum, a Butterfly Farm, the Bancroft Gardens, and The Black Swan (locally known as the 'Dirty Duck'), a pub said to be frequented by actors 'fresh from the stage'.

Related Topics:
Teddy Bear - Pub

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Eight miles away is Ragley Hall, one of England's finest stately homes and home to the Jerwood Sculpture Park.

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The town had a publicly-funded art gallery, The Gallery, but this was closed in 2004.

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The influx of tourists into Stratford has caused tension with residents for decades, and there are perennial complains about numerous tour buses clogging certain roads in the town.

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There are plans to refurbish the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and to build offices and flats on the defunct cattle market next to the railway station.

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