Stratford-upon-Avon

                                          Street view of Stratford-upon-Avon

                                        

Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway's cottage at nearby Village of Shottery

                                        

William Shakespeare's birthplace - A mecca for students of Literature

                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                          Backyard of Shakespeare's birthplace

                                  

One of the views of the house interior - an indication that at some point of history, the place was known as Swan and Maidenhead Inn.

Stratford-upon-Avon (Warwickshire County), best known for it's association with William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) lies a 100 miles from London and is a 2 hour drive from there.  Many tour companies operating in London, offer one day tours and many of these tours also include the nearby Warwick Castle.  Most one day tours however only include a tour to Shakespeare's birthplace, Anne Hathaway's cottage and the Holy Trinity Church.  For a longer stay, Stratford-upon-Avon and it's vicinity itself has a number of Hotels and Bread and Breakfast places.  Some of the useful websites that provide information about hotels, restaurants and other activities in the area are as follows:
www.stratford-upon-avon.co.uk
www.visitstratforduponavon.co.uk
www.visitbritain.gov.uk

Other useful websites;
www.shakespeare.org.uk - This is the official website of Shakespeare's Birthplace Trust, the Trust that owns and maintains the homes and properties associated with the Bard.
www.shakespeareschurch.org -This is operated by the Friends of Shakespeare's Church, an organization dedicated to the preservation of the Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare was both baptized and buried.

For someone planning an overnight stay, places in visit are:
Shakespeare's Birthplace at Hanley Street - The home where William Shakespeare was born and spent his childhood. Do not forget to sign the visitor's registry at this place.
Anna Hathaway's Cottage - Home of Shakespeare's wife.
Holy Trinity Church - The church which played an important part in Shakespeare's life.
Nash's House - Home of Thomas Nash, husband of Shakespeare's grand daughter.
New Place - This was the site of the home, where William Shakespeare spent his last days.  The place  reportedly demolished in 1759 by it's then owner in a fit of rage, now has been turned into a garden.
Mary Arden's Farm - Home of Shakespeare's mother
Hall's Croft - Home of Shakespeare's daughter, Susanna and her husband, John Hall.

PS: Above pictures were taken in November, 2004