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Join me on a guided walking tour through the Shakespearean England as I explore the quaint- Stratford Upon Avon, the historical market town of Warwick and the Royal Leamington Spa.
Nestled within the heart of England lies a realm that seems plucked from the pages of history – a tapestry of quaint villages, each echoing the timeless charm of Shakespeare’s era. Here, you can see small but diverse communities, living in timber-framed cottages, exuding an old-world charisma. Immerse yourself in the essence of an era long past, as I take you through the fabric of the traditional English life.
If you’re looking for a gorgeous town on the outskirts of London, a place to rejuvenate and learn at the same time, then this is the perfect place to be! Located in Warwickshire, in the west Midlands of the United Kingdom, Stratford-upon-Avon is a historically significant place, primarily synonymous with the literature maestro, William Shakespeare. You can spend an entire day here, strolling through the beautiful cafes and shops, admiring the cute gardens behind cottages.
The town is well-placed, with great connectivity- a one hour tube ride away from Birmingham and just two hours away from London on the tube. As the name suggests, it is a market town on the river Avon, overflowing with book and literature enthusiasts in general. There are so many souvenir shops on both sides of the narrow alleys, and you can entertain yourself in a good book (I can even recommend a historical book shop, situated on Henley Street) or buy a pretty bookmark for your book collection.
Most of the village can be explored through walk, and if you like to walk, you can spend some time around the Avon River, reminiscing the stunning views from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and, even spot a boat or two. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is a treat as here, one of the world’s best known theatre companies, the Royal Shakespeare Company, performs the works of Shakespeare, his contemporaries and new writing, throughout the year.
During my visit, I also discovered the interesting courtship of Shakespear and Anne Hathaway (no, not our popular Hollywood star but Shakespeare’s wife, Anne). An endearing tale of their love encounter from a local said that Anne was particularly fond of gardening and Shakespeare dedicated a cottage to her name, now known as the Anne Hathaway cottage.
A key highlight of the town is the Shakespeare Centre, where you can find the Shakespeare trust right next to his birthplace. If you’re interested to know more about Shakespeare’s life, they show a movie after which you can move onto his birthplace home. In different rooms you can see people dressed as various characters from the period, a few even acting out Shakespeare’s works.
A local UK website suggested a stay at the town centre hotel, Arden Hotel, situated upon the Swan Theatre on Waterside. I stayed here for 2 days, and let me tell you, the stay was a breathtaking experience. I travelled around Christmas time, and the small chapel shaped boutique hotel exuded elegance and all wintery vibes. It had a cute terrace where I spent both the evenings, overlooking the town crowd, and spent one cosy afternoon in their famous tearoom, enjoying high tea, the British way.
Quick tip for a first-time traveller- If you’re a peace lover, you could also spend some time exploring the nearby villages and towns, such as Snitterfield or Evesham. Each carry their unique charm!
One of the more popular tourist attractions of England, Warwick is also placed on the river Avon, crowed with narrow roads and pretty cafes. One of the most fun parts of exploring the beautiful town of Warwick is casually browsing through antique shops and buying some classic jewellery. Every alternate shop seems like an Aladdin’s cave of hidden treasures. You could also involve yourself in a delectable meal, savouring some amazing croissants or an occasional caviar.
And then there’s the famous Warwick Castle of course! A lot of people might not know this, but the nicest views of the Warwick Castle are from the river. You can spend a wintery afternoon, basking under the sunlight, as you row down the river, absorbing the beauty of the huge castle walls.
Another suggestion from my end would be the folk museum at St. John’s House. This Victorian building has doll houses and costume displays and much more. There’s a walled garden too, where you can spend an entire evening for a short picnic, adoring the intricately curated garden gate.
Warwick again, is quite accessible both by train and road.
My last stop in my two-day visit to the beautiful town of Shakespeare was the Royal Leamington Spa, located in central England and most known for its wide boulevards, stunning architecture and lavish spas. If you’re lucky enough to travel during Christmas (like I did), you can cherish the beauty of the town centre, adorned with glittering Christmas lights and sparkling windows.
If you’re a fan of all things aesthetic, you would love the manicured gardens and flower beds at the Jephson Gardens, indulge in their sensory garden and greenhouse, and tantalize your taste buds with a mind-blowing hot chocolate at their in-house cafe.
You can easily spend the evening strolling down ‘The Parade’, and shopping to your heart’s content. The streets are a wonderful combination of independent boutiques and high streets alongside a huge variety of scrumptious restaurants, and quirky bars.
Exploring the historic landscapes of Stratford Upon Avon, Warwick and Royal Leamington Spa unveils an enthralling narrative of the Shakespearean England. As you traverse the cobblestone streets of Stratford Upon Avon, the very birthplace of the literary genius, William Shakespeare, you can witness first hand, the echoes of his timeless works. Warwick castle, another medieval masterpiece, unwraps its own tales of royalty and valour, that could transport one to an era steeped in grandeur. Royal Leamington Spa, with its regal architecture and serene gardens, is a cherry on the top. For all Shakespeare fans out there, I would recommend a travel to this gorgeous place, at least once in their lifetime.
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