Stratford-upon-Avon Part 1 - Shakespeare's birthplace

Our first sight of Stratford-upon-Avon showed it was a thriving, bustling, busy town, full of tourists and families with children, mostly along the banks of the Avon River that runs through the centre of the town.  River craft of all descriptions were on the water, and people were having the time of their lives. It was lunchtime on Saturday, before the end of the school holidays, and everyone was making the most of the balmy breeze and sunny weather and lovely shady trees and lawns along the riverbank. 

First of all, we went to the old cottage where Shakespeare was born. It was very clear that everything to do with Shakespeare was promoted all over the town. He has done for the economy of this town what Picasso has done for his birthplace - Malaga in Portugal. The economies of Stratford-upon-Avon and Malaga thrive on these two outstanding artists of their day. Shakespeare and Picasso would never have imagined all the memorabilia, places, museums, traditions and celebrations of their lives and their work that are now enjoyed by so many people from all over the world.

The garden of this historic home was quite small but full of lovely flowers. The wonderful perfume of English roses in bloom wafted through the air, whilst Shakespearian actors performed excerpts from Shakespeare’s plays on the small lawn. The home was very small as well, but fascinating to visit. It spoke of a simple life, and a close family. We even saw the cradle in which Shakespeare would have slept. However, it must be said that their family must have been better off than many in their community at that time, because they had a 2-storey house. 

One can only marvel that a boy brought up in a fairly humble home developed such an insight into human nature and such creative genius. Perhaps the simple life helped nurture that, in that it is unlikely he participated in and was distracted by some of the foppery and foolery that went on amongst the upper classes that period. But that is only conjecture, as I have not read a biography of Shakespeare - yet! I am inspired to do so now. 

A view near the little Welsh village.

I was fascinated by the unusual cloud formations we saw as we entered England. It was like puffs of cotton wool perched on ruffed white sheets. The landscape was quite flat and mostly consisted of farms.

Some of the flowers growing in the garden at Shakespeare's birthplace.

A view of some of the garden. 

More of the flowers are shown in this photo and the next. 

A 'wallbook' about Shakespeare on the garden wall. 

The outside of the family cottage.

The small entrance to the family cottage.

The inevitable gift shop you had to pass through to get out. 

Part of the kitchen on the ground floor.

A sign further in the cottage.

I believe this was the bed of Shakespeare's parents.

The family dining table.

A very attractive ceiling in the upper storey. 

A sculpture of Shakespeare in one of the upper rooms.

I think this was the bed of one of the children.

Fascinating wallpaper.

This may have been the 'birthing bed'.

These items were near the last bed. 

One of the steep stairways down into the ground floor.