Trifter

APRIL 23. Every true English person knows that this date is St George’s Day. It is also the birthday of the world’s greatest dramatist, William Shakespeare, the Bard of Avon. Devotees can visit five beautiful houses in Avon that have connections with the master wordsmith, who put so many phrases into the English Language.

Shakespeare was born in 1564 and travellers can still visit his birthplace on Henley Street. It was his childhood home and visitors are able to step back in time and see the young Shakespeare growing up in Tudor times. The house has been authentically refurbished with original and replica articles that resemble those that would have been there in the Bard’s time. There are beautiful painted cloths hanging on the walls and brightly coloured fabrics fill the rooms. Even his father’s glove-making workshop has been restored.

There are plants, herbs and flowers. Many of which are mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays in the attractive garden at the rear of the house.

An exhibition charting his life features many rare artefacts, including a copy of the first edition of his Collected Plays of 1623.

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage on Cottage Hill was the childhood home of his wife. The Hathaway Family occupied this house until 1899. This thatched building contain’s a number of rare items, some dating back to Anne’s time and belonging to the family.

It stands in a stunning embodiment of and English cottage Garden that overflows with flowers, shrubs and vegetables. Twelfth Night inspired the growing willow cabin which allows visitors to listen to famous actors reading the sonnets.

The orchard and Shakespeare Tree Garden lie beyond this. It features sculptures that were inspired by his plays and there is an Elizabethan style yew maze.

Mary Arden’s House in Wilmcote takes people back to the Tudor period.. Shakespeare’s mother lived here as a girl. The outbuildings, which include a cider barn and dovecote, house an array of displays and exhibitions.

Visitors can walk through the orchard and wildflower meadow or go on the nature trail and track down the rare breeds of farm animals that would have been kept by the Arden Family. These include Longhorn Cattle, Cotswold Sheep, Gloucester Old Spot Pigs and Buff Orpington Chickens.

The farm is also the base for Heart of England Falconry, who stage regular displays of these magnificent hunters.

Shakespeare bought Nash’s House on Chapel Street in 1597 with his London earning. He was die there on his birthday in 1616. This estate is now preserved as a picturesque garden space with and magnificent Elizabethan style knot garden and the Great Garden that is lined with box and yew hedges. There are beautiful flowers and borders. An ancient mulberry tree is believed to be a cutting from a tree planted by the bard. Some foundations from his house remain in the garden.

The entrance of New Place was originally owned by Thomas Nash, first husband of Shakespeare’s granddaughter. Its interior reflects his wealth.

Shakespeare’s daughter, Susanna and her husband, John Hall, a renowned doctor owned Hall’s Croft in Old Town. It is an elegant 17th Century house, which contains many rare furnishings and paintings. There is a typical 17th Century doctor’s consulting room, that has a first edition of Hall’s Medical Notes, that were published in 1657. An exhibition on the upper floor portrays his life and aspects of medicine of the time. It is licensed for civil wedding ceremonies.

There is a tranquil garden with beautiful roses and herbaceous borders. A formal herb garden contains many of the herbs that Hall mentions in his notes.

All these buildings are controlled by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, which also cares for Harvard House and the Museum of British Pewter on High Street.

The Shakespeare Buildings are all extremely old and therefore have limited disabled access.

Each house has a gift shop. They are available for special visits and corporate events. Group visits and garden tours can be arranged. Educational groups are welcomed and the buildings do support a range of topics at Key Stages 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum. The Educational Department can supply more details on 01789 201848.

All the Shakespeare Houses are open throughout the year with the exception of December 23 to 26.

Tourist can visit Holy Trinity Church where the Bard was baptised and is buried.

Stratford upon Avon is well signposted and only a short drive from Junction 15 on the M40. A park and ride system operates from the A46/A340 Junction.

Further information can be obtained from 01789 204016.