Stratford Upon Avon

Hi There!

On Sunday morning, I decided that it was well and truly time for a day-trip, as I had spent the past 13 days hanging around West Bromwich (where I'm currently working) and Halesowen (where I'm currently living). I decided to drive to Stratford-Upon-Avon, William Shakespeare's birthplace, and about a 45 minute drive South-East of my flat. Once I'd exited the M5, it was a quite a pleasant drive on the A3400, past some lovely country estates, and farms with fields of pastures which looked like green manicured lawns.

When I arrived in Stratford upon Avon, I decided that it was time for lunch, so found a nice old pub on the High Street, called Edward Moon, in which to have a Roast Beef with all the trimmings lunch. The English, I have to say, do a very good Yorkshire Pudding (it is even as good as Mum's!).

After lunch, I headed to the house in which William Shakespeare was born in. I coincidentally chose a good time to visit Stratford Upon Avon, as it was the weekend of his Birthday Celebrations. If only I had known, I could have joined in the marathon that had been run earlier in the day. Alas, I was unaware until I got to the town and so didn't bring my running gear. What a shame!

After visiting The Birthplace, I then headed down the road to Nash's House and the site of New Place. Nash's House was the home of Shakespeare's Grandaughter Elizabeth Nash, which was just next door to New Place, which was Shakespeare´s final place of residence.

Just down the road, and around the corner from this was Hall's Croft, the home of Shakespeare's eldest daughter, Sussanah, and her husband, John Hall, the physician. This house had the nicest garden of the three houses.

After visiting Hall's Croft, I headed back to my flat in Halesowen, but I'll have to go back to Stratford Upon Avon on another day, as I bought a ticket which also allows me entry to Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Mary Arden's Farm.

This weekend is a Bank Holiday, so although I have to work tomorrow morning (Saturday), I do have Monday off work. So I'm going to drive up to Chesterfield to stay with Elise for the weekend.