Difference between revisions of "Stratford-upon-Avon"
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| − | '''Stratford-upon-Avon''' is a market town and civil parish in [[Warwickshire]], England. It is world-renown as the birthplace of playwright [[William Shakespeare]] (1564-1616). | + | '''Stratford-upon-Avon''' is a market town and civil parish in [[Warwickshire]], England. With a population of around 30,000, it is close to the northern part of the [[Cotswolds]], a scenic range of hills. |
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| + | It is world-renown as the birthplace of playwright [[William Shakespeare]] (1564-1616), and the town attracted over 2.7 million visitors per year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/warwickshire/stratford-upon-avon/articles/postcard-stratford-upon-avon-rsc-tourism-collapsed/ A postcard from Stratford-upon-Avon, where tourism has collapsed without the RSC]</ref> Popular tourists attractions in the town include Shakespeare's birthplace, an early 16th-century timber framed house on Henley Street, the 15th century cottage of Ann Hathaway (Shakespeare's wife) and the [[Royal Shakespeare Theatre]]. | ||
Stratford is approximately 92 miles north-west of [[central London]] and 22 miles south of [[Birmingham]] city centre. | Stratford is approximately 92 miles north-west of [[central London]] and 22 miles south of [[Birmingham]] city centre. | ||
Revision as of 10:36, May 13, 2025
Stratford-upon-Avon is a market town and civil parish in Warwickshire, England. With a population of around 30,000, it is close to the northern part of the Cotswolds, a scenic range of hills.
It is world-renown as the birthplace of playwright William Shakespeare (1564-1616), and the town attracted over 2.7 million visitors per year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] Popular tourists attractions in the town include Shakespeare's birthplace, an early 16th-century timber framed house on Henley Street, the 15th century cottage of Ann Hathaway (Shakespeare's wife) and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Stratford is approximately 92 miles north-west of central London and 22 miles south of Birmingham city centre.
History
Around 1 mile away at the village of Tiddington are the remains of a Roman fort. The fort was probably occupied between the 1st and 5th centuries AD. During the era of the Roman Empire, the site at which Stratford-upon-Avon is now located was the site of a Roman road or 'street', which is referenced in the name of the town.
An Anglo-Saxon monastery, later destroyed by Vikings, may have existed in Stratford at the site of the Holy Trinity Church prior to the 11th century.
In the 1560s, William Shakespeare, who is regarded by many as "England's national poet", was born in the town. The world-renown actor, poet and playwright was baptized in the town on 26 April 1564.[2]
Culture
Churches
The most notable church in Stratford is the Holy Trinity, where William Shakespeare was baptized in 1564.[2]
Pubs
The oldest pub in Stratford is said to be the Garrick Inn, with part of that building reputedly dating to the 14th century.
Politics
The town is the centre of the Stratford-on-Avon parliamentary constituency, which was represented by Tory Nadhim Zahawi from 2010 until 2024. The Italian-born British politician Manuela Perteghella of the Liberal Democrats became Member of Parliament for Stratford-on-Avon in July 2024.