The train from London to Stratford-Upon-Avon is about two hours. Then from the station in Stratford-Upon-Avon, it was about a 10-minute walk to the Shakespeare-themed hotel I booked my stay at.

Originally, I intended to stay at a local hostel to meet a few fellow travelers. But the hostel was booked my first night, and I didn’t feel like staying in the hotel one night, then moving to the hostel after that. Plus, my cough wasn’t getting any better and I’m sure the other hostel travelers would have loved having my hacking around.

The Birthplace of Shakespeare

Having studied theatre, performed in numerous stage productions, and at one point planned on making a living at it. Visiting the birthplace of William Shakespeare for an actor is the equivalent of a Buddhist visiting Lumbini, the Western Wall for Jews, the Masjid al-Haram Mosque for Muslims, or a teenage boy’s bathhouse for Catholics priests.

Shakespeare's house
View of birth house from back garden
Shakespeare's house
View of birth house from street
Window at Shakespeare's house
This window was formerly in the birth room.  Pilgrims would etch their names into the glass as a symbol of their visit. The earliest recorded date on the window is 1806. Famous names include Walter Scott, Lord Alfred Tennyson,  and Thomas Carlyle.
Shakespeare's grave
Church where he is buried

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)

 

There are days when I miss my dear sweet grandmother, and today is one of those days. She loved the theatre, and she was one of my greatest fans, as all good grandmothers should be. And I know telling her of this trip would have been a story she would have cherished.

Shakespeare Quote