While the literary genius of William Shakespeare (April 1564 – April 23, 1616) may have left the world 400 years ago, his legacy lives on even today. His timeless comedies, tragedies, sonnets and verses have contributed to English drama, theatre and literature in a manner that is incalculable and remains unparalleled.
As the world celebrates his 400th death anniversary today and I read about all the celebrations in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, I am reminded about my visit to this charming market town.
Located on the River Avon, south east of Birmingham, this town is an extremely popular tourist destination as it is the birthplace of England’s most famous playwright and poet William Shakespeare. Having grown up reading his immortal creations, I was more than keen to visit the house where the story of the world’s greatest story teller began.
The house now owned by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is impeccably maintained and a visit here truly transports you back in time during which Shakespeare was born. The house where he lived with his parents and seven other siblings, followed a traditional plan with a parlor and central hall on the ground floor along with a service/shop area that was separated by a passage. It is likely that there was a separate kitchen at the back of the house.
The decor of the rooms, the traditional fireplaces and articles used during those times have been showcased in a manner that is completely real and authentic.
Since Shakespeare’s father, John Shakespeare was a glove-maker, the area behind the house was probably used as his workshop. This has been recreated remarkably as well with displays of animal hides, skins and also a live demo of how a glove is made!
A visit to the house is truly a fascinating insight into the life and times of the Bard. While we exited, we thoroughly enjoyed the live performance by the members of Shakespeare Aloud! They are a group of of professional actors who bring to life some of Shakespeare’s most memorable plays and entertain the visiting tourists.
Spending some time by the riverside and visiting the bustling Sunday market was time well spent and memorable before we left this lovely town.
Lucky to have a visit to ShakesPeare’s Birthplace and experiece the sacred! Thanks for sharing the pictures through we can atleast imagine something!
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Yes it is really worth all the time especially if you like Shakespeare. Thanks for reading:)
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Welcome and its was worth reading!
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Such an interesting post with some good photos, it brought back memories if my visit there about 20 years ago!
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Sure, I wish you visit soon:)
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Thanks a lot Marion:)
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Great post. Stratford-on-Avon is on my wish list. Thanks for tempting me even more.
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Thank you..hope you can visit soon Peggy:)
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Very interesting post Rashmi! Great pictures 🙂
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Thank you Arun! Appreciate you reading it.
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Thanks for sharing such an interesting Post, Rashmi.. Worth visiting the place!
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Thank you Sir!
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Such wonderful pics of the place. Makes me want to go there.
Adding it my ever growing bucket list.
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Thanks Indrani; if you are lover of Shakespeare, then you must visit very soon.
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wow.. this is lovely Rashmi… great pics too… hope I get to visit someday cause I love Shakespeare’s work! 🙂
Cheers 🙂
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Hope you can visit soon; am sure you will like it!
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Interesting Post & Nice Clicks…. 🙂
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Thanks Ashish!
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What an apt time to put up this wonderful post, with very interesting photos. You’re very lucky to have visited his birthplace Rashmi!
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Thanks Priyanka; it is really a great place.
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Aah! The lair of the Bard! Thanks for this very interesting post, Rashmi!
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Thanks Hema:)
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The history is palpable – I love that about the UK.
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Absolutely right! Could not agree more:)
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I haven’t yet made this pilgrimage to the Bard’s home. Thanks for the photo tour.
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Thanks Kalpanaa for reading:) Hope you can visit soon!
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very good post with beautiful pics, thanks for sharing.
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Thanks Jyotirmoy:)
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What a marvel ! Lovely pics.
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Thanks Ashween:)
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I love this!! I never got to visit when I was there but I really wanted to. Lovely photos. I will for sure have to make it a point to go one day soon. 🙂
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Thanks Reeanna; it is really worth a visit:)
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That seems spectacular place. Having a peek in history and literature together must have been exciting!
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Yes Pragya; very interesting place.
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I haven’t been there in over ten years but your stunning photos bring it all back and are another great reminder of our timeless history. Thanks for sharing Rashmi. 🙂
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Thanks to both of you:) Appreciate you reading!
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What a delightful peek into Shakespeare’s home! 🙂
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Thanks! Glad you liked it.
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Amazing post. Stratford-on-Avon is on my bucket list. Thanks for the lovely tour.
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Thanks; glad you liked it. I hope you can visit soon!
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Took me back to my childhood, my Mother was a mad Shakespeare follower, she dragged me and my brother to all his plays at the ‘Shakespeare memorial theatre’ @ Stratford… back in the 1950’s. We always sat in the front row and met all the actors after; looking back what a privilege. I used to eat fish and chips under the statues of ‘Falstaff’ and ‘King lear’ and all of them characters cast in bronze, next to the river.
Your snaps took me back 70 odd years… thanks. It’s a long way in time and space from Queensland. oracleofeerwah.com
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Thank you so much; am so happy that this post could bring back some fond memories! Appreciate you stopping by and reading:)
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