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STRATFORD UPON AVON - STAY FOR LESS "££"

STRATFORD " to be or not to be - that is the question " in this City of the Bard, William Shakespeare. Born "officially" 23 April 1564, married to Anne at 18, moved himself to London at 21 & joined acting company, his first play " Two Gentlemen of Verona" produced at 24 started his success & wealthy by 33, the rest is now World history. His birthplace is now a shrine, with its Play Houses, historic streets, buildings & the meandering River Avon, it's a delight to visit. GB shows you how to perform.

ACCOMMODATION

No 1 - Stratford upon Avon YHA at Alverston, Stratford. CV37 7RG ( 1 ½ miles out of town on the B4086 Wellesbourne Road, follow hostel signs) tele 0870 770 6052 Email: stratford@yha.org.uk £ 16.00 pn incl. break. in 132 beds, 11x2, 2x3, 5x4, 7x6, 2x7, 1x8 & 2x10 bedded rooms some en-suite. Self - catering facilities & meals provided, various lounges & meeting rooms, laundry etc. A large Georgian mansion in its own grounds, splendidly refurbished. Although a bit far from the Centre you can take an energetic walk or use the busses which stop at the front gates

Backpackers Hostel at 33 Greenhill Street ( in the centre of Town, near the Railway Station)
Tele 01789 263 838 Email: stratford@hostels.demon.co.uk - from £15.00 pn. in 40 beds, mainly en - suite rooms of 2 - 8 persons. This hostel has opened since GB's last visit so check it out for me, thanks!

FOOD for self - catering is readily available in the Town area with supermarkets around the Centre apart from the many tourist restaurants, cafes & cake shops to allow you to take a welcome break

TRAVELLING AROUND to & from No 1 hostel is via (Red) Stagecoach no 18 or 518 to Coventry. Once in Town most of the the main sights are in close proximity, apart from Anne Hathaway's Cottage but you may be better taking one of the special green & cream "Stratford Tour" open top double decker busses which visit all the well known sights.

"FREE" SIGHTS TO SEE

1. Shakes. Birthplace - Henly St. is right in the centre, the outside building & garden is a real treasure
2. River Avon Stroll - waterside walk, swans, the narrow boats on canals, Bancroft gardens & ferry
3. Royal Shakespeare Theatre - opened 1932 it's the World centre for performance of the Bards plays
4. Teddy Bear Museum - look in the window in Greenhill St. & see bears of all sizes, furs & appeal
5. Over Old Tramway Bridge - watch Rose's row boats, relax in the recreation ground & take photos
6. Stratford Library - have a rest & read the days newspapers at Henly St. also free internet
7.Shakespeare's School - King Edwards School in Church St. next to the historic Alms Houses
8. Shakespeare Centre - as part of your Town centre stroll, look in on this Centre for your souvenirs
9. Dirty Duck Pub (Black Swan) - on the waterside where Actors from the Theatre hang out
10. Holy Trinity Church - Williams's monument & grave are here, he died on 23 April 1616, aged 52

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. Shakes. Birthplace Museum - the life & work of William, stand in the rooms where he grew up
2. Anne Hathaway's Cottage - W's wife's home before marriage 1582, mile from town, nice garden
3. Royal Shakespeare Company - a night at the RSC is a must in this Town, production is pot luck!
4. Brass Rubbing Centre - on the riverside, its time to have a go at this unusual craft & make a gift
5. Shire Horse Centre - a mile out of town to see how these massive horses are stabled & work

(WILLIAM, John & Mary (Gilbert, Richard, Edmund) - Anne, Susanna, Hamnet (11) & Judith)