Stratford-upon-Avon: in the world of William Shakespeare

“To be or not to be, that is the question“. Beyond questions, answers. But also dilemmas. One by one, letters swarmed around us, forming words. Words gave birth to stories. Some we already knew, but others were new and seductive.

In Stratford-upon-Avon there is a place that will make you dream as you listen to the explanations of those who are here to introduce you to the fascinating world of Shakespeare. William Shakeaspeare!

If you arrive, you’ll be done for. First, your eyes will wander restlessly, scanning the place. Then you will enter the house. Once you’ve stepped: “Boom-boom! Boom-boom!” your pulse will rise and a slight blush will involuntarily appear, warming your cheeks. Your footsteps will seem to make deafening noises.

A child runs restlessly from side to side with a wooden toy in his hand. In his rush he scribbles words on the walls that only he knows the meaning of. Your pupils dilate. Your heart vibrates in unison with the moment. It’s Shakespeare!

After seeing the house, you reach the inner garden. Burst of colour. Beauty on the border between the real and the unreal. Green grass and randomly placed sun loungers. Perfume. A good time to sit down. All around you, the flowers are spreading intoxicating scents.

If you’ve had enough rest, it’s time to head to your next location: school.

In a classroom the teacher is already waiting for you. And he’s not too happy you’re late. In one hand he holds an apple, in the other a sheaf of dry twigs. It’s easy to understand why. What follows is a masterclass in the English education system. Whispering, thundering, roaring, hooting, laughing. Big and small children together. And beer. Because yes, in Shakespeare’s day, pupils had their daily ration of pints, according to age.

Old, authentic objects, keeping the energy of the past intact. A wooden doll made of wood and rags lies on a bench. A few steps away, an ink-soaked quill glides across a piece of paper. A solid wooden desk sits in the middle of the room. The benches are furrowed with deep inlays. Above them, only time. Past and present together.

In the dizzying rush of your heartbeat, you float in verse or are an actor in a play, moving from tragedy to comedy. In one corner stands the props. You can take whatever you want to get into character. You look in the mirror and, if you see yourself as a jester, you scream: “Better a witty fool than a witty fool.” Or if it’s summer and it’s a dream, you whisper, almost imperceptibly: “Love sees not with its eyes, but with longing/ That’s why Cupid takes flight,/Like a blind man, so he’s portrayed./The foolish, winged boy./The wing is a sign that haste gives him the glimmer,/That’s why he’s so often mistaken.” You can be Helena or Macbeth. You can be Hamlet. Or just a poet.

It’s hard to let go of school, but it’s time to move on. New Place is waiting to show you something different. Shakespeare’s stories aren’t over.

New Place was built by Hugh Clopton in the late 15th century. At that time it was the second largest house in the city. William Shakespeare bought New Place in 1597 and died here in 1616 at the age of 52. After his death the house passed to his daughter Susannah.

The front is a replica built in 1912.

What else to see in Stratford-upon-Avon

Mary Arden’s House, located just outside the town, was the family home of Mary, mother of William Shakespeare.

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage was the childhood home of Anne Hathaway, wife of William Shakespeare. The oldest part of the cottage dates from the 15th century. Much of the exhibits belonged to the Hathaway family, with additions made by the Trust.

An old house, covered with wisteria caught our attention as we tried to find the beautiful lanterns in different corners of the settlement. We were to learn that it was the home of Dr John Hall, husband of Susannah Shakespeare, William Shakespeare’s eldest daughter. Beyond the walls, a special energy was trying to make its way out. And with it, silence.

A few steps away, the great Shakespeare rests: Holy Trinity Church is where he found peace.

Good to know!

Here is the official website where you can buy tickets online. Also here you will find information about timetable, location, etc.

We chose Shakespeare’s Story Ticket, a ticket with which we could visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, New Place and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage.

Ticket price: adult 26,50 GBP, child (3-15) 17,50 GBP GBP (under 5 years, free), family (2 adults and up to 3 children): GBP 70.00 (1 adult and up to 3 children)- GBP 43.50

Both Shakespeare’s Birthplace, New Place and Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall can be reached without public transport, as they are a short distance from each other.