A Snapshot of Stratford-Upon-Avon

This morning we returned to The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in the hope of sourcing a 'resale ticket' to Wednesday evening's performance of Twelfth Night. Our return was indeed timely. We were able to purchase front row, dress circle seats that had just been returned. I guess it really was a case of to be rather than not to be!

The Almhouses were purpose built in the early 15th century to house the elderly & this use has continued to the present day. They are now managed by the Trustees of the Municipal Charities.

Number 5, Old Town, is the only remaining home in Stratford-Upon-Avon to have a working gas light, a remnant from 1834.

The Old Bank, now a branch of the HSBC, is adorned with scenes from William Shakespeare's plays. Interestingly, it is a scene from The Merchant of Venice that sits above the entrance. Position appropriate for a money lender! I love it!

Hall's Croft, an early 17th century Jacobean house, took its name from John Hall, the physician son-in-law of William Shakespeare. He married William Shakespeare's elder daughter Susanna in 1607. Their only child was a daughter, Elizabeth. While furnished in keeping with the era, none of the inclusions belonged to the Shakespeare nor Hall families.

The Nash's House in Chapel Street belonged to Thomas Nash who bought it in the 17th century. At the time he was married to Elizabeth Hall, William Shakespeare's granddaughter. Next door are the remains of what was once New Place. William Shakespeare acquired it in 1597 for the sum of £120. It was his family home for 19 years until his death in 1616. He bequeathed New Place to his daughter Susanna who in turn passed it to her daughter Elizabeth, the last of William Shakespeare's descendants. On her death the property was sold to a succession of owners, the last being the Reverend Francis Gastrell. In 1758, after a protracted feud with the authorities over his refusal to pay the Poor Tax, he demolished the house. A stand of defiance that had him run out of town! In 1862, Shakespearean Scholar, James Hallwell-Phillips undertook an excavation of the site to further his knowledge of the last home of William Shakespeare. He then donated the property to The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. Volunteer archeologists continue to work this dig.

The 150 year old mulberry tree is said to be a cutting of a cutting from the mulberry tree that once graced the garden at the original Shakespeare home. An application to Town Planning to remove the tree in order to continue the archeological dig was denied. An appeal to have the decision overturned is pending.

This afternoon we drove six miles to the village of Barford to take photographs for Barbara, our Southport neighbour, who grew up there. To be a gift upon our return, I am hoping they will evoke happy memories for her.

We returned to Cafe Rouge, an eatery we first found in Edinburgh & later learnt the brand was franchised throughout Britain, for our evening meal and an opportunity to plan our tomorrow.