Shakespeare’s Stratford

Welcome to your route to Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon. You start at the village of Barford, before driving past the quaint villages of Wasperton and Wellesbourne, learning about their history along the way. You then head west, passing Wellesbourne Mountford Airfield and Charlecote Park, situated on the River Avon. You finish this route at Stratford-upon-Avon, best known as the home of poet and playwright William Shakespeare.

You're now approaching the village of Barford and will shortly be crossing the historic Barford Bridge. This bridge over the River Avon is a Grade Two listed building and was the main lifeline to the village before the bypass was built. After crossing the Barford Bridge you'll pass through the village of Barford. It's a small village, with its centrepiece being St Peter’s Church, a site of Christian worship for over 1000 years, according to the Domesday Book. The church itself dates back to the beginning of the 13th century, and some houses in Barford have 17th-century timber framing.

The next destination you'll pass is the village of Wasperton, on your right-hand side. It's a village and another parish right next to the River Avon, highlighting how the river was a lifeline to settlers in this area. The population of the village is much smaller than that of the previous village of Barford, with only 153 registered inhabitants in the 2011 census. An important site in the village is the Church of St John the Baptist, which was built in the 18th century and replaced a medieval church which stood before it. The church was rebuilt during the Imperial period.

You're now approaching one of the larger villages in the area, Wellesbourne. It was originally two different villages separated by the River Dene, which runs right through the centre of Wellesbourne. The River Dene is a tributary of the much larger River Avon. In 1947, the separate villages of Wellesbourne Mountford and Wellesbourne Hastings joined to become one, Wellesbourne. There are three churches in Wellesbourne, and the village is also the place where Joseph Arch founded the first trade union for agricultural workers, in 1872.

You're now passing Wellesbourne Mountford Airfield on your left. The airfield opened in 1941 and was an active base for the Royal Air Force in World War II. It played a vital role in raids over Germany and was a vital training unit, as well as a target for many incoming attacks. There's an onsite museum and two active runways with many flights per day, making it a popular site for plane spotters. It’s also home to the Avro Vulcan XM655, one of the last of its kind and one of the few Vulcans kept in running condition and open to the public.

You're passing Charlecote Park on your right-hand side. Charlecote Park is a Victorian Tudor house built in the 16th century and set in 180 acres of deer park and landscaped gardens. The grounds are located on the banks of the River Avon, where it's met by the River Dene. For nine centuries, Charlecote Park has been home to the Lucy family, who are its current residents. The family's wealth comes largely from land and fortuitous marriages. They remained close to the crown, and Thomas Lucy was knighted and visited by Queen Elizabeth I in 1572. You can enjoy the park grounds, see roaming deer or discover more about the history of the Lucy family including such topics as religion, politics, royalty and fortunes at Charlecote Park.

Coming up on your right you'll see the River Avon, which has been a prominent feature so far on this journey. A fun fact, there are five rivers named Avon in England, and a total of nine in Great Britain. The name Avon comes from the word river in the Brythonic language, so in fact the name River Avon in effect means river river. This River Avon is the longest in the British Isles and has its source at Naseby, in Northamptonshire. The Warwickshire section of the River Avon stretches over 47 miles and eventually joins the River Severn.

As you pass Tiddington you're now approaching the birthplace of Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon. There are more than 800 years of history in the medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon. Whilst there may be many attractions here, it’s best known as the home of William Shakespeare, the famous playwright and poet. Many of the tourist attractions are centred around Shakespeare, including the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and his childhood home, which is now a museum. The theatre regularly puts on Shakespeare's plays and has a 1018-seat auditorium right on the banks of the River Avon. There are several other attractions of note, such as the Museum of Arts and Design, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the Stratford Butterfly Farm and Magic Alley. Or why not take a stroll along the banks of the canals and the River Avon and soak up the atmosphere of this unique, one-of-a-kind town?

You'll soon be arriving at the NCP Rother Street car park in Stratford-upon-Avon, with the entrance to the multistorey car park on your left. Please note height restrictions and charges apply. You're within easy walking distance of all the main attractions, including Shakespeare’s birthplace.
You have now reached the destination of this route. It is great that I was able to accompany you here. I hope you enjoyed the tour and wish you a pleasant stay and safe onward journey.