Stratford-Upon-Avon

On Sunday, I decided to escape the tourist-laden London to...the tourist-laden Stratford Upon Avon. Actually with the exception of Shakespeare's birthplace, it wasn't too bad. I hadn't been to Stratford since I went with Jessie when I was 13, many,many years ago!!!

The back of Shakespeare's birthplace-his father was a glover.
View of the birthplace from the gardens

Another view-I didn't get a picture of the front-too many morons!!

Kitchen-the dead duck isn't real!!!

Holy Trinity Church-where Shakespeare is buried

Rather obvious-the great one's grave.

Shakespeare's bust-supposedly the only one made from life

Ceiling of Holy Trinity

View of Anne Hathaway's Cottage from the garden

Another view of Anne Hathaway's Cottage-his wife

A few pretty cottages on the walk to Anne Hathaway's Cottage-about a mile outside of town.

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre-currently undergoing a restoration (actually it's a year behind schedule)

The foundations of New Place-this was actually Shakespeare's home that he bought as an adult, it was demolished in the 1700s, they've only started the archeological dig this year.

Hall's Croft-the home of his daughter Susanna and her husband, Dr. Hall-a doctor

Hall's Croft from the back of the garden

Servant's bedchamber from Hall's Croft

Main bedchamber in Hall's Croft

Paintings from the early 1500s in the Guild Church-they were badly damaged by an overzealous Victorian "restorer."

Looking towards the Guild Church-those buildings were 16th century almshouses-still used as flats by the Council today.

Old Coaching Inn

Another Timber framed building

Thatched pub