Long synonymous with Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon has been a bustling market town in South Warwickshire for hundreds of years previous to the famous bard. The town rapidly expanded after its Royal charter, granted by King Richard I in 1196. Many buildings associated with Shakespeare and date from his time have been tastefully preserved and are popular tourist attractions today:

Shakespeare’s Birthplace and the Shakespeare Centre are located in the town centre and is rightfully the number one Shakespeare attraction in Stratford.

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage was the home of Shakespeare's wife before they married in 1582. The thatched farmhouse is one mile from the centre of Stratford and is quintessentially English and probably the most picturesque of the Shakespeare buildings.

Harvard House was built in 1596 and was home of Katherine Rogers, mother of John Harvard who emigrated to America and was the founding benefactor to Harvard University.

Stratford-upon-Avon is also home to the internationally renowned Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) which regularly produces first class plays in the town’s theatres. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre puts on plays by Shakespeare, his contemporaries and other classical playwrights, with the smaller “Swan Theatre” shows contemporary and innovative productions. Regular tours are taken around the theatres and the town from the main theatre.