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Getting Romantic in Stratford on Avon

Brenda and the Bard

To celebrate Valentine’s Day we treated ourselves to a weekend in Stratford on Avon.  The weather was perfect; crisp and cold with a hint of frost in the mornings, and glorious sunshine in the afternoons.  Spring is such a beautiful season in the UK and it has definitely started early this year.

I could never tire of going to Stratford.  I always learn something new about the life and times of William Shakespeare, and new details about the town catch my eye, which are worth a photograph. I find Stratford such a stimulating, yet relaxing place, whatever my state of mind.

During Valentine’s weekend there were smatterings of snowdrops under the trees in the churchyard and along the banks of the River Avon. It seems appropriate that snowdrops were brought to England in the early 16th century, so maybe Shakespeare would have seen some of the first ones.

There were white doves circling the spire of Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried.  They sparkled in the winter sunshine reflecting the snowdrops below.

White Doves around steeple.JPG

At the entrance to the church I photographed the small Sanctuary Door and knocker.  This door is set into the massive 15th century doors.  I have passed through it countless times not realising its importance.  But I learned that anyone who held on to the ring in the knocker of the sanctuary door, would be let in and given protection for 37 days.  This was a custom started in Saxon times to protect poor people from the harsh penalties for crime, and even from lynch mobs.  It was upheld across the land and continued well through Shakespeare’s time until 1623.

Sanctuary Knocker

There was also a striking streetlamp outside our hotel, which I had not noticed before.  It was donated to the town by the Government of Israel.  There are wonderful decorative statues and lamps all around the town, mostly donated by ambassadors from countries where Shakespeare is revered.

Lamp donated by Israely Govt

 We stayed in the Arden Hotel, which is right opposite the Shakespeare Theatre.  In fact the building was previously owned by the theatre along with many buildings along the Waterside.  Naturally many famous people have passed through its doors over the years and inside there are some wonderful photographic portraits of famous actors in role. Put your cursor over the pictures to find the names and roles.

So my Valentine weekend was a great success, perfect weather in a beautiful season in my heart’s true home.  In the Shakespeare Centre I came across a sketch of Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife and mother of his children.  It is the only known likeness of Anne and she was very beautiful.  But she looks so sad.  I suddenly saw her as a real person whom Shakespeare must have loved and missed very much.

Sketch of Ann Hathaway from her lifetime. The only one in existence

Enjoy some more of my photographs below.

The Birthplace became a Pub and Inn for some years. Shakespeare extended the house at the back.
Rear of Shakespeare’s Birthplace where his father John had a glovers business. There was a Tannery behind
Holy Trinity Church
The oldest part of the church
West Window
Beckett Chapel with Tibor Reich curtain
Handmade kneeler in the church
Ancient Carved pulpit
The Arden Hotel
Shakespeare Theatre
Theatre seen from the River Avon
Extracts from plays performed in Centre
Extracts from plays performed in Centre

 

36 thoughts on “Getting Romantic in Stratford on Avon”

  1. I too love Shakespeare. I have promised myself to re-read his plays. I still have my college text of his works with notes in the margins. Your post has inspired me to re-visit Stratford on Avon as part of that goal. Such a delightful post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and photos of this lovely place.

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    • Oh then if you are in UK you should try to visit after 23 April weekend this year. Stratford is going to be gorgeous and there is so much to see that has not been seen before to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of his death.
      We seem to have similar taste in literature!

      Sent by Brenda Kimmins

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  4. What a beautiful and peaceful visit you offered us, I really enjoyed the ride. And your pictures are really great too, make me want to visit 🙂

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      • Always lots of tourists in Stratford but it really doesn’t matter as there is plenty of riverside hideaways and lots of places to see. I always visit places before 11am or after 3pm when the coach groups have not yet arrived- or gone home!

        Sent by Brenda Kimmins

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        Liked by 1 person

  5. Lovely images of a beautiful place. I love the concept of sanctuary; that someone could achieve at least temporary safety just by holding onto the ring and passing through a little door.

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  6. The carpet of snowdrops is so pretty! We did a daffodil walk last year hoping to see a similar, more yellow display but mis-timed it 😔 Never been to Stratford but looks a very interesting place.

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  9. What a lovely way to spend Valentine’s weekend. I haven’t been to Stratford for many years but recently saw Romeo and Juliet in the Pop Up Globe Theatre in Auckland (NZ). This is an exact reproduction of the original Globe and commemorates the 400th birth of the Bard. Fascinating
    And I love all your photos. They certainly evoke memories. Thank you

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  10. Pingback: WPC: State of Mind (Valley) | Chris Breebaart Photography / What's (in) the picture?

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