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shakespeare

Famous England Sites – From History to The Beatles

England could easily be one of the most diverse places to visit. Among many other geographical and political factors, England is famous for a great deal of things that we may relate to. Being one of the richest places in culture and heritage, they don’t call it the Kingdom for nothing.

The landmarks, the bridges, the towers, the museums, the lakes and palaces, castles and cliffs are all part of this great whole. Not only is England rich in culture and history, the English people are take pride in being a civilized and productive nation. I have travelled through Europe thoroughly and I see the major differences that help make England well… England.

Tower of London
Tower of London

Famous England Sites: History

David Beckham, Fish and Chips, London and Tea, all may have contributed to the image of the country, but the thing that lasts long has a firm foundation. The English have one of the richest backgrounds in terms of history.

Witnessing The Dark Ages, The Renaissance and many other later art movements, the country evolved as a major tourist destination for historians and art enthusiasts around the world. From DaVinci to Michelangelo, England is the home for many great sculptures and art pieces.,

Famous England Sites: Education

Offering some of  the finest education systems in the world, universities like Oxford and Cambridge have set the bar up high for many competitors. The universities are some of the oldest in the world and were born out of the Dark Ages when a growing need for proper education was understood.

Oxford University
Oxford University

Famous England Sites: The Land of the Beatles

Britain has had the honor of producing some of the biggest musicians history has seen; David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, Queen are all among the lords of Classic Rock. What I enjoy most about the music culture of England is the quality that differentiates the English from the rest.

And be sure to check out the rooftop location in London where The Beatles last played together as a group.

Rock is the staple form of music in England
Rock is the staple form of music in England

Famous England Sites: Greenery

The frequent rains and storms keeps the countryside lush green and fertile. Beautiful hills and thick forests, the mountain trails and the open plains will never lose their charm.

English Countryside
English Countryside

Cheeses

The Romans introduced different types of cheeses to England. Since then, the land has a variety of around 400 different kinds of cheese; Cheddar, Stilton, Cheshire and Red Leicester are among my favorites. The English love Heavy Cream and Cheese, it is one of the most widely-consumed food of the country, and also, the tastiest.

Strawberries

Who doesn’t love Strawberries? And that too English Strawberries! The English have a taste for rich and good food and they are not afraid to show it. I remember walking down the fruit markets back in London inhaling the mixed scents of peaches and strawberries, mangoes and guavas, watermelons and kiwi.

One of my favorite dessert till today is chocolate-covered Strawberries, and also, my fondest memory of England.,

Famous England Sites: William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare

There is not the slightest doubt that a place with delicious food, stable weather, good education, rich culture and a history will always produce geniuses. Among so many other great names, William Shakespeare was a prominent Actor, Playwright and Poet in history that evolved as an enigma and changed the face of literature and performing arts.

I have never been much into literature myself, but seeing Shakespeare Fans line up at The Church of The Holy Trinity, Stratford-upon-Avon, paying their respects at deceased artist’s tomb, reminds me of the greatness of Britain and its culture.

I have always found it amazing that there really is so much to do in this country. Amazing landscapes to see, amazing architectures, and incredible sites in London alone are worth it!

Enjoy!

Stratford-Upon-Avon – The Ultimate Guide

Stratford-Upon-Avon is a quaint little town in the heart of the midlands. It has timber-framed houses and stores all throughout its historic center and is full of little tearooms and fantastic restaurants. It is of course renowned for being the birthplace of the world’s most famous playwright: William Shakespeare.

For me, this was a real treat. A real opportunity to get away from the bustling and hustling of the big cities and get out into the countryside of a beautiful country. I always find people warm and willing to share about there towns history in places like this.

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare

There are a total of 5 properties to visit in Stratford-Upon-Avon which are in some way connected to the life of William Shakespeare, all of which are preserved as museums today. If you are going to be in Stratford for a few days, then you can get a pass which allows you discounted entry to all 5 properties. There is also a city sightseeing tour bus which will take you between all of the houses and give you an audio commentary of the things you see on the way.

Here are the 5:

  • Shakespeare’s Birthplace (as mentioned below)
  • Anne Hathaway’s Cottage & Gardens
  • New Place & Nash’s House
  • Mary Arden’s Farm (the ultimate step back in time)
  • Hall’s Croft

I’ll be writing about my entire experience to these simply incredible locations in another article very soon, giving a first hand experience of what it was like walking in the steps of Shakespeare and attempting to, any way, see life through his own eyes.

Shakespeare’s Birthplace

William Shakespeare's Birthplace
William Shakespeare’s Birthplace

There is Shakespeare’s birthplace. When visiting Stratford-Upon-Avon, make sure to go here first. The site now serves as a museum about the Shakespeare family. Here you can learn all about his father’s tanning business. Plus, see how families would have lived during Tudor times. This is definitely a must-see: you get a great idea of what life would have been like for Shakespeare as a boy growing up in a much louder and far dirtier Stratford.

Mary Arden’s House

Mary Arden’s House
Mary Arden’s House

Mary Arden was Shakespeare’s mother and her house in the nearby village of Wilmcote is preserved as a living Tudor farm. Here they preserve the Tudor methods of farming and often have demonstrations of how to make fences or hay bales before the invention of heavy machinery. It is also a rare breed’s farm and the site of daily falconry displays.

The Royal Shakespeare Company and Tower

Even if you only have one night in Stratford-Upon-Avon you absolutely must try to see a play at the RSC. The Royal Shakespeare Company is one of the most highly-regarded theater companies in the world. If you are a theater-lover then you will not be disappointed by the standard of the performances! The main theater was built to mimic the performance space of the Globe, Shakespeare’s theater in London. Book well in advance to avoid disappointment but some tickets are usually released on the day of the performance so it may be possible to purchase tickets when you arrive.

The RSC also has a tower which gives you a fantastic vantage point from which to look out over the whole town. On a clear and sunny day you will be able to see well into the glorious English countryside and look on as the town goes about its daily business.

There is also a rather nice restaurant on the top floor which offers really great food as either pre or post-theater dining.

Warwick Castle

Warwick castle
Warwick Castle

Warwick is another beautiful little English city about a 15 minute drive from Stratford-Upon-Avon.

It is home to one of the best examples of an English castle left in the UK today. And if you ever wanted to see a castle this is the place to go! There are often deals offering half-price or 2 for 1 entry but you will need to leave a whole day aside to really make the most of everything it has to offer.

There is an interactive tour through the dungeons, which is really terrifying, an impressive falconry display, a trebuchet which is loaded with a flaming cannonball and fired at sunset, a jousting demonstration, live sword fights and numerous other exhibitions and displays. The castle is literally dripping with history and makes for a fantastic day trip for everyone.

Stratford-Upon-Avon is definitely the perfect addition to any trip to the UK. It is well worth the visit as it offers a unique insight into more rural British life as well as having a fascinating history and a rich culture which still survives today. Plenty of cafe’s to head too, great food as always, and a real step back in time! And if you’re looking for more day trips in England, be sure to head over to my article here.

Enjoy!