Today is my 27th day and my last day in the United Kingdom. For my final day, the study abroad group and I took a trip to the quaint, historic town of Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Stratford-Upon-Avon commonly shorten to just Stratford, is a Tudor market town in the United Kingdom’s West Midland’s. Near the river Avon. It is the birth place and burial place of the most famous poet in the English language, William Shakespeare.
Stratford was originally a village inhabited by Britons (natives of Great Britian) before the Anglo-Saxons invaded the land. It remained a village until the lord of the manor, John of Coutances, made a plan to develop the village into a town in the year 1196. In the same year, King Richard I gave Stratford a charter to hold weekly markets where people could sell jewelry, clothes, grains, spices, vegetables, animals, pots, and much more. This granted Stratford a market town status. Stratford immediately experienced an increase in trade and urban expansion. Stratford is now home to thirty thousand residents. Stratford is still a market town but now it is also a popular tourist destination. Since it is the town that William Shakespeare grew up in, people come to see Shakespeare’s birth place in the heart of Stratford, and Shakespeare’s burial place in the Holy Trinity Church. If you love to hike, you can also visit the lovely cottage and orchard that Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway grew up in and took care of until she was married.
When I was walking through Shakespeare’s house and Anne Hathaway’s cottage, I was surprised that the two 500-year-old buildings were still in good condition. Of course, the wood was worn, and the stucco was chipping but, the foundation was strong. Shakespeare’s house was much larger than I thought it was going to be. I thought Shakespeare was raised poor but, I learned that Shakespeare’s mother, Mary Arden, had a distinguished family history which helped Shakespeare’s family afford the estate. It was interesting to see Shakespeare’s father’s workshop, the kitchen, the dining room, and the bedchambers. While in the bedchambers, I noticed poles on each side of the bed frame, and I asked a conservator why they were there and she said, “To stop you from falling out of your bed during the night, and to help you get up if you had mobility issues.” I thought that was a great idea. Why did we remove the poles from our bedframes?
When I saw Anne Hathaway’s cottage, I thought it was stunning. It was the prettiest cottage I’ve ever seen. There were hundreds of pink and red roses that surrounded the cottage and in front of it was a dark but beautiful forest that seemed to go on for miles. Anne Hathaway’s cottage has to be one of my favorite things I’ve seen on this trip. Stratford has been my favorite town to visit. It’s atmosphere is calm and easy-going. Much different than London. I enjoyed my time in London but, if I visit England again, the first place I’m heading to is Stratford-Upon-Avon.
I am sad that the study abroad trip is coming to an end but, I’m excited to go home. I miss my family and I miss my pets. I never thought that my childhood dream of going to the United Kingdom would come true. Thank you, Shawn Irish, for this incredible opportunity. Thank you Courtneay, Susan, and Tim for looking out for us. The study abroad students appreciate you.
Theatre in London U of A 
Thanks, Grace. Come se eme in Kimpel!
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I enjoyed your blogs. This one is a very nice one to end with. Good luck!
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