Stratford upon Avon was the perfect destination for a restful weekend getaway before departing from Europe this summer. If Shakespeare had taken a trip to London, he would likely have traveled by horseback to his hometown of Stratford, possibly passing through Oxford. The journey from London to Stratford-upon-Avon, which is roughly 101 miles, would have taken several days, depending on the mode of travel. A horse-drawn carriage would have taken about 10 days, while riding horseback would have taken around 4 to 5 days. Walking would have taken approximately 5 days.
The small historic town served as a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city of London. Visiting Shakespeare’s birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s cottage perusing the markets in front of the Royal Shakespeare Company and lying beside the river sighting the swans was an extreme enjoyment. The bed and breakfast was a perfect 5-minute walking distance from the main avenues of the town. My room was neat, cozy, and extremely comfortable.
I felt like a poet or novelist going away to find inspiration somewhere far away from everywhere they’d ever been. It was a tiny adventure within a chaotic yet amazing, life-changing trip.
Theatre in London U of A 