A Visit to Stratford upon Avon and Anne Hathaway Cottage, United Kingdom

I visited Stratford upon Avon and Anne Hathaway Cottage on the same day as Cotswold. Anne Hathaway Cottage and Stratford-upon-Avon were the last two stops before we headed back to London. My only experience of Shakespeare was to read Julius Caesar in class 12th as part of the English course. I found it a tough going, the language was strange, I barely understood it. But then that was ages ago.

Our guide filled us in on Anne Hathaway and the circumstances of Shakespeare’s marriage to her. Anne Hathaway was 8 years elder to Shakespeare and 3 months pregnant at the time of their marriage in 1582. Shakespeare was born is 1564 and was just 18 years of age. In many parts of India this would be a huge scandal even today on both the counts, the bride being 8 years older and then being pregnant too! And they managed it successfully in 1582! The mind simply boggles at the thought.

Ann Hathaway’s Cottage at Shottery

When I entered the Anne Hathaway Cottage the beautiful gardens caught my eye. The Cottage itself looks impressive. It has 12 rooms. We were greeted in the first room on the ground floor. A guide explained us the history of the Cottage.

She said that Shakespeare left the second best bed to Anne Hathaway, which mystifies many. However she explained that in those days having a bed was a big deal. The best bed at home was more of a showpiece and the second best bed would be used by a couple. In that sense it was a sign of affection, leaving the second best bed to the surviving spouse.

They have tried to retain the atmosphere of the bygone era throughout. It was here that Shakespeare courted Anne Hathaway. The house is now maintained by the Shakespeare Trust. It doesn’t takes much time to go through the house. After completing the tour we headed back to the bus once again. Our next stop was Henley Street at Stratford upon Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace.

Stratford Upon Avon- Shakespeare’s Birthplace 

The Shakespeare’s trust and the birthplace are next to each other. They show a movie before you proceed on the birthplace home. In various rooms there are people dressed as characters from the period, acting out Shakespeare’s works. In the courtyards too people stage Shakespeare’s plays.

It was amazing to enter the room where Shakespeare was born. After inspecting every room I found myself near the exit. Just before the exit there is a souvenir shop, as always. I had successfully resisted buying anything till now. After all the pound get multiplied by a hundred when I convert any price into rupees. But there was a mug with Shakespeare quotes all over it. I could not walk past it. It is probably the most expensive tea mug at our home and yet the quotes are such a pleasure to read.

When I came out to the street was full of Thai monks. I got two of my most visited countries in one frame.I stopped at a coffee shop and had baileys with hot coffee. I liked the drink, there was a lot of it. I slept peacefully for most of the journey back to London. We reach London in good time. It was a long day that took me to Cotswold Region and then to Anne Hathaway Cottage and Stratford upon Avon. It was also one of the most beautiful days I have spent in England.

400th Anniversary of Death of Shakespeare 

This year marks 400^th anniversary of death of the Bard. He is remembered not only in Britain but across the globe. Kronborg Castle, the home of Hamlet, North of Copenhagen, is marking celebrating by staging Shakespeare’s immortal play Hamlet in the castle’s grand halls.

PS.This trip was also done with Golden Tours. They did their best to make it a memorable trip!

PPS. My tickets to Ann Hathaway Cottage and Shakespeare’s Birthplace were sponsored by Visit Britain in India.