What is stratford on avon

Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water and the Slaughters are world famous for the beauty of their mellow Cotswold stone cottages and the beautiful surrounding countryside. Getting here Stratford-upon-Avon is easily accessible by both road and rail, please try our UK Travel Guide for further information. Museum s View our interactive map of Museums in Britain for details of local galleries and museums.

The most famous of all English playwrights was born in and died on St Georges Day, in His birthday is celebrated on 23rd April in Stratford-upon-Avon Welcome to the Visit Stratford-upon-Avon Website Welcome to Stratford-upon-Avon, a town synonymous with William Shakespeare Visit Stratford-upon-Avon introduces you to a market town with more than years of history, containing not only many buildings that survive today and would have been familiar to Shakespeare, but also a thriving community offering a wide variety of leisure, accommodation and shopping experiences.

There are many things to explore, which is why visitors flock back every year to discover more. Stratford has a fantastic range of hotels and guest houses to make your stay special. From afternoon tea to the finest restaurants, Stratford is the place to dine.

From big name stores to unique, individual shops, Stratford has something for everyone. The fifteenth century saw another string of significant events for Stratford. At the end of the fifteenth century Sir Hugh Clopton had built several landmarks that are recognisable today, such as the house that would become New Place, the Guild Chapel, and - most significantly - the bridge across the Avon.

The bridge linked the land on the Avon with the Cotswolds and Feldon, encouraging passing trade and helping with the development of the sheep industry.

By the end of the century Stratford thrived, attracting both craftsmen and tradesmen and contributing to its reputation as a burgeoning market town.

The effects of the Reformation were not as violent in Stratford as other parishes. Catholicism had flourished, but the townspeople were quick to accept the frequent changes in religion that characterised the next years.

It was not until the sixteenth century that religious resentment began to show. The people of Stratford were unhappy with the abolishment of their George and the Dragon pageant.

The pageant was initially established to raise funds for the upkeep of Clopton Bridge, but after the Reformation it was pronounced profane and the bridge was repaired through a rise in rates. In the Guild of the Holy Cross was abolished and their property sold. This left the town without local government for six years. The introduction of the wool trade had a profound effect on Stratford. As more people turned to sheep farming, the need for labourers reduced.

This led to unemployment among the poorest members of the community. For others in Stratford including John Shakespeare sheep farming was a positive development. Located close to the Cotswolds, Stratford was a major centre for the processing, marketing and distribution of sheep products, which offered a wealth of new business opportunities to the locals.