Stratford upon Avon Blog

The Stratford upon Avon chain ferry known as "Malvolio" was built in 1937 and is the last of it's kind to be made in Britain.

Naturally with time the ferry began showing signs of deteriation and was in need of repair, it has recently been fully restored to it's original design. It is fantastic to see the old chain ferry still in use and ever popular today amoung tourists and day trippers visiting Stratford upon Avon.

A handcrank opperates a chain mechanism which propels it across the river avon. The old chain ferry provides a memorable path across the river avon, to be enjoyed by all ages. This quaint method of transport also gives passengers a chance to take in the superb views and watch the wildlife along the river banks.

The ferry platform can be found opposite the Dirty Duck pub, alongside bancroft gardens where visiters can opt for an unusual ride across the river avon!
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The Easter Egg and Spoon Race takes place on Wednesday March 31st 2010.

The Aga Shop on Meer Street have organised the Egg and Spoon race in support of The Shakespeare Hospice.

Local businesses are encouraged to join in the fun and celebration of Easter.
If you would like to join in please meet the Aga team at 10.45am and don't forget to bring your wooden spoon!


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At last the weather is improving and we can begin to think about venturing out into the spring sunshine. Here in Stratford upon Avon we are so lucky to have an array of places to visit to while away a few hours with the children or the special person in our lives.

Below are our favourite hotspots for March, not too far from town:

Hatton Country World


Top of our list, especially if you have young children, has got to be Hatton Farm Village to see the newborn spring lambs, which this year number around fifty. There’s much to see and do at Hatton, and not just for youngsters – browse the Shopping Village, enjoy a lovely lunch in the Restaurant and mooch around the Antiques Centre.
Find out more >



Stratford Armouries

Something a little bit different – a really unique museum and visitor centre set in 86 acres of beautiful rolling Warwickshire countryside. The museum features world-class exhibits to amaze the entire family, including a life-size armoured Indian elephant, the oldest canon in the world, a giant crossbow that once belonged to Leonardo Di Vinci and Lawrence of Arabia’s stunning jade dagger. There’s a play barn for the children and a fabulous restaurant offering mouth-watering food including a carvery on Sundays.
Find out more >



Harvard House


An absolute must for any American visitors to the town, Harvard House was the childhood home of Katherine Rogers, mother of John Harvard who went on to found the famous university that bears his name. It is a stunning example of Elizabethan architecture and well worth a visit.
Find out more >



Thomas Oken Tea Rooms
We’ve gone off track a bit here, as the Thomas Oken Tea Rooms are in Warwick, but they are well worth a visit for a delicious cuppa! The building was formerly the home of Thomas Oken, in the early sixteenth century, making it around 500 years old. Oken was a great benefactor of the town and was believed to be the richest man in Warwick of his time. When he died in 1573 he left a fortune to aid the poor and to fund education and housing in the county town. The property has been a venue for events including Warwick Words and the Warwick Folk Festival.
Find out more by going to www.thomasokentearooms.com



Charlecote Park
Just a short drive out of Stratford, is the fantastic Charlecote Park. Now a National Trust property, is welcomes some 87,000 visitors each year to its Tudor house and deer park. Build by Sir Thomas Lucy, whose family came to England with William the Conqueror, its most famous guest was Elizabeth I who stayed in the room that is now the drawing room. The grounds cover 185 acres down to the River Avon and it is rumoured that Shakespeare himself poached deer in the park.
Further information can be found at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-charlecotepark
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Since William Shakespeare’s birthplace became a national memorial to our local lad back in 1847, huge numbers of people have visited his first home, which recently welcomed its twenty-five millionth visitor!

Now owned and cared for by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the house has been seen by interested parties from all over the world and from all walks of life. Back in the 1800s fellow writers such as Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy were among those wanting to see where it all began for the Bard.

An unsuspecting visitor from Sligo, Ireland had no idea what awaited her as she queued with her family for a ticket to the attraction. Alison Smith, the lucky recipient of the twenty-five millionth entry ticket, was treated to a warm welcome with her family by staff from the Trust. The family were given a very special visit, including a Lifetime Friend’s membership giving them free access to all the Shakespeare properties in the town, as well as a special performance from the Shakespeare Aloud acting company, gifts and flowers galore and to top it all off, a First Folio collectable facsimile.

The Shakespeare properties still hold as much interest for the public as ever and his popularity continues to soar across the globe (no pun intended!). The rebuilding of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre has drawn renewed attention to the town and when it is completed we can expected a flurry of incoming visitors to see how we are continuing to pay tribute to our most famous son of Stratford.
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