Sunday 22nd July 2007

Stratford upon Avon

Warwick Castle

We were a little concerned today that Stratford would be underwater.  Many of the towns in the area located by the Rivers Severn and Avon were flooded after Friday's terrible downpour.  As we approached Stratford we could see that the Avon had burst its banks and parts of the road were flooded.  Luckily the majority of the town was fine and we were able to walk from the coach park to Shakespeare's Birthplace museum and house.  The town seemed extra busy and there were a lot of people at the house.  The building in Henley Street is where John Shakespeare, glover and town bailiff, made his home and where his son William was born in 1564.  It is laid out as it would have been in Shakespeare's day and the gives a good idea of life in the 16th century.  With a stunning cottage garden it is well worth the visit.

Next onto the Stratford town trail that leads you to various places that were around in Shakespeare's day or have connections with him.  Stratford is the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company and their main theatre is going through an exciting programme of re-development that will result in a fantastic new performance area in 2010.  Several of us walked to see New Place, Shakespeare's home (although only the gardens survive today) and down to Holy Trinity Church to see where he is buried.

After lunch we made the short trip to Warwick Castle. Warwick began life as a Saxon fortification but it was William the Conqueror who had a motte and bailey castle built here in 1068.  Throughout the middle ages the castle was rebuilt in stone by successive Earls of Warwick and was the scene of some mighty sieges and colourful characters.  With towers and ramparts as well as some superb exhibitions that chronicle the castle's fortunes, Warwick is always a highlight of the ISCA tour.  With displays of falconry, live battles between knights and archery contests there is plenty to do here.  One of the highlights is the Ghost Tower, an attraction that spookily retells the story of the murder of Sir Fulke Greville in 1628.  The watermeadows in the castle grounds were flooded today so some of the attractions such as the jousting was cancelled.  This was a shame but a great afternoon was had by all.

A quiet coach journey back to Charterhouse as many of us got to grips with the new Harry Potter book!