SHAKESPEARE COUNTRY

The hidden secrets of Shakespeare Country offer a wide range literary and cultural heritage as well as many family attractions in the land that gave birth to William Shakespeare.

Stratford-upon-Avon is home to a number of attractions, Mary Arden’s House was the home of Shakespeare's mother, before she married. You can also visit Shakespeare’s birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, and the homes of Shakespeare's daughter and granddaughter, Halls Croft, Nash’s House and New Place offering a fascinating insight into the life of one of England's most famous playwrights. All the houses are connected to William Shakespeare or his immediate family and offer an authentic experience of the Stratford-upon-Avon world of the famous dramatist. Each house has its own fascinating story to tell and the guides offer a unique insight into many aspects of the life, work and times of William Shakespeare.

Ideal for families is Shakespearience, a new, multi-sensory attraction that presents the life and legacy of William Shakespeare in a spectacular and exciting way never seen before. During the one-hour visit you will see highlights from Shakespeare’s plays, it reveals the man behind the well-known face and provides an exciting introduction to some of his greatest works by using the very latest developments in show technology and special effects. Shakespearience provides entertainment for all the family, giving visitors the chance to learn more about Shakespeare within a fun environment. Shakespearience is located at Waterside Theatre - Stratford's exciting new venue for theatrical, cultural and musical events.
www.shakespearience.co.uk

In the chancel of Holy Trinity Church you can visit Shakespeare's Grave and the graves of Anne Hathaway, Dr John Hall and his wife Susanna Shakespeare and Thomas Nash. Also in the chancel are 26 fine 15th century carved misericords. Located on the on the banks of the River Avon amidst parkland and riverside walks, this is one of England's most beautiful parish churches.
www.stratford-upon-avon.org

A children’s paradise is the Teddy Bear Museum. Here are hundreds of enchanting teddy bears, including some of the oldest and rarest in the world, displayed in a traditional oak-beamed house, which used to belong to King Henry VIII. There’s lots of modern teddy bear stars too, including the original Fozzie Bear and the original Paddington puppet, made for the first television series. Famous people, from Tony Blair to Barbara Cartland, have sent their bears to stay at the museum and there are always exciting new arrivals. Children can enjoy doing a fun quiz as they tour the museum. www.theteddybearmuseum.com

At the Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm families can enjoy the unique pleasure of watching hundreds of the most spectacular and colourful butterflies flying in a lush landscape of exotic blossom, splashing waterfalls and fish-filled pools. Most children will be fascinated with the strange creatures in Insect City and Arachnoland, where you can get close to deadly and dangerous spiders.
www.butterflyfarm.co.uk

Stomps Playhouse in Stratford is a wonderful experience for both children and parents. There’s a huge pirate ship with drop slides and ball ponds to exhaust the children, a lounge with multi-coloured leather sofas where parents can relax away from the noise, and a pool table and football table with sky plasma screen in another lounge.

Mary Arden's House & The Shakespeare Countryside Museum, located in Wilmcote, 5 miles north of Stratford-upon-Avon, is great for a family outing. The timbered farmhouse was the home of Shakespeare's mother before she married John Shakespeare and moved to Stratford. The farmhouse displays many interesting features about life and work on the land and the grounds also feature a working blacksmith, falconers, livestock and Glebe Farm.
www.shakespeare.org.uk

Seven miles east of Stratford-upon-Avon, Compton Verney is an innovative new art gallery, set in a Grade I Robert Adam mansion house wonderfully located in 40 acres of 'Capability Brown’ landscape. Compton Verney is home to a growing collection of fine and decorative art and families are well catered for here and made to feel welcome. The permanent collection includes Italian artworks from Naples, German paintings and sculpture, the largest collection of Chinese bronzes outside London, British Portraits and a rare British folk art display. There’s also a diverse programme of temporary exhibitions to compliment the house, gardens and permanent collections. They have a programme of family and children’s activities relating to the exhibitions throughout the season, excellent family packs for children 18 months to 12 years, and hipseats for carrying children 6 months to 3 years around the galleries. All the floors are accessible for prams and pushchairs, and in the café you can get children’s portions and lunch boxes.
www.comptonverney.org.uk

Warwick Castle is another great place for families to visit. Bursting to the towers with tales of treachery and torture, passion and power and above all fascinating people, times and events, Warwick Castle is so much more than simply a castle. With thousands of stories to share, the Castle is Britain's Greatest Mediaeval Experience with authentically themed attractions, a full programme of interactive entertainment including live action events, and costumed guides and colourful castle characters telling spell binding tales and springing plenty of surprises along the way. You can experience the sights, smells and sounds of mediaeval life in the Kingmaker attraction, feel the weight of a sword in Death or Glory - the Castle's armoury, or brave the chilling dungeon and torture chamber. Visit the elegant State Rooms and magnificent Great Hall, meet Daisy, Countess of Warwick, in the Royal Weekend Party and see how the Mill and Engine House was used to generate electricity in 1894. The Castle has 60 acres of stunning grounds and gardens, great for the children to run free and explore.
www.warwick-castle.co.uk

The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum. This new museum in Warwick tells the story of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment from its origins in 1674 to the Fusiliers of today. An exciting mixture of real objects, models and activities bring the soldiers stories to life. Children will especially enjoy using the computer, listening to audio points and trying on the uniforms. Special events for families are organised during the school holidays.
www.warwickfusiliers.com

Also in Warwick is Funky Monkeys Soft Play, a large, exciting, jungle themed play structure for children. Whilst the children have fun parents can relax on one of the comfortable leather sofas, read a complimentary magazine, or watch TV and enjoy a freshly ground coffee.
www.funkymonkeys.co.uk

Hatton Country World (near Warwick) is ideal for families because it consists of two unique attractions side by side. For parents the Shopping Village at Hatton Country World is home to 25 craft and specialist gift shops, an Antique Centre with 20 dealers and The Outlet. All housed in a charming cluster of converted Victorian farm buildings, this is the perfect place for those unique and unusual gifts. The Farm Park is a fun-packed paradise for children, with a unique mix of animals, adventure and all-out activity. www.hattonworld.com

Upton House & Gardens is a National Trust Property located 7 miles north-west of Banbury. This late 17th century house was remodeled 1927-29 for the Second Viscount Bearsted. The house contains his outstanding collections of Old Master paintings, English and French porcelain and Brussels tapestries. There’s a large and interesting garden containing wide lawns and terraced herbaceous borders descending to ornamental pools and bog garden. The restaurant serves a wonderful selection of food to tempt all the family.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

A must for motor enthusiasts of all ages is the Heritage Motor Centre in Gaydon. There’s not only the world’s largest collection of historic British cars, but the kids are especially well catered for with indoor and outdoor play areas, miniature roadway with battery powered cars, go-kart track, nature trail and the Land Rover 4x4 off-road experience. The centre has 65 acres of grounds with picnic areas and a mini nature trail.
www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

The fascinating Wellesbourne Watermill is one of the last remaining working flour mills in the country. The secluded and picturesque watermill has a daily demonstration of the mill, grinding the corn to flour, then you can sample the flour in the homemade cakes and scones, and enjoy a light lunch in the 200 year old barn.
www.wellesbournemill.co.uk

Umberslade Farm in Tanworth-in-Arden is a family-run working farm with a delightful children's farm in authentic surroundings. There’s a full range of commercial livestock and crops together with a Pets Area where children can get plenty of hands-on experience. Families can help feed animals, hold chicks and ducklings, watch goat milking, tour the farm by tractor and trailer and / or take shire horse wagon rides. There’s a gift shop, children’s playground, café and picnic areas.
www.umbersladefarm.co.uk

The National Herb Centre near Banbury has a plant centre with a wide range of herb plants, display gardens and nature trails, which run down through a spectacular valley setting. The exhibition not only shows details of the wildlife seen on the farm but also portrays something of the history of herbs and their uses. The bistro provides a full range of food giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy herbs at their best.
www.herbcentre.co.uk

WHERE TO STAY

Alveston Manor
Clopton Bridge
Stratford-upon-Avon

www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

This family friendly hotel is located within walking distance of many of Stratford’s main attractions. The leisure facilities and family rooms are excellent, the restaurant has a children’s menu, and the Macdonald group produce a useful leaflet, Great Days Out, to help guide you to the best attractions in the area.

USEFUL INFORMATION

For further information about Shakespeare Country go to:
www.shakespeare-country.co.uk

email: info@gowithkids.com