Shakespeare's Birthplace

Upon arriving at Stratford-Upon-Avon we will head straight to Shakespeare's Birthplace where we will explore the house that Shakespeare was born in. This amazing building gives us the chance to walk in Shakespeare's footsteps, to get up close and personal with some Tudor artefacts, and uncover the truth behind Shakespeare's youth. Whilst here your guide will explain what it was like for William, growing up the son of John Shakespeare, the one time Mayor of Stratford-Upon-Avon and successful glove maker. Might this (not) so humble beginning explain how Shakespeare rose as far as he did? Might John's position as Mayor and Williams education at the local Grammar School also go some way to explain the knowledge that Shakespeare demonstrates in his plays? Might this somewhat privileged upbringing help disprove the claim the Earl of Oxford or Kit Marlowe wrote the plays which are accredited to the immortal bard? Our amazing guide will explain all during the tour.

It wouldn't be a Shakespeare tour without stopping at one of Stratford's amazing bookshops (if you want to stop at more, please ask our guide on the day and they will be happy to fulfil your bookish dreams by stopping at some of the other nearby bookshops). This is your chance to pick up a copy of one of Shakespeare's plays, a book of his sonnets, or if you are feeling bold the complete works of Shakespeare, which are available in a number of editions. Whilst here your guide will explain how Shakespeare has become such an important cultural icon, how the first folio (collection of his plays) was published, and why some theatre directors such as the late great Peter Hall (the former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company which we will visit later in the tour) have their own unique versions of Shakespeare's scripts created, to help the actors who they are working with better understand Shakespeare's language