Situated on the banks of the River Avon, in England's historic county of Warwickshire, Stratford-upon-Avon is renowned for being the birthplace of legendary playwright William Shakespeare. The medieval market town attracts approximately 2.5 million literary pilgrims a year who come to see the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Anne Hathaway's former cottage and Shakespeare's former home, Nash House. Here, you'll be able to see artefacts from the bard's life, including the famous marital bed mentioned in his sonnets. Elsewhere, the 1930s Shakespeare Memorial Theatre is notable for being one of the first buildings in Britain designed by a female architect – Elizabeth Scott, as well as a suitable place to reacquaint yourself with one of Shakespeare's plays.
Shakespeare hotspots aside, Stratford-upon-Avon has a lot more on offer. Head to Tudor World or New Place to travel back in time or wander through the centre of town to find the MAD Museum and canal rides along the Avon. Across Stratford, you'll find many traditional English pubs serving ale and roasts, most notably the Old Thatch Tavern, the oldest in town. For more drinking opportunities, the Shakespeare Distillery offers an array of cask malts, while the Countess of Evesham – Stratford's answer to the Orient Express – provides a new way of enjoying the surrounding scenery while munching on local tidbits.
Stratford-upon-Avon's location in the heart of the West Midlands means it's just a train or car journey away from cities like Birmingham and London, landmarks like Warwick Castle, and the natural beauty of the Cotswolds.