Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire is located close to cities like Birmingham and Warwick, but of course this is not the main reason why more than 3 million visitors a year flock down to Stratford. The main reason for all these tourists is the fact that William Shakespeare was born here. Of course this is in itself enough to attract visitors, but Stratford has more to offer thanks to its unique location close to the Cotswolds.

The Cotswolds are well known for the green surroundings and this has made them perfect for hiking and horse-back riding. There are plenty of stables around for horses and also a lot of Horse racing tracks. This includes the local Stratford track and nearby Warwick racecourse.

Now back to the main attraction of William Shakespeare. You can still visit his birth location here as well as Anne Hathaway House which was the house of the family of the wife of William Shakespeare. The house in which he died, called "New House" and Hall's Croft, where is daughter lived with her husband, are all owned by the Shakespeare trust and can all be viewed all year round. Of course there is a theatre here named after him and this Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) has been in existence since 1932. The Royal Shakespeare Company also runs two other small theatres called The Swan and The Other Place. There are currently (fall 2009) refurbishments going on in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the Swan. You can reach the RST by foot through Sheep Street, which in the earlier years was used as the butchering place for the sheep bought on the Cotswolds. Now Sheep Street is the culinary heart of Stratford with restaurants catering to all kinds of taste buds.

For some much needed relaxation you can visit Bancroft Gardens where street performers will often keep you entertained during the summer months.

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The Stratford-upon-Avon Tourist Board gives comparable information to this page. If you require more information about Stratford-upon-Avon, you may be able to obtain it from the Stratford-upon-Avon Tourist Board.