Stratford-upon-Avon is the world famous medieval market town in England, West Midlands, where Shakespeare was born in 1564. He became a poet, play write and actor and is now revered as the greatest writer of the English language. There’s a great choice of holiday cottages in Shakespeare Country and you could find yourself in any one of four counties, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire or Worcestershire.

The whole area roughly covers a triangle shape from Warwick through Stratford-upon-Avon to Royal Leamington Spa and boasts an array of historic castles, National Trust properties, museums, galleries and of course the world famous Shakespeare family houses and Royal Shakespeare theatres.

Stratford-upon-Avon is brimming over with quirky shops, classic tearooms, gastro pubs and country inns, some welcoming dogs, along with Michelin-starred restaurants for a special night out, plus, some of the nicest cottage rentals in Shakespeare Country. Take a stroll or a guided walking tour of this historic town to start discovering and uncovering all its secrets.

The Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as performing in London, also perform in the 3 theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the Swan Theatre share a building on the waterside and The Other Place is a short walk on Southern Lane, make sure you book your tickets for a first-class performance.

If you want to travel a bit further afield there are impressive parklands and gardens alongside stately homes, or on a smaller scale, historic cottages and gardens. You will fall in love with Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, where she grew up before becoming Shakespeare’s wife, and is just one mile from Stratford-upon-Avon in the pretty village of Shottery.

The Big Meadow overlooking the River Avon in Bidford-upon-Avon is a great outdoor space for all the family, enjoy the freedom to explore whilst strolling along the river or walking to the lovely hamlet of Macliff for a picnic.

Ragley Hall Park and Gardens, the magnificent seat of the Marquess of Hertford and his family, really does have something for everyone; adventure playgrounds, a 3D maze, woodland walks and the ten acre ‘Capability Brown’ gardens which have a dazzling array of flowers all year round.