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80% => The Nevillew General Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Simon Pieman on Friday, May 12, 2017, 12:42:39



Title: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: Simon Pieman on Friday, May 12, 2017, 12:42:39
Will be going away with the other half for a couple of nights and staying in Worcestershire. As the Mrs likes shakespeare and shit so I thought we'd spend a day in Stratford-upon-Avon.

So my question for those that have been is what's really worth seeing and doing feasibly within a day? The theatre is already ruled out because it's playing Julius Caesar and neither of us are too keen on that.


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: tans on Friday, May 12, 2017, 12:46:39
Im not far from there, only 30 mins,  sod stratford and get pissed at my house instead

Where in worcestershire are you staying?


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: 4D on Friday, May 12, 2017, 12:50:35
He's bard.


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: Nemo on Friday, May 12, 2017, 12:55:07
We tried to go for a day once, got there very late, went to this really weird Museum of Magic thing on the High Street which was basically just some random bloke who had a few Harry Potter props in his house and Shakespeare's house had closed by the time we got there.

So probably not much use to you I'm afraid. Pretty little place though.


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: Sippo on Friday, May 12, 2017, 13:00:41
Check out the sauce.


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: Batch on Friday, May 12, 2017, 13:11:58
There's an open top hop on-hop off bus thing that stops at Anne Hathaway's house (extra cost to enter).

River Ride.

You can still poke your head in to the theatre, and there is a viewing tower and possibly tours.

And, er...um..


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: pauld on Friday, May 12, 2017, 13:34:30
Check out the sauce.
Stratford Upon Avon Sauce?


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, May 12, 2017, 14:40:54
I've cycled there and back a few times from Swindon, a good destoination as it's about 50 miles due north and the route runs through quiet Cotswold lanes until you get just outside the town. Would then drink the Black Swan (Dirty Duck), which was always fun, with a riverside location and luvvie memorabilia.

Shakespeare's house has to be done I think, even though it's a honeypot....


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: china red on Friday, May 12, 2017, 14:49:59
Live really close and whilst it's a nice town always find there is a lot less to do than I expect.  Maybe worth combining with a half day at warwick castle which is really good


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: sonicyouth on Friday, May 12, 2017, 15:03:32
I lived in Warks for 2 years, went to Stratford a couple of times and wasn't that great. Leamington Spa was nicer.


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, May 12, 2017, 15:41:13
Stratford is nice but very expensive and caters very much for the tourists but you have to visit Shakeys house and Ann Hathaways house when you are there, parking is a nighmare at weekends though.

Warwick town centre is lovely but don't go to the castle as its a total waste of money, went there a month ago for the first time and it was rubbish, great if you have 8 year old kids or an American friend with you who knows nothing at all about history. £30+ is a total rip off and the new dungeon experience was utter crap.


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, May 12, 2017, 15:45:57
Stratford is nice but very expensive and caters very much for the tourists but you have to visit Shakeys house and Ann Hathaways house when you are there, parking is a nighmare at weekends though.

Warwick town centre is lovely but don't go to the castle as its a total waste of money, went there a month ago for the first time and it was rubbish, great if you have 8 year old kids or an American friend with you who knows nothing at all about history. £30+ is a total rip off and the new dungeon experience was utter crap.

Agree about Warwick... sort of theme park history, it was years ago that I went, but obviously hasn't changed.


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, May 12, 2017, 15:53:22
Agree about Warwick... sort of theme park history, it was years ago that I went, but obviously hasn't changed.
It is, a real dumbing down of history that is aimed at foreign schoolkid tourists and young children, no detail anywhere about the importance in our history of the Earl of Warwick "the kingmaker".


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: pauld on Friday, May 12, 2017, 16:45:04
It is fucking ace if you do have kids though, we had a few really good days out there when the kids were younger. Agree that historically it's bunk, but it's a great "theme park with a different slant" for younger kids


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: herthab on Friday, May 12, 2017, 17:25:10
The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum is in Warwick and is really interesting. Much better than the castle.


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: sonicyouth on Saturday, May 13, 2017, 00:18:28
Kenilworth Castle is where it's at


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Saturday, May 13, 2017, 00:54:41
Kenilworth Castle is where it's at

Never been....must make the effort.


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: Simon Pieman on Saturday, May 13, 2017, 08:31:37
Thanks all. Given the mix in responses I think we'll just see what takes our fancy on the day. Will be going on Friday so hopefully won't be too chaotic compared to a Saturday or Sunday.


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, May 13, 2017, 09:15:52
Never been....must make the effort.
Me too, driven past it but never stopped there.


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: donkey on Saturday, May 13, 2017, 09:24:29
Happy to back the recommendations for Kenilworth Castle. The town, not so much.


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: sonicyouth on Saturday, May 13, 2017, 11:46:52
What's wrong with the town? I spent two years there and it was very pleasant


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: Chunkyhair on Saturday, May 13, 2017, 15:57:50
I was born and raised in Kenilworth and spent many happy times at the Castle (residents get in for free, or used to...).  The town centre has gone downhill a bit like most town centres have in the last 20 years, but the old part of Town (High Street/Castle Hill) has two or three nice restaurants/pubs near the Castle and I highly recommend the Virgins and Castle (fnaar fnaar) pub which is 10 min walk from the castle.  I spent my formative drinking years there and still return when I go and see family. :pint: :pint: :pint: :pint:

Better than Warwick and Stratford in my humble opinion


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: donkey on Saturday, May 13, 2017, 17:43:40
What's wrong with the town? I spent two years there and it was very pleasant

They've had this bit boarded up in the middle for years, it's just an example of a bit of neglect. Not awful, but not great either.


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: sonicyouth on Saturday, May 13, 2017, 17:57:34
Where? Not been there since we left in 2012 but the town centre was as drab as any other really


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: Not that Nice If I'm Honest on Saturday, May 13, 2017, 18:56:35
Getting back to the original question - The Tempest is the best of the Shakespeare plays in my opinion.

However, you'll just have to watch whatever is on I'm afraid


Title: Re: Stratford-upon-Avon
Post by: donkey on Saturday, May 13, 2017, 21:59:46
Where? Not been there since we left in 2012 but the town centre was as drab as any other really

Same place as would have been in 2012. Was gonna be a shopping arcade and car park...nothing last year when I went.