Oxford & Stratford
Perhaps one of the more important UK tours for those of an academic or literary persuasion but also those who love beautiful (and very old) places.
Oxford
Here among the ‘Dreaming Spires’ we find the forty-four colleges of perhaps the world’s most famous university, founded as far back as 1096
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England’s and indeed the world’s history was made by so many that passed this way; scientists who changed the way we lived like Albert Einstein and Tim Berners-Lee, great writers who changed the way we thought about our lives, from Shelley through Tolkien to Dorothy L Sayers and Phillip Pullman, for whom Oxford itself serves as a muse. Oxford has also provided Great Britain with 30 of its Prime Ministers and educated leaders from countries across the globe.
Backdrop and setting for many a famous film (including Harry Potter of course) and home to many of the brightest and best young minds the world over, Oxford is a beautiful and fascinating place to spend time.
Pause to admire the fantastic Radcliffe Camera or visit the Bodleian, probably the most famous and imposing library in the world. Have a browse around the cosy covered market or visit a particular collage that is of interest. Many are open or grant admission for a small fee.
Let us know in advance of anywhere you’d particularly like to visit, the old haunts of a loved one or famous writer, the location of a favourite film scene perhaps.
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Stratford
This pilgrimage to Stratford-upon-Avon begins at the Shakespeare Birthplace on Henley Street. Walking through the timber-framed house, you’ll see the parlour where guests were received and the workshop where John Shakespeare made gloves. Upstairs, we’ll find the room where William was born, preserved with period-correct rush flooring and heavy oak furniture.
For Anne Hathaway referred to as Anes in the film), we head to Shottery to see her Cottage. It is a stunning thatched farmhouse where she lived before marrying William. The site features the original "courting settle" (bench) where the couple likely sat. The lush gardens and orchards reflect the domestic life of a prosperous yeoman family in the 16th century.
Tragically, there is no separate birthplace for Hamnet Shakespeare. As William’s only son, he was born in his father’s family home on Henley Street in 1585. A visit to honor Hamnet concludes at Holy Trinity Church. While he died at age eleven and his exact grave marker is lost to time, the parish register documenting his burial remains a poignant reminder of the grief that likely inspired Hamlet. His father however is buried in the church and so we may pay our respects to him there.
The journey often ends at New Place, the site of the grand home William eventually bought for his family. While the house was demolished in 1759, the site now hosts a commemorative garden. Standing there, you can visualize the family’s transition from a crowded glove-maker’s shop to the heights of English society.
£770
Trip Details
Pick-up time – 09.00
Drop-off time – 18.00
Drive Time total – 5 hrs
Steps (approximate) – 8-10K
Ticket Link – Shakespeare’s Birthplace https://tickets.shakespeare.org.uk/events
