Stratford-upon-Avon is a market town and civil parish in Warwickshire, England. It is world-renown as the birthplace of playwright William Shakespeare (1564-1616). With a population of around 30,000, it is close to the northern part of the Cotswolds, a scenic range of hills.
History
Around 1 mile away at the village of Tiddington are the remains of a Roman fort. The fort was probably occupied between the 1st and 5th centuries AD. During the era of the Roman Empire, the site at which Stratford-upon-Avon is now located was the site of a Roman road or 'street', which is referenced in the name of the town.
An Anglo-Saxon monastery, later destroyed by Vikings, may have existed in Stratford at the site of the Holy Trinity Church prior to the 11th century.
In the 1560s, William Shakespeare, who is regarded by many as "England's national poet", was born in the town. The world-renown actor, poet and playwright was baptized in the town on 26 April 1564.[1]
Culture
Churches
The most notable church in Stratford is the Holy Trinity, where William Shakespeare was baptized in 1564.[1]
Pubs
The oldest pub in Stratford is said to be the Garrick Inn, with part of that building reputedly dating to the 14th century.
Politics
The town is the centre of the Stratford-on-Avon parliamentary constituency, which has been represented by Nadhim Zahawi since 2010.