A quick detour on my way to the Cotswolds it seemed a great idea to take in a cultural experience as I planned my route from home early this morning. Half term break for the kids, but for me an escape from the hustle and bustle of train engineering works and the avoidance of long bus replacement delays for the next week. Time out for a selfie mini-adventure. My cure for the ‘restlessness’ that seems to be within me lately. Constantly searching for the next adventure that it’s become my fix to escape the rat race of London. Craving open spaces and peace, my instinct chose to head to the Cotswolds on the weekend.
A three hour drive from home and I’m at the first stop of my road trip.
Nestled on the outskirts of Stratford-upon-Avon in the village of Shottery lies a chocolate box thatched cottage; said to be the most romantic in England. Character beams, timber framed walls, small crooked staircases, nooks and crannies make this cottage one to visit.
There’s also woodlands, an orchard and gardens to explore full of blooms and herbs that make it quintessentially English!
Belonging to the wealthy Hathaway family since the 15-16th century. This is where Anne Hathaway lived and grew up before becoming the wife of William Shakespeare. He would walk across the countryside from Stratford-upon-Avon to visit his bride to be and sit in ‘The Courting Chair’.
Gossipers revelled in the fact that Anne was 26 when she married 18 year old William. The local community couldn’t understand why; yet their love blossomed. At the time of her marriage she was also three months pregnant which was not uncommon for women during those times.
Bunches of herbs such as lavender, marjoram and sage were placed on the front door of the cottage to ward off evil spirits and witches!
After the tour unexpectedly the rain caught me without my coat or an umbrella so I took cover in the gift shop and bought a fridge magnet instead of exploring the gardens.
“To thine own self be true” Hamlet-William Shakespeare
If you did want to explore the area further you can purchase a Full Story ticket which will give you access for 12 months to visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, his new place, Mary Arden’s Farm, Halls Croft and to visit Anne’s Cottage again.
Soaked from the rain I decided to skip the rest of the Shakespeare area and head to my next stop, Chipping Camden where I’m booked to stay the night as I meander my way through this AONB (Area of Natural Beauty).
