The GCW Tour, A Few Bits of the UK and Ireland: Shakespeare, or, Why People Go to Stratford-upon-Avon

So this is Stratford...

It's a cute little town, with the requisite old buildings, a system of canals, with locks and canal boats, along with lakes, gardens and row boats...

But let's face it, there's really only one reason people come here: Shakespeare...

 And as a result, people who, when at home, would rather chew off their arm than see a Shakespeare play, find themselves signing up for week long passes to the many theaters in Stratford putting on Shakespeare...

Or at least they take the walking tour. On the tour you can see Shakespeare's birthplace...

...as well as a number of "Shakespeare's homes." Since the signs weren't especially clear, I eventually asked about this. Did Shakespeare actually live here? "Well, no," was the answer, "but he would've known about this home." In short, Shakespeare's doctor's cousin's hairdresser's (or whatever) house was being positioned as one of Shakespeare's homes because it was one of the few remaining buildings from that time. Once you understand, it makes perfect sense. 

But one or two homes with low ceilings, rolling floors, and wonky jointery was plenty for us, so we opted not to do the whole tour. 

I will say, though, that the church where Shakespear is buried is awfully nice. We weren't expecting it to be open, but were pleasantly surprised to find we could get in.

And that was more than enough Shakespeare for all of us.