Avon Bank Gardens, Stratford-upon-Avon

Lion-hearted Richard I granted a Charter for Market Rights to the village of Stratford-upon-Avon in 1196. The Bancroft was an area of grazing land controlled by the local people. It also was the terminus of the Stratford-to-Birmingham canal. The canal was completed in 1816. The Gardens area covers a second canal which was filled up in 1902.

The park is located in front of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre on the banks of the River Avon. It has a tranquil holiday atmosphere with open air performers, river walks, statues, flowers, and places to sit and enjoy it all. See the Swan Fountain and the Gower Memorial, featuring Mr. Shakespeare and four characters from his plays.

Shakespeare's statue was created by Lord Ronald Sutherland Gower. It was presented to the town in 1888. The four characters are (the envelope, please) Hamlet, Lady Macbeth, Falstaff and Prince Hal. They represent Philosophy, Tragedy, Comedy and History. There are also a human sundial, two bridges, buskers, and a partridge and a pear tree.

That last bit was for humor. Add sunny summer days to spend blissful hours by the river Avon and you have a delightful park and garden. Well worth the trip.