White Swan Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon

A truly historic, black-and-white Tudor building of the White Swan Hotel has been ever faithful to the Stratford-upon-Avon picture-perfect postcard since its construction back in 1450. One of the few oldest preserved buildings in town, it was originally a bakery, amongst whose faithful bread buyers, they say, were the Shakespeares. The place became an inn in 1560, and was first known as the King's House or Hall.

The Hall was owned by Robert Perrott, the brewer, and was kept by his brother William. In 1588, Robert’s granddaughter Susanne Woodward married a young officer, called Richard Tyler, who happened to be one of William Shakespeare’s boyhood friends. Rumours have it that the Bard and the young couple would have had many a drink together here—which sounds plausible, given that Tyler had a passion for ales and was the son of an appointed Ale Taster for the borough.

Inside the hotel, in the oak room, there is a wall painting dated around 1560, commissioned by William Perrot in honour of his wife. The painting depicts the story of Tobias and the Angel, and was discovered in 1927 during renovation. Chances are that, in his day, William Shakespeare could well sit right here, enjoying his mead, whilst looking at this very picture...