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 in 1450. One of the few oldest preserved buildings in town, this was originally a bakery amongst whose faithful bread buyers, they say, were the Shakespeares. It started as 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, Roberts’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 here, which is plausible, considering 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, commissioned by William Perrot in honour of his wife, dated around 1560. 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 here and enjoy his mead whilst looking at this very painting...
The Hall was owned by Robert Perrott, the brewer, and was kept by his brother William. In 1588, Roberts’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 here, which is plausible, considering 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, commissioned by William Perrot in honour of his wife, dated around 1560. 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 here and enjoy his mead whilst looking at this very painting...
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Stratford-upon-Avon. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
White Swan Hotel on Map
Sight Name: White Swan Hotel
Sight Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, England (See walking tours in Stratford-upon-Avon)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, England (See walking tours in Stratford-upon-Avon)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Stratford-upon-Avon, England
Create Your Own Walk in Stratford-upon-Avon
Creating your own self-guided walk in Stratford-upon-Avon is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
William Shakespeare Walking Tour
The picturesque town of Stratford-upon-Avon is steeped in the history of William Shakespeare. Indeed, Shakespeare's hometown is where he was born and also where he passed away on the same day (23 April) 52 years later.
Many period locations in town, related to his and his family's life, are preserved as Britain's national heritage and visited by millions of people every year in a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Many period locations in town, related to his and his family's life, are preserved as Britain's national heritage and visited by millions of people every year in a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Historical Tudor Houses Walking Tour
The first thing that strikes one walking across the medieval center of Stratford-Upon-Avon is the abundance of timber-framed Tudor houses. Their most notable feature, often combined with an overhanging upper story, is an exposed wooden framework; the rest is typically filled with brick, plaster or wattle-and-daub.
Many of these buildings have been kept in their original state, notably the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Many of these buildings have been kept in their original state, notably the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Stratford-upon-Avon Introduction Walking Tour
"Strat" is an Old English term derived from the Latin "Stratum", the word for street. A "ford" is a section of a stream where a crossing may be made. "Avon" is Celtic for river. Put them all together with links like a sausage and you have Stratford-upon-Avon. The ford actually exists. It is now marked by Clopton Bridge.
Primal Stratford was established by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Primal Stratford was established by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles