Stratford-upon-Avon Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Stratford-upon-Avon

"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 Saxon invaders of Warwickshire in the 7th century. In 1196, the lord of the manor, John of Coutances, obtained a charter from Richard I (The Lion-Heart), declaring Stratford-upon-Avon to be a market town. By 1252 the town had shops and a proper Guild, the Guild of the Holy Cross.

The town did not grow much until the Enclosure Acts of the 18th century. Perhaps because of the slow growth, most of the historic buildings have survived until today. They are situated along what is called "Stratford's Historic Spine." The beginning of the spine is marked by William Shakespeare's Birthplace on Henley Street.

From the Birthplace it is an easy walk to High Street, see Elizabethan era houses, like Harvard House. Go to Chapel Street. Find Shakespeare's New Place, where the playwright lived with his family when he returned from London. Walk to Church Street, see the Guild, Hall's Croft and Holy Trinity Church.

There are other things. See the Guild Hall where William studied, the houses of Anne Hathaway, his wife, and Susanna Hall, his daughter, haunted pubs, haunted museums, haunting countryside. But the real haunt, that has drawn thousands of visitors, is the spirit of William Shakespeare. Follow this self-guided walk to touch this great spirit, to feel something of his legacy to art and life.