Where is Stratford-upon-Avon located in England?
Stratford-upon-Avon is a market town in Warwickshire, in the West Midlands region of England, situated on the River Avon. It lies 91 miles north-west of London and 22 miles south-east of Birmingham.
Questions about Stratford-upon-Avon
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who founded Stratford-upon-Avon as a market town?
Bishop John of Coutances, lord of the manor, transformed Stratford from a village into a market town in 1196, laying out a grid of streets and introducing burgage tenure. In the same year, King Richard I granted a charter allowing a weekly market.
How many visitors does Stratford-upon-Avon receive each year?
Stratford-upon-Avon receives approximately 2.7 million visitors a year, drawn primarily by its association with William Shakespeare, who was born and is buried in the town.
Who designed the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon?
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre was designed by Elisabeth Scott, an English architect who won an open competition for the commission. It opened in 1932 and was the first important building in Britain designed by a woman architect.
When was the Royal Shakespeare Company formed and by whom?
The Royal Shakespeare Company was formed in 1961 by Sir Peter Hall, who had been appointed artistic director designate in 1959. It operates three theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon.
What is the history of Shakespeare's birthplace on Henley Street in Stratford-upon-Avon?
William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in a house on Henley Street purchased by his father John Shakespeare in 1556. The property passed out of the Shakespeare family after his granddaughter Elizabeth Barnard died in 1670, leaving it to his great-nephew Thomas Hart. The main house became a tenanted inn before being renovated at the end of the 19th century by Edward Gibbs.