Early Bird Discounts – Small Group Day Tour, Stratford, Warwick Castle, Oxford and the Cotswolds
8th November 2024
Here at Backpacker Tours, we are delighted to now be filling up with great new Backpacking tours and adventures and our state of the art new site Backpackertours.co.uk, will be live soon.
In the mean-time tours are live to book now and you you contact us at hello@backpackertours.co.uk or on our contact form or register interest for future tours. Book now for early bird discounts.
We are featuring many great tours from UK Day Tours, world trekking, on the beach and party tours, festivals, adventures, cruise and sail and coming soon Sports and Ski.
Today we feature one of our fabulous new tours – Small Group Day Tour – Stratford, Warwick Castle, Oxford and the Cotswolds – Backpacker Tours. To book this tour now or make an enquiry contact us at hello@backpackertours.co.uk. Book now for early bird discounts.
Full details of our feature tour below, but first some interesting history of Shakespears Historic Stratford-upon-Avon:
King Edward VI’s suppression of religious guilds abolished the Guild of the Holy Cross in 1547, and Stratford’s residents petitioned the Crown for a charter of incorporation as a borough, which they received in 1553. This created a new Town Council that took over the guild’s property and duties. Stratford’s school became King Edward VI School with the Charter of Incorporation.
The Cotswolds, near Stratford, were a major sheep-producing area until the late 19th century, with Stratford a key sheep processing, marketing, and distribution centre. Thus, Stratford became a tanning hub in the 15th–17th centuries. Glove manufacture flourished throughout the 15th and 16th centuries. So was malting, the process of turning grain into malt.
After moving from Snitterfield to Stratford in 1551, farmer John Shakespeare became a successful glover, trader, and Town Council member. Around 1557, he married local gentry Mary Arden. It is thought that Shakespeare’s Birthplace is where they had eight children, including William Shakespeare in 1564.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Stratford was a hub of activity and conflict during the English Civil War. Located at the intersection of numerous major highways, it was strategically vital for both Royalist and Parliamentarian armies. Stratford was under Parliamentarian authority for most of the war due to its proximity to Warwick, albeit troops only occupied it occasionally. Colonel Wagstaffe’s Royalists took Stratford in February 1643.
After an engagement on the adjoining Warwick road, Parliamentarians under Lord Brooke recovered it on 25 February. After securing the town, Brooke returned to Warwick. Three gunpowder barrels exploded in February 1643, destroying Stratford’s Market Hall, now the Town Hall. From March 1644 to part of 1645, Parliamentarian soldiers held Stratford. April 1645 saw another Royalist raid.
Famous personalities travelled through Stratford during the war: The Queen Henrietta Maria, who was travelling through the Midlands, was the guest of honour of Susanna Hall, William Shakespeare’s daughter, at New Place in July 1643. Prince Rupert had visited Stratford in April 1643. Oliver Cromwell visited Stratford in December 1646 and 1651 before the Battle of Worcester.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage where Shakespeare courted his future wife Stratford-upon-Avon England
Details of our feature tour Small Group Day Tour – Stratford, Warwick Castle, Oxford and the Cotswolds – Backpacker Tours
Shakespeare’s Stratford
The Royal Shakespeare Company performs in Stratford, England, William Shakespeare’s birthplace. A magnificent river passes across town by Shakespeare’s grave at Holy Trinity Church. Shakespeare’s Birthplace is one of several remarkable half-wooden buildings.
Personal Shakespeare Schoolroom Tour
As ‘one of the most atmospheric, enchanting and important structures in Britain,’ Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall opened in 2016 for his 400th death anniversary. Explore the room where prominent theatre companies performed in the 1570s, while William Shakespeare was learning to read and write. It profoundly affected him. Premium Tours provide a private Tudor lesson, quill and ink writing, rare mediaeval wall murals, and more before the school opens in the morning. Not to be missed.
Relax in Stratford-Upon-Avon for lunch.
Prices and to enquire or book – Small Group Day Tour – Stratford, Warwick Castle, Oxford and the Cotswolds – Backpacker Tours
Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle is Britain’s best mediaeval castle. With almost 1,000 years of history, Warwick Castle will transport you to extravagant meals, tragic battles, and royal magnificence. Cross the footbridge to explore the castle’s ramparts, towers, and gardens. Castles reenact history. Madame Tussauds’ waxworks depict Warwick’s combat preparations. Feeling brave? Watch the haunted torture dungeons. Walk through the castle’s lovely gardens. (The tour includes castle admission.)
Both Oxford and Cotswolds.
Oxford has Europe’s best architecture and one of the world’s oldest institutions. Ivy-clad stone walls protect the university’s colleges’ beautiful churches, halls, and libraries.
Take a guided walking tour of this unusual town or have tea in the shop where Alice (from Alice in Wonderland) bought her sweets! The Oxford trip will be unforgettable for everyone. We’ll drive through the Cotswolds to reach the wonderful city.
Prices and to enquire or book – Small Group Day Tour – Stratford, Warwick Castle, Oxford and the Cotswolds – Backpacker Tours
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