Short weekend holidays are becoming a popular way to get away from it all while you wait for that week or two you’ve booked off from work. Whether you’re making the most of a bank holiday weekend or simply taking an extra day or so off from your job, Stratford upon Avon is the ideal destination because it looks stunning and has lots to offer visitors – whatever the English weather decides to throw at you.

Perhaps the most popular sights to see on long weekends in the area are the Shakespeare properties. You can go four hundred and fifty years back in time to visit the house where Shakespeare was born, and enjoy a leisurely journey in and around the area to visit the other four houses which are open to the public, including that of his wife – the picturesque Anne Hathaway’s cottage.

You can also take a stroll through the town itself and wander along the straight streets that first came into being over eight hundred years ago. You may also see the Holy Trinity church, which marks Shakespeare’s final resting place.

Stratford upon Avon is also home to the Royal Shakespeare Company, and regular performances of his plays draw in many tourists every single year.

But whether you are a fan of William Shakespeare or not, you’ll still find plenty to do on weekend breaks to the area. If you want to spend a few days unwinding and enjoying the best that England’s countryside has to offer, a walk along the winding River Avon as it passes through Stratford upon Avon is just the ticket to while away an hour or two.

There are several reasons for the popularity of Stratford upon Avon, apart from the obvious connection with William Shakespeare. Its stunning architecture and scenery set it apart as a classic example of a location that brings history into the present day and blends it seamlessly with more modern buildings. It is an extremely popular destination for people all over the world, not to mention Britons looking for somewhere relaxing to escape from the fast paced world we live in.

Stratford upon Avon also appeals to most people due to the versatility of places to stay. Whether you’d like to pitch a tent in the nearby Cotswolds, or stay in a traditional country inn near the town itself, you’re bound to find the perfect hideaway to use as a base for your long weekend break.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/discovering-the-secrets-of-stratford-upon-avon-213134.html

About the Author:

Adam Singleton is an online freelance journalist from Scotland. His hobbies include travelling and hiking.

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As the centre for the Cotswolds, there are plenty of things to do in Cheltenham.

1. Shopping

Cheltenham now has 2 shopping malls: Regent Arcade and Beechwood Shopping Centre. These are hosts to a variety of local stores and national chain shops, as well as department stores such as Debenhams and BHS. You can feast on chocolate or pamper yourself with body lotions and candles. The other shopping area to investigate is the Promenade, which is home to many specialist stores as well as the large Cavendish House department store.

2. Restaurants and Nightlife

Even outside Race Week, Cheltenham has a bustling town centre, attracting up to 30,000 people who enjoy the multiplex cinema, restaurants, pubs, bars and clubs. Cheltenham’s night clubs cater for a wide age range and you are almost certain to find somewhere that is to your musical taste. As one of the largest venues in the South West, The Centaur is host to a number of large concerts. You can sample almost any cuisine from Michelin starred restaurants through to a wide variety of Indian, Italian, Thai and other restaurants.

3. Horse Racing

Often referred to as the home of National Hunt racing, there are race meetings from October through to April. These are always well attended and you can choose your vantage point according to your budget. The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the highlight of the season and the town is full of people watching the races and celebrating St Patrick’s day. If you plan to stay in town, or anywhere close, at this time of year be sure to book well in advance.

4. Festivals

The famous literature festival is just one of the many festivals hosted in the town. There are also events for music, jazz, folk and science. The Greenbelt Music Festival is also held here each year. Most of these events are spread across the town including the Town Hal, Everyman and Playhouse theatres, the Pittville Pump Room as well as many smaller venues.

5. Museums

The composer Gustav Holst was born in Cheltenham and has a museum dedicated to him. There is also the main Art Gallery and Museum, centrally located next to the library. If you prefer something different, nearby Winchcombe has both a Railway museum and a Folk and Police museum.

6. Sport

As well as horse racing, football and rugby are sports that the locals are passionate about. The Robins (or Cheltenham Town F.C. to be more correct) are the local football team, currently playing in League One, the second highest football division, which means there is regular soccer action available. For those who prefer rugby, check out the many rugby clubs in town including the Saracens, Old Patesians and the Civil Service RFC.

7. Explore History

As well as visiting the Pittville Pump Rooms and sampling the spa water, you can investigate the roots of famous Cheltonians such as Eddie the Eagle, Richard Hammond, Edward Jenner, Brian Jones and many more. Cheltenham is also home to a number of historic churches and the district Prestbury is reckoned to be one of the most haunted villages in the UK.

Author: Simon Haughtone

Cheltenham is an excellent base for exploring the Cotswolds and surrounding areas. Choose from a wide range of Cheltenham hotels and guest houses to make your stay in Cheltenham a pleasant one.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Haughtone

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The great thing about the Cotswolds is the variety of activities on offer. Whether you’re visiting as a group of friends, young family, or a retired couple, there is something for pretty well anyone. And many of the activities are free! No-one charges you to wander across some of the best countryside in England or take your mountain bike for a trip round the Gloucestershire country lanes. I’ve lived in the area for all of my life and I hope that this top ten gives you some inspiration to come and visit the area and enjoy everything that’s on offer.

Westonbirt Arboretum. One of the most popular paid for attractions in the Cotswolds is the National Arboretum in Westonbirt. Lying a few miles SW of Tetbury its home to a fantastic range of trees and shrubs landscaped in 600 acres with 17 miles of footpaths – walk them all and you’ll deserve a meal out at one of the typical Cotswold pubs in the area.

Sudeley Castle. Dating back over many centuries, with royal connections and based just outside Winchcombe (which itself was once the chief city of Mercia), Sudeley also has an extensive range of gardens, so a great day out whatever the weather.

Walking. Where do you start? There are so many walks across the Cotswolds, from the ever present Cotswold Way to the challenges around the River Wye there is something for everyone, and many of the published walks give details of pubs and tea shops to take in on along the way!

Mountain Biking. Again, there are many choices across the area, some of my favourites have been in the North Cotswolds riding across some of the higher ground around Blockley or Beckford – it can be hard work to climb to the top of the escarpments but the views are worth it.

Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway. This is being developed along the old route from Cheltenham to Stratford-On-Avon. It currently runs for about 10 miles from Cheltenham to Toddington a few miles north of Winchcombe. There are a range of steam and diesel engines in operation, and if you’re keen you can even have the chance to drive one of them. Be sure to watch out for specific events throughout the year including their Santa Special, Paddington Bear event and their dining trains.

Historic Manor Garden. This is the sort of garden that you can enjoy if you aren’t a gardener. With fantastic borders and a series of outdoor ‘rooms’ each with their own particular feel, even those of us without green fingers can enjoy a few hours here.

Shakespeare’s Stratford. Many people base themselves in the North Cotswolds so that they are close to Stratford and all that it offers, whether it is a tour of the houses associated with the famous bard or the opportunity to see one of his plays if Shakespeare’s your thing there is enough to keep you interested for many days in Stratford.

Cotswold Wildlife Park. For those of you with children one of the most popular animal attractions is the Cotswold Wildlife Park situated outside Burford. It is home to many wild animals many of which are not behind bars (although the lions thankfully are enclosed). There is also a good play area for the children to work off excess energy if there’s any left after walking round the animals.

Authentic pub with a real log fire. No trip to the Cotswolds would be complete without a trip (or two or three) to one of the many authentic pubs in the area. Many offer a variety of real ales and in the winter months open log fires. Some offer a choice of meals in the bar or a more formal affair served in the dining room and if you’re eating during the day, don’t forget to find a garden and a good view.

Bourton-On-The-Water. This is one of the most visited and well loved villages in the Cotswolds especially with young families. The river runs though the centre and ducks swim along its route. For the youngsters there’s the Model Railway, Model Village, Dragonfly Maze, Birdland, and the Cotswold Motor Museum. With the perfume exhibition, tea shops and local pubs there is plenty to keep everyone happily occupied for many hours.

And Finally… don’t forget that for some things you need to be here at the right time, for example, The Rococo Gardens in snowdrop season, the National Hunt Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse (March), Badminton Horse Trials (May), Cheese Rolling at Coopers Hill (Spring Bank Holiday), Kemble Air show (June), Fairford Royal International Air Tattoo (July), Cheltenham Festival of Literature (October) and the Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum (November / December).

Author: Anna Phillips

Anna Phillips represents Jigsaw Holidays, specialists in supplying Cotswold Cottages and character properties as part of your Cotswold Holiday.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Phillips

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