En route to Shakespeare’s Birthplace -- our adventure officially begins!

The journey to Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford began on a stressful and chaotic note for team ProjectExplorer. In England, they drive on the opposite side of the road, so the journey was a challenge to say the least. But, we made it!

Shakespeare’s Birthplace is located on Henley Street, in the middle of Stratford-upon-Avon. Born in April of 1564, William Shakespeare would have spent his childhood here. It has been furnished so visitor’s can get a sense of how it may have appeared in the 1570s.

Today, the house is oddly situated among modern shops and restaurants. The home was large for the time period and even by today’s standards would still be considered of good size -- especially if you are accustomed to tiny NYC apartments as I am! The house held his father’s workshop and would have housed several apprentices.

I found his father’s workshop most interesting. Here, I was able to see different items that would have been made and sold during Shakespeare’s day. Also serving as the shop from which these leather goods were sold, it was easy to imagine this would have been a bustling household.

Fun Fact for today: Our guide Sallie demonstrated where the saying “Good Night, Sleep Tight” comes from. I love finding out about things that connect the past to the present and “Good Night, Sleep Tight” is the perfect example. I won’t spoil it for you -- just watch the video!

Enhance your Shakespearean knowledge: Learn about Christopher Marlowe another great writer born the same year as Shakespeare.

Follow in Shakespeare& footsteps: Visit the Holy Trinity Church.

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