Yesterday, on a return trip from London meetings, we detoured through Shakespeare’s Warwickshire!
This Shakespearean detour was a delightful reminder of history, literature, and the power of local stories. It left us wanting to explore the Bard’s world further and discover the captivating landscapes that fueled his genius.
Charlecote Park (National Trust)
Charlecote House
Legend paints a vivid picture of a young William Shakespeare caught poaching deer here. While the truth might be a bit hazy, the story sparks the imagination and hints at the fiery spirit that may have fueled some of his characters.
Billesley Manor (now an Hotel and Spa)
Billesley Manor: Spa and Hotel
Local tradition suggests this manor is where William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway.
Interestingly, Shakespeare’s granddaughter, Elizabeth Barnard, did marry here.
Adding another layer of intrigue, a specific room is said to be the birthplace of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy “As You Like It.” While this intriguing story appeared in Roy Palmer’s 1976 book “Folklore of Warwickshire,” the timeline doesn’t quite match up with the building’s construction date as it is genreally stated.
Coughton Court (National Trust)
Coughton Court Base Court; the manor is the gateway to the Forest of Arden
This stunning Tudor mansion, marks the entry point to the enchanting Forest of Arden.
Here, history and local traditions intertwine. An ancient marker stone, Coughton Cross, stands guard at the forest’s southwestern corner, marking the meeting point of an old Roman roads.
The Crumbling Wayside Cross, guardian of the Forest of Arden’s southwest corner, stands witness to centuries of prayers for safe passage through these legendary woods.
This landmark, now under the care of the National Trust, was once a place where weary travelers offered prayers for safe passage through these very woods.
These forest, stretching up to Shrewsbury, inspired the fantastical setting of “As You Like It”.
. @CharlecoteNT, yesterday.
By accounts Shakespeare was detained for poaching deer here as a young man. pic.twitter.com/v1jwfLU9Gi
— Soulton Hall (@SoultonHall) March 9, 2024
