Proudly proclaiming the fact that it is "Europe's largest", the Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm affords a peaceful retreat away from all things Shakespearean. Hundreds of butterflies can be viewed at close quarters, many of the species sporting spectacular colors. For those interested in less attractive, more frightening creatures, other insect displays are available, including stick insects, leaf-eating ants and the world's largest spider.
Este es el parque ideal para toda la familia, ya que ofrece una gran variedad de servicios, que incluyen paseos en bote por el lago, juegos infantiles, canchas de tenis, invernaderos y reservas naturales. Aquí también se encuentra el Centro De Arte Midland. El lugar cuenta con sendas peatonales y bicisendas, y organiza una gran variedad de conciertos y un evento anual de fuegos artificiales llamado Fireworks Fantasia. La admisión al parque es gratuita.
Estos jardines finos abrieron sus puertas en 1832 y fueron diseñados por John Claudius Loudon, un importante paisajista y periodista hortícola. Los jardines brindan la oportunidad de ver una de las zonas verdes más bellas del mundo, junto con unos impresionantes invernaderos. Algunas atracciones además de plantas son un aviario cubierto, un restaurante con una vista fantástica de los jardines, un parque de juegos para niños, una tienda de regalos y plantas, y una galería que muestra obras de artistas locales.
El Centro Nacional de la Vida Marina es uno de los destinos turísticos más populares de la ciudad. Una de las cosas más emocionantes de este acuario es el túnel transparente de 360 grados, que le hacen sentir a los visitantes como si estuvieran en el medio del océano, mientras que tiburones y otras especies nadan a su alrededor. El lugar cuenta con 55 exposiciones en total, como por ejemplo 'El Reino del Caballito del Mar o 'Garras,' que consta de un cangrejo araña japonés gigante y otros crustáceos. Para averiguar sobre las entradas o para más información, comunicarse al +44 871 423 2110.
For those who like their leisure activities passive, this is an ideal spot to relax. Feeding the ducks at the water's edge is about as energetic as it gets! However, there are lots of things to see including the colorful narrow-boats moored in the canal-basin and the impromptu street-entertainers. And that is not all. On one side of the gardens is the splendid Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and on another is the truly inspirational Gower Memorial. The Gardens are also just a short walk from the town center, making them particularly popular with visitors recovering from whistle-stop tours of Stratford's heritage sites.
Originally the home of Shakespeare's parents-in-law, Anne Hathaway's Cottage is a charming, half-timbered, thatched-roof farmhouse. Inhabited by descendants of the Hathaway family until the 19th Century, the cottage still contains items of furniture that used to belong to them. Outside is a fantastic traditional English cottage garden complete with an orchard. Take a stroll through this idyllic setting, perhaps stopping to buy plants and herbs grown by the property's gardeners en route. The Tea Garden provides light refreshments and is open from March to October. Note too that Guide Friday Tours stop at the cottage.
For those who like their leisure activities passive, this is an ideal spot to relax. Feeding the ducks at the water's edge is about as energetic as it gets! However, there are lots of things to see including the colorful narrow-boats moored in the canal-basin and the impromptu street-entertainers. And that is not all. On one side of the gardens is the splendid Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and on another is the truly inspirational Gower Memorial. The Gardens are also just a short walk from the town center, making them particularly popular with visitors recovering from whistle-stop tours of Stratford's heritage sites.
As 200-year-old feats of engineering and unique combinations of industrial heritage and wildlife havens, canals provide us with some fascinating walks. The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal is no exception. From its basin in the Bancroft Gardens, the canal extends for 26 miles before it meets the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. The canal boasts many features of architectural interest, including over 40 listed structures and buildings ranging from aqueducts and locks—of which there are 56 in all—to the British Waterways' office and workshop at Lapworth. And, yes, even here Shakespeare is remembered. A bust of the Bard can be seen on the portal of the Brandwood Tunnel—even though this tunnel is actually much closer to Birmingham than to Stratford-upon-Avon!
Firs Gardens, a triangular-shaped garden, bound by Evesham Place and Grove Road, is named after Grove House that stood nearby. Despite the hum of passing traffic, Firs Gardens retains an air of peace and tranquility. What is more, as they are a little way away from the town center, they are rarely crowded. If you find yourself meandering here, look out for the rose bed which is dedicated to the memory of the "Red Beret" airborne divisions.
Proudly proclaiming the fact that it is "Europe's largest", the Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm affords a peaceful retreat away from all things Shakespearean. Hundreds of butterflies can be viewed at close quarters, many of the species sporting spectacular colors. For those interested in less attractive, more frightening creatures, other insect displays are available, including stick insects, leaf-eating ants and the world's largest spider.
The Welcombe Hills is a delightful area. Not far from Stratford-upon-Avon town center, it is best approached on foot from the parking area in Ingon Lane just off the Warwick Road. From here it takes about ten minutes to reach the obelisk (erected in the 1870s in memory of a former owner of the Welcombe estate) where you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The hills cover about 72 acres of land, providing habitat for an abundance of flora and fauna. Picnic tables and a viewing point have been provided for the additional enjoyment of visitors. Although not visible from here, the road that now forms the driveway to the Menzies Welcombe Hotel & Golf Course was once a track used by the Romans for transporting salt across the Welcombe Hills. A further point of local historical interest is that Shakespeare once purchased a share in the local tithes here, and was subsequently involved in a dispute concerning the enclosure of common land.
Originally the home of Shakespeare's parents-in-law, Anne Hathaway's Cottage is a charming, half-timbered, thatched-roof farmhouse. Inhabited by descendants of the Hathaway family until the 19th Century, the cottage still contains items of furniture that used to belong to them. Outside is a fantastic traditional English cottage garden complete with an orchard. Take a stroll through this idyllic setting, perhaps stopping to buy plants and herbs grown by the property's gardeners en route. The Tea Garden provides light refreshments and is open from March to October. Note too that Guide Friday Tours stop at the cottage.