Discount Hotels Stratford-upon-Avon
Historical interest: Stratford-upon-Avon
    
Strat-ford was the Saxon name given to this area where the Avon was best forded.
This area was dependent on Worcester Cathedral and part of the Saxon kingdom
of Hwicce, later to become part of the more powerful Kingdom of Mercia.
A proper market town developed at the end of the 12th Century when the clearing
of the Forest of Arden increased agriculture in the area, remains of this can
be found in the old town which was eventually superceded by a newer town (present
location).
Significant status was afforded the town by the 14th century as it became a
centre for regional trade. The New settlement, which up to this time was at
constant rivalry with the old town, came out tops following the Black Death
in the mid- 14th century.
A difficult period followed, punctuated by the birth of a man who would eventually
bring great esteem to the town, William Shakespeare. Born in 1564 he was married
by the age of 18 but soon fled to London to become an actor and eventually England's
most celebrated writer. Only in his latter years did he return to Stratford,
as a wealthy man. Meanwhile the plague claimed a tenth of the population and
series of fires levelled much of the town centre in 1594, 1595, 1612 and 1614.
There was also a collapse in the wool trade. One notable family to emerge at
this time was the Harvards, whose son emigrated to New England and was responsible
for setting up Harvard University.
During the Civil War Parliamentary soldiers occupied Stratford-upon-Avon. There
was a temporary economic recovery in the second half of the 17th century. The
next significant boost was the organising of a three-day celebration of Shakespeare,
acknowledging the town's most brilliant son. However, only with the arrival
of the railway in the 19th Century did the town really begin capitalizing on
his legacy.
The Town Hall, originally known as Shakespeare Hall, was constructed in 1767.
Around it Victorian improvements steadily grew, preserving the historic sites
associated with Shakespeare and others.
Only in the 20th century has the town really seen an influx of visitors, curious
to seek out the early years of Britain's most famous bard. The Royal Shakespeare
theatre was added, but otherwise the town and river banks remain much the same.
Tourism has now become the chief economy of the Stratford upon Avon.
Selection of hotels in this region:
The Welcombe Hotel & Golf Course | | Macdonald Hotels, The Alveston Manor | | Falcon Hotel | | Billesley Manor Hotel | | Macdonald Hotels, The Shakespeare | | Stratford Manor | | Stratford Moat House | | Stratford Victoria Hotel | | Macdonald Hotels, The Swan's Nest | | Charlecote Pheasant Hotel | | Grosvenor Hotel | | Salford Hall Hotel | | Ettington Park Hotel | |
Click below for a
full list of hotels and online booking
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