The Parish Church, of Early English and Perpendicular architecture, is a fine cruciform building standing on the site of an early Saxon monastery. In Edward III.'s reign John de Stratford rebuilt the south aisle and erected a chantry for priests. In 1351 Ralph de Stratford built a chapel for the latter, now known as the College. The beautiful choir dates from the time of Dean Balshall (1465). Shakespeare's monument is on the left side of the chancel; the door there formerly led to the charnel-house, and the grave is near the monument under a flat stone, upon which is the oft-quoted verse said to have been written by Shakespeare. Between this spot and the north wall is buried his widow, who died in 1623, while those of relatives lie near, such as Susannah, the eldest daughter, and her husband, Dr. Hall, and Thomas Nashe, who married Shakespeare's only granddaughter. (Admission to the church 6d.)
Anne Hathaway's Cottage is at Shottery, a mile west of Stratford, divided since the poet's time into three tenements. The room where Anne was born is shown.
Charlecote Park lies about four miles north-east of Stratford. It is famous for its hall, erected in 1547 by Sir Thomas Lucy upon the capital E plan, and was visited by Queen Elizabeth. Here also is the reputed site of Shakespeare's deer-shooting escapades.
The main road to Warwick lies through a beautifully-wooded country, rich in pleasant views of hill and dale. Clopton Tower is on the left shortly after leaving.
The tower of Barford Church can be seen two miles off to the right of the main road; it was rebuilt in the last century, except the tower, which retains the marks of Cromwellian cannon-balls.
Sherbourne is near at hand. The church is modern, and of fine design.
Town Plan No. 13—Warwick.
WARWICK