A return to the canal and more from the River Avon
The “Big Wheel” at the entrance to the Recreation Ground that runs beautifully parallel to both the River Avon and the canal of Shakespeare’s Stratford, in the beating heart of central England, 9th August 2022 (Author’s Collection).
With Parts 1 and 2 focusing on an immediate welcome to beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon as well as a special on the final resting place of William Shakespeare inside the magnificent Holy Trinity Church, we return for a special continuation of my walk around the “basin” of the canal and central hive of tourist activity before crossing back into the Recreation Ground for a beautiful riverside stroll in the sun.
32 images follow, all captured by me on a late morning which has now stretched into an even sunnier early afternoon of Tuesday 9th August 2022.
I sincerely hope you continue to enjoy this sunny stroll through “Shakespeare Country”.
Welcome to the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal!
England’s “second city” of Birmingham is your closest port of call via 56 canal Locks, a mere 30 miles but a hefty 23 hours of travelling via canal boat.
View from in between the “River Lock” that separates the canal from the river Avon.
View through “River Lock” and across the river to the hugely popular Recreation Ground dominated by the “Big Wheel”.
View from the edge of “River Lock” into the heart of the beautiful canal “basin”.
A perfect day for an ice cream.
View from Bridge Number 69 or “Bridgefoot” with the “Big Wheel” and Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) building dominating a beautiful skyline.
(1) Two further images from the canal that sum up my beautiful day in Stratford.
(2) Two further images from the canal that sum up my beautiful day in Stratford.
(1) (HAMLET) The Gower Memorial features in Part 1 of this mini-series however these images are entirely different, from a slightly later part of the day and in keeping with the walkthrough theme of these articles.
(2) (LADY MACBETH) The Gower Memorial features in Part 1 of this mini-series however these images are entirely different, from a slightly later part of the day and in keeping with the walkthrough theme of these articles.
(3) (FALSTAFF) The Gower Memorial features in Part 1 of this mini-series however these images are entirely different, from a slightly later part of the day and in keeping with the walkthrough theme of these articles.
(4) (PRINCE HAL) The Gower Memorial features in Part 1 of this mini-series however these images are entirely different, from a slightly later part of the day and in keeping with the walkthrough theme of these articles.
A final view from the bridge above “River Lock” as we bid farewell to the canal and head for the river Avon.
A final view through “River Lock” and the busy River Avon straight ahead.
(1) Two final views from the canal side overlooking the river Avon.
(2) Two final views from the canal side overlooking the river Avon.
View from the footbridge that perfectly encapsulates the walk ahead as we head toward the burnt yellow grass of the Recreation Ground and a closer walk along that side of the river and via some beautiful images, we get to see the Holy Trinity Church from a much closer and far more beautiful distance.
With a mixture of old time and contemporary, this saxophonist was damn good.
A final image from the footbridge and a favourite image amongst many from today.
A final image from the footbridge and the marina here in Stratford.
And a final close up image of the “Big Wheel” as we turn 180 degrees to head toward the river.
Please say hello to “Sundowner” and appropriately the sun terrace of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).
(1) Two further riverside views of the Royal Shakespeare Company and it’s overhanging position beside the River Avon.
(2) Two further riverside views of the Royal Shakespeare Company and it’s overhanging position beside the River Avon.
I couldn’t resist including this as (a) what a location next to the river and (b) This is so quintessentially English!
With the spire of the Holy Trinity Church in view, this is the first of five quite exquisite images with which to conclude this particular article.
(1) Two of my favourite images of the entire day. With the addition of the sun umbrella it’s reminiscent of images seen from a century ago or more, and perhaps that’s appropriate (or my romantic mind!)
(2) Two of my favourite images of the entire day. With the addition of the sun umbrella it’s reminiscent of images seen from a century ago or more, and perhaps that’s appropriate (or my romantic mind!)
It really was this kind of beautiful day of simply wandering around Stratford in the sunshine. Bliss.
Coming Soon from Part 4 is a bumper crop of marvellous images juxtaposing the Holy Trinity Church on the far side of the river with the human joy playing out just beneath (there are some beautiful pictures to come!) as well as a continuation of my walk along the river to a unique canal “Lock” and a loop back along the river toward the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) building. Coming Soon!
Your humble narrator at “The Boat Inn” in beautiful Gnosall and beside the Shropshire Union Canal, end of July 2022.
Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this edition then please do return when the further and overly indulgent number of articles follow! It was a precious day to me of making memories that I’ll cherish for a long time to come.
In the meantime, please see these links to my three most recently published articles from my Summer travel series so far:
