Page 83 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

ENGLAND  81

y Stratford-upon- from Oxford University after
Avon academic and religious
disputes, they came here.
Warwickshire. * 22,000. £ @ n Student life dominates the
Bridge Foot (01789-264 293). ( Fri. city, but it is also a thriving
_ Shakespeare’s Birthday (late Apr).
market center serving a rich
Situated on the west bank agricultural region.
of the River Avon, Stratford- Cambridge University has
upon-Avon attracts hordes 31 colleges, the oldest being
of tourists eager to see Peterhouse (1284) and the
buildings connected with newest Robinson (1979). Many
William Shakespeare, born here of the older colleges have
in 1564. The town is also the peaceful gardens backing
provincial home of the Royal onto the River Cam, which are
Shakespeare Company, whose known as “Backs.” An enjoyable
perform ances are staged at the way to view these is to rent a The awe-inspiring choir of King’s College
Royal Shakespeare Theatre. punt (a long narrow boat Chapel, Cambridge
The High Street turns into propelled using a pole) from
Chapel Street, the site of New one of the boatyards along in term time, but today the
Place. Shakespeare died here in the river – with a “chauffeur,” choir also gives concerts all
1616, and it is now a herb if required. The layout of the over the world.
garden. The play- older colleges, as St. John’s College, whose
wright is buried at at Oxford, derives alumni include the Romantic
Holy Trinity Church. from their early poet William Wordsworth,
Bought for the nation connections with spans the Cam and boasts one
in 1847, Shakes- religious institutions, of the town’s most beautiful
peare’s Birthplace although few bridges. Known as the Bridge
was restored to its escaped heavy- of Sighs, it was named after its
Elizabethan style. It is handed alterations Venetian counterpart.
regarded by many as in the Victorian era. One of Britain’s oldest public
a shrine to the great Henry VI founded museums, the Fitzwilliam
man, who lived here King’s College in Museum has works of
for many years, and 1441. Work on the exceptional quality and rarity,
offers a fascinating Shakespeare monument at chapel – one of the especially antiquities, ceramics,
insight into his life. Holy Trinity Church, Stratford most important paintings, and manuscripts. These
Another Stratford examples of late- include paintings by Titian and
native, John Harvard, emigrated medieval English architecture – the 17th-century Dutch masters,
to America and in 1638 left his began five years later, and took an impressive collection of works
estate to a new college, later 90 years to complete. Henry by the French Impressionists, and
renamed Harvard University. himself decided that the building most of the important British
Harvard House displays should dominate the city and artists of the past 300 years.
family mementos. gave specific instructions about
No tour of Stratford would be its dimensions. He also stipulated E Fitzwilliam Museum
complete without a visit to Anne that a choir of six lay clerks and Trumpington St. Tel 01223-332 900.
Hathaway’s Cottage. Before her 16 boy choristers – educated at Open Tue–Sun & public hols.
marriage to Shakespeare, Anne the College school – should sing Closed Jan 1, Good Fri, Dec 24–26, 31.
lived here, 1.5 km (1 mile) from daily at services. This still happens & donation. 7 limited.
the town. Des pite fire damage,
the cottage is still impressive,
with some original 16th-
century furniture.

u Cambridge
Cambridgeshire. * 120,000. £ @
n Peas Hill (0871-226 8006). ( daily.
_ Folk Festival (July).
Cambridge has been an
important town since Roman
times, being located at the first
navigable point on the River
Cam. When, in 1209, a group of
religious scholars broke away Bridge of Sighs, St. John’s College, Cambridge University

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