Anne Hathaway's Cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon--July 14, 2010

On our group's day trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, a classmate and I chose to visit Anne Hathaway's Cottage, operated by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

This is the house in which Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway, grew up. It was owned and inhabited by descendants of the Hathaway family until it was purchased by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in 1892.

The house is well-maintained and the garden is beautiful. It gives a good sense of what Shakespeare might have seen on a daily basis during his formative years. According to the displays in the museum, his plays are full of allusions to the local flora and fauna.

The gardens were very restful and provided a nice break from the fast pace of London.

One of the gardens features the trees mentioned in Shakespeare's plays and poetry.