Happy days, expensive nights: Stratford canal tours

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]tratford Upon Avon, the famous birthplace of William Shakespeare, is only a half-hour drive away from campus and is also easily reachable by bus, making it perfect for a little trip out. However, I am not going to give you the usual spiel about visiting Shakespeare’s House or going on a theatre trip, the latter of which is definitely not cheaper than a night out. Instead I want to promote the pretty canal tours one can take along the Stratford Upon Avon canal which runs through the town and is 26 miles long. Not only are short canal tours inexpensive but they are also picturesque and perfect for a quiet, relaxing activity to get away from the stress of essays and deadlines.

I recently went on a canal tour and was very impressed with the whole experience. In winter I would have expected most boat trips to stop due to weather conditions but this was not the case; Canal & River Tours of Stratford were still running and only charged students £5. The boat, the Jennifer May, was very modern and boasted large glass windows so that you could clearly see everything you were passing. It was also comfortable, warm and was refreshingly not full to the brim with loud passengers.

The trip started at the Stratford Canal Basin and travelled down the river, doing a loop before returning to the start destination. There was an informative, amusing audio track playing during the trip which highlighted key points about the sights we were passing, such as the Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare was not only baptised but also buried. I found it very interesting that he actually paid £440 so that he could be buried in the chancel of the church. What spurred him on? Shakespeare was worried that his body would not be laid to rest in peace and would be dug up, as sometimes happened when graveyards became full. Referencing his worries, his tombstone includes the words:

cursed be he that moves my bones

At 45 minutes long the tour avoids becoming repetitive, boring or tiring and it is an absolute bargain for only £5. The first tour departs at 11am and they run at hourly intervals. If you are doubtful due to weather conditions, the company responds quickly to email queries. Visit the website for more information: http://www.canalandrivertours.com/