Context brings the brightest minds to your living room with perspective-shifting online lectures.

William Shakespeare's Hometown: Exploring Stratford-upon-Avon with Don Brown

William Shakespeare's Hometown: Exploring Stratford-upon-Avon with Don Brown


No events are scheduled at this time. Want to be notified when it’s back? Click the blue button to the right and we’ll notify you.

Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Join us for this virtual 'tour' of the birthplace, and the last resting place, of the world's most famous poet and playwright–William Shakespeare. Stratford-upon-Avon is a beautiful market town in England that still contains many buildings that would have been familiar to the Bard–therefore many of them preserved and restored. 

Together we will look at the house he was born in, where he went to school, the house he bought as a rich man, and the church where he is buried. Along the way, we will discover more about the life and times of the 'Swan of Avon', about his parents, wife, and children. The Shakespeare family is a key reason why more than 100,000 travelers choose to visit Stratford upon Avon each year. 

Led by Blue Badge Guide Don Brown, who frequently takes visitors to Stratford-Upon-Avon, this Conversation will give insights into the early life of William Shakespeare, and of the influences on his later career. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away knowing much more about this memorable town and its most famous son.

Don Brown is a London Blue Badge Guide, the Director of the London Society and a graduate of Oxford University. He previously worked in publishing, for publications as diverse as History Today, The Spectator and The Guardian. His interests and specialisms encompass history - from the Romans to the present day, politics, WW2, and ‘60s and ‘70s popular music, and as director of the London Society he has a professional interest in architecture (contemporary and historical), planning and urbanism.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 5 reviews
80%
(4)
0%
(0)
20%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
G
G.T. (Indianapolis, US)
Superb Orientation for Visiting Stratford

Don did an excellent job of showing us the location and pictures of the most significant locations that we might want to see on a trip to Stratford. He also gave us lots of background information about what was and was not known about Shakespeare and his life events.

T
T. (Toronto, CA)
Informative, well-organized talk

Don Brown knows his stuff. Gave enough detail, and did not stray from his topic. Ample time for Q&A

M
M.R. (Amesbury, US)
Will Shakespeare, Hometown Boy

Excellent conversation! I really liked that Don Brown kept equal focus on the town and its treasures as on its most famous citizen. Great Q&A session. I learned a lot and want to go back to Strateford-upon-Avon at first chance!

S
Sandra S -- Boston (Saugus, US)
Excellent Tour through Stratford-upon-Avon and Highlights of Shakespeare's Life/Legacy

I thoroughly enjoyed this seminar by Don Brown. It brought back memories of visiting Stratford-upon-Avon in 1978 and 1990. His background information was so interesting and the descriptions of the family enlightening. The photos and maps helped in the virtual visit. I always love the history and Don always includes such descriptions. This was a great way to revisit and reminisce and learn more!

C
Carolyn Henly (Maidens, US)

Guest did not leave comment

Customer Reviews

Based on 5 reviews
80%
(4)
0%
(0)
20%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
G
G.T. (Indianapolis, US)
Superb Orientation for Visiting Stratford

Don did an excellent job of showing us the location and pictures of the most significant locations that we might want to see on a trip to Stratford. He also gave us lots of background information about what was and was not known about Shakespeare and his life events.

T
T. (Toronto, CA)
Informative, well-organized talk

Don Brown knows his stuff. Gave enough detail, and did not stray from his topic. Ample time for Q&A

M
M.R. (Amesbury, US)
Will Shakespeare, Hometown Boy

Excellent conversation! I really liked that Don Brown kept equal focus on the town and its treasures as on its most famous citizen. Great Q&A session. I learned a lot and want to go back to Strateford-upon-Avon at first chance!

S
Sandra S -- Boston (Saugus, US)
Excellent Tour through Stratford-upon-Avon and Highlights of Shakespeare's Life/Legacy

I thoroughly enjoyed this seminar by Don Brown. It brought back memories of visiting Stratford-upon-Avon in 1978 and 1990. His background information was so interesting and the descriptions of the family enlightening. The photos and maps helped in the virtual visit. I always love the history and Don always includes such descriptions. This was a great way to revisit and reminisce and learn more!

C
Carolyn Henly (Maidens, US)

Guest did not leave comment