Bus Tour to Warwick Castle, Shakespear's birthplace, scenic drive through Cotwolds and Oxford

Tuesday 28th May 2019 

Early start today to get to Victoria Coach Station by 8am. As we are still adjusting to the new time zone it is easy to get out of bed, shower, dress, have breakfast and catch a taxi to meet our coach for the tour.  The only dilemma is what to wear!. 

We booked with Evan and Evans Tours and needed to be there by 8am for a 8.30am departure. By the time to bus left there were 6 passengers who had not arrived. That is always a concern for us when travelling in a strange country. 

Warwick Castle was the first stop after an hour and half drive.  It started to rain just as Paul and I were about to enter the drawbridge, so out came the umbrellas for the short walk to the main castle. The castle had been bought by the company which owned Madam Trussuo's and millions of pounds has been spent to repair and make the castle an ideal tourist attraction. It has been voted the most preserved Medieval Castle in the world.

Paul and I originally started to walk through together but in the end we went our own way, meeting up again on the bus.  One stage I was climbing up some stairs when Paul was walking down! Hello!.  

                                   Paul with Guy's Tower behind at Warwick Castle.

                                      Umbrellas up, in the front of Warwick Castle

                                      In the Great Hall in front of original armour.

                  Wax models of King Henry V111 and other royal members.

King George

Dining room.

A short drive from Warwick Castle found us at Shakespear's birthplace in Stratford-on-Avon. We had a tour around the house an garden. Whilst in the garden we heard actors quoting some of Shakespear's work from various plays. 

Afterwards we had enough free time to pick up a bit the eat and wander through this historic township. 

Rear garden of where Shakespear grew up.

Alongside a bust of William Shakespear inside the house.

Quaint half timbered houses.

I couldn't resist this gargoyle on the Guild Chapel. It even has a pimple on its tongue.

The front of Shakespear's birth house.

After a drive through some of the Cotswalds we arrived at Oxford to walk around some of the university buildings. I had been concerned with Paul's endurance to walk around with the group, however he managed very well but I must admit he slept well that night.

A church in the Cotswalds built using the local stone.

A style at the enterance to the church where bodies of dead people would be kept for a few days before burial. (just in case they were still alive!)

Martyrs Memorial in Oxford for the deaths of Catholics who did not convert to the Church of England faith.

Radcliff Science Library on left with University Church of St Mary the Virgin.

Paul out the front of gates of one of many colleges in Oxford.

Bridge of Sighes connecting to buildings of one of the Colleges.

Bodlelan Library.