The Stratford-upon-Avon Riverside Trail takes you from the Swan Theatre and Avonbank Gardens along past the chain ferry, Southern Lane, Waterside and The Other Place to Holy Trinity and from there on to Lucy’s Mill and Footbridge where you cross the Avon and walk back along the East Bank to Stratford Boat Club.
This is the second half of the Riverside Heritage Trail which is recommended to Stratford visitors and which starts in the Bancroft Gardens. The information given in the leaflet reminds us that following the arrival of the canal in 1816 this was a busy commercial area with two canal basins and numerous wharves dealing in coal, lime and timber.
It was only after 1933 that major landscaping works accompanied the rebuilding of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre – and that was accomplished with a huge international fundraising campaign. How radically different this whole area was in the 19th century and up until the end of the First World War.
I find it moving to reflect upon the fact that the name of William Shakespeare and all he means to millions of people, created the impetus to make that transformation possible, and to bring about the present Royal Shakespeare Theatre,
The riverside walk past the theatre and along to Shakespare’s church of Holy Trinity is enchantingly beautiful on a warm, drowsy morning or afternoon – as it was when I recently did the walk in March 2026.
The Stratford Riverside is a central location for my latest novel ‘Standing Ovation’ – perhaps because my novel has a fantasy element and the location and walk can be so dreamlike.
As I was passing The Other Place it seemed perfect to me that the poster for the current production proclaimed: All is But Fantasy!
And finally I recommend that you drop in to The Dirty Duck, on Waterside, just up the road from the Swan Theatre!
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About Me
Born and brought up in Orpington, Kent, Sheila lives in Warwick and writes mystery fiction and historical nonfiction under the pen-name SC Skillman. Her four nonfiction local history books ‘Paranormal Warwickshire’, ‘Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire’, ‘A-Z of Warwick’ and ‘Paranormal Gloucestershire’ are all published by Amberley and illustrated with original photographs, many taken by herself.
In her nonfiction books she focuses on real-life stories of ghosts and spirits, tales of haunted places, supernatural happenings and shadowy presences, and she investigates how these may relate to the history of a location. She also writes about folklore, intriguing people, curious customs and beliefs, ancient legends and mysterious events surrounding our towns and villages.
Alongside her nonfiction she is currently working on a new novel, and researching her next book for Amberley, ‘Paranormal Worcestershire’.
scskillman.com 