Shakespeare, on Flowers

I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine:
There sleeps Titania sometime of the night,
Lull'd in these flowers with dances and delight.

When daisies pied and violets blue

And lady-smocks all silver-white

And cuckoo-buds of yellow hue

Do paint the meadows with delight,

The cuckoo then, on every tree,

Mocks married men; for thus sings he,

Cuckoo; Cuckoo, cuckoo: O, word of fear,

Unpleasing to a married ear!

Shakespeare, on Love

When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew...

Journeys end in lovers meeting.

If music be the food of love, play on...

My bounty is as deep as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.

Ways to buy tickets

Coventry Cathedral. On 14 November 1940 the city of Coventry was devastated by Luftwaffe bombs, and one of Britain’s most beautiful cathedrals was destroyed. But as an amazing gesture of reconciliation, the very next day a new cathedral was projected, with the themes of peace, hope and forgiveness.

Amongst the ashes of the old cathedral were two pieces of wood which formed a cross, and these were placed on the old altar with the words Father Forgive inscribed nearby. The new cathedral was consecrated on 25 May 1962, in her presence of Her Majest the Queen. Now the ancient, ruined cathedral and the new building stand impressively side by side.

Stratford-on-Avon is the town in Warwickshire where William Shakespeare was born, where he lived, and where he died.

There are many interesting sights for visitors, including Shakespeare’s birthplace (16th Century), the remains of his house, New Place, and the lovely Church of the Holy Trinity where he is buried. The gentle River Avon runs past the Shakespeare Theatre, and the Kennet and Avon canal starts here. His wife, Anne Hathaway’s cottage, is nearby.

In the busy shopping areas there are numerous typical English tearooms offering delicious Afternoon Tea, which is accompanied by traditional scones or teacakes, clotted cream and strawberry jam.

Saturday 13 March 2010 Stratford-on-Avon and Coventry Cathedral, by coach