“Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people” (Henry VIII, Act 1 Scene 4)

That’s what greeted Claire from Sales when she arrived in Stratford-upon-Avon for the Steve Reed Tourism Group Travel Marketplace at the weekend. Staying at the elegant and sophisticated 45 bedroom boutique Arden Hotel directly opposite the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company Theatres. She decided to follow in Shakespeare’s footsteps before the evening reception. Starting off from the Waterside, is the RSC Theatre combining old and new architecture and where many an actor treads the boards. Bridge Street is the place to shop while Henley Street houses Shakespeare’s Birthplace. A walk along the River Avon is beautiful, for those only wishing to do a gentle walk you can take the ‘Its shorter by water’ ferry across the river. Continuing her stroll to Holy Trinity Church, unfortunately too late to visit inside due to evening service, she finally arrived back at the hotel ready for dinner.

Meeting new and old Group Organisers and Coach Operators as well as other exhibitor’s for a delightful 3 course meal, it was a case of good company, good wine and a good welcome.

With the Group Travel Marketplace being held in the RSC’s brand new attraction ‘The Other Place’ a mere 2 minute walk from the hotel, our stand was set up to enable Claire to visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace Museum. Greeted by a very warm welcome from Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, a quick tour began from a very informative guide ending with a sonnet. The tour continued back to the ‘The Other Place’ where Harvard House, Nash’s House, New Place and Hall’s Croft where all seen with interesting facts given on each house.

The Other Place only opened on Monday and its first visitors were the Group Travel Marketplace, a former tin shed, it now houses a 200-seat flexible studio theatre hosting festivals and performances throughout the year, is also a new home for the RSC Costume Hire, making 30,000 costumes readily available to the public, film companies, amateur theatre makers and schools.

The event was a great success with much needed refreshments and lunch enjoyed by all, with details from the trust given out on what 2016 and beyond awaits visitors to the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon.

Claire continued her exploring with a visit to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Mary Arden’s Tudor Farm and can now say: “ I will tell you the beginning, and, if it please….you may see the end”.

View from the River Avon of Hotel Arden and RSC Theatre

The Other Place