A GRAND DAY OUT...

Shakespeare’s birthday

JOIN in with the festivities as Stratford-upon-Avon marks Shakespeare’s 455th birthday.

The celebrations, organised by Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust and held in the town where the playwright was born and died, begin at 10.30am on Saturday with a parade down Henley Street, where he lived.

The afternoon will be filled with a series of traditional and contemporary dances as well as actors from Shakespeare Aloud! performing the best fight scenes from his plays.

Face painting, garden games and a barbecue are all on offer at Hall’s Croft garden (Shakespeare’s daughter’s house, pictured) for the annual Knights and Nymphs Children’s party.

And for residents of the town, entrance to all five Shakespeare family homes and a slice of birthday cake is free for the weekend.

DON’T MISS: The birthday lecture on April 26 at 4pm. The speaker is Professor Jerzy Limon OBE, founder of the Gdansk Shakespeare Theatre. Tickets cost £10.

DETAILS: The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is an independent charity that cares for his heritage in Stratford-upon-Avon. The Henley Street parade and children’s party are free. More information at shakespeare.org.uk