48 HOURS IN… STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
Jodie Shepherd takes to the road
GETTING THERE
The Dacia Duster is bold, simple and efficient. As my fiancé, Mark, took the wheel and adjusted his arm rest (an unexpected feature), I slid into the passenger’s seat to enjoy the ease of connecting our Spotify playlist and the comfort of the generous interior. A huge selling point of the Duster is its amazing value for money. The interior has been reworked from the previous, more basic model, and now has a different dashboard layout and new technology including built-in satnav, which made our drive to Stratford-upon-avon a breeze. The Duster also offers cruise control and an Eco mode for stop-start traffic. A comfortable, smooth and enjoyable ride.
WHERE TO STAY
The Macdonald Alveston Manor Hotel is a short walk from Stratford town centre and pays homage to the area’s rich Tudor history, with mullioned windows, ornate wood carvings and impressive stone fireplaces. The timber-framed building is surrounded by peaceful grounds, said to have held the first ever performance of
A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Rustic beams adorn the ceiling of our spacious room. We book in to the spa for a salt scrub and massage when we arrive: the relaxing scents of the Elemis oils make settling in effortless.
IN A DACIA DUSTER MUST-VISIT
Stratford-upon-avon is a market town and the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Markets are held throughout the week and the cottage where Shakespeare was born is well preserved. Treasure-trove antique shops are dotted among the gift stores, and the vast area of parkland flanking the River Avon buzzes with activity. On Saturday afternoon, we sit on the grass to watch a student production of The Two Gentlemen Of Verona. You can hire rowing boats or punts, or enjoy the panoramic views from the Ferris wheel.
FOOD AND DRINK
The hotel offers a delicious fine dining experience, including slow-roasted pork belly with confit potato, and mushroom and tomato moussaka. We spend another evening at a cosy table for two in The Vintner in Stratford, a gorgeous cafe and bar where Shakespeare himself is said to have bought his wine. We enjoy the salmon fishcakes with dauphinoise potatoes, and chicken roasted in lime butter with mango. Back at the hotel, we end our evening with a drink in the wood-panelled Blue Lounge. Stay at Macdonald Alveston Manor Hotel from £87 a night, room only (macdonaldhotels.co.uk)
THE CAR… DACIA DUSTER A few of our favourite things… price £10,995; max speed 124mph; 0-62mph: 10.4 seconds; blind spot warning; climate control; multi-view camera and all-round vision. The Dacia Duster recently received a Good Housekeeping Reader Recommended accolade. Visit dacia.co.uk