We've picked this charming tourist hotspot to be our top contender for the first ever UK Town of Culture.
There is no other place in the country that oozes just as much beauty as it does culture than this small but mighty town.
Situated in Warwickshire, Stratford-upon-Avon boasts a population of 30,495, according to the latest census.
However, when you think of Stratford-upon-Avon, you don’t think of the residents of today, you think of just one!
The town is synonymous with William Shakespeare (1564-1616), arguably the UK’s most famous and well-respected playwright, and whose works has inspired millions of people through the centuries.
There is no doubt that this town punches well above its weight in terms of its cultural contributions to not only the UK, but also the rest of the world and it is consistently ranked as one of the most visited towns in the West Midlands.
More than 2.5 million people visit this historic town a year, due to its rich literary heritage, and the town is packed with top cultural such as the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Shakespeare’s quirky birthplace.
So, when the government launched its search for its UK town of culture last week, they shared that the purpose of this competition is to find towns that will drive the Government’s Plan for Change. So where else could inspire the rest of the UK, as much as Stratford-upon-Avon does?
There is no doubt that our top suggestion is the West Midlands town of Stratford-upon-Avon, mainly due to the fact that this town is soaked in a rich Tudor and Elizabethan heritage.
It is worth mentioning, aside from the town’s mighty literary tradition, it also offers a fantastic paradise for nature-lovers.
5. The Royal Shakespeare Company's theatre
Perhaps one of the best known live theatres in the UK. It is known as a location where actors perform the works of Shakespeare from 'Romeo and Juliet' to 'Othello'. | Getty Images
6. Stratford Butterfly Farm
In the West Midlands, sits the UK’s largest tropical butterfly paradise, open every day but Christmas. However, the last entry is around 3:30 PM, and visits last for around 60-90 minutes. Stratford’s Butterfly Farm is located in the small town of Stratford- upon - Avon, which is also Shakespeare's birthplace and features hundreds of the world’s most beautiful butterflies in scenic environments. In the summer, the farm also holds a Wild Flower Garden, where you can discover various species of plants. | Stratford Butterfly Farm