My husband and I and two teenage daughters will be in England in March. We plan to spend two nights in the Cotswolds...is it worth taking the time to visit Straford-on-Avon or is it too commercial and touristy?

Definately worth visiting. My suggestion is to take the bus tour first. You can hop on or off at many stops, the ticket is valid all day. We went all the way round once then decided where to return to. <BR> <BR>It is very touristy but should be relatively quiet in March.

Stratford has known it has a gold mine in fans of Shakespeare for over 350 years, so it should be no surprise that it's a bit over commercialized. However, *IF* being in places associated with notable people is meaningful to you and *IF* Shakespeare is one of those people, then Stratford is a must. You'll have to separate "He might have been here" from "He was here", and look past the commercialization, but it can be done.

CAROL,WITH ONLY TWO DAYS IN THE AREA I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND S-ON-A.WE FOUND LITTLE OF INTEREST AND IT IS VERY TOURISTY.COTSWOLD AREA IS LOADED WITH BETTER SIGHTS.

Carol, <BR>I spent a weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon and really enjoyed myself. Yes, it's commercialized and touristy, but it's still worth the trip. I would highly recommend staying at least one day and night and seeing a Shakespeare play at the Swan Theatre. I saw a brilliant Romeo & Juliette performed there. <BR>

My wife and I and two teenage daughters were there last summer. Here is what we found. <BR> <BR>Touristy and commercial: no doubt. We went there with that expectation, no disappointment in this respect (sad...) <BR> <BR>Shakespeare properties: we used 5 properties in one tickets. Since we did not stay at other Cotswold towns, this was the only time we got to see a thatched roof house from inside. At some properties we got to hear etymologies of some English cliches. Girls enjoyed these (ok for one time.) <BR> <BR>Plays: We did not go to the Globe, but to the Royal Shakespeare Company theatre there. Our otherwise "I am bored" girls enjoyed the play. Perhaps because they had to read a Shakespeare play in their English classes. As Kate said, it was a superb production. <BR> <BR>The girls enjoyed listening to the accents of the local people there (different from London.) Since we did not see the 4th bed in our room when checked in, I confirmed at the front desk to make sure there would be a "cot" by evening. The front receptionist said "Oh, you goata a bybie (got a baby)!" A cot is a crib there.

<BR>I visited S-O-A last Sept 98. Quite overated. Visit for a couple of hours. <BR>Leave the cotswolds, drive to Warwick Castle in the am, and then visit S-0-A in the afternoon. <BR>You actually walk through shopping areas to reach Will's birthplace. <BR>Very commercial.

Carol, <BR>Please let us know what you ended up doing and whether you thought it was worth it when you return. With all ends of the spectrum represented in this topic (from definitely yes to definitely no), I'll be curious to get your reaction (and let us know what the husband and children thought too). Have a wonderful trip.

My husband and I were in Stratford-on-Avon last June, very commercial. We had lunch at the Black Swan/Dirty Duck. Just having lunch there was worth the crowds and shops. Sitting outside under a three hundred year tree with a stout and their delicous pat'e, watching punts on the thames.Great fun. Good shopping also.

Touristy - you bet. However, my husband and I had dumb luck there. We arrived around 5PM after visiting Bath (do it!!!) when all of the day tour buses were leaving. We found a lovely B & B, had dinner at a wonderful pub called the Roast Inn, walked around and saw the sites, and felt like we had the town to ourselves. The next morning we got up and hiked to Anne Hathaway's cottage, and got there just as it opened. Again, we left as the buses were arriving. We got back to town, did a little shopping and high tailed it out of there. When quiet, it was a pretty little town with friendly people. <BR>

My daughter and I were in London in April of last year and did a day tour. We both enjoyed the day there. We both we love to go back and stay a couple of days. I think the weather will also have an important role in planning. We had alot of rain in April and flooding in certain areas of the Cotswolds. The scenery was just beautiful. I suggest seeing......

Lots of contraversial thoughts on Stratford? Yes, it is commercial, but what town/city isnt these days. York, Bath, Edinburgh and of course London are all highly commercialised, but it really depends what you are looking for - I live in the area and I'm not a native Brit, but I think Stratford, Warwick and Leamington Spa are quite the nicest towns to roam. If only tourist would take time OFF and go OFF the beateb track, you'll see a whole new England - don't stay in the towns, if you have a car - visit the lovely B&B's outside the towns, they are less expensive and far less commercial!!!!