I would see a play at the The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, maybe visit Shakespeare’s birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s cottage, then I would head out of town. I was in Stratford-upon-Avon in March of 2002 and it was like Woodstock there ( the American one – not the British one, lol) The traffic was horrible. The town was not built for that kind of traffic. There were too many Americans there. ;) However, right below Stratford-upon-Avon is the Cotswold’s, which I think is easily one of the best areas of England. I like it more than the famed “Lake District”. The Cotswolds is my kinda place. Beautiful, bucolic, country towns filled with stone houses. Streams running through the pastures that run right up to the towns. Wow! Here are some of my favorite villages: Lower Slaughter , Upper Slaughter, Stow on the Wold . Bourton on the Water , Broadway As far as eating... Whatever pub the locals recommend, I do not remember anyplace extraordinary. Spend one of your nights in Broadway. There is an inexpensive B&B right on the square. Nice shops in that town too. Before your trip, read "Will in the World" by Stephen Greenblatt, A marvelous "biography" of sorts of William Shakespeare. Greenblatt has taught at University of California, Berkeley and Harvard University.) This book would be a good primer for your trip to Shakespeare country. Some links: http://www.cotswolds.info/places/stratford-upon-avon.shtml http://www.cotswolds.info/ http://www.reviewsofbooks.com/will_in_the_world/

Nevets, I am so sorry, I have not had the chance to go to England. I saw a lot of websites, but I know you're already pretty savvy with that. I am going to Scotland in the spring. Hope you have a fabulous trip.