Arts & Culture

About St. George’s Day and Shakespeare’s Birthday

“Follow your spirit, and upon this charge Cry ‘God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'” (William Shakespeare. Henry V Play. Act III)

23rd April is a very special day as not only is it St George’s Day, which is well known for the story of Saint George slaying the dragon, but it is also the Birthday of the world-famous William Shakespeare.

St. George’s Day is celebrated worldwide and is also known as the feast day of Saint George, and it is also a National Day for England. Edward III put his Order of the Garter under the banner of St. George, England’s foremost order of knighthood.

Edward IV and Henry VII built St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle to honour him. You can visit Windsor Castle on our great tour to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath.

William Shakespeare, best known for his plays Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet, was born today in 1564 in Stratford-Upon-Avon at his house, which you can visit on our popular Warwick Castle, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Oxford & the Cotswolds tour. This is also where William Shakespeare died in 1616 after he returned to Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Apart from his famous plays, Shakespeare also created the Globe Theatre where his plays were performed and also his own language, which appears in his plays, the most famous quote being `To Be Or Not To Be’. You can also visit Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London and see one of his plays.

This historic day helps mark the start of summer in England, and there are lots to see and do, including seeing all that London has to offer, from the iconic `Crown Jewels’ at The Tower of London to visiting Buckingham Palace, the home of the Royal Family.

There are also great day tours from London to see all that England the UK has to offer, from the mysterious Stonehenge to the beautiful Oxford to Downton Abbey Village from the popular TV Show.

There are also many glorious and historic English castles to visit on our tours, including Windsor Castle, Leeds Castle, and Warwick Castle.