Charlecote Park

Charlecote Park is another manor/fortified residence, dating

from the 15th century. Elizabeth stayed here two nights on

her return from her last visit to Kenilworth. But Charlecote

is perhaps more famous for 1) being Capability Brown's

first landscaping job, and 2) the site where, centuries

earlier, a young Will Shakespeare was caught poaching

and punished by the great lord. All this according to lore.

Will had his revenge in both Henry IV part 2 and in the

Merry Wives of Windsor. Power of the pen.

View of "new" wing from the garden

The River Avon, altered slightly to improve the view and to

add a waterfall; Nature was apparently never good enough

for Culpability Brown; in the distance, by the river, you

can see several deer, presumably descendants of those

poached by Master Shakespeare

Childrens' playhouse, beautiful thatching, wood-work,

paneling, stone hearth, etc. Let them eat cakes.