Fourth of July at Hall's Croft ©Stratfordblog.com

Fourth of July at Hall’s Croft

Hall’s Croft in Stratford-upon-Avon marked the American holiday of Independence Day with a barbecue garden party.

To celebrate the Fourth of July and the special friendship between the UK and the USA, Hall’s Croft – the home of William Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna – opened its gardens for free during the sunny afternoon.

I took my two young children to the garden party, where they enjoyed the shade of the gorgeous gardens and a barefoot toddle on the lawn.

Some of the visiting American students on the placement programme with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust performed songs and played the guitar as guests lounged in the deckchairs and admired the 17th-century home.

There were burgers and hot dogs available, as well as English ciders and Pimm’s.

Here is a small selection of images from the event. (By the way, the next free-entry event to the Shakespeare Family Homes is the Big Picnic at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, later this month).