Between Birmingham And Gloucester Is A River Village With Quiet Charm, Shakespeare Ties, And Canal Boats

England's flashy destinations like London and Windsor draw swarms of tourists, but there's nothing like the charm of a village to offer visitors a taste of everyday life in the United Kingdom. If you're ready to trade crowded cathedrals and high street shops for community gatherings and historic cottages, a small English community can offer a quiet retreat from the bustling cities. The village of Bidford-on-Avon, about an hour's drive from both Birmingham and Gloucester, is a lovely riverside destination with picturesque village views, boat outings, and a surprising link to one of England's most famous citizens. 

One of the most well-known stories about Bidford-on-Avon is its location as the site of a drinking binge involving William Shakespeare. As the legend goes, Shakespeare and his buddies challenged some local men to a drinking match at the Falcon Inn. The bard's group lost and ended up spending the night passed out under a nearby crabapple tree. Upon waking, Shakespeare supposedly quipped a quick rhyme listing the villages in the area, calling the site of his defeat "Drunken Bidford." Historians are doubtful about the veracity of this tale, but the Falcon Inn was a real inn and pub in the 16th century, and the building still stands today (it is now a private home, but it alludes to its past with a stained-glass window featuring the playwright). The legendary tree under which Shakespeare supposedly slept off his night of revelry became so popular that tourists cut off and toted away pieces until nothing was left. Fortunately, Bidford itself is still there, with historic buildings and community charm for visitors to enjoy. 

Bidford is perched on the River Avon, and the Bidford Bridge, a 15th-century stone bridge still in use today, forms an enchanting part of the town's landscape. A popular way to explore Bidford and its surrounding communities is by floating down the river on a canal boat, a shallow craft designed for relaxing days of exploration. The canal boats, or "narrowboats," can usually fit up to 10 people and are often outfitted with kitchen and bathroom facilities. In Bidford-upon-Avon, Bidford Boat Services is the primary company offering boats for hire, and visitors eager for an afternoon on the Avon can call to reserve one of the company's two boats for their day out.

Reserving a narrowboat with Bidford Boat Services does require confidence and a sense of adventure, as your party will be expected to steer the boat yourselves and work the lock system that makes the river navigable. However, the proprietor of the boat company gladly provides instruction to any first-time guests, guides guests through the first lock to ensure they get on their way smoothly, and is even willing to make a few recommendations for where to grab a drink or bite to eat along the route. Note that, while 47 miles of the River Avon are navigable from Stratford all the way down to the charming town of Tewkesbury between Worcester and Gloucester, during a day trip you'll only have time to travel to neighboring towns and villages before turning around to return to Bidford. Visitors who want to enjoy the river without committing to a narrowboat adventure can instead head to the Big Meadow, a 26-acre park in the center of Bidford, and enjoy a picnic while watching the boats float by.

While Bidford-on-Avon is small — only about 7,000 residents — they are big on community. The village banded together to save their library and their fire station when government authorities threatened to close them, and residents gather regularly during events like monthly markets, clothing swaps, and an annual rubber duck race. There's a community choir and community band as well as a walking group that plans weekly rambles through the surrounding landscapes. Bidford tends to welcome visitors to the town, but locals do ask that tourists observe local ordinances and treat the area with respect. (And it wouldn't hurt to check out the ​​​​unwritten rules you should know before visiting a British pub when planning your trip.)

If a quiet few days in Bidford-on-Avon sound like the restorative getaway you crave, you can book a room at the 3-star Old Beams Bed and Breakfast, a 17th-century cottage with a fresh breakfast served each morning, located right near the center of town. Or if a luxurious retreat is more your style, book the expansive Shakespeare Suite at the top of The Broom Hall Inn, a 4-star establishment in the nearby village of Broom, and enjoy an English breakfast or a Sunday roast at their on-site restaurant. And if you're still curious about Shakespeare's rumored run-in with Bidford-on-Avon after visiting yourself, you can still see a piece of that famous crabapple tree by visiting Shakespeare's Birthplace in the quaint medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon, less than 10 miles away.