White Lion Inn, Stratford-upon-Avon facts for kids

The White Lion Inn was an old public house (like a hotel and restaurant) in Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, England. It was built in a special style called Elizabethan architecture. We first find it mentioned in old records from 1591. Famous writers like Harriet Beecher Stowe and Rupert Graves even wrote about this building.

History of the Inn

The White Lion Inn first appears in history books in 1591. The original building was at numbers 16, 17, and 18 Henley Street. It was taken down and rebuilt in 1753.

John Payton, who owned the inn at that time, made it one of the biggest inns on the Holyhead Road. The White Lion Inn was once thought to be as good as some of the best places to eat in London.

In 1785, members of the French royal family (from the time of Louis XVI) stayed here. Later, in 1806, the Prince Regent (who became George IV of the United Kingdom) also stayed in special rooms at the inn. During the English Civil War, soldiers from the Parliament took over the building for a time.

Shakespeare's Festival Idea

The idea for the Garrick Jubilee, a big festival of Shakespearean performances in 1769, came from John Payton. He was the owner of the White Lion and a big fan of Shakespeare.

In 1768, Payton invited some friends from the town to meet a Shakespeare expert named George Alexander Steevens. They were talking about the new Town Hall. It had an empty space where a statue should be.

Someone suggested a statue of Shakespeare would be perfect. Steevens offered to ask a famous actor, David Garrick, to give one. The town leaders then offered Garrick a special gift. It was a box made from wood from Shakespeare's own mulberry tree.

This led Garrick to not only give a statue but also to come to Stratford. He organized a huge Shakespeare festival there.

The parts of the building that are still standing were protected in 1994. This means they are important historical sites.

Witchcraft and Wizardology Museum

The Witchcraft and Wizardology Museum is located at 21 Henley Street. It is a private collection of items about the history of witchcraft and wizardology. The collection covers history from ancient times to today.

The museum tries to show a fair view of witchcraft. It is family-friendly but also includes some of the darker stories and old beliefs. It also explores old connections, like those with the Knights Templar.

The owner has collected these items for over 40 years. The museum challenges common ideas about witches. It lets visitors touch some items, which is different from most museums. It is a place for people to learn and discuss these topics.

The owner says the museum is one of the most haunted buildings in the country. Paranormal investigators and ghost hunters often visit. It offers a look into the world of the supernatural and the unknown.