Bidford on Avon

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Many thanks to The Frog Pub for facilitating this camera's location and to Avon Navigation Trust for capitally funding its installation. Bidford-on-Avon village is situated on the River Avon, approximately 7 miles downstream of Stratford-upon-Avon and a similar distance upstream of Evesham. The village originated around an ancient ford known as Byda's Ford, which has now been replaced by a narrow stone bridge. This ford was located on the Ryknild Street Roman road. The River Avon, which is navigable, stretches for 47 miles from Alveston Weir above Stratford-upon-Avon, meandering through the countryside of Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire, until it joins the River Severn at Tewkesbury.
Ryknield Street, the Roman road, passes through Bidford-on-Avon, heading north toward Alcester. The village also houses an ancient Anglo-Saxon burial site beneath the free car park situated just behind the Indian restaurant "No 72". Artefacts from recent excavations can be found at Warwick Museum, while materials from the initial excavations are currently held by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. Additionally, a Bronze Age razor was discovered during excavations in Bidford-on-Avon. It is worth noting that Bidford was the birthplace and childhood home of Barbara Comyns, a notable 20th-century author.Legend has it that William Shakespeare once joined a group of Stratford locals who challenged a drinking club in Bidford-on-Avon to a drinking contest. After consuming considerable amounts of alcohol, Shakespeare is said to have fallen asleep under a crab tree, which has since become known as Shakespeare's tree. When morning arrived, his friends wanted to continue the contest, but Shakespeare wisely declined, stating, "No, I have drunk with 'Piping Pebworth, Dancing Marston, Haunted Hillboro', Hungry Grafton, Dodging Exhall, Papist Wixford, Beggarly Broom, and Drunken Bidford.' Presumably, I will drink no more." This story, though dating back to the 17th century, lacks evidence to support its authenticity or any direct connection to Shakespeare. The Falcon Inn, an inn popular during Shakespeare's time, was located in Bidford-on-Avon.