Pavement Plaques and the Historic Spine: completion of Stage 1

The Pavement Plaque project is a development of the Stratford Society’s  Historic Spine initiative of 2008 to draw attention to the fine range of buildings gracing the historic route along High St, Chapel St, Church St and Old Town. This linked the original settlement clustered round the parish church to the centre of a new town laid out around 1200. The focal point of this new town was at the top of Bridge St.

Initially the Society focused on producing an illustrated plan of this route. This included images of the best buildings, with historical notes explaining their architectural and/or historical importance. First published in 2008, this pamphlet has been through several editions and the latest is still available. See the online version here. 

The next stage was the Society’s decision in 2015 to sponsor a scheme to install pavement plaques in front of the most significant buildings. These would be made by Ned Heywood of Chepstow. It was hoped that the owners of the buildings concerned would support the venture and many generous offers were made to this end. The Society paid for their installation and also drew on its own reserves when necessary. The first batch was laid by 2017 and a second batch in 2023. 

Two remained outstanding, for the Almshouses (Guild Cottages) in Church Street and the Shakespeare Hotel in Chapel St. These have now been made and installed and a ceremony marking the end of Stage 1 was held on 17 July 2024. Stage 2 is under consideration and will be launched later this year. 

Town_Hall_plaque



Town Hall
Harvard House
Judith Quiney House
New Place
Falcon Inn
Garrick Inn
Guild Chapel
Guildhall and Grammar School The Old Vicarage
The Almshouses
No. 5 Old Town
Hall's Croft
Mason Croft
Dower House
Holy Trinity Church

Additional pavement plaques are located by notable buildings that are not on the route of the Historic Spine.

Memorial Theatre
The Other Place