Shakespeare's background permeates his plays for descriptions of the world he knew. Reminders of his world have survived to this day. The authors visit Shakespeare's birthplace in the heart of England; they record the landscapes and villages that provided him with constant inspiration; they trace him in the south-east of England at Windsor and Eton, Datchet and Mead, Rochester and Dover, and finally follow him from Stratford to London, showing all that is left of the city he knew. The photographs are complemented by contemporary prints and maps, while a gazetteer provides routes and information for visitors.