Stratford

Stratford is a place name used for several towns and districts in English-speaking countries. The best known is Stratford-upon-Avon, a market town in Warwickshire, England, famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

Stratford-upon-Avon sits on the River Avon. The name derives from Old English stræt, meaning a Roman road, and ford. Today it is a major heritage and tourist destination, with sites such as Shakespeare's Birthplace and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, reflecting its literary heritage and cultural significance.

In London, Stratford is a district in the borough of Newham, east London. It expanded as a rail and trading hub in the 19th century and was redeveloped for the 2012 Olympic Games. Key features include Stratford station and the Westfield Stratford City shopping centre near the Olympic Park.

Stratford, Connecticut, is a city in Fairfield County, part of the Bridgeport metropolitan area. Established in colonial times, it lies along the Housatonic River and is one of several U.S. towns named after Stratford-upon-Avon.

Stratford, Ontario, is a city in southwestern Ontario on the Avon River, known for the Stratford Festival, an internationally recognized theatre festival that stages Shakespeare and other works each year.