Shakespeare’s Way links birthplace with Bankside

Peter Titchmarsh and Dominic Dromgoole

The Shakespeare Hospice and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust have launched the new long-distance path between the Bard's birthplace in Warwickshire and the recreation of Shakespeare's Globe on Bankside.

Shakespeare's Way was devised by Peter Titchmarsh who set off on the new route after its launch at the Shakespeare Centre in Stratford-upon-Avon on 19 April. Peter arrived at the Globe on Tuesdaywhere he was greeted by the Globe's new artistic director Dominic Dromgoole. Dominic exchanged his book Will & Me: How Shakespeare Took Over My Life with a copy of Peter's guide to the pathway, Shakespeare's Way. In his book, Dominic Dromgoole describes the adventures of walking a similar route to Shakespeare's Way.

Totalling a distance of 146 miles, the fully waymarked Shakespeare's Way takes in some significant visitor destinations, including the Cotswolds, Blenheim Palace, Woodstock and Oxford.

It is intended that the new pathway will help raise funds for the Shakespeare Hospice – an independent charity with minimal government support which relies on the generosity and support of the community to carry out its work.

"No matter how short a route you choose you could sponsor yourself for a small sum per mile and encourage your friends, family and colleagues to also raise funds for the Shakespeare Hospice," explains Peter Titchmarsh.

• Peter Titchmarsh's book Shakespeare's Way is an 80-page, full colour guide to the pathway and is available from the Shakespeare's Way Association, St Mary's Barn, Pillerton Priors, Warwick CV35 0PG for £7.75 including postage.