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 |  | If you're thinking of ideas for a romantic day out this weekend, chances are you'll consider Stratford.
Its historic houses, green parks and calm river all provide the perfect romantic backdrop.
But if that wasn't enough to pursuade you,ÌýAnne Hathaway's Cottage, just on the edge of Stratford, is also using the Valentine weekend to launch a very unusual gadget to get your loved one in the mood.
Ìý| Ìý |  | The willow cabin and bench for two
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A willow cabin is being installed at the Shakespeare house in Shottery.
The cottage is where Shakespeare wooed Anne Hathaway, his Bride to be.
Lovers will be invited to sit inside the cabin on a custom-made, kidney-shaped seat of oak and elm designed for two.
As you sit back and relax, gazing into each others' eyes, you can have Shakespeare's poetry read to you.
All you have to do is press a button in the cabin, to hear one of four Shakespearean sonnets read by well-known actors.
ÌýShakespearean inspiration
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| Ìý |  | The great William Shakespeare pictured in a mosaic in Stratford
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The cabin idea was actually written by William Shakespeare himself, even if he couldn't imagine how it would have been used today.
In Twelfth Night, Act 1, Scene 5, Viola describes how love would make her camp out at her lover's home writing songs:
"[I would] Make me a willow cabin at your gate, And call upon my soul within the house;
Write loyal cantons of contemned love
And sing them loud even in the dead of night;
Halloo your name to the reverberate hills,
And make the babbling gossip of the air
Cry out 'Olivia!' O, you should not rest
Between the elements of air and earth
But you should pity me!"
ÌýValentine's Day competition
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| Ìý |  | The chocolate box beauty of Anne Hathaway's Cottage in Shottery
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To celebrate Valentine’s Day and to launch the idea, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust are asking the public to vote for their favourite sonnet.
The most popular choices will be recorded for the cabin.
The person with the best reason for the chosen sonnet will also win a pair of tickets for the RSC’s forthcoming production of Romeo and Juliet, a romantic meal, two passes for all of the Shakespeare Houses and an invite to the opening of theÌýWillow Cabin later this spring. Wow, that's a lot of prizes!
To enter, write your choice of sonnet (either first line or number) together with your reason for choosing it and send it with your full name, address and telephone number to:
WILLOW CABIN COMPETITION
C/O Katie Cain
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Shakespeare Centre
Henley Street
Stratford-upon-Avon
CV37 6QW
Entries can also be emailed to:
Competition@shakespeare.org.uk
The closing date for entries is Friday 5 March.
Ìý| Ìý |  | The romantic banks of the river Avon
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To get all the details on visiting Anne Hathaway's Cottage, or any of the other Shakespeare properties, follow the official website link on the left.
Ebntrance to Anne Hathaway's Cottage is:
Adult £5.20
Concessions £4
Children £2
Also on the left are links to our virtual tours and reviews of some other top attractions in Stratford to give you plenty of ideas.
Have a great weekend, you smoochy lot!
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