Between Birmingham and Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, there is now a tribute of artwork along the railway line.

A new Shakespeare artwork was unveiled this week, (21st May) at Stratford-upon-Avon.

Each of the 18 stations with a Shakespeare statue has a different play theme around it including, Twelfth Night and The Taming of the Shrew.

During the unveiling, students from King Edward VI School performed an extract from As You Like It.

Thanks to Friends of the Shakespeare Line, Network Rail, West Midlands Railway and Chiltern Railway, the statues were able to be installed and funded.

The statues are surrounded by special planters which will be looked after by volunteers.

Passengers can spot all 34 statues along the line, and each platform has information on which play it is associated with.

“We have put the railway well and truly on the map with William Shakespeare now starring at each station along the line. 

“All the volunteers have worked so hard and are so committed, and we are seeing benefits along the whole route with these special statues adding to this famous stretch of railway. We are building on other improvements made at stations along the way, including at Henley-in-Arden where we have brought new life to the station building and, in doing so, attracted more visitors to the town by train.” 

Neil Morgan, treasurer of Friends of the Shakespeare Line