Passengers travelling on the railway line between Birmingham Moor Street and Stratford-upon-Avon can now enjoy a distinctive tribute to William Shakespeare, with statues representing his famous plays installed at each of the line’s 18 stations.
The initiative, unveiled on 21 May at Stratford-upon-Avon station, has been spearheaded by the Friends of the Shakespeare Line (FoSL), Network Rail, West Midlands Railway, and Chiltern Railways. The statues form part of a wider community project aimed at enhancing passenger experience and promoting tourism in the Shakespeare birthplace region.
Stations along the line have each adopted a Shakespearean play, complemented by special floral displays maintained by local volunteers. Notable connections include Yardley Wood station celebrating Twelfth Night, Wood End highlighting The Merchant of Venice, and Wilmcote associated with The Taming of the Shrew.
Neil Morgan, Treasurer of FoSL, highlighted the project’s community value, stating, “All the volunteers have worked so hard and we are seeing benefits along the whole route. These special statues are enhancing this already famous railway, attracting more visitors to explore the region by rail.”
The launch was marked by a performance from students of King Edward VI School, Shakespeare’s own alma mater, emphasising the educational and cultural significance of the statues.
Denise Wetton, Network Rail’s Central Route Director, underscored the project’s relevance to Community Rail Week and Railway 200 celebrations, remarking that the statues are “an impressive tribute to the world-famous William Shakespeare.”
West Midlands Railway’s Jonny Wiseman praised the Friends of the Shakespeare Line’s efforts, noting that the artworks would bring “a sense of local pride to millions of passengers annually.”
Chiltern Railways’ Michael Stewart welcomed the statues, highlighting their presence at Birmingham Moor Street, one of Chiltern’s flagship stations, as a fitting celebration of rail travel’s past and future.
The statues also provide visitors with practical information about Shakespeare’s historical family homes, facilitating tourism and education in the Stratford-upon-Avon area.
Luke Purser from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust endorsed the project, stating, “We look forward to welcoming more visitors arriving by train to the home of Shakespeare.”
In total, there are 34 statues for passengers to discover along this culturally enriched railway line, each accompanied by detailed information on the associated play.
Passengers can plan journeys and access travel updates via National Rail’s official website.
