Stratford-upon-Avon is a market town on the River Avon in Warwickshire, England. The town is best known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare and is a popular tourist destination due to this association. The town's history dates back to Anglo-Saxon times and was an important market town in the Middle Ages. The city grew rapidly in the 19th century with the construction of canals and railroads and is now a thriving city with a rich cultural heritage.