A BROMSGROVE-based canal boat company is offering the opportunity to celebrate the birthday of Britain's greatest playwright with a canal cruise to Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Narrow-boat specialist, Black Prince Holidays, have boats available for holidaymakers to take a leisurely two-week Shakespeare break along the Warwickshire Ring waterway which will enable them to moor along the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal, close to the beautifully restored 16th-century half-timbered house that was the birthplace of the Bard.

Time your travels to tie in with Shakespeare's birthday on April 26 (he'll be 451) and you can mark the occasion with a visit to his old home, where the life of the world famous author is brought to life with period scenery, exhibitions and performances from the museum's own troupe of actors.

With no limit to the time you can moor along the canal, there is also chance to visit the Tudor farm of Shakespeare's mother, the homes of the women who were to be his future wife and daughter, and the playwright's final resting place.

Black Prince's fleet of award-winning canal boats is equipped with central heating, hot showers and proper duvets to ensure a warm trip whatever the weather, and there is TV and wi-fi to keep in touch with the outside world.

The company is one of the UK's leading narrow-boat specialists and has an award-winning fleet at 10 bases across England, Scotland and Wale. It has British Marine Federation accredited personnel for hire boat instruction and handover procedures.

The 14-night Shakespeare cruise starts from £1,568 – just £392 per person based on four people sharing a two bedroom narrow boat departing on April 25 from Black Prince's Clifton-Upon-Dunsmore base in Worcestershire.

This price includes a 50 per cent discount on the second week of the holiday, saving £516, and there are more details on this and how to book at www.black-prince.com or call 01527 575115.

A Birthplace Plus Pass to Shakespeare's Birthplace, Anne Hathaway's Cottage & Gardens, Hall's Croft, Harvard House and Shakespeare's Grave costs £19.90 per adult.