Sightseeing
It’s not all Shakespeare! (But it mostly is)
Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace to walk in Shakespeare’s footsteps and explore the house where he was born and grew up. Hear tales of Shakespeare’s family life, enjoy live theatre on demand and get up close to rare artefacts from the world class collections as you discover how the extraordinary William Shakespeare continues to shape our lives today.
13 locals recommend
Shakespeare's Birthplace
Henley StreetVisit Shakespeare’s Birthplace to walk in Shakespeare’s footsteps and explore the house where he was born and grew up. Hear tales of Shakespeare’s family life, enjoy live theatre on demand and get up close to rare artefacts from the world class collections as you discover how the extraordinary William Shakespeare continues to shape our lives today.
Henley Street is famous for Shakespeare’s Birthplace with a rich mix of gift shops, clothes shops and lifestyle shops. This street is a must for any shopper, as are the surrounding streets such as Sheep Street, Meer Street, Bridge Street, High Street, and Rother Street.
There are more shops at the top of Henley Street past the Birthplace. This takes you into Windsor Street where you can catch the City Sightseeing tour bus
532 locals recommend
Stratford-upon-Avon
Henley Street is famous for Shakespeare’s Birthplace with a rich mix of gift shops, clothes shops and lifestyle shops. This street is a must for any shopper, as are the surrounding streets such as Sheep Street, Meer Street, Bridge Street, High Street, and Rother Street.
There are more shops at the top of Henley Street past the Birthplace. This takes you into Windsor Street where you can catch the City Sightseeing tour bus
Stratford Canal Basin is a bustling environment centrally located between the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and main shopping areas. There are some unique and interesting boat based businesses permanently moored there (good ice cream stop!). River cruises can be booked here, including dining aboard a restaurant cruiser.
The Riverside Gardens are a good space to either flop with a picnic and/or let the kids burn off some energy with a run around on the grass.
Stratford Canal and River Avon
69 National Cycle Rte 41Stratford Canal Basin is a bustling environment centrally located between the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and main shopping areas. There are some unique and interesting boat based businesses permanently moored there (good ice cream stop!). River cruises can be booked here, including dining aboard a restaurant cruiser.
The Riverside Gardens are a good space to either flop with a picnic and/or let the kids burn off some energy with a run around on the grass.
The Farm was the childhood home of Shakespeare's mother. Today you can experience all the sights, sounds and smells of a working Tudor farm, just as it would have been when Shakespeare was a boy. Watch "Tudors" go about their daily routine, see rare breed animals and explore nature trails. There are daily falconry displays and archery at weekends and in school holidays. There is a playground for children from 2 upwards, a picnic area and a cafe. Mary Arden's Farm is a working farm that keeps pace with the season so there is always something new to see and do.The Farm is open seasonally from Easter to the end of October half-term.The Farm is 3 miles from the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon in the village of Wilmcote. There are buses and trains to Wilmcote. The train journey takes 5 minutes and the Farm is a short walk from Wilmcote rail station. It is also a pleasant walk along the canal from the centre of Stratford.
43 locals recommend
Mary Arden's Farm
Station RoadThe Farm was the childhood home of Shakespeare's mother. Today you can experience all the sights, sounds and smells of a working Tudor farm, just as it would have been when Shakespeare was a boy. Watch "Tudors" go about their daily routine, see rare breed animals and explore nature trails. There are daily falconry displays and archery at weekends and in school holidays. There is a playground for children from 2 upwards, a picnic area and a cafe. Mary Arden's Farm is a working farm that keeps pace with the season so there is always something new to see and do.The Farm is open seasonally from Easter to the end of October half-term.The Farm is 3 miles from the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon in the village of Wilmcote. There are buses and trains to Wilmcote. The train journey takes 5 minutes and the Farm is a short walk from Wilmcote rail station. It is also a pleasant walk along the canal from the centre of Stratford.
Shakespeare’s New Place was his family home from 1597 until he died in the house in 1616. The house was demolished in 1759, a registered garden has been designed to commemorate the importance of the site.
New Place Gardens
5 Chapel LnShakespeare’s New Place was his family home from 1597 until he died in the house in 1616. The house was demolished in 1759, a registered garden has been designed to commemorate the importance of the site.
The beautiful 500 year old cottage where Shakespeare courted his bride-to-be. The appearance of the house is maintained as a Tudor cottage but it is the cottage gardens that we love.
75 locals recommend
Anne Hathaways Cottage station
22 Cottage LnThe beautiful 500 year old cottage where Shakespeare courted his bride-to-be. The appearance of the house is maintained as a Tudor cottage but it is the cottage gardens that we love.
The beautifully furnished Jacobean home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and her husband, the physician John Hall. Wander into the tranquil walled garden and discover the fragrant medicinal herbs, as John Hall would have used in his remedies.
18 locals recommend
Hall's Croft
Old TownThe beautifully furnished Jacobean home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and her husband, the physician John Hall. Wander into the tranquil walled garden and discover the fragrant medicinal herbs, as John Hall would have used in his remedies.
Where Shakespeare was baptised and is buried alongside his wife and daughter. Also where he attended church each week as a child. Definitely worth the 10 minute (or less?) wander through old town for a look.
22 locals recommend
Holy Trinity Church
1 Old TownWhere Shakespeare was baptised and is buried alongside his wife and daughter. Also where he attended church each week as a child. Definitely worth the 10 minute (or less?) wander through old town for a look.
This is where the man himself went to school. Visit the classrooms and have a fun time being taught Latin by the hugely entertaining guides/schoolmasters.
Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall
17 Church StThis is where the man himself went to school. Visit the classrooms and have a fun time being taught Latin by the hugely entertaining guides/schoolmasters.
Culture
Theatre and Museums
The RSC theatre shows Shakespeare at its best - made in Stratford-upon-Avon and shared around the world.
They perform Shakespeare’s plays, as well as works by Shakespeare’s contemporaries and plays by today’s writers. The RSC wants as many people as possible to be able to access theatre at its best, so they bring our work to the widest possible audience.
181 locals recommend
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
WatersideThe RSC theatre shows Shakespeare at its best - made in Stratford-upon-Avon and shared around the world.
They perform Shakespeare’s plays, as well as works by Shakespeare’s contemporaries and plays by today’s writers. The RSC wants as many people as possible to be able to access theatre at its best, so they bring our work to the widest possible audience.
The MAD (Mechanical Art & Design) Museum.As soon as you step into this quirky attraction you'll be greeted with whirling robotics, churning clogs, rolling ball circuits, ingenious design and crazy sounds! The MAD Museum does what it says on the tin, showcasing an absolutely MAD assortment of Kinetic Art, Automata and Steampunk contraptions, gadgets and gismos. 5 and unders go FREE!
27 locals recommend
The MAD Museum
Henley StreetThe MAD (Mechanical Art & Design) Museum.As soon as you step into this quirky attraction you'll be greeted with whirling robotics, churning clogs, rolling ball circuits, ingenious design and crazy sounds! The MAD Museum does what it says on the tin, showcasing an absolutely MAD assortment of Kinetic Art, Automata and Steampunk contraptions, gadgets and gismos. 5 and unders go FREE!
Cinema with sofas and table service. Perfect rainy day thing to do. Also cocktails…
532 locals recommend
Stratford-upon-Avon
Cinema with sofas and table service. Perfect rainy day thing to do. Also cocktails…
Neighbourhoods
Local to Stratford either by foot or within a 20 minute drive.
The 'Old Town' area of Stratford is great for a leisurely walk, where you can see how people used to live (and still do!). Lovely architecture, pubs, and just two minutes' walk from the RSC.
Old Town
The 'Old Town' area of Stratford is great for a leisurely walk, where you can see how people used to live (and still do!). Lovely architecture, pubs, and just two minutes' walk from the RSC.
A gorgeous National Trust house, 5 miles (12 minute) drive from Great William St. home to the Lucy family since the 12th century. Great guides, beautiful gardens and parterre and extensive parkland with views across the River Avon and a herd of deer (might need to check about dogs).
Charlecote
A gorgeous National Trust house, 5 miles (12 minute) drive from Great William St. home to the Lucy family since the 12th century. Great guides, beautiful gardens and parterre and extensive parkland with views across the River Avon and a herd of deer (might need to check about dogs).
11 miles (20 minutes) from Great William Street this is a good half day visit. Excellent for families as the Capability Brown parkland has an outdoor play park in the woods, heaps of space to run around the lake and in the house itself there has always been some sort of art/craft activity going on (unsupervised) when we’ve visited. Cafe (a bit ££ I would say) and wonderful exhibitions if art/culture is your thing.
35 locals recommend
Compton Verney
11 miles (20 minutes) from Great William Street this is a good half day visit. Excellent for families as the Capability Brown parkland has an outdoor play park in the woods, heaps of space to run around the lake and in the house itself there has always been some sort of art/craft activity going on (unsupervised) when we’ve visited. Cafe (a bit ££ I would say) and wonderful exhibitions if art/culture is your thing.
Food scene
Places we can recommend personally although do bear in mind that staff changes and standards do go up and down like anywhere….
Box Brownie Coffee
20 Henley StTiny independent coffee shop. Does great coffee!
Somewhat niche! But if you’re a cat person and like food and have no under-10s or dogs with you, then this could be your idea of heaven.
9 locals recommend
Shakespaw Cat Cafe
6 Union StSomewhat niche! But if you’re a cat person and like food and have no under-10s or dogs with you, then this could be your idea of heaven.
The Farm is 4 miles (9 mins) drive from Great William Street in the village of Snitterfield. I would call it a Farm Shop on steroids! Great cafe, play area, high end artisanal foods and booze, homewares, various cooking classes and, of course, a few farm animals dotted about (our kids love the pigs).
18 locals recommend
The Farm Stratford upon Avon
King's LaneThe Farm is 4 miles (9 mins) drive from Great William Street in the village of Snitterfield. I would call it a Farm Shop on steroids! Great cafe, play area, high end artisanal foods and booze, homewares, various cooking classes and, of course, a few farm animals dotted about (our kids love the pigs).
It’s THE place for ice cream/gelato in Stratford (unless it’s the soft whip with a 99 you’re looking for in which case, head to the river basin boats). Not much more to say about Hooray’s except YUM.
8 locals recommend
Hoorays British Gelato Kitchen
27-28 High StIt’s THE place for ice cream/gelato in Stratford (unless it’s the soft whip with a 99 you’re looking for in which case, head to the river basin boats). Not much more to say about Hooray’s except YUM.
A short drive and a unique destination for celebrating all things car with coffee and light meals.
15 locals recommend
Caffeine & Machine
A short drive and a unique destination for celebrating all things car with coffee and light meals.
The One Elm
1 Guild StOur local pub with great gastro food and a small outside terrace.
Fitness
If you still have some energy to burn after all that sightseeing...
Wild swimming. If it’s your thing this is the place. It’s where local Stratfordians have been learning to swim for years. Early mornings best - gets a bit boaty after that. At your own risk!
The Old Bathing Place
Warwick RoadWild swimming. If it’s your thing this is the place. It’s where local Stratfordians have been learning to swim for years. Early mornings best - gets a bit boaty after that. At your own risk!
Stratford Leisure Centre
BridgewayYou can use the pool and prebook the climbing walls.
This is the best playground to head to with your kids. Plenty of space to let off steam and a playground with a zip wire.
Stratford Recreational Grounds Car Park
This is the best playground to head to with your kids. Plenty of space to let off steam and a playground with a zip wire.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Getting to and around Stratford
Stratford is accessible by car and train. Once you’ve arrived, hang up your car keys and walk! It’s small enough to go everywhere on foot.
Getting around
Parking
We provide you with a parking permit for one car but if you have another, search visitstratforduponavon parking and you will find a list of 24hr car parks, many within a short walk of the cottage. Disabled parking space right outside the house for those with a blue badge. (NB Stratford Parking Enforcement Officers are prolific and show no mercy! Please do not park in the disabled spot if you don’t have the correct permit, even for 5 minutes to unload - you will get ticketed).
Ways to save
Grocery shopping
If you want to self-cater, there is a Marks & Spencer and a Sainsbury’s Local on Bridge Street. A large Tesco is on the Mayfield Shopping Park (walkable but not so fun with heavy bags along the side of a busy road) on the way there you will pass Aldi, Lidl and B&M.
Book before you go
RSC performances
Best to book well in advance for RSC performances HOWEVER search RSC rush tickets where on Fridays from midday to 4pm ONLY you can buy discounted tickets for the following week at the RSC and Swan theatres, limited to two tickets per person per week. (£10-20 per ticket). Only available online. First come first served. It’s brutal! But possible...