Best Places to Visit in Stratford-Upon-Avon

The historic market town is world-renowned for its connection to William Shakespeare, the greatest playwright of all time. Inevitably many of the best places to visit in Stratford-Upon-Avon are linked to the famous Bard, but there is so much more to this picturesque medieval town.

Cometh with me and seeth the most wondrous this quite quaint town has to offer:

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Things to do in Stratford-Upon-Avon

Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace

No visit to Stratford-Upon-Avon is complete without a visit to Shakespeare’s birthplace. The 16th-century restored half-timbered house where Shakespeare was born is like a shrine to his fans.

Owned by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, it’s been welcoming visiting for over 250 years. This is where William Shakespeare spent his childhood. Wander the rooms in the Tudor house, see where he dreamt up all those plays, and where he spent the first five years of married life with Anne Hathaway.

The actors help to provide a fascinating insight into 16th-century Tudor life. Explores the original house and watch live performances, delve into various exhibitions and enjoy the gardens.

TOP TIP:
Shakespeare’s Birthplace is part of five Tudor homes under the care of Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust. Buying a ‘Full Story’ ticket helps to save money. It will also provide access to all five locations you can visit as many times as you like over a 12-month period.

take a Tudor lesson at Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall

Literally old school. This time Tudor style at Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall also known as King Edward VI Grammar School. After a 1.8 million renovation, the attraction offers a great interactive experience. Try your hand at dressing up and quill writing in the very room where Shakespeare would have been a pupil in the 1570s.

Visit the Council Chamber where his father served as Mayor. It’s the same place Shakespeare would have experienced performances by the country’s greatest actors of that time.

Experience Mary Arden’s working Tudor farm

This working farmhouse in Wilmcote is three miles from Stratford-Upon-Avon and is the childhood home of Mary Arden, Shakespeare’s mother. It gives visitors a vision of exactly how a Tudor farm would have been run. There is plenty to keep visitors busy. Explore the centuries-old barns, watch goose herding, and falconry displays, and visit rare breed animals. Wander the nature trails and enjoy the adventure playground for a great family day out.

See Anne Hathaway’s childhood cottage

In the village of Shottery, around a 20-minute walk from Stratford-Upon-Avon is Anne Hathaway’s childhood home. It’s also where a young William courted Anne. Their married was the gossip of the town. Shakespeare was 18 and Anne was 26 years old and pregnant. Quite the scandal.

Three times the size of a typical cottage with 90 acres of land it’s a substantial property. Today the thatched 500-year-old cottage is a museum. There is plenty to explore from woodland walks to sculpture trails. If you’re peckish the garden cafe serves traditional afternoon tea.

Explore Shakespeare’s New Place

At the age of 33, Shakespeare bought his own family home, known as New Place where he lived until he died in 1616. The grand Tudor home was the most expensive house in town, unfortunately, it no longer exists. Upon his death, the house was inherited by his daughter Susanna. Her husband, however, thought the house was old-fashioned and demolished it to build a new home. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust turned New Place into an abstract interpretation of Shakespeare as a poet and play writer. A unique heritage landmark where visitors can connect with the great Bard and walk in his footsteps.

Hall’s Croft

Once the home of Shakespeare’s eldest daughter, Susanna Hall, and her husband Dr John Hall. The Jacobean house is close to New Place the home Susanna eventually inherited and moved to after her father’s death.

Today you can explore Hall’s Croft 16th and 17th-century paintings and furniture. The impressive walled garden is still full of many of Dr Hall’s medical plants used in his practice.

Visit the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) sits on the banks of the River Avon and is dedicated to the works of William Shakespeare. It seats just over 1000 people, throughout the year as well as Shakespeare’s plays there are a variety of modern theatrical performances.

A visit doesn’t need to necessarily incorporate a performance. You can book a behind-the-scenes tour, head up the tower for panoramic views or enjoy lunch at the rooftop restaurant.

Row down the River Avon

There is nothing more idyllic than whiling away a sunny day on a riverboat. You’re spoilt for choice with options on the River Avon. Relax as you float by famous landmarks on a tour with an onboard audio guide or perhaps sit back and enjoy a boat ride with a cream tea. The more adventurous can hire a rowing boat, self-drive motorboat, or canoe and stop to enjoy a picnic under the willows. Don’t forget to look out for the ice cream barge!

Take a trip to the Butterfly Farm

A short walk from the main town centre is UK’s largest tropical butterfly attraction. Wander through the giant greenhouse and marvel at the beautiful waterfalls, ponds, tropical plants, and hundreds of exotic free-flying butterflies

It’s also home to the world’s largest tarantulas. Don’t worry they’re not roaming free, see them from a safe distance behind thick glass. The perfect rainy day activity too.

Have fun at the MAD Museum

The only one of its kind in the UK, the Mechanical and Design (MAD) Museum is located on the same street as Shakespeare’s birthplace. Filled with interactive sculptures and kinetic art created by artists and inventors from around the world. Enjoy marble runs, high-tech robots and flying mechanical birds, and lots of elaborate contraptions. A haven of fun for young and old.

Where to stay in Stratford-Upon-Avon

We visited Stratford-Upon-Avon on a day trip from the Cotswolds. A 30 minutes drive from The Fish Hotel, part of the Farncombe Estate just outside the pretty village of Broadway.

Read More: The Fish Hotel – Back to Nature Luxury in the Cotswolds

Check reviews, availability and book The Fish Hotel

There is also a range of accommodation available in Stratford-Upon-Avon to suit every budget and duration of stay. Check out reviews and availability on Tripadvisor.

Click on the links below for some of the best places to stay in Stratford-Upon Avon:

Hotel Du Vin Stratford-Upon-Avon

The Townhouse

Mercure Stratford-Upon-Avon Shakespeare Hotel

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