Whether you find Shakespeare’s work baffling or inspiring, deadly dull or the ultimate in thrilling, his home town of Stratford upon Avon makes an excellent day trip. It’s such a pretty little town, stuffed with historic buildings marking more than 800 years of history, perched on the beautiful River Avon at the northern end of the equally popular Cotswolds. Not far short of three million visitors flock here every year and it remains the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company, whose HQ is Stratford’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
The Stratford area was settled by the Romans, who probably nicked the land from the local Britons and Anglo Saxons who’d lived on it, farmed it and raised families on it for millennia. There was a nearby Roman road and about a mile outside the town centre, at Tiddington, they’ve found the remains of a Roman settlement, with a couple more nearby.
A village until John of Coutances started turning it into a town 1196, which is when Stratford’s official market charter was awarded by the king at the time, this town has been holding a weekly market ever since… and that’s what we call a long time! So let’s take a tour of Stratford upon Avon in all its mellow English glory. What’s on the cards for Stratford day tours?
Brrrm brrrrmmm… the British Motor Museum at Gaydon
The British Motor Museum is home to the planet’s biggest collection of old British cars, a massive treat for petrol heads, packed with stunning vehicles dating from way back then to now.
Theatre and cinema
Stratford is a popular tourist destination, especially with people from overseas, thanks to it being the birth and burial place of Shakespeare. William Shakespeare spent at least the last five years of his life living in Stratford, buried there in 1616 aged just 52. His wife Anne Hathaway was buried next to him eight years later.
Love live entertainment? Book yourself tickets at the town centre’s beloved Stratford Play House for gigs and concerts, performances and events. The Royal Shakespeare Company and Theatres venue The Other Place offers a popular centre for learning, research and development featuring rehearsal rooms and an intimate 200 seat theatre. And the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) performs at its home in the town, mostly producing works by Shakespeare but also putting on plays by other renaissance playwrights and modern dramatists.
If you fancy a big-screen matinee or evening show try the four-screen Everyman Cinema.
Stratford upon Avon Racecourse
For those of you who are into horse racing, there are equine Steeplechasing spectacles to enjoy at the Stratford Racecourse, open for business since 1755. If you’re not into racing but think you might like to give it a try while you’re there, it’s important to know horse racing and most other equine events are closely linked to fox hunting and stag hunting, both of which have been illegal since 2004 but have carried on secretly ever since. If you love wildlife, maybe give it a miss!
Commoners go posh at stately homes and gardens
A splendid National Trust property, Upton House used to be home to the ridiculously rich Lord and Lady Bearsted, who lived here in the 1930s. You can wander around this beautiful country retreat and admire Lord Bearsted’s art collection including paintings by famous artists like Bosch, Stubbs and Canaletto. It’s good to know they’re available for ordinary people to see these days, not exclusively for the aristocracy. Hidcote Manor and Gardens is also owned by the National Trust, a gorgeous Arts and Crafts movement garden set in the rolling Cotswold hills.
Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park offers 120 acres of art, nature and creativity, perfect for a leisurely wander and another grand place that’s no longer exclusively for the rich. Garden designer Capability Brown’s parkland and lake are very beautiful and there’s an excellent award winning art gallery and gift shop to rummage around in. Six permanent exhibitions and a variety of visiting art collections await you.
Ragley Hall remains in the hands of the mega-rich but offers a wide variety of events for ordinary people to enjoy. The ‘ancestral seat’ of the Hertford family for more than 300 years and once open to the public, it’s a shame people can’t visit it any more. It has not been open to the public to wander since 2017, since the events held there are set in thousands of acres of estate land overlooking the lovely Warwickshire countryside.
Shakespeare attractions
Mary Arden’s Farm is where the Bard’s mum lived when she was little, a place where you can explore 500 years of rural life and farming history. Shakespeare’s Birthplace is where you can discover his childhood world, find out about his family life and actually see objects he would have touched and used.
Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall is yours to explore, where you can join in with a Tudor school lesson, dress up for a selfie in Tudor-style clothes and lots more, particularly good fun for the kids. But Stratford wasn’t all brightness and charm in the olden days, something you’ll love hearing about on a guided Sinister Side of Shakespeare’s Stratford walk, an entertaining jaunt around the heart of the town accompanied by scary stories about the plague, horrid murders, eerie ghosts, and the unfortunate women who were branded as witches.
500 year old Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is where Shakespeare courted his wife, packed with original furniture including the famous Hathaway bed. Five centuries worth of Hathaways spanning 13 generations once lived here. Then there’s the ever-popular Shakespeare’s Walking Tour, led by the playwright himself… or an actor who looks a lot like him!
Hall’s Croft was where Shakespeare’s oldest daughter Susanna and her husband Dr John Hall lived before moving to New Place when Shakespeare died. Shakespeare’s New Place was his family home from 1597 until he died there in 1616. It was knocked down in 1759, replaced with a garden open to the public. Visit to find out why the house was demolished and discover beautiful gardens and exciting artworks while you’re there.
More fun stuff to do in Stratford
- Stratford Leisure Centre has a pool, fitness studio and more for those of you who can’t bear to miss out on your exercise
- Stratford Town Walk is an award-winningguided walk through the streets
- Stratford Farmer’s Market on Rother Street is always worth a go
- Historic Chedham’s Yard features Wheelwrights, Blacksmiths and more, an exciting glimpse into the past
- Bancroft Gardens lies alongside the lovely River Avon, next to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
- You’ll find funky Stratford Canal Basin between the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the town’s main shopping area
- Take chilled 45 minute canal or river tours from the centre of town – look out for Avon Boating, Bancroft Cruisers, and the Countess of Evesham
- Visit magnificent Warwick Castle, a classic medieval castle with a thrilling and bloody history
- Check out the Butterfly Farm, housed inside an enormous greenhouse landscaped with waterfalls, ponds and loads of lush tropical plants, a place where exotic butterflies from far-flung places fly free
- The MAD Museum showcases the world’s best Kinetic Art and Automata, a brilliant place to have your mind blown
- Because you’re on the fringes of the Cotswolds, a day tour to the hills is within easy reach
- Wellesbourne Market is absolutely HUGE, one of the UK’s biggest outdoor markets. Make your way to Wellesbourne Airfield every Saturday and Summer Bank Holiday Monday from nine ‘til four
- The Bear Pit Theatre has just 100 seats, a town centre venue loved for intimate stage productions
- Stratford Minigolf is yours if you fancy a bit of fun
- Tudor World museum is great fun, hosted inside a wonderful old Tudor building
- There are Open Air Bus Tours of the town, a cool way to see the sights
As well as all that there’s simply walking, exploring this pretty place on foot. It’s small enough to wander, big enough to give you plenty to discover. Happy adventuring!
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