With so many things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon, this charming town is a great way to expand your United Kingdom trip into the English countryside.
The town’s timber-framed Tudor-style houses and peaceful riverside capture the spirit of what the town must have been like back in the 16th and 17th centuries. It’s also the birthplace of Willam Shakespeare and the final place of rest for the famous playwright.
This history and allure make Stratford-upon-Avon one of the most popular places to visit in England.
So, in this guide, you’ll find what you need to plan your excursion, including what to do in Stratford-Upon Avon, how to get here from London, and where to stay should you plan to base yourself in the area.
16 Favorite Things to Do in Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is about 100 miles northwest of London and perfectly perched along the River Avon. (Thus, the town’s name!)
This closeness to London means a day in Stratford-upon-Avon is more than possible. But, it also makes for an ideal base while exploring the nearby Warwickshire countryside, including the picture-perfect Cotswolds villages and the fascinating medieval Warwick Castle.
Summer is the high season, with many visitors day-tripping from London. If you have the time in your UK itinerary, plan to stay at least 1 night. It’ll feel like you have the town to yourself after the day visitors have gone by the afternoon.
How to Get from London to Stratford-upon-Avon
If you’re planning to spend just 1 day in Stratford-upon-Avon, you’ll likely want to consider a train or a guided tour to keep things simple.
Chiltern Railways runs daily trains from London’s Marleybone Station to Stratford-upon-Avon. Not all trains are direct and making a connection usually saves some money without adding travel time. However, don’t choose connections through Birmingham Moor Street, as this route tends to price out much higher than the others.
There are also several options for day tours to Stratford-upon-Avon that depart from London. If you want to devote the day to exploring Stratford-upon-Avon, and in particular its historic Shakespeare sights, then you might find taking the train is the best option.
Day tours like this one are great, but it also includes other destinations in addition to Stratford-upon-Avon. The upside is you visit more places. The downside is that you have less time in Stratford than you might like.
If you’re planning to stay at least 1 night in Stratford-upon-Avon, the transportation you choose depends on what you plan to do.
Buses do run several times a day between London Victoria Coach Station and Stratford-upon-Avon. Prices are less expensive than the train but because the one-way trip can take closer to 3 hours, it’s less ideal for a day trip to Stratford-upon-Avon. But if you’re on a budget and plan to stay in town for a couple of days, it can be a more affordable option.
If you’d like to base yourself in Stratford-upon-Avon and explore the surrounding area, including the Cotswolds, you’ll need to rent a car.
You can drive via the M40 from London. The ride will take about 2 hours depending on traffic. Just be sure to check with your hotel because parking in Stratford-upon-Avon is tight.
There are plenty of rental car offices in London, so it’s easy to pick up a rental car on the morning you’d like to drive to Stratford-upon-Avon. Just be sure to compare car rental prices so you can see a range of car types and prices for the best deal.
Stratford-upon-Avon Hotels
I’ve visited Stratford-upon-Avon twice and used the town as a base for one of those trips. (On the other trip, I stayed in the Cotswolds.) I stayed at The Townhouse located in the heart of town on Church Street, no more than a 5-10 minute walk to most places in town.
The boutique hotel has been recently refurbished and the attached restaurant is a town favorite, especially for a pre-theater dinner. If you’re sensitive to noise, you may want to request an upstairs room to be further away from the restaurant.
One thing to note, the hotel is in a 400-year-old building that does not have air conditioning. Fans are provided and lower-level rooms are likely to be cooler in the summer months.
Stratford-upon-Avon Hotels: Compare prices | Book now
Stratford-upon-Avon Rental Accommodations
Another fantastic option is to book a stay in a local home through Plum Guide.
Plum Guide lists only the properties that have passed their inspection process. You can rest easy knowing your rental will be the best of the best. And, Plum Guide offers 24/7 phone support should you need anything during your stay.
Depending on how long you’ll be in the area, a rental accommodation in Stratford-upon-Avon could be the perfect solution. The home could serve as your base as you explore the Cotswolds and other nearby destinations while also giving you a local experience in a town with plenty of restaurants and amenities that are easily accessible.
What to Do in Stratford-upon-Avon
“I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it.” (William Shakespeare) And, luckily, there are plenty of great things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon no matter how long you plan to spend in town.
1. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace.
There are 5 historic Shakespeare Birthplace Trust properties in and around the town. Shakespeare’s Birthplace house is situated at the heart of Henley Street and it’s where he was born and grew up! It’s also where he lived with Anne, his wife, for the first few years of their marriage.
The Tudor-style house has been restored in the 16th-century style and with many precious artifacts from the era. Local experts dressed in Tudor period clothing are there to explain the history and give a context of what life might have been like for Shakespeare as he grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon in the 1560s and 1570s.
If you’re not familiar with this time period or Shakespeare’s life, this makes a great starting point for your visit to Stratford-upon-Avon.
If you’re planning to see all 5 Shakespeare Birthplace Trust sites, you’ll save money with the Full Story ticket. It’s a combination ticket that bundles the price into one and also can save time in the busier summer months when lines to enter the properties are longer. Otherwise, you can book a ticket to just see Shakespeare’s Birthplace.
After exploring Shakespeare’s Birthplace, make sure to swing by the Old Thatch Tavern, just a quick 5-minute stroll away. As the oldest brewery and pub in Stratford-upon-Avon, dating back to 1470, it’s quite possible that Shakespeare himself frequented this historic spot. So, why not step back in time and grab a pint where the Bard may have once raised his own glass?
ProTip: Even if you’re planning just to visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, it may be smarter to buy the Warwickshire Explorer Pass than to purchase individual entry to those 2 sites separately. The pass includes entry to 15 sites and experiences in Stratford and the surrounding area.
2. Learn about the life of Shakespeare’s wife at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is the historic family home of Shakespeare’s wife (not the movie star!) and the place where William Shakespeare and Anne spent time getting acquainted with one another before marrying.
“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate.”
Actually, there’s speculation about just how in love they really were with one another rather than simply needing to get married because Anne had become pregnant.
This thatched-roof cottage dates back to the mid-1400s and has been restored with 16th-century family heirlooms and the gardens shaped how they would’ve looked in Shakespeare’s time. For its age, the cottage is remarkably preserved.
The cottage and its gardens are just about a mile from the town center in nearby Shottery and a 25-minute walk from the center of Stratford-upon-Avon. If you have a rental car, you can also make the few minutes drive. If you’d rather not walk or don’t have a car, the hop-on-hop-off bus makes a stop at the cottage.
Even though you don’t need a hop-on-hop-off bus to get around the compact town of Stratford-upon-Avon itself, this is a convenient workaround to avoid the walk. It can also get you to Mary Arden’s Farm. More on that below.
If you purchased a Warwickshire Explorer Pass, Anne Hathway’s cottage and garden admission are included. And even if you’re short on time while visiting Stratford-upon-Avon, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage should be a place Shakespeare fans prioritize over some of the other sites.
Out of all 5 Shakespeare Trust properties, this cottage was my favorite!
3. See a play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
“All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players.”
What visit to the birthplace of Shakespeare would be complete without some theater!
Whether you want to see a matinee or an evening performance, plan to take in a show at the famous Royal Shakespeare Company or the more intimate Swan Theatre. Both theaters put on Shakespeare’s plays but also present productions that were written by other playwrights as well.
The theaters are centrally located along the water. Tickets are available online and also at the box office. Keep in mind, though, tickets for most shows typically sell quickly so it’s best to book ahead of time or be flexible with performance dates and times.
If you’d like to learn more about the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, there are a variety of front-of-house and backstage tours offered during the day.
ProTip: If you plan to see an evening performance, it makes sense to stay in town for the night. While it’s possible to catch a train back to London, it can be a tight transition from the end of the performance to the train station to make the train in time.
4. Pay your respects at Holy Trinity Church.
Make your way along Waterside, the River Avon gently flowing on your left, to Holy Trinity Church.
Maybe it’s the way the church is partially hidden among the trees. Or perhaps it’s the old, mossy graveyard, with the crumbling tombstones, shaded from the sun. This church spoke to me as a standout example of a classic village church.
Holy Trinity Church is the place where Shakespeare was baptized and it’s also the final resting place of the Bard. His wife, Anne, and his oldest daughter are also laid to rest inside the sanctuary.
The church dates back to the early 1200s and is built on the site of a former Saxon monastery. I couldn’t help by think that the 14th-century brass knocker on the door as you enter the church felt like opening a portal to the past.
The church is free to enter but does ask for a voluntary donation of £4 to maintain the church and the cemetery outside. The church is open 7 days a week, all day Monday-Saturday and after 12:30 p.m. on Sundays.
5. Walk Stratford-upon-Avon’s beautiful riverside.
The town’s namesake is because it sits along the pretty River Avon. Stroll along the promenade and enjoy the green space. You can even picnic in the Bancroft garden along the banks of the beautiful River Avon.
No matter what, you’re sure to see the town’s famous swans. The swans will especially love you if you have some bread or even a piece of lettuce saved from a sandwich to share with them.
Families with kids will appreciate the well-equipped play area, complete with a variety of activities to keep little ones entertained for hours. During the summer, the park comes alive with lively fairground rides and events.
If you stay in Stratford-upon-Avon for the night, the Waterside promenade clears from all the day’s visitors and is quite romantic!
6. Paddle out onto the River Avon.
If the river is calling to you, why not rent a rowboat and paddle into the picturesque scene yourself! There are hourly rentals at the Swan’s Nest Boathouse from Spring to Fall as weather and water conditions allow.
You can rent a boat when you arrive or make a reservation online for just £7 per adult per hour. It’s a peaceful way to see Stratford-upon-Avon from the water and the rental company even provides a map and information about the sights.
Alternatively, you can hop aboard a public river cruise departing from Bancroft Gardens. Glide downstream, passing by iconic landmarks like the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Holy Trinity Church, and even cruising under the ancient 15th Century Clopton Bridge.
There is also a digital audio guide if you want to learn more about the sites you’ll see on this trip. This boat trip through the banks of the River Avon is one of the best things you’ll experience in Stratford-upon-Avon.
ProTip: If you’d prefer not to row yourself, you can hire one of their boatmen or opt to take a guided boat tour instead.
7. Enjoy a delicious meal at a restaurant or a pub.
Stratford-upon-Avon is such a walkable town and when the weather is nice, it’s part of the experience to enjoy a meal at an outdoor cafe or simply relax with a Pimm’s Cup…or two…at one of the famous pubs in town.
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre has a rooftop restaurant with fantastic views. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner but is also a great spot for coffee or to have afternoon tea with a view.
The Dirty Duck a.k.a the Black Swan is a classic pub along the riverside, serving fish and chips and other traditional English pub grub. When the weather warms up, sit outside on the patio and watch the swans as you sip on something refreshing.
8. Discover Tudor farm life at Mary Arden’s Farm.
Mary Arden was Shakespeare’s mother and this was the farm where she grew up with her parents and siblings. The house was built in the early 1500s by Shakespeare’s grandfather. However, the house you see today has undergone many renovations and changes.
Still, it gives a sense of what life on a farm during Tudor times would have been like, animals and all. During your visit, you’ll also have the chance to see birds of prey, craft demonstrations, and historic re-enactments by the staff. Just note, Mary Arden’s Farm is closed in the winter. It reopens typically in mid-March until early November. Entry is included with a Full Story ticket.
ProTip: If you don’t have a rental car, the Hop-on-Hop-Off bus makes a stop at Mary Arden’s Farm, which is located just outside of Stratford-upon-Avon in the village of Wilmcote.
9. Celebrate Shakespeare’s legacy at New Place.
New Place is where Shakespeare’s home as an adult once stood. When he wasn’t in London, he and his family lived in the house that was here from 1597 until he died in 1616. Unfortunately, the house was torn down in the 1750s.
However, a commemorative garden now marks the site and displays exhibitions that show where the original house once stood, artwork, and interactive activities. Entry here and to Shakespeare’s School (see below) is included with a Warwickshire Explorer Pass.
10. Attend school where Shakespeare did.
It’s probably the nerdy teacher in me, but I love to go back in time to see what school life was like! At Shakespeare’s School and Guild Hall, you can sit in the actual classroom where Shakespeare studied as a boy in the 1570s.
The visit is interactive so you get to take part in a Tudor-style school lesson, test out your quill and ink skills, and even dress up as the students of the day would have been.
The Guild Hall is where important town meetings were held, including when Shakespeare’s father, John Shakespeare, was Mayor. The walls are the highlight, which show fabulous medieval paintings.
11. Learn about Shakespeare’s daughter at Hall’s Croft.
This is the home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and her husband, John Hall. The house was built in 1613 and has walled gardens on the grounds. John Hall was a doctor who believed in the power of herbs and plants as remedies and, today, the garden reflects this still today.
The visit to the house and gardens is included in the Full Story ticket and will take about an hour to complete. What stands out about these Shakespeare Trust properties is how well they’ve been preserved and how the guides and restorations help you feel like you’ve stepped back into the past.
12. Stir up some of Stratford-upon-Avon’s ghostly spirits.
Unfortunately, it’s not likely you’ll encounter the ghost of William Shakespeare himself. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is thought to have one of the most haunted buildings in all of England.
The tour takes place inside the Tudor World Museum building at night after the museum closes. The building dates back to the 1200s and has experienced everything from the plague to fires. A guide takes you through the rooms by lantern only and talks about the paranormal activity that’s been seen or reported.
This is definitely something only for the brave of heart!
You can also join a ghostly walking tour to learn about Stratford-upon-Avon’s spookier past.
13. Stroll along the Car-Free Henley Street.
On the same street as Shakespeare’s Birthplace house, you’ll find a pedestrian area of town lined with shops and cafes. Henley Street is among the prettiest streets of Stratford lined with numerous shops and cafes. Take time to stroll, shop, and stop into a cafe for tea, scones, and clotted cream.
(No matter where you visit in the U.K., experiencing a traditional afternoon tea is a must-do!)
Also located on this street, you’ll find the Mechanical Art & Design Museum, also known as the MAD Museum. Here, you can check out some seriously cool mechanical art exhibits and even get hands-on with them. It’s a great little side trip to consider if you’ve got some extra time to spare and you’re up for trying something totally unique. Entry is included with the Warwickshire Explorer Pass.
ProTip: If you’d like a more organized walk through town, this Stratford Walking Tour is well-reviewed and provides history about the town and Shakespeare.
14. Step into the Magical Stratford Butterfly Farm.
Just a five-minute walk from the town center, you’ll find a footbridge over the river Avon lined with signs that’ll take you to the farm.
From the moment we entered, we were surprised by the number of butterflies flying around including rarer ones. If you’re lucky, they’ll even land on you. There are information areas where you can learn about the life stages of a butterfly and other creatures that you can find at the butterfly farm.
But the surprises didn’t stop there. You’ll also be fascinated by the leaf-cutter ants hustling along their ropes. Nothing stops them from their work! And there is also a Mini Beast area, where you can find tarantulas, beetles, and other creepy crawlies.
You can easily spend an hour or two visiting everything or simply relax on a bench while watching the butterflies flutter around. Use your Warwickshire Explorer Pass to enter or buy tickets at the door. If you can, visit during the week or when it first opens to visit during a quieter time.
15. Visit medieval Warwick Castle.
Warwick Castle is just a 15-minute drive from Stratford-upon-Avon into the Warwickshire countryside. The castle began as a wooden fortress built by William the Conqueror in 1068 and was built upon and fortified with stone in the 12th century. The Castle served as the home for the Earls of Warwick until the 1970s, however, it appears as if some of the former Earls and their families still linger…
Today, visitors can tour some of the castle’s rooms, walk along the defensive ramparts, and even tour the dungeon. The castle also has medieval-themed shows including birds of prey demonstrations, archery, and how the catapult was used in defense.
It’s a family-friendly, fun, and interesting castle to visit while you’re in the Stratford-upon-Avon area. Plus, it’s included in the Warwickshire Explorer Pass!
16. Drive through the Cotswolds Villages.
The idyllic Cotswold villages are what you imagine when you think of the English countryside. Honey-colored limestone cottages lining small village roads that are surrounded by open green hills where herds of sheep graze.
Villages like Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Campden, the Slaughters, and Bibury are all within easy driving range from Stratford-upon-Avon. Along the way, you’ll wind down country lanes and through villages with shops, cafes, and walking paths into the hillsides.
Visit manor houses with English gardens and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace, as well as the 15th-century Sudeley Castle.
If you’re planning a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon and have a couple of days in the area, plan to visit the Cotswolds villages. They’re a must!
Things to Do in Stratford-upon-Avon FAQs
The best way to spend a day in Stratford-upon-Avon typically includes visiting Shakespearean attractions like Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, and Mary Arden’s Farm. With the time left over, stroll along the pretty streets, explore local shops, and enjoy a leisurely boat ride on the River Avon. If you have time or plan to stay the night, get tickets for a play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Without a doubt! Stratford-upon-Avon is a beautiful town adorned with picturesque streets, a scenic river, and stunning historic buildings at every turn. Plus, the historic Shakespearean sights are interesting and give you the chance to learn more about this world-famous playwright.
While one day is enough to visit the highlights of the town, plan more than a day if you can. You’ll be able to enjoy Stratford-upon-Avon in a more relaxed way and perhaps even venture further into the countryside.
Discover Stratford-upon-Avon’s English Charm
Of course, all good things come to an end and your time in Stratford-upon-Avon is no different.
Alas, “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” 😉
Prepare to be delighted with Stratford-upon-Avon’s English charm, the town’s history, and its Shakespearean past. Located just a quick 2-hour journey from London, it’s the perfect addition to your U.K. itinerary!
Would you like to visit Stratford-upon-Avon?
Like this post? Please share it using the social media share buttons below!
