fbpx

Our guide to Stratford-upon-Avon

Once a quaint and unassuming market settlement, Stratford-upon-Avon is a picturesque town in its own right but was catapulted in to the limelight in the 16th century with the renown of one of its residents, William Shakespeare, and remains today one of England’s most popular visitor destinations.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a charming market town straddling the banks of the river Avon. It was first developed as a trading centre for the farmers and fabric producers who worked the fertile pastoral lands surrounding the town and became a popular rest point for the stage coaches rattling through on journeys from London to the North of England. Today the town blends modern buildings with the beautiful facades of authentic Elizabethan timberwork structures as well as Victorian mock Tudor dwellings. The historic architecture combined with the array of colourful canal boats bobbing on the lazy waters of the Avon and the surrounding greens and parks makes Stratford a particularly picturesque town.

However, it is not Stratford-upon-Avon’s beauty that pulls in more than 3 million visitors a year, but it’s association with arguably the most famous Englishman ever to have lived and the ultimate master of the English language; William Shakespeare. The great bard was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564 to humble middle class roots and although he left for London as a young man, where he developed his writing skills at the globe theatre, he returned, wealthy and well-known, to his beloved Stratford after his retirement in the early 1600s and remained there until his death some years later.

Today, situated at the centre of Shakespeare country, as the sign posts in the area will tell you, Stratford-upon-Avon is home to a wealth of Shakespeare related heritage sites ideal for anyone with a passing interest or an avid appetite for English language, literature and Shakespeare’s works. In the centre of the town you will find Shakespeare’s Birthplace Museum; consisting of a restored timberwork building and modern visitor centre, this is a comprehensive exhibition in to the life of Shakespeare and some of his best-known works. A short walk away you can visit the Holy Trinity Church, a charming 13th century sandstone structure, with pretty 14th century stained glass windows – it is here where you will find Shakespeare’s final resting place.

The town however is home to an abundance of other Shakespeare related heritage sites including Nash’s House and Halls Croft both of which were both once homes of Shakespeare’s relations and which today house period carvings and original Elizabethan furnishings. On the outskirts of town you will find Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Mary Arden’s House, properties which belonged to Shakespeare’s wife and mother respectively and which have been magnificently preserved to offer further insight to the life and times of their famous relation.

If you are lucky enough to get tickets, you can experience one of Shakespeare’s works produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company at one of Stratford’s two theatres; the Royal Shakespeare Theatre or the Swan Theatre which has a traditional Elizabethan “in the round” stage.

If the town itself is not enough, Stratford-upon-Avon provides a pleasant touring base situated on the northern edge of the Cotswolds and close to other historic towns such as the charming medieval Warwick home to one of England’s largest and most visited medieval fortresses at Warwick Castle. Stratford-upon-Avon will be a highlight of any tour of the historic towns of England and is an absolute “must” for any literary buffs.

Related Guides

Relevant Tours

  Classic Favourites  
Britain Tours - Lake District

A Small Group Tour of England and Scotland – From the southernmost tip of the Cornish Peninsular to the remote wilderness of the Isle of Skye, enjoy an epic small-group journey through the diverse cultures and landscapes of England and Scotland. Discover the quaint fishing towns of Cornwall, the rolling hills and honey-coloured villages of the Cotswolds, the ruggedly beautiful landscapes of the English Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, and finally the barren moorlands of the Scottish Highlands. Along the way we’ll visit the heritage cities of Bath, Oxford, York, Chester, Inverness and Edinburgh, and experience regional food, drink and hospitality. South Coast to Skye is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the culture and panoramas of England and Scotland.

Tours of England - Bath

A Castle Tour of England - Enjoy the history and grandeur of an ancient land on this tour of England. By day you'll explore castle ruins, opulent manor houses, historic sites, stunning landscapes and England’s cultural jewels such as Oxford, Stratford, Chester, York and Bath whilst by night you'll live like royalty as you experience historic and characterful castle hotels and country manor house accommodation!

  Classic Favourites  
Chester, England

An England Rail Tour – Make use of England’s extensive and far-reaching rail network to explore the corners of this great nation.  From the capital city of London your journey will take you to England’s farthest reaches in on the Cornish Peninsula and the Lake District. Along the way you’ll visit a host of heritage cites including Plymouth, Bath, Oxford, Chester and York. You’ll take in scenic rail rides along the Cornish Coast and over the Yorkshire Dales and enjoy small-group day tours to reach those less accessible spots including Stonehenge, the Cotswolds and the dramatic scenery of the Lake District.

England Tours Salisbury

A week-long tour of England - Icons of England takes you on a journey of discovery of England’s most renowned sites, cities and landscapes.  You’ll experience English icons including Stonehenge, Bath’s Roman Baths, the rolling hills of the Cotswolds countryside, Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon Avon, York Minster, the colleges of Cambridge and a wealth of attractions across the English Capital London.

Tour of York England

A Private Tour of Britain - Indulge your senses in the history, heritage and landscapes of Britain. Relax as in the company of an experienced private driver who’ll share their local knowledge and insight as they guide you through the countryside of England, Scotland and Wales. Enjoy quality and characterful accommodations each night and a wealth of included sightseeing each day including a unique local experience in the heart of the Cotswolds. For those seeking something a little special, the British Indulgence is a “must”.

  Classic Favourites  
England Tours of Oxford

A Great Britain driving tour - experience all that is great about Britain on the ultimate tour of England, Scotland and Wales. See it all, from the thriving capital cities of London, Edinburgh and Cardiff to the remote Scottish Highlands, tranquil Lake District and spectacular Snowdonia National Park. Along the way you’ll experience diverse cultures and histories and see world-famous landmarks including Stonehenge, the Roman Baths, Cardiff Castle, the Cotswolds, Hadrian’s Wall, Loch Ness and Edinburgh Castle.

England Tours - Stonehenge

Discover quintessential England as you explore the patchwork countryside of the Cotswolds and some of England’s most captivating historic cities. Delight in the whimsical academia of Oxford, Shakespeare’s Stratford and the grandeur of the Georgian City of Bath not to mention a host of lesser-known gems such as the eccentrically named Cotswold villages of Castle Combe, Chipping Campden, Stow-on-the-Wold and Broadway.

Tours of the Heart of England - Warwick Castle

A Cotswolds Rail Tour – Use England’s rail network to explore the historic towns and quintessential countryside of the heart of England. From the Regency streets of Bath and the medieval colleges of Oxford to the Elizabethan streets of Stratford-upon-Avon, this region is brimming with English history and heritage. You’ll also enjoy day-tours to the rolling hills and chocolate-box cottages of the Cotswolds countryside and over the Wiltshire plains to Stonehenge.

Tour of York England

A Britain Rail Tour – Experience the cities and landscapes of two great nations on this rail journey of discovery through England and Scotland.  Travelling from vibrant London in the South to romantic Edinburgh in the North and back again your itinerary will take you through the historic cities of Oxford, Glasgow and York. Along the way you’ll experience scenic rail-rides through the rolling British countryside and enjoy hand-picked day tours to reach the rural sites and villages of the Cotswolds, the Lake District and Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park.

England Tours - Lake District

English Pub Tour – Is there anything more quintessentially English than a country pub or coaching inn? Our country pubs of England tour offers the opportunity to tour the scenic and historic destinations of this nations whilst overnighting in traditional pubs and inns sure to offer a warm welcome, homely feel and good “pub grub” food and drink.  Your journey will take you through the rolling fields of Cambridgeshire to York, over the Dales of Lake District to patchwork countryside of the Cotswolds.

  Classic Favourites  
Tours England - York

An England driving tour - England Explorer is a comprehensive tour of this great nation taking you from the heart of England to its far-reaching corners including the beautiful Lake District and the coastlines of Cornwall. You’ll experience classic English countryside including the Cotswolds and Yorkshire Dales and a host of historic cities including York, Chester and Bath not to mention a couple of nights in the vibrant English capital city, London.

Tours of England - Liverpool

The British Journey tour is a Britain driving tour that takes you on an expedition from the capital of Scotland to the capital of England touching upon Wales and enjoying a wealth of cultural highlights along the way. Explore Scotland’s “Highlands in miniature” and the historic city of Edinburgh before passing south through the inspiring landscapes of the Lake District, Cotswolds and Wye Valley to glorious historic cities including Chester, Cardiff, Stratford upon Avon and Bath. Your trip ends in the thriving metropolis of London.

  Classic Favourites  
Tours of Britain Search

Classic Britain Driving Tour - a snapshot of the countryside and historic cities of England, Scotland and Wales. Enjoy the rolling hills and thatch villages of the Cotswolds to the towering mountains and fortresses of North Wales. Pass through the lakes and dales of the English Lake District and the rolling hills of the Scottish Lowlands and Yorkshire Dales. Historic cities to explore on route include Regency Bath, Medieval York, and the capital cities of Edinburgh and London.

England Tours - Cotswolds

Private Tour of the Cotswolds - Discover quintessential England on an exclusive private tour of the historic cities and rolling landscapes of the Cotswolds. Travelling in the company of your local driver, you'll experience the contrasts of this region from the iconic Stonehenge and elegant city of Bath to the countryside life of rural England. Your private driver will share their local knowledge and take you to see the hidden gems of the Cotswolds before inviting you to enjoy a unique experience at a traditional working farm in the heart of the region. Your exclusive overnight hotels will boast both character and quality, the ideal spaces in which to relax after a day touring in the classic Cotswolds.

Bibury, Cotswolds, England

A small group tour of Britain – Aspects of Britain offers a leisurely tour through England, Scotland and Wales for an engaging insight in to British culture and countryside. Your journey will take you through the rural regions of the South Wales valleys, the Cotswolds, the North Yorkshire Moors and the Scottish Lowlands to the heritage cities of Cardiff, York and Glasgow. Along the way we’ll visit medieval castles, roam Shakespeare country, wonder at stately homes, discover ancient abbey ruins and see shimmering Scottish lochs. The highlights of Britain are waiting to be explored.

Tours of Wales - Brecon Beacons

Enjoy an England and Wales driving tour to experience the contrasts of two distinct British cultures on this in-depth tour of two of Britain's intriguing nations.  Enjoy the contrasting vistas of the patchwork fields of the Cotswolds, the rustic Yorkshire Dales, the mountains of Snowdonia and the coastlines of the Pembrokeshire National Park. Not to mention icons of English and Welsh history at Conwy Castle, York Minster, Shakespeare’s Stratford, Cardiff Castle and Stonehenge.

England Tours of Oxford

A Rail Tour of England – Experience the highlights of England on this concise but attraction packed tour as you traverse the comprehensive English rail network. Enjoy overnight stays in some of England’s best-known heritage cities including Bath, Oxford and York to see iconic sites such as ancient Roman Baths, medieval university colleges and towering cathedrals.  You’ll also experience England’s quintessential countryside as included small-group tours take you in to the heart of the Cotswolds villages and Lake District National Park.

Tours of England - Liverpool

A British Rail Tour – Get two countries for the price of one as you use the British rail network to explore the rails England and Wales. Your itinerary will include scenic rail rides through the scenic Welsh border Marches and over the Yorkshire Dales whilst overnight stops include the historic cities of Chester and York and the cosmopolitan Welsh capital city of Cardiff. In order to best explore the rural landscapes of Wales we’ve included two separate day tours to explore the South Wales countryside and the mountains of Snowdonia in the North Wales.

Tours of London - Tower Bridge

A driving tour of England and Scotland - indulge in a unique trip taking in two of Britain’s most unique nations.  Your self-drive vacation will take you through the rural landscapes of England and Scotland before returning your vehicle in Edinburgh and returning to London by rail. The trip will take in the beautiful landscapes of the Cotswolds, Yorkshire, Lake District and Scottish Highlands not to mention a host of elegant cities including York, Glasgow, Edinburgh and London.

Contact us