Our Stratford-upon-Avon Journey Information consists of advisable locations to go to and issues to do, lodging choices, ideas and extra for this historic English market city. Every little thing it’s essential to plan your go to and important studying for anybody planning to go to Stratford-upon-Avon!
Stratford-upon-Avon Journey Information
The gorgeous city of Stratford-upon-Avon is situated within the coronary heart of England’s Warwickshire countryside. Point out Startford and its most well-known former resident will come instantly to thoughts. William Shakespeare was born, married, lived, died and is buried within the city.
As such Stratford-upon-Avon is a well-liked vacation spot for literature lovers and historical past buffs.
The city is house to a plethora of cultural sights, together with the Royal Shakespeare Firm, which levels productions on the beautiful Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Guests may also discover the charming streets of Stratford-upon-Avon’s historic city centre, which is crammed with medieval timbered buildings and winding cobbled streets.
In case you’re seeking to bask in some retail remedy, Stratford-upon-Avon has a variety of impartial retailers and boutiques promoting every thing from artisanal crafts and regionally made items to high-street style and souvenirs.
The city can also be house to quite a few wonderful eating places, pubs, and cafes, providing a various vary of delicacies to go well with all tastes and budgets.
However Stratford-upon-Avon isn’t only a excellent place to go to for a day journey or a weekend getaway. Situated on the northern fringe of the Cotswolds the city is surrounded by stunning countryside, making it an ideal base for exploring the area’s many charming villages and beautiful pure magnificence.
Whether or not you’re seeking to loosen up and unwind within the peace and quiet of the countryside or expertise the wealthy tradition and historical past of England’s most well-known playwright, Stratford-upon-Avon has one thing for everybody.
In case you are planning to go to quite a few sights and sights in Warwickshire think about buying the Shakespeare’s England Explorer Move. Lower your expenses on admission costs and select from a go that’s legitimate for 1, 2, or 3 days. The go consists of entry to 9 sights eg Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Kenilworth Fortress.
Plan your go to to Stratford-upon-Avon – FAQs
When is the very best time of 12 months to go to Stratford-upon-Avon?
Stratford is a well-liked vacation spot for guests from abroad and Brits alike so it’s value taking just a few issues into consideration when planning your go to.
Climate
The climate in Stratford-upon-Avon is typical of the UK and will be unpredictable at any time of 12 months. Summer time (June to August) is mostly the warmest and driest season, with common excessive temperatures starting from 20-25°C (the mid-60s to low-70s Fahrenheit).
Nonetheless, it will also be fairly busy and touristy throughout this time. Spring (March to Could) and fall (September to November) are likely to have extra average temperatures and fewer crowds, making them good instances to go to if you wish to keep away from the height vacationer season.
Winter (December to February) will be chilly and moist, with common excessive temperatures ranging round 8-13°C (from the mid-40s to mid-50s Fahrenheit).
Nonetheless, Stratford-upon-Avon remains to be a well-liked vacation spot throughout the winter months, particularly across the holidays.
Festivals and occasions
📚 Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Competition – 2nd Could to seventh Could 2023
The pageant celebrates the wealthy literary heritage of Stratford-upon and options quite a lot of occasions and actions for literature lovers of all ages.
The pageant usually takes place within the spring and encompasses a vary of occasions together with talks and discussions with authors and different literary figures, workshops and masterclasses, guide launches, and readings. Previous contributors have included a various vary of authors and audio system, comparable to Margaret Atwood and J.Ok. Rowling.
🥂 Stratford-upon-Avon Meals and Drink Competition – September 2023
The pageant celebrates the area’s wealthy culinary heritage and options varied occasions and actions centered on foods and drinks.
Take pleasure in a variety of occasions together with foods and drinks tastings, cooking demonstrations, workshops, and talks by cooks and different meals trade professionals. The pageant additionally features a vary of foods and drinks stalls and distributors promoting quite a lot of native and worldwide cuisines.
🎄 Stratford-upon-Avon Christmas Market
Within the weeks main as much as Christmas head to Stratford for the Christmas market. Take pleasure in a variety of occasions together with carol singing and festive leisure.
The market additionally features a vary of stalls and distributors promoting quite a lot of Christmas items and decorations, in addition to foods and drinks.
College holidays
If you wish to keep away from crowds, you could wish to keep away from visiting Stratford-upon-Avon throughout the faculty holidays, when the city can get fairly busy.
The primary faculty vacation intervals within the UK are the Christmas and New 12 months holidays, the Easter holidays, and the summer time holidays (late July to early September).
What’s the easiest way to discover Stratford-upon-Avon?
Strolling is an effective way to see the sights and get a really feel for the city at your personal tempo. There are a number of strolling excursions out there together with this strolling tour specializing in Shakespeare’s life.
There are additionally themed excursions specializing in particular elements of the city’s historical past and tradition eg a Shakespeare & Hathaway TV Websites Tour, the Sinister Aspect of Stratford Strolling Tour and the Darkish Chronicles Horror Strolling Tour.
Stratford-upon-Avon is situated on the River Avon which makes a ship tour an effective way to see the city from a distinct perspective.
In case you desire a guided tour and don’t wish to do a number of strolling, a bus tour is an effective possibility. A hop-on hop-off bus tour of Stratford-upon-Avon means that you can see the primary sights and sights at your personal tempo. It additionally consists of a few of the sights which can be a bit of out of the city comparable to Anne Hathaway’s cottage.
The way to journey to Stratford-upon-Avon from London
On a tour
In case you are pushed for time the easiest way to go to Stratford from London could also be to take an organised tour. Typically these excursions embody just a few different areas so this might be a chance so as to add different locations into your itinerary.
Choices embody
- Stonehenge, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and Tub Day Journey – Uncover the secrets and techniques of Stonehenge, have free time to find the town of Tub, take in the appeal of the Cotswolds, and go to Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon on this 12 hour day journey.
By prepare
Essentially the most direct service by prepare from London departs Marylebone Station. Most providers have one change.
The journey takes roughly two hours and trains run regularly all through the day.
Purchase prepare tickets right here.
By automobile
In case you are hiring a automobile within the UK and are beginning your journey from London we advise that you simply get out of the capital first and choose up the automobile from an airport comparable to Heathrow or a bigger city or metropolis.
The whole distance from London Heathrow to Stratford-upon-Avon is about 90 miles and the journey ought to take round 1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours, relying on site visitors.
By coach
To get to Stratford-upon-Avon from London by coach take a Nationwide Specific coach from Victoria Coach Station.
There are common coaches from Victoria Coach Station to Stratford-upon-Avon, with a journey time of round 3 hours and 25 minutes.
You should purchase tickets for Nationwide Specific coaches on-line through Omio or on the coach station. It’s a good suggestion to guide your tickets upfront, as costs can improve nearer to the date of journey.
Sights and issues to do in Stratford-upon-Avon
Favorite issues to do and see in Stratford
Stroll in Shakespeare’s footsteps and discover the home the place he was born and grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Step into the world of Sixteenth-century William Shakespeare with this entry to his former schoolroom and the Guildhall. The interactive expertise permits you to sit within the very room the place Shakespeare studied as a boy, participating in a Tudor-style lesson.
- Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is a historic thatched cottage situated within the village of Shottery, simply outdoors Stratford-upon-Avon. It was the childhood house of Anne Hathaway, who was the spouse of William Shakespeare. The cottage is now a museum and is open to the general public.
As a part of your go to to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, you’ll be able to discover the historic rooms of the cottage and be taught in regards to the life and instances of Anne Hathaway. The cottage has been fastidiously restored to replicate the interval through which Anne lived, and the rooms are crammed with interval furnishings and artefacts.
Along with the primary cottage, there may be additionally a fantastic backyard to discover, which options quite a lot of vegetation and flowers that will have been acquainted to Anne and her contemporaries.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is open to the general public from March to October.
Mary Arden’s Farm is a residing historical past museum situated within the village of Wilmcote, simply outdoors Stratford-upon-Avon. It’s the childhood house of Mary Arden, the mom of William Shakespeare, and is now a well-liked customer attraction.
As a part of your go to to Mary Arden’s Farm, you’ll be able to step again in time and expertise life on a Tudor farm. The farm is house to quite a lot of animals, together with cows, sheep, pigs, and poultry, and there are every day demonstrations of conventional farming methods, comparable to spinning and weaving.
Along with the farm, there may be additionally a Tudor home on the location that has been fastidiously restored to replicate the interval through which Mary Arden lived. You may discover the home and be taught in regards to the every day lifetime of a Tudor household.
Mary Arden’s Farm is open to the general public from March to October.
- Royal Shakespeare Theatre
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is a serious repertory theatre situated in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. It’s house to the Royal Shakespeare Firm (RSC), one of the crucial prestigious theatre corporations on the planet.
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is a fantastic venue, with a surprising modernist design and state-of-the-art services. It’s the most important venue for the RSC’s productions of Shakespeare’s performs, in addition to a variety of different classical and modern productions.
In case you’re visiting Stratford-upon-Avon and are eager about seeing a play on the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, you’ll be able to buy tickets on-line or on the field workplace. The RSC usually has a variety of productions on supply, so you’ll be able to select the one which pursuits you most.
Along with seeing a play, you can too take a tour of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, which lets you discover behind the scenes and be taught in regards to the historical past and operation of the venue.
The MAD Museum (Mechanical Artwork and Design Museum) is devoted to showcasing the work of native artists and designers. The museum is house to a group of mechanical artworks, together with kinetic sculptures and automata, in addition to interactive displays and workshops.
As a part of your go to to the MAD Museum, you’ll be able to discover the museum’s assortment of mechanical artworks and be taught in regards to the design and building of those intricate items. The museum additionally hosts a variety of workshops and occasions, the place you’ll be able to be taught new abilities and take a look at your hand at creating your personal mechanical paintings.
The MAD Museum is open to the general public from Monday to Saturday
Included within the Explorer Move
Meals and Drink Experiences & Excursions
Be taught to bake scones and different treats for a traditional afternoon tea throughout a baking class close to Shakespeare’s home. The category takes place in an enthralling cottage close to the city centre.
All of the recipes are from/impressed by Shakespeare’s performs and Elizabethan cooking – this can be a distinctive cooking & baking expertise and an effective way to expertise the tradition at a neighborhood place.
earn how one can make healthful sourdough bread at an impartial bakery within the coronary heart of Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Be taught the secrets and techniques of gin making, learn how the spirits are influenced by Tudor-period distillery methods and uncover all the various components that create the award-winning Stratford Gin.
The place to eat and drink in Stratford-upon-Avon
The Fourteas Tea Room
Classic-themed cafe. There may be an unique Anderson shelter situated within the backyard!
Handle – 24 Sheep Avenue, CV37 6EF
The Vintner
The Vintner is a wine bar situated within the coronary heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. It serves a regionally sourced seasonal menu.
Handle – 4-5 Sheep Avenue, CV37 6EF
The Windmill Inn
Serves British pub fare. Small beer backyard.
Handle – Church Avenue, CV37 6HB
The Deli Cafe
The Deli is a well-liked cafe situated within the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon. It serves a variety of sandwiches, salads, and soups, in addition to a collection of muffins and pastries.
Handle – 13-14 Meer Avenue, CV37 6QB
Lodging in Stratford-upon-Avon
- £££ – The White Swan Lodge – Set in a Grade II listed constructing, this resort combines historic appeal with trendy comfort.
- £ £ £ – The Arden Lodge Stratford – Located reverse the Royal Shakespeare Firm Theatre with free non-public parking.
- ££ – Ashgrove Home – B&B in an amazing location with wonderful evaluations
Extra particular stays – Lodging Information for England
Different fashionable locations to go to close to to Stratford upon Avon
- Warwick Fortress: Situated only a quick drive from Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick Fortress is a historic fort that dates again to the eleventh century. Guests can discover the fort’s grounds and gardens, and see the medieval Nice Corridor and Banqueting Corridor.
- The Cotswolds: The Cotswolds is a fantastic area of rolling hills and quaint villages situated to the south of Stratford-upon-Avon. It’s a fashionable vacation spot for strolling and biking, and there are a variety of charming cities and villages to discover, comparable to Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, and extra.
- Oxford: Oxford is a metropolis situated about an hour’s drive from Stratford-upon-Avon. It’s house to the world-famous College of Oxford and is a well-liked vacation spot for its historic schools, museums, and exquisite gardens.
- Birmingham: Birmingham is a serious metropolis situated about an hour’s drive from Stratford-upon-Avon. It’s house to quite a few fashionable sights, together with the Bullring purchasing centre, the Nationwide Sea Life Centre, and the Birmingham Museum and Artwork Gallery.
- Blenheim Palace: Blenheim Palace is a grand nation home situated a few 30-minute drive from Stratford-upon-Avon. It’s house to the Duke of Marlborough and is a well-liked vacationer attraction, with stunning gardens, a historic parkland, and an ornate stately house.
- Hidcote Manor Backyard: Hidcote Manor Backyard is a fantastic backyard situated a few 20-minute drive from Stratford-upon-Avon. It’s recognized for its distinctive “rooms”, every with its personal distinctive character and planting scheme.
- The Roman Baths: The Roman Baths (within the metropolis of Tub) are a well-preserved Roman website situated about an hour’s drive from Stratford-upon-Avon. Guests can discover the baths and be taught in regards to the historical past of this essential Roman website.
Take pleasure in your go to to Stratford-upon-Avon
Thanks for studying our information to Stratford upon Avon – I’m certain we’ve got included every thing it’s essential to know to plan your go to.
Learn extra about visiting England and past: