A Guide to Visiting Stratford-Upon-Avon

I recently went on a two day solo trip to Stratford Upon Avon and it did not disappoint! Here is a little guide to the best things to do, where to stay and everywhere I ate during my little trip. 

Stratford is a gorgeous place that I am shocked I haven’t visited before- especially as a former English student! The ‘purpose’ of my trip was to go and see a play at the Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre, and I was over the moon to discover that they were showing Much Ado About Nothing whilst I was there. 

What To Do

 

Despite being quite a small town, Stratford has a lot to offer. These are some of the things that I got up to, and how much they cost me: 

Walk along the River Avon 

The outskirts of the town is a gorgeous spot to walk along and soak up the beauty of the river. It is peaceful, green and has a few different walking routes that you can take. If you are interested in hiring a pedal boat, kayak or canoe there are options for this here, and you can enjoy a peaceful sail along the still river, taking in all the wildlife. There is also a foot ferry that takes you across the river back into town, if you don’t want to do the walk around. 

Visit Shakespeare’s Birth Place, New Place and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage 

I recommend buying the Shakespeare Story Ticket for £27 per adult, as this gives you access to Shakespeare’s Birth Place, New Place and also Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. It is a really good price for all three places, and you only have to book a time slot for the birth place, the other two you can visit whenever. The pass also gives you free return entry for the year as well. 

Shakespeare’s birth place is what it sounds like- the place he was born in. You can walk around the house, taking in the old charm of the building, the thatched roof and the gorgeous garden space outside, listening to the knowledgeable guides from the Shakespeare’s Trust talk you through what you are looking at and giving you some fun facts! 

The New Place is a short walk away from the birth place, and has stunning gardens that are wonderful to walk around. Like the Birth Place, there is plenty to look at including exhibitions, signs and knowledgeable staff that can inform you about what you’re looking at. 

Anne Hathaway’s cottage is slightly further out of the town- about a twenty minute or so walk, or you can drive and park up there. It is the same as the other two places in that you can look around and ask for information from the staff if you want to, plus there’s a lovely little cafe over the road too. 

Wander around the Town Centre 

The town centre, albeit quite small, is beautiful, especially near the river, and there are plenty of shops and cafes to enjoy having a wander around. There is a market too on a Friday, with stalls to browse around, plus lots of hidden little alleys with shops and food places to explore. 

See a Show at the Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre 

The RSC is an iconic theatre and is, of course, the home of all things Shakespeare. I saw Much Ado About Nothing and it was incredible. The theatre itself is stunning inside, very Globe-esque, and the cast were brilliant too. Tickets range in prices so I definitely recommend taking the opportunity to go and see the company perform if you are in Stratford. 

Places to Eat/Drink

I found a gorgeous coffee shop in the town centre, one of the few that wasn’t a chain. It was called Coffee #1 and it was super spacious, had lots of cakes and treats and really good coffees and hot chocolate. It was ideal for a pit stop to rest my feet on both days I was there! 

I ate at a restaurant called Prospero on my second night there before the theatre. Solo dining was quite scary for me, so I picked this place because it is super relaxed, you can order at the bar/using a QR code, and there is lots of casual seating and diners as well as people having sit down meals. It was super lovely, all the food was great and it was a welcoming place to sit and eat alone. 

Where I Stayed 

I stayed at a lovely little bed and breakfast called Broadlands Guest House. It was within walking distance of the town centre (five minutes max) and had free parking which was a bonus seen as parking in the town is very expensive. My room was perfect for what I needed and the reasonable price also included breakfast the next morning. It was a small place but super friendly and I felt comfortable there even alone. 

This is the full address: 23 Evesham Place, Stratford-Upon-Avon, CV37 6HT.

Outro 

Ultimately, I had a great time visiting Stratford. There is so much on offer to do, and lots to soak up, especially for those who are Shakespeare, theatre or literature fans. It is easy to visit on a budget, as most activities are reasonably priced, and you can access nearly everywhere you need to on foot if you can. There are plenty of free activities too that are enjoyable for kids and adults alike.