Stratford-upon-Avon – Your Complete Shakespeare Guide

A Tudor market town on the banks of the Avon, Stratford-upon-Avon is where William Shakespeare was born, married, wrote and finally lay to rest. This guide (about 800 words) covers the must-see Shakespeare sites, the best independent places to eat or drink and how to catch a play with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Follow our tips and you can tick off the highlights in a relaxed weekend.

Top Shakespeare Sites in Stratford-upon-Avon

• Shakespeare’s Birthplace – The half-timbered house where the Bard was born in 1564. Live actors perform monologues in the courtyard (official site).
• Anne Hathaway’s Cottage – A thatched farmhouse in Shottery where Shakespeare wooed his future wife. Apple orchards and sculpture trails surround the cottage.
• Shakespeare’s New Place – Wander gardens on the footprint of the grand home he bought in 1597, dotted with sculptures representing famous quotes.
• Hall’s Croft – Elegant Jacobean house of daughter Susanna and physician John Hall, packed with 17th-century medical curiosities.
• Holy Trinity Church – Shakespeare’s burial place beside the Avon. View the ledger stone bearing his self-written epitaph.

Catching a Play at the Royal Shakespeare Company

The Royal Shakespeare Company performs year-round in two riverside venues: the 1,040-seat Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the intimate Swan. Backstage tours reveal trapdoors and lighting bridges. Check current listings and book seats via the button below.

See Today’s RSC Listings

Food and Drink Favourites

Stratford is compact, and each Shakespeare spot is within a 15-minute stroll of a good meal.

• The Garrick Inn – 14th-century pub pouring cask ales and steak pie (4.3 ★).
• The Dirty Duck – Actor hang-out with signed photos of Judi Dench and Ian McKellen (4.4 ★).
• Loxley’s Restaurant & Wine Bar – Season-led brasserie, ideal for pre-theatre dining (4.6 ★).
• The FourTeas – 1940s-themed tea room serving warm scones and Earl Grey (4.7 ★).
• The Opposition Bistro – Creative modern British cooking on Sheep Street, loved by locals.

More Things to Do Beyond Shakespeare

Stroll the riverside Bancroft Gardens, rent a rowing boat or take an Avon cruise to Charlecote Park, a National Trust deer estate five miles away. Stratford Butterfly Farm is the UK’s largest tropical greenhouse, perfect for families.

Planning Tips

• Save with a Shakespeare Pass: One ticket covers all five Shakespeare Birthplace Trust houses.
• Travel: Direct trains run hourly from London Marylebone, two hours via Leamington Spa.
• Peak seasons: Easter and summer festivals fill hotels quickly; book rooms at least three months ahead.

Sources & Further Reading