Stratford-Upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is one of those English towns that seems almost designed for visitors. Half-timbered buildings, the River Avon, pretty streets, historic pubs, pleasant parks and, lurking around virtually every corner, William Shakespeare.
You can't really escape him. Nor, to be fair, should you.
The obvious starting point is Shakespeare's Birthplace, the timber-framed house in Henley Street where the world's most famous playwright was born in 1564. It is now one of the town's major attractions, and whether you are a Shakespeare enthusiast or merely remember studying Macbeth at school, it is difficult not to be impressed by the sense of history.Opening Hours: 10:00 – 17:00 (March 16 to November 1, 2026) Last Entry: 16:00
You can pre-book tickets through the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust to save money compared to buying them on the door:
Adult (18+ including seniors): £25 online / £27 on the door
Child (3–17): £12.50 online / £13.50 on the door
Under 3s: Free
Concession: £21.25 online / £22.95 on the door
The Shakespeare connection doesn't end there. The Shakespeare Centre, Hall's Croft, Nash's House and Anne Hathaway's Cottage are all associated with the playwright and his family. You can, if you wish, spend most of a day following Shakespeare around the town like an exceptionally persistent literary detective.
The most important site, however, is probably Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare was baptised and buried. It is an attractive medieval church in a beautiful riverside setting, and his grave is inside.
Even if you have reached your Shakespeare limit by this point, don't leave town.
Stratford itself is a very attractive place to wander around. The old centre contains a mixture of Tudor buildings, Georgian architecture and later additions, with plenty of independent shops, cafés and pubs. Some parts are undeniably touristy, but the town has managed to avoid becoming nothing more than a giant Shakespeare theme park.
The River Avon is another major attraction. The riverside is lovely for a stroll, particularly on a decent day, with boats moving along the water and plenty of green space. You can take a river cruise, hire a boat or simply sit and watch everybody else doing the hard work.The town's theatrical tradition is, naturally, enormous. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is home to the Royal Shakespeare Company and puts on Shakespeare's plays alongside other productions. Even if theatre isn't normally your thing, seeing a performance here is rather appropriate when visiting Stratford.
The theatre also occupies an excellent position beside the river, and the surrounding area has been considerably improved over the years.
Stratford has plenty of history beyond Shakespeare, too. The Guild Chapel contains some fascinating medieval wall paintings, while the remains of Stratford's medieval town can still be appreciated in various parts of the centre.
And then there is the food and drink.
The town has no shortage of pubs and restaurants, ranging from the traditional to the distinctly modern. Some establishments are inevitably aimed squarely at tourists, and prices in the most obvious locations can reflect that. Wander a little further from the main attractions and you will generally find better value.
The same applies to shopping. The central streets are packed with souvenirs and Shakespeare merchandise, much of which you probably don't need. Unless you have always wanted a fridge magnet featuring a quotation from Hamlet, of course.
For families, Stratford works particularly well because there is plenty of open space and the river provides a pleasant change from museums and historic houses. The Stratford Butterfly Farm is another popular attraction and is surprisingly enjoyable for adults as well as children.Opening Hours:- Summer (29 March – 30 September): 10:00 – 18:00
Winter / Autumn: Opens at 10:00 and closes near dusk (typically around 17:00 or 17:30 depending on the month)
Admission - Adult: £11.95, Senior (65+) & Students: £10.95, Child (3–16 years): £8.95, Under 3s Free
The surrounding countryside is also attractive, and Stratford makes an excellent base for exploring Warwickshire. Warwick Castle is within easy reach, while the Cotswolds aren't far away either.
There are, inevitably, some drawbacks.
Stratford can become extremely busy, particularly during weekends, school holidays and the summer months. Coaches arrive, the streets fill up and the whole place can feel rather less idyllic than the postcards suggest. Parking isn't always cheap or convenient either.
But that's the price of being one of Britain's most popular historic towns.
And despite the crowds, Stratford-upon-Avon remains one of those places that is difficult to dislike. The combination of Shakespeare, Tudor architecture, the river and the surrounding countryside gives it a very distinctive character.
You don't need to be a Shakespeare fanatic to enjoy it. In fact, I'd suggest resisting the temptation to spend the entire day visiting Shakespeare properties. See the birthplace, visit Holy Trinity Church, perhaps catch a performance at the RSC, and then spend some time simply enjoying the town.
Old Moaner's verdict: Stratford-upon-Avon is undeniably touristy, undeniably busy and undeniably expensive in places — but it has earned its popularity. The historic buildings are superb, the river is lovely, the theatre is world-class and the Shakespeare connection is genuinely fascinating.
Just don't buy the Shakespeare fridge magnet.
Unless you really, really want one.
Highly recommended.
Prices correct as at September 2026
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