Stratford-upon-Avon
Why we love Stratford-upon-Avon
Born and buried here in the heart of England is the great bard himself, William Shakespeare. There’s a lot centred around the scribe in this hopelessly romantic town, from its three theatres to the half-timbered Tudor cottages of he and his significant others.
You can’t come here and miss out Shakespeare, but there’s so much more to Stratford-upon-Avon. Choose paddle boarding or ghost touring, raise a glass to the Shakespeare Distillery or cruise the River Avon. What to see, or not to see – that really is the question.
Featured things to do
Walk with alpacas
Take to the countryside and meet friendly alpacas at Middle England Farm. Spend time feeding and playing with the creatures, before taking them on a stroll around the fields. You’ll also get to meet British rare breed sheep and pigs, as well as pygmy goats, bunnies and meerkats!
Cruise the river Avon
A trip down the river is one of the best ways to see Stratford-upon-Avon. River cruises start from the historic Swan’s Nest Boathouse, or you can power yourself, with a punt, rowing boat or canoe. Take a private tour on one of their beautiful Edwardian launches, or enjoy a special gin-tasting cruise.
Explore the city's haunted corners
Is this a ghost which I see before me? If you dare to take the Stratford Ghost Walk, it just might be. Led by the 'Man in Black', you'll learn the creepy secrets hidden around Stratford-upon-Avon's historic streets.
Have a fairytale moment at Butterfly Farm
Warm up at the UK's largest tropical butterfly paradise, surrounded by colourful creatures. Learn about these exotic insects in the Discovery Zone, or visit the Minibeast Metropolis to spot snakes and thousands of creepy crawlies.
Places to stay in Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon
A small area with plenty of demand from visitors means accommodation can get booked up quickly. Move quickly to choose between boutique hotels and quaint Tudor cottages.
Warwick
Popular for its castle, this lovely town is just a 25-minute train ride away.
Leamington Spa
The elegant town of Leamington Spa is easily accessible and has fewer tourists, making it a great alternative in busy summer months.
Getting to Stratford-upon-Avon
Its location in the heart of England makes getting to Stratford-upon-Avon easy. The closest international airport is Birmingham. Located around 28 miles from the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon, and taking 30 minutes by taxi, the airport serves more than 150 global destinations.
Coaches run by National Express take an hour from the airport, and West Midlands Railway’s trains from Birmingham take around an hour too.
There are also train services from London Marylebone to Stratford-upon-Avon.
Getting around
By foot
Many of Stratford-upon-Avon's attractions are within walking distance. In fact, you can walk from one side of the town to the other in fewer than 15 minutes.
By bike
Hire a bike and explore the surrounding countryside. Don’t miss the Stratford Greenway, a cycle path following a former railway line.
By bus
Stagecoach operate a bus route around Stratford-upon-Avon and surrounding areas. To easily hop between attractions, consider taking an open-air bus tour.
Want to know more?
Check out Shakespeare’s England for insider tips and inspiration.