Our most recommended things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon: Shakespeare's Birthplace Ticket

1. Stratford-upon-Avon: Shakespeare's Birthplace Ticket

Explore the life of William Shakespeare with a visit to the house where he was born and grew up. Your ticket will be valid for one admission to the property. On entering the house, see the workshop where Shakespeare’s father, John, ran his prestigious glove-making business. Walk through the rooms where William Shakespeare spent his early life.  Shakespeare spent the first five years of his marriage living in this house, the largest house on Henley Street, with his wife Anne Hathaway.  Visit the Beyond Words exhibition and don't miss Shakespeare's Second Folio, the 1632 edition of his collected plays. Don’t forget to scan your smartphone and watch the videos that bring Shakespeare's stories to life.

Stratford-upon-Avon: Shakespeare's Story Entry Ticket

2. Stratford-upon-Avon: Shakespeare's Story Entry Ticket

Discover the people and places that shaped William Shakespeare, the ordinary boy from Stratford-upon-Avon who went on to do extraordinary things. Walk in the footsteps of Shakespeare at the house where he was born. Hear captivating tales from the costumed guides, see live performances by the resident acting troupe, Shakespeare Aloud! and access the Famous Beyond Words exhibition. Relive the Tudor love story between Shakespeare and his bride-to-be at the 600-year old Anne Hathaway's Cottage. See original family furniture, including the four-poster bed and courting couch. Stroll the cottage gardens, heritage orchards and woodland walks. Visit the newest attraction on the Shakespeare trail at New Place, the site where his family home once stood. Meet the man behind the works in a fascinating new exhibition! Discover beautiful gardens and specially-commissioned artworks. Visit the Famous Beyond Words exhibition and don't miss Shakespeare's Second Folio. Explore his father's reputable trade in the glovemaker's workshop. Don’t miss the Giant Wallbook of Shakespeare’s plays brought to life in the order he wrote them.

The Sinister Side of Shakespeare's Stratford Walking Tour

3. The Sinister Side of Shakespeare's Stratford Walking Tour

Hear about the hidden dark side of Stratford-upon-Avon on a thrilling guided walking tour. Learn about the town's infamous witches, hear about famous murders, and keep an eye out for ghosts as you walk through the night. Meet your guide at the corner of Sheep Street and High Street and begin your journey into the macabre. Stroll through the birthplace of Shakespeare and see the town's darker side. As you walk through the streets, listen to exhilarating tales of murder, torture, and plague. Hear about the women accused of witchcraft and learn where the ghosts and even the devil can be spotted.

City Sightseeing Stratford-upon-Avon Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

4. City Sightseeing Stratford-upon-Avon Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

As well as Britain's most famous playwright William Shakespeare and the world-famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford is great for a day on the River and then chilling out in the evening in one of the many chic restaurants and bars in the centre of town. Travel to all the Shakespearean Houses: Shakespeare's Birthplace, Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Mary Arden's House, New Place, Nash's House, and Hall's Croft. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre where the Bard's plays are performed for the majority of the year. The Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried, protected by a cursed tombstone. The Old 15th Century Grammar School where Shakespeare was educated. You also get to enjoy a lovely tour through the scenic Warwickshire countryside, visiting Wilmcote, the village where Mary Arden's House (Shakespeare's mother) can be found. Your Tour Itinerary Stop 1 - Visitor Information Centre, Near Avon Boating Stop 2 - Shakespeare's Birthplace and the Shakespeare Center Stop 3 - Market Square and American Fountain Stop 4 - Shakespeare’s New Place/Harvard House & Guild Chapel Stop 5 - Royal Avon and Royal Shakespeare Theater Stop 6 - Halls Croft, Holy Trinity Church and Shakespeare's Grave Stop 7 - Evesham Place Stop 8 - Alcester Road Stop 9 - Anne Hathaways Cottage Stop 10 - Mary Arden's Farm is closed until September 8th Stop 11 - Maybird Shopping Center

From Stratford-upon-Avon / Moreton-in-Marsh: Cotswolds Tour

5. From Stratford-upon-Avon / Moreton-in-Marsh: Cotswolds Tour

Join a local driver/guide on a relaxing full-day tour of the Cotswolds National Landscape. Experience the very best of this quintessentially English region on a tour that stops at 6 different and unique locations with ample time built into the day for self-exploration, shopping, and lunch. The tour stops at: • Dover's Hill: the Northern-most Cotswolds viewpoint offering panoramic views out towards Stratford-upon-Avon, Birmingham & Coventry • Chipping Campden: a historic wool town where you have an hour of free time to explore with our unique maps and local recommendations • A secret off-the-beaten-track Cotswolds village (join to find this one out) • Stow-on-the-Wold: your designated lunch stop with a wide range of wonderful food options to choose from  • Bibury: often referred to as the prettiest village in England it's also the home of the iconic Arlington Row of cottages • Bourton-on-the-Water: famed for the crystal clear waters of the River Windrush and the pretty bridges that cross it Between the stops, your driver-guide will tell you the story of the Cotswolds with a fun, fact-filled commentary as you travel the narrow back lanes only the locals know about.

Stratford-upon-Avon: Anne Hathaway's Cottage Entry ticket

6. Stratford-upon-Avon: Anne Hathaway's Cottage Entry ticket

Visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, a thatched house nestled in an idyllic cottage garden Located 1.5 miles outside of Stratford-upon-Avon in Shottery, with these entry tickets. See where Shakespeare's bride-to-be Anne Hathaway was born and grew up. Discover the stories of 13 generations of Anne's family who lived here for over 5 centuries. See original family furniture, including the 4-poster Hathaway bed and courting couch, and the family home where Shakespeare would have visited during the early part of their courtship. Once a working farm with barns, livestock, and fields, the homestead has been transformed over time into a beautiful thatched gem with glorious, award-winning gardens. Built more than 500 years ago and extended over the years, much of the original property survives. Explore the famous Shakespeare/Hathaway love story as you walk through acres of beautiful cottage gardens, heritage orchards, woodland walks, and sculpture trails inspired by Shakespeare's plays.

Stratford-Upon-Avon: Walking Tour with a Local Guide

7. Stratford-Upon-Avon: Walking Tour with a Local Guide

Come and discover our ancient town with a local guide every day. From being the home of Shakespeare, to our unique architecture, there’s something for everyone to discover in our idyllic town. Join your local guide on a 1.5 hour stroll around the main sights of Stratford-Upon-Avon, walking in the footsteps of Shakespeare, discovering our incredible theatres, river and churches along the way. See our town through a local's eyes, discovering what life is like here today too. Discover: Royal Shakespeare Theatre Town Hall Canal Basin The oldest pub in town Holy Trinity Church Shakespeare's Birthplace & much more you wouldn't discover on your own!

Shakespeare’s Stratford & Cotswolds

8. Shakespeare’s Stratford & Cotswolds

An expert guide leads the way, regaling you with stories and interesting facts about the rich history of these beautiful places. Stratford-upon-Avon, the hometown of legendary playwright William Shakespeare, is the first stop on this day trip.  Filled with history, pay a visit to the place the famous Bard was born - a quaint, unassuming half-timbered house. Learn amazing stories and quirks of Elizabethan living from your expert guide. The next stop is a visit to Shakespeare’s bride Anne Hathaway’s cottage and gardens. This beautiful little thatched farmhouse is the place where the Bard courted his bride. To this day, the property holds items of original furniture, including the Hathaway bed. It is nestled within stunning grounds and gardens, overflowing with fragrant blooms and traditional shrubs. Then continue to the Cotswolds. Visit what is often agreed to be one of the most beautiful areas in the whole of the UK. With quaint villages and breathtaking scenery, the Cotswolds looks like it jumped off the pages of a storybook. This tour makes photo stops at 2 stunning Cotswolds villages: Bourton-on-the-Water, also known as ‘Little Venice’ due to its low bridges and stone banks, and Burbury, a town once described by William Morris as ‘the most beautiful village in England. After a wonderful day of sightseeing, arrive back to London at the approximate time of 7:15pm’ to ‘7:30pm.

Stratford-Upon-Avon: Guided Walking Tour

9. Stratford-Upon-Avon: Guided Walking Tour

Join a fascinating guided walking tour of Stratford-Upon-Avon, covering its 14 centuries of history as well as much ado about the life and times of William Shakespeare; from birth to grave. You will see amazing buildings, and beautiful views, and learn some fascinating history. Chart the complete history of Stratford, from its 7th century settlers to its 21st century arcade whilst also exploring the life and times of the world's most famous mortal. Shakespeare's writing changed the world - and continues to do so. Your walking tour starts at the world-famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre where you begin to learn about the life of one of the world’s most famous writers. See Shakespeare's birthplace, his famous home, and the church in which he was both christened and buried. See historic buildings including the surviving five taverns that served Shakespeare beer, and can do the same for you almost 450 years later. What about The Guild of The Holy Cross? Their chapel which dates from 1269 was the seat of power in the town for centuries; despite falling foul of King Henry the 8th and his successors. Next door is William Shakespeare's schoolroom, and the 15th-century Almshouses also built by The Guild. Talking of history, have you ever stood on one corner and clearly seen buildings spanning five centuries? In fact, you could throw a ball and hit any one of them; including the house where Harvard University's founding father, John Harvard, was born - in 1607. Explore to your heart's content as you experience life as it was in Tudor England, a period during which powerful forces forever changed the English way of life and understand its impact on the wider world. The WalkTalkShow route includes 15 stops covering a total distance of just under 3kms and is wheelchair and mobility scooter-friendly.

London: Oxford, Stratford, Cotswolds, and Warwick Day Trip

10. London: Oxford, Stratford, Cotswolds, and Warwick Day Trip

Make the most of your time in England with a day trip to the English countryside. Enjoy a walking tour of Oxford city and university including entry to the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, witness the scenery of the Cotswolds, enter Warwick Castle, and visit the birthplace of Shakespeare. Walking tour of Oxford Follow in the footsteps of Oxford's famous students, from C.S. Lewis to Bill Clinton, as you stroll the captivating college courtyards and cobbled lanes of this historic university town, on this guided day trip by bus from London. Take in the famous 'dreaming spires' and see the Bodleian Library, one of the oldest libraries in Europe. Be captivated by the unspoiled narrow alleys and ancient squares of this naturally beautiful town. Oxford is famous for being home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world – countless bright young things have wandered the town’s cobbled streets over the years! During this guided walking tour you will see the stunning University Church of St Mary the Virgin and furtively discover unspoiled narrow alleyways, ancient squares, and towering spires. Entry to the 13th-century University Church of St Mary the Virgin. Soak in spectacular sights of the unique baroque design and architecture as you explore the center of the University of Oxford. This absolute gem is a must-visit on your trip to Oxford. The Cotswolds Enjoy views of the breathtaking countryside, sleepy villages, and bustling market towns as you drive through the charming scenery of one of England's most beautiful regions. Stratford–upon–Avon  A unique market town, famous as the home of William Shakespeare, arguably the world's greatest writer. Visit the picturesque half-timber house where the legendary bard was born, and gain fascinating insights into his childhood. Shakespeare’s birthplace: See where the famous playwright grew up and spent his years as a married man. Warwick Castle  Be part of Britain’s greatest medieval experience deep in the heart of Warwick Castle. Immerse yourself in battle preparations and feel the weight of a medieval sword. Become a soldier – try on a battle helmet for size. Visit the spectacular State Rooms and feast your eyes on Victorian party preparations. Enjoy a meet and greet from a medieval host as well as an introduction to the spectacular castle.

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What people are saying about Stratford-upon-Avon

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 1,967 reviews

What an absolutely amazing, enjoyable experience. My tour guide, Valentina and driver Paul were so warm and welcoming and extremely knowledgeable! Enough time was allowed to enjoy each location as well as freshen up and grab a coffee or lunch. We enjoyed every minute of our trip in their luxury mini bus and were so sad when it ended! Highly recommended.

What a wonderful experience with knowledgeable guides in every room. Like the guides, we agreed that it was a shame that the church where Shakespeare is buried was closed, with no notice and no reason, a busy week of tourists.

Go Cotswolds was professional and insightful and provided an all round wonderful experience. Mark was especially a very kind and knowledgeable tour guide. A definite 10/10!!

Our driver Dawn and Guide Katya were fantastic. Katya was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable. We had an amazing time.

Great tour. We enjoyed everything specially Shakespeare birth city and Oxford.