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Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon: Our most recommended tours and activities

Stratford upon Avon: The Dark Chronicles Horror Walking Tour

1. Stratford upon Avon: The Dark Chronicles Horror Walking Tour

Try something different for the night and embark on a horror walking tour of Stratford upon Avon's streets. Follow your guide through 2000 years of the town's darkest secrets and discover the terrifying and torturous stories that lie beneath the surface. Meet your guide as the sun sets and the ancient horrors of Stratford upon Avon's past awaken from their slumber. Walk the streets and hear the tales that expose the horrific underbelly of humanity. Pass by Shakespear's Birthplace, and hear how the famous playwright escaped the plague. Admire the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and learn of the many dark mishaps that have occurred there. Then, pass by the outside of the Holy Trinity Church and learn of the haunting stories from the Plague to mysteriously stolen skulls. As you walk along the River Avon, listen closely to hear the lost soul's who drowned there and get spooked by their stories. Scratch the surface of this beautiful town, and maybe never look into the mirror again.

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

2. 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

Stratford-Upon-Avon: City Exploration Self-Guided Audio Tour

3. Stratford-Upon-Avon: City Exploration Self-Guided Audio Tour

Step inside the world of the immortal ‘Bard of Avon’ as I take you on a journey back to 16th Century Stratford. On this walking tour, I’ll tell you all about Shakespeare's birthplace and what it was like around the time he was born. We’ll explore the places connected to Shakespeare’s life as a young boy and find out what motivated him to leave his hometown at just 21. On this tour we’ll walk the full length of Stratford’s River Avon, taking in the peace, serenity and beauty while we attempt to uncover the secrets behind his plays. We’ll pass The Royal Shakespeare Theatre on our way to see the church where Shakespeare was baptised and is buried today. There you’ll hear about the curse he planted on his own tomb! Other highlights on this tour include stories from the playwright’s school days and walking past his first and last homes. If you’re a big Shakespeare fan (which I assume you are!) this is the ideal tour for you. Please allow up to 30 minutes for our walk, and extra time if you want to go inside any of the attractions I mention along the way. The tour ends just a stone’s throw from where it starts so anything you see won’t be too far away to visit once you’re done. You’ll also learn about my favourite places to eat and drink towards the end of the tour.

Warwickshire: The Explorer Pass by Shakespeare's England

4. Warwickshire: The Explorer Pass by Shakespeare's England

The Explorer Pass by Shakespeare's England is an added value pass covering Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick and the surrounding countryside. The pass includes the region’s finest attractions like Warwick Castle, Shakespeare’s Schoolroom, Stratford Butterfly Farm, Kenilworth Castle, the British Motor Museum and many more! Simple and easy to use, the pass is available as a 1, 2, or 3-day pass. Present the pass QR code at any attraction included to enter for free. It really is sightseeing made easy! The Explorer Pass comes with a live booking app where you can book your attractions, manage your admissions, and find information about all of the attractions plus any special offers included with the pass. An Example 2-Day Itinerary: Day 1 Warwick Castle Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park Day 2 Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall Stratford Butterfly Farm Avon Boating

From Brighton: Stratford-upon-Avon & The Cotswolds Day Trip

5. From Brighton: Stratford-upon-Avon & The Cotswolds Day Trip

Have a relaxing day in the countryside as you come across beautiful sceneries and historic locations. Take a day trip out of Brighton to drive through the magical landscape of The Cotswolds. Visit the villages of Bourton-on-the-Water and Stratford-upon-Avon, known for being Shakespeare's birthplace. Begin your journey with a ride through the winding roads of The Cotswold before arriving at Bourton-on-the-Water. Stroll around the charming village and take in its lovely stone houses, ancient bridges, and narrow river, surrounded by lush trees and nature. Move on to one of England's most beautiful homes for a photo stop. Gaze at Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the quaint farmhouse where William Shakespeare's wife lived as a child. Dive deep into the author's home of Stratford-upon-Avon with a walking tour of the medieval town. Stop by his 16th-century birthplace, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the Swan Theatre, as well as other important sights connected with the great writer. Enjoy plenty of free time to explore other local attractions before riding back to Brighton.

Stratford-upon-Avon: Shakespeare & Hathaway TV Sites Tour

6. Stratford-upon-Avon: Shakespeare & Hathaway TV Sites Tour

Step into the world of the TV show 'Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators' on this guided walking tour of Stratford-upon-Avon. Discover sights from the hit BBC daytime crime drama which is set and filmed in Shakespeare’s home town and pays tribute to the great writer’s plays. Meet your guide to Shakespeare’s Birthplace, just a short walk from Stratford-upon-Avon railway station. Jump straight into your first locations from the show as you visit the site where Luella and Frank find a client with amnesia.  Be entertained with anecdotes from the show as you are guided through this beautiful market town. As you go along you’ll see visuals from the series, showing you were some of the funniest, most touching, and memorable moments from all where all four seasons were filmed.  View where the pedal boat chase scene took place, where Sebastian helps Gloria scatter her dog’s ashes, and the spot where the tour group discovers the severed hand. Meander by Tudor style houses, shops, and cafes which form the backdrop to the show.  Go for a stroll along the cobbled street used as the exterior to Gloria’s costume shop and Sebastian’s flat. Walk on the banks of the Avon River where you’ll pass by the boat club that was used as the finale of season 1.  Snap a photo of the spot where Frank Hathaway was arrested on suspicion of murder. The tour stops by several of Stratford-upon-Avon’s top attractions, including the UK’s largest Butterfly Farm, Tudor World, the Stratford Big Wheel, and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Stop outside 'The Other Place," Stratford’s other theater, where Sebastian got to play Hamlet and Lu and Frank had to save the star of Juliet and Romeo. Go by famous statues including the Jester and a statue of William Shakespeare.  Beware of gangsters on the final leg of the tour as you look for locations featured in the episode ‘The Cursed Hand.’ The tour finishes by Holy Trinity Church, where William Shakespeare was baptized, married and buried. Follow your guide around the tranquil churchyard and see locations from several episodes, including when Frank’s paid £5K to go on a hike, Lu chases a pensioner in an electric wheelchair, and where Sebastian poses for selfies as William Shakespeare’s ghost.

Other Sightseeing Options in Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

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What people are saying about Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 189 reviews

Booked last minute online in the pub and walked around the corner to meet the wonderfully compelling Janine and my fellow walkers. Excellent value for money! Janine is a master storyteller who revealed chillingly fascinating historical nuggets on the very spots they had occurred. Would highly recommend for real underbelly insight into this beautiful town

Our tour guide, Jez, was absolutely brilliant... he kept us thoroughly entertained, with grim stories, horrible history and fascinating tales. Jez led us through the streets of Stratford with his humour, fabulous story telling and lantern. This tour was a highlight of our time in Stratford.

Really enjoyed the tour. Janine was a brilliant story teller and has us engrossed on a very cold and misty night. Very good and would recommend to anyone visiting the town.

Very interesting stories, loads of information from our guide Janine, who was amazing. Loved her story telling and sense of drama. Highly recommend this tour!

Interesting and informative tour with excellent tour guide Janine. She kept guests intrigued and interested.