Stratford-Upon-Avon: Shakespeare, Theatre and Nature

In Stratford-Upon-Avon, Shakespeare sites and theatre meet church and town history, alongside trails through a diverse natural landscape. If you are planning a stay, you can choose your focus based on whether you want to explore exhibitions and gardens, performances, historic places, or routes on foot and by bike. The attractions offer different highlights, without requiring you to focus on just one side of the town.

Shakespeare’s Homes and Gardens

At the Shakespeare Centre at Shakespeare's Birthplace, you can visit the exhibition; visitors can also explore the gardens at the Birthplace. Guided tours tell stories about family life in the Shakespeare household. The exhibition, garden and tour offer different ways to explore the site: you can engage with the exhibition, spend time in the garden, or learn more about domestic life on a guided tour.

Shakespeare’s New Place was William Shakespeare’s family home from 1597 until his death in 1616. A registered garden has been laid out on the grounds, on the site of the former house. Sculptures inspired by Shakespeare’s writings stand in the Great Garden. This connects the history of the residence with a garden whose design references his literary works. The dates provide a clear timeframe for the history of the home, while the garden and sculptures offer a distinct highlight.

Theatre, Church and Medieval History

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre regularly stages Shakespeare plays and other works. It is located on Waterside, on the River Avon. Shakespeare is therefore not the only focus of the theatre’s programme: other works are also part of its repertoire.

William Shakespeare is buried at Holy Trinity Church. The church includes the medieval Becket Chantry Chapel, built by John de Stratford in 1331. The chantry attracted pilgrims from Stratford and further afield. Its burial site, building history and pilgrimage history offer different perspectives on the place. When deciding what to visit, you can therefore consider both Shakespeare’s connection to the town and its older religious history.

The Guildhall houses a series of rare medieval wall paintings. Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall offers an interactive visitor experience with soundscapes, projections, films, information panels and knowledgeable guided tours. Different ways of presenting the site are therefore brought together: the wall paintings are a tangible historic collection, while the interactive experience incorporates several media and guided tours.

Nature Trails and Choosing a Route

The circular trail in Stratford-upon-Avon Local Nature Reserve passes through woodland, a wildflower meadow, a mosaic of grassland and scrub, a flood meadow and reed beds, as well as along the riverbank. The reserve also has an accessible Nature Trail. The entrance in the town centre is just a few minutes’ walk from local shops, restaurants and other amenities. These provide two specific points of reference: the varied habitats along the circular trail and the stated proximity of the entrance to town-centre amenities.

The available information also distinguishes between two named routes. The Stratford Greenway is a wildlife-friendly, five-mile walking and cycling route connecting Stratford-upon-Avon with Long Marston. Shakespeare’s Avon Way runs directly through the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. For the Greenway, the length, uses and two places are specified; for the Avon Way, its route through the town is the key point of reference. When choosing where to go, you can use these different details as a guide without assuming a walking time or difficulty level.

Discover more destinations: Sutton-under-Brailes, Henley In Arden, Ratley, Coleshill, Baginton, Southam, Rugby, Bedworth

For the main travel overview: Warwickshire.