Things to Do in Stratford-upon-Avon
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, England, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Stratford-upon-Avon raised the most famous playwright in the English language, still performs his work nightly on a purpose-built riverside stage, and buried him under a curse that's kept his grave exactly where he left it for over four centuries. This is the proper guide to things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon, what things actually cost, when to go, and which bits are worth your time. Three main stops below, plus a quiz at the bottom to see if you were paying attention.
Shakespeare's Birthplace
I asked in the quiz which playwright Stratford-upon-Avon is famous as the birthplace of, and it's William Shakespeare, whose half-timbered birthplace on Henley Street remains one of the town's most visited sites exactly as the quiz hint described. Inside, you can see the workshop where his father John ran a glove-making business, and walk through the rooms where Shakespeare spent his early life and, later, the first five years of his marriage to Anne Hathaway.
Timed entry is used to manage visitor numbers, so booking ahead is worth doing, and combined tickets bundling the Birthplace with Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Shakespeare's New Place and the Schoolroom offer better value than paying for each separately if you're planning to see more than one.
Hours Timed entry, check current daily schedule
Address Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6QW
Official site shakespeare.org.uk
The Royal Shakespeare Company
The answer to the second quiz question: the Royal Shakespeare Company, founded in 1961 and based in Stratford-upon-Avon, performs his plays regularly on a purpose-built stage sitting directly on the riverbank exactly as the quiz hint described. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the neighbouring Swan Theatre both stage a rotating programme of Shakespeare alongside new work and musicals, and the RSC's reputation draws audiences and actors from well beyond the town itself.
Even without seeing a show, the riverside walk past the theatres, looking out over the Avon towards Holy Trinity Church, is one of the more atmospheric free things to do in Stratford, especially at dusk when the theatre lights come on.
Address Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BB
Official site rsc.org.uk
Holy Trinity Church & Shakespeare's Grave
I asked in the quiz which church Shakespeare is buried inside, complete with a curse inscribed on his gravestone, and it's Holy Trinity Church, on the banks of the Avon, where the epitaph famously warns "curst be he who moves my bones" exactly as the quiz hint described. He's buried in the chancel alongside his wife Anne, his daughter Susanna, and other family members, a privilege earned by becoming a lay rector of the church in 1605, and the parish register nearby still records both his 1564 baptism and 1616 burial.
The church itself is free to enter, a genuinely beautiful building in its own right, with a small admission charge, around £5, to see the grave and chancel specifically. The churchyard along the river is a quiet, free spot to sit once you're done.
Hours Generally Mon-Sat 8.30am/9am-6pm (seasonal), Sun 12.30pm-5pm
Address Old Town, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BG
Best time to visit Stratford-upon-Avon
May to September gives the most reliable weather for the riverside walk and combining several outdoor Shakespeare sites in one day. Shakespeare's Birthplace, Holy Trinity Church and the RSC's theatres all work fine year-round, so a wet or wintry visit doesn't rule out a good trip, and RSC productions run through most of the year regardless of season.
Getting around Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon's town centre, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Holy Trinity Church and the RSC theatres, is compact and entirely walkable, everything sits within about 15 minutes of each other along or near the river. Stratford-upon-Avon railway station sits a short walk from the centre.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Stratford-upon-Avon worth visiting?
- Yes, it's one of the most complete literary pilgrimage towns in England, Shakespeare's actual birthplace, his grave, and a world-renowned theatre company all performing his work, genuinely within walking distance of each other.
- How many days do you need in Stratford-upon-Avon?
- A day trip covers Shakespeare's Birthplace, Holy Trinity Church and a riverside walk comfortably. An overnight stay lets you add an RSC performance without rushing.
- Is Stratford-upon-Avon expensive?
- Moderate. Shakespeare's Birthplace and the grave visit both charge admission, though combined tickets save money if seeing more than one Shakespeare property; the church itself and the riverside walk are free.
- What is Stratford-upon-Avon famous for?
- Being the birthplace of William Shakespeare in 1564; the Royal Shakespeare Company, performing his plays on a riverside stage since 1961; and Holy Trinity Church, where he's buried beneath a famously inscribed curse.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
