To be or not to be – discover the birthplace to the final resting place of Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon
Once upon a time, there was a boy called William Shakespeare who had a big quill and even bigger ideas. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare went from a local lad to literary legend, and his words are now famous across the globe. The small town itself is an ode to the writer – from his birthplace to his final resting place – all sights that have remained intact for over 450 years.
Each year, Stratford-upon-Avon attracts more than 2.5 million tourists, and over the years, I have been one of them, visiting sights as an English Literature student and watching plays as a theatre reviewer. The town holds a special place in my heart. As the Academy Award–winning film Hamnet shines a light on The Bard’s personal life, and with the celebration of his birthday on 23 April, it’s the perfect time to (re)visit this page-turner of a place. Here’s how to spend 48 hours in Stratford-upon-Avon and beyond.
Day One:
10am: Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Shakespeare has set stories in cities ranging from Verona to Venice, but his story starts in Stratford-upon-Avon. On Henley Street, you’ll find his parents’ original home. As we approached the entrance, we were surprised at how the historic buildings remain standing in the city after all these years (and fires). The half-timbered house boasts period furnishings, family relics, and Elizabethan décor. If walls could talk, we would love to listen – the guides help bring each room to life, including his father’s gloving workshop. Get there early – there are often school groups.
Where: Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6QW
When: Open daily from 10am to 5pm
Price: £25 for adults and £12.50 for children (includes access to New Place Gardens)
Contact: www.shakespeare.org.uk
12pm: No.44 Brasserie
Located within the charming Arden Hotel, No.44 Brasserie is an award-winning restaurant that buzzes with energy, especially before and after a theatre show. The menu offers a range of options, from fresh salads and small plates to hearty mains. Classic dishes include Beer-Battered Haddock with chips and Slow-Braised Beef. It also makes the most of seasonal produce – a Date and Fig Pudding, anyone? Be sure to check out the relaxed yet refined terrace. And, as it’s superbly situated by the theatre, it also offers pre-show menus.
Where: No.44 Brasserie, 44 Chapel Lane, Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6BA
When: Monday 7am to 10am, Tuesday to Friday 7am to 8.30pm, Saturday 7.30am to 9pm, and Sunday 7.30am to 4pm
Contact: www.theardenhotelstratford.com
2pm: River Avon
The River Avon winds through Stratford’s heart like Juliet’s whispered vows carried on the day’s breeze. Avon Boating offers 30-minute public cruises, complete with swoon-worthy sights and swans. With both indoor and outdoor seating, it’s a relaxing way to soak in the destination and the day. Drift under the 15th-century Clopton Bridge and pass landmarks like Holy Trinity Church and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Listen to the audio guide and snap a selfie (or three) – we’re not judging.
Where: Swans Nest, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 7L
When: Open daily from 10am to 4.30pm
Price: £11 for adults and £7 for children
Contact: www.avon-boating.co.uk
3pm: Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall
If you only have time for one sight in Stratford-upon-Avon, make it Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall. It was opened in the 15th century and is still a working school today. Enter through the original timbered doors, and sit at the wooden desk where the young William would have learned Latin and literature. It’s a chance to uncover the secrets hidden within the historic walls and meet (an actor playing) his teacher, Thomas Jenkins. Channel your inner Elizabethan: wear one of the costumes and write with a quill.
Where: Church Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6HB
When: Open daily from 11am to 5pm
Price: £32.50 for a family, £13.50 for adults and £8 for children (aged five to 15 years)
Contact: www.shakespearesschoolroom.org
4pm: New Place Gardens
New Place Gardens sounds like the title – after Shakespeare gained wealth from his plays, it was the new place for his family from 1597 until 1616 in Stratford-upon-Avon. Bought for £120, it was where he wrote many of his major works and eventually passed away. The house was demolished in 1759, and later transformed into a garden. Today, it features trees, sculptures and nooks, and a serene space to imagine The Bard contemplating to be or not to be.
Where: 22 Chapel Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6EP
When: Open daily from 11am to 3pm
Price: £25 for adults and £12.50 for children (includes access to Shakespeare’s Birthplace)
Contact: www.shakespeare.org.uk
5pm: Stratford Town Walk
Stratford Town Walk was created by the husband-and-wife team, John and Helen Hogg. Discover Stratford offers a one-hour stroll through the history of Stratford-upon-Avon and Shakespeare. The walk takes you to major sights, from Harvard House to Holy Trinity Church. Even after visiting Stratford for years, I learnt that Harvard House was once home to John Harvard, who later founded Harvard University; discovered frescos depicting scenes from Shakespeare’s plays outside the HSBC and Swan Theatre; and looked at the lampposts differently, which have signs pointing out the different countries they are donated from around the world. Be sure to visit the church and grave, and pay your respects to the great man himself.
Contact: https://stratfordtownwalk.co.uk
6pm: Trevelyan Restaurant
Stratford-upon-Avon is home to pubs, glorious pubs, and many of them have a nod to Shakespeare himself. Dirty Duck was a firm favourite of mine, but if you want your grub to be combined with grandeur, visit Trevelyan Restaurant. The menu showcases modern British flavours, and the tables overlook the Italian gardens. Dishes range from a Ribeye Steak to Roasted Seabass.
Where: Trevelyan Restaurant, Warwick Road, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 0NR
When: Open daily from 7am to 9pm
Contact: https://thewelcombehotel.co.uk
7.30pm: Royal Shakespeare Company
No visit to Stratford-upon-Avon is complete without watching a Shakespeare play – it would be like Pyramus with no Thisbe. Some of the greatest actors in the world have graced the stage at the Royal Shakespeare Company, including Ian McKellen, Judi Dench, and David Tennant. For the ultimate immersive experience, nothing compares to seeing Shakespeare performed in his hometown: The Tempest, starring Kenneth Branagh, runs from 13 May to 20 June 2026. The RSC also champions new writing and contemporary productions: The Cherry Orchard, starring Helen Hunt, runs from 10 July to 29 August 2026.
Where: Royal Shakespeare Company, Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6BB
Contact: www.rsc.org.uk
10pm: The Welcombe Hotel
Over the years, I have spent the night in the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon at Hotel Indigo Stratford, formerly The Falcon Hotel. For a grander getaway, visit The Welcombe Hotel. Located in a Grade-II listed Jacobean building, it is a sprawling site and home to 85 rooms – some of which contain four-poster beds, and will make you feel like a character in your own fairytale.
Where: The Welcombe Hotel, Warwick Road, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 0NR
Contact: https://thewelcombehotel.co.uk
Day Two:
10am: Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Located in Shottery, just outside Stratford-upon-Avon, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is where one of literature’s most famous romances began. The Hamnet tour was created following the film’s release. This is where their romance began – Anne was even said to be three months pregnant when they married. Roses climb the walls, and winding pathways encourage quiet reflection. With its thatched roof and fragrant herb gardens, the cottage invites visitors to wander where “love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind.” In his will, Shakespeare penned the line: “I give unto my wife my second-best bed.” At the time, beds were valuable heirlooms, rich with meaning – and here, you can still see where it once stood.
Where: 22 Cottage Lane, Shottery, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 9HH
When: Open daily from 10am to 5pm
Price: £25 for adults and £12.50 for children
12noon: Rose & Crown
An old-fashioned pub in an old-world town, The Rose and Crown sits proudly on the corner of Market Place. Lined with black-and-white photographs of famous faces, it dates back to the 18th century and blends history with a warm, welcoming charm. The menu is hearty and comforting, featuring dishes such as a 14-hour Braised Beef & Ale Pie, Aubrey’s Steak Burger with fries, and Venison Shepherd’s Pie with seasonal greens. Hide away in one of the cosy red booths, work your way through the ales, and settle in to eat, drink, and be merry.
Where: Rose & Crown, 30 Market Place, Warwick CV34 4SH
Contact: www.roseandcrownwarwick.co.uk
2pm: The Lord Leycester Hospital
The Lord Leycester Hospital has been a home for veterans for more than 450 years. Established outside Stratford-upon-Avon during Shakespeare’s lifetime, it offers a vivid glimpse into the era’s historical backdrop. Founded by Robert Dudley, a key figure in Queen Elizabeth I’s court, the site has long been steeped in stories of service and community. Veteran John Maughan guided us through the medieval almshouse and historic guildhall, bringing its past to life. Wander through the timbered courtyards, peaceful chapel, and welcoming café, and discover tales of former residents, soldiers, and even a visit from writer Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Where: High Street, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 4BH
When: Open daily 10am to 5pm
Price: £12 for adults, £10.50 for seniors and students and £6.50 for children (aged five to17 years)
Contact: www.shakespeares-england.co.uk
3pm: Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle embodies the kind of medieval power and politics that Shakespeare dramatised in his history plays, especially the Wars of the Roses, which featured in Henry VI and Richard III. Figures tied to the castle – including Richard Neville – appear in Shakespeare’s plays. Created in 1068 by William the Conqueror, the castle sits on the River Avon and offers a bombastic display of history. Walk through the ramps, towers and dungeons, and imagine where kings, queens and knights would have visited. If you want less of a Disney day out, add Kenilworth Castle to the trip – its ruins offer a more serene spot.
Where: Warwick Castle, Warwick, CV34 6AU
When: Open daily 10am to 5pm
Price: From £86 for a family, £22 for one day entry and £16 for students
Contact: www.warwick-castle.com
5pm: St Mary’s Guildhall
Take in Tales of Tea and a tour at St Mary’s Guildhall. Dating back to the 14th century, this historic hall would have hosted power, pageantry, and performance. Mary, Queen of Scots, was detained in the hall. Travelling acting companies would have also performed in such venues, making guildhalls key stops on England’s theatre tours. Afternoon tea is served in the atmospheric Undercroft, and comes with chocolate teapots, cream-filled cones, and classic scones with jam. Imagine the echoes of past audiences and the whispered dramas that once played out within these medieval walls.
Where: Bayley Lane, Coventry, CV1 5RN
When: Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm
Price: £10.80 for adults, £7.50 for seniors and £5 for children (aged four to 17)
Contact: www.stmarysguildhall.co.uk
7pm: The Warwick
Enjoy an evening dining at the Michelin Guide-listed The Warwick. Led by MasterChef winner Stu Deeley, the menu pairs local ingredients with inventive techniques, making each dish a feast for the senses. The plates are carefully crafted and presented like works of art. Dishes include Burrata, Lobster Ravioli, and Oxfordshire Hogget Loin. Take your pick from the Taste of the Season menu for £115 or the three-course menu for £90.
Where: The Warwick, Harbury Lane, Leamington Spa, CV33 9QB
Contact: www.mallory.co.uk
10pm: Mallory Court Hotel & Spa
Mallory Court Hotel and Spa in Royal Leamington Spa offers calm and class. The building dates back to 1912, and the concept draws inspiration from the Golden Age of Hollywood. The spa, gardens, and countryside charm offer a beautiful break. The rooms and suites are tastefully designed, combining traditional and modern touches, from the original windows to the colourful cushions.
Where: Mallory Court Hotel & Spa, Harbury Lane, Leamington Spa, CV33 9QB
Contact: Visit www.mallory.co.uk for more information.
How to get there
Stratford-upon-Avon is accessible from London and various airports. From London, take a train from Marylebone Station to Stratford-upon-Avon, and the journey takes around two hours. From Birmingham Airport, Stratford is a 45-minute drive. Once in town, the compact streets make walking between Shakespearean sights both simple and serene. In the words of Shakespeare, “parting is such sweet sorrow”, but it is made all the sweeter by a destination this wonderful.