Location: Stratford-upon-Avon
Top Things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon
What to do and see in Stratford-upon-Avon, England: The Best Free Things to do
Stratford-upon-Avon is steeped in the history of its most famous resident, William Shakespeare. This Warwickshire country town contains the home where Shakespeare was born, the cottage where Anne Hathaway resided before their marriage and the church where the couple is buried. Need a break from the Bard? The town also boasts Europe's largest butterfly farm.
Restaurants in Stratford-upon-Avon
1. Parish Church of St. Gregory the Great
2. Sims Vintage Antiques Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 103 reviews
Sims Vintage Antiques Centre is full of a fascinating array of Antiques, Collectables, Memorabilia, Curios & interiors. We offer a wide range of stock from over 50 quality dealers. We pride ourselves on offering a friendly and professional service to our dealers and customers alike. We're nestled amongst other independent traders and have an amazing onsite restaurant and Farm shop selling award winning food.
Reviewed By X4157BTnigelp - Leamington Spa, United Kingdom
A very interesting visit to the antique shop. Something there for everyone to look at.Purchased a World War 2 flying helmet for my military collection. Staff were very knowledgeable and keen to help in any way. Well worth a visit .
3. Bancroft Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 276 reviews
Located in front of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and alongside the River Avon, this delightful park and garden area has a holiday feel with open-air performers.
Reviewed By 251Stephanie123 - Chesterfield, United Kingdom
This was our first time visiting Stratford-Upon-Avon. The place is beautiful and this area is a must see. There’s the statues, barges, buskers, Street entertainers, cafes, restaurants and shops all within close proximity to these gardens. An ideal place to take a picnic or snap a few photos as well as a meeting place for friends and family. There is also lots of parking close by- all very reasonably priced.
4. Montpellier Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Montpellier Gallery is one of England’s longest established independent retail craft galleries, first opening in 1989. We have built a strong reputation for our individuality, varied choice and careful selection, and now exhibit some of the finest Studio Glass, Contemporary Jewellery and Ceramics alongside Fine Art and Sculpture by established and emerging artist/makers. Set in a 400 year old building opposite the Shakespeare Hotel, Montpellier gallery comprises three adjoining rooms, opening to a delightful courtyard which floods the rooms with natural light. We like to think we offer a welcoming and friendly atmosphere together with a knowledgeable staff and attentive service.
5. Stratford-upon-Avon Canal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,023 reviews
Stretching 25 miles from the Birmingham suburbs to the River Avon in Stratford, this scenic waterway passes through enchanting countryside in the very heart of England, cutting through the Forest of Arden and an area rich in Shakespearean history.
Reviewed By janpridham1960 - Liverpool, United Kingdom
an idyllic way to spend 2 hours and watch the world go by on a balmy sunny afternoon in Stratford-upon-Avon. Well worth the fee for the boat trip with commentary, see the fantastic dwellings along the sides of the canal, the Church where Shakespeare is buried, watch University rowers speed past you practising, families of ducks navigating along side you, it's simply outstanding. You get to go past the Royal Shakespeare company theatre too. All in all fabulous, tranquil and immensely enjoyable
6. The Almshouses
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Sir Baptist Hicks, a silk trader and reputedly the richest man in England during the early 17th century, financed homes that were, and still are, used as homes for twelve pensioners.
Reviewed By 814diana - Southampton, United Kingdom
These Almshouses are still lived in today by those requiring accomodation.The row is a wonderful example of terraced housing of a past era.kept in beautiful condition.(modern inside)
7. The Gower Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
Erected in 1888, this bronze memorial is dedicated to Stratford's most famous and celebrated son, William Shakespeare, and is surrounded by four statues of characters from the bard's plays.
Reviewed By Big_Jeff_Leo - St Helens, United Kingdom
The Shakespeare Memorial by Lord Ronald Gower 1888 is probably one of the most visited monuments in Britain. The most interesting thing for me is that the monument is surrounded by many of Shakespeare's most famous creations, each a monument within itself. The location is also excellent and leads you directly to the river walk. Parking is just across the road and you can easily walk into the very nearby town center from here..
8. The Greenway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
Stratford Bike HIre and Carriages Cafe are refurbished railway carriages located at the start of the Stratford Greenway. There is also another cafe carriage at Milcote
Reviewed By Heslomonick - Birmingham, United Kingdom
We came here for the first time on a Monday during the April 2021 Easter holidays, just after lockdown had eased a little. We walked from Stratford town centre and it only took 10 minutes along a nice path. The car park is spacious and we were pleased to see if had sufficient room for us to come with the trailer on the back of the car for our bikes. The parking charges seemed reasonable (you can only pay by card). When we were there at 12pm and again the next day at 1pm there were plenty of spaces. Shortly after the car park there’s a bike hire and cafe both housed in disused railway carriages and also a small wooden train for young children to play on in a gated area. We had bacon/sausage sandwiches at the cafe using the outdoor seating. There are 5 wooden tables outside. We managed to get a table on both days at lunchtime but when we cycled past at about 2.30pm on the Tuesday the tables were all full. Only one person can go into the cafe to order because of covid. They take credit cards and there’s one toilet at the back of the railway carriage for customers. The outdoor seating overlooks Stratford Race Course which was a bonus. The second day we went with our bikes and cycled all the way only the Greenway with our children aged nearly 7 and 9. It’s flat and straight all the way and the paths aren’t too narrow so you can pass pedestrians fairly easily. There are a few Farm tracks you cross so we slowed down for those to make sure there were no tractors coming. There are a few benches along the way but not tons. There are a few circular gates where you need to either squeeze your bike through or alternatively carry the bikes over the wooden slats on the ground. This wasn’t too onerous for us but might be worse if you had a trailer bike with a child on the back. We also had to cross a fairly minor road before getting to the second cafe also housed within a railway carriage with seating outdoors (we didn’t go there). After 5 miles you reach the end of the Greenway - you can tell because you end up at a busier road. So we just turned back and cycled back. The children enjoyed the bike ride and it was more relaxing than other bike rides involving narrow paths or steep inclines as we could just let the children ride ahead without worrying about them.
9. The Guild Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 238 reviews
Chapel built by the Guild of the Holy Cross, which was established in the 13th century, whose aim was to provide for the religious and commercial needs of the clergy and merchants of the town.
Reviewed By TR26 - Dayton, United States
We were told that this ancient chapel, next to the site of Shakespeare's New Place, would have been where he went to pray every day. I regret we hadn't budgeted the time to take in the neighboring guild hall where the bard would have attended grammar school, but our few minutes in this Romanieque church were well spent. It's as beautiful as you might expect from a medieval place of worship, and it's especially well preserved, with delicate wall paintings still whole and ready for your apprediation.
10. The Recreation Ground
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 89 reviews
Known as the "Rec" to local people, this is the home of many annual activities including the Stratford Marathon and Stratford Regatta, plus a bandstand featuring musical performances throughout the summer season.
Reviewed By AlisonHappyTraveller - Sevenoaks District, United Kingdom
Our 4 boys enjoyed playing mini golf together on the Rec (the mini golf is towards the river from the play ground) There s a friendly shop with tables and chairs outside, where you can get a tea or coffee, ice creams, chocolates. The mums sat and chatted while the kids enjoyed 2 rounds.
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