Planning a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon? Obsessed with the Bard? Whether you intend to be there for a day, a weekend, or longer, here are five essential Shakespearean places to visit and things to do during your stay!
1. Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Everyone has an origin story, and what better way to begin your time in Stratford-upon-Avon than by discovering the genesis of the Bard? Wander through his house (furnished as it would have been in his day), stand in the room he was born in, and learn about his family and his time living in this delightful town. Be sure to stop by the gift shop next door at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust—there are so many cute Shakespeare items to peruse. Of particular note is the line of cards by Louisa Hare, created using traditional letterpress methods. She pairs illustrations with quotes from the facsimile of the 1623 First Folio editions of Shakespeare’s works. You will want to buy all the cards! (My personal favorite, though, is the King Lear one with the caption “Howl! Howl! Howl! Howl!” found in portfolio two on her website).
Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (check holiday schedules here)
Location: Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6QW, England
Cost: Adult £15.75, Concession £14.85, Child £10.35 (also consider a combined ticket if you plan to see other Shakespeare houses during your visit)
Website: https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit/shakespeares-birthplace/
2. Holy Trinity Church
Lush grounds, a bewitching graveyard, and, of course, the final resting place of Shakespeare—you can’t go wrong with time spent wandering the grounds and pathways near the river and reading the tombstone inscriptions. But make sure to set aside time to visit Shakespeare’s grave during the church’s open hours, as his grave and that of his wife Anne are actually inside the church. As I meandered through the graveyard late in the afternoon of my visit, I saw so many people confused about the burial place of the Bard and sad when they learned the church had already closed. The inside of the church is also beautiful and worth a peek on its own, so get there while it is still open! Also, a fun fact about Holy Trinity: did you know that it is Patrick Stewart’s favorite church? All the more reason to visit!
Hours: Opening hours of Holy Trinity change by season.
Location: Old Town, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BG, England
Cost: Entry to the church is free, donation of £3 (concession £2) to see Shakespeare’s grave.
Website: http://www.stratford-upon-avon.org/
3. Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall
Interested in learning about Shakespeare’s schooling days? Drop by the schoolroom and guildhall to discover where he studied between the ages of 7-14! With informative exhibits, a short film, and even a live Tudor lesson with a schoolmaster, this is a fun stop for adults and kids alike. The outside of the building is also darling and fun to see as you walk through town!
Hours: Daily, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Church Street, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6HB, England
Cost: Adult £8, Concession £6, Child £5, Under 5 FREE (Family pricing available, as well as a 10% discount if you book online in advance)
Website: http://www.shakespearesschoolroom.org/
4. Hall’s Croft
Hall’s Croft is the Jacobean home of Shakespeare’s daughter, Susanna (buried next to her parents in Holy Trinity). The exhibits here regard the family life of John Hall and Susanna as well as exploring Hall’s trade as a physician and the sometimes obscure, sometimes terrifying medical tools and practices of his day. The home also boasts a walled medicinal herb garden that visitors can explore to discover the various plants Hall most likely used in his trade.
Hours: Daily, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (holiday schedule here)
Location: Halls Croft Old Town, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BG, England
Cost: Adult £7.65, Concession £7.20, Child £4.95 (or included in the combined ticket with Shakespeare’s Birthplace)
Website: https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit/halls-croft/
5. Walk Through Town
While this isn’t a specific place to visit, one of the best things you can do while in Stratford-upon-Avon is explore the town. Wander. Stray from the path. Yes, it’s essential to visit historic sites if you are interested in Shakespeare, but the town is quite easily walkable so it would be a shame to miss out on the beauty of the place by being too focused on reaching a specific destination. Adorable houses line every street, timber frame buildings dominate the scene, and flowers overflow on porches—everyday beauty is everywhere here if you take the time to look. Keep your eyes peeled especially for the jester statue, and make sure to walk into all the tiny shops—perhaps you’ll find the next, not-to-be-missed Stratford-upon-Avon gem!
If you have already visited these sites and wandered through the town and are still looking for more places to see and things to do, consider Mary Arden’s Farm during open season, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, or watching a Shakespeare play at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre!
