5 Places To Go When You Visit Stratford-upon-Avon – The Shakespearean Hotspot
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Stratford-upon-Avon is a famous English town due to its connection with Shakespeare. Since the 16th century, Stratford has been known as the birthplace of the world’s most famous playwright, William Shakespeare.
Visitors from all over the world flock to this quaint little Shakespeare village to see where Shakespeare grew up, his school, and other places he would have visited during his time in Stratford.
If you are planning on visiting Stratford Shakespeare, here are five Stratford-upon-Avon attractions you can check out in Shakespeare’s town.
Walk along the River Avon
The River Avon is the main waterway that runs through the town of Stratford. If you’d like to start your journey through Stratford with a walk along the river, you’ll see a lot of beautiful buildings as you go.
You’ll also get a sense of the history of the town as you walk along. The river is a very popular spot for tourists, with many people choosing to go for a walk along it every day.
It’s a great way to start your day exploring the town of Stratford. If you’d like to see the river at its most beautiful, you should visit during the Autumn.
During this time of year, the leaves on the trees lining the river turn a stunning array of oranges, reds, and yellows. It’s a truly breathtaking sight.
See Shakespeare’s birthplace and his school
Another thing that you can do in Stratford is to see Shakespeare’s birthplace and his school. Shakespeare was born in 1564, and his birthplace is now a museum.
You can see the house, furniture, and the gardens that Shakespeare would have known when he was growing up. If you’d like to go inside, you can book tickets in advance online.
You can also see Shakespeare’s school if you’d like. The school was built in 1608, so it’s much newer than the house. It’s now a museum, too, and there are lots of things inside that show what Shakespeare and his friends might have studied there when they were children.
This is one of the top attractions to go to when you visit Stratford-upon-Avon.
Go to the Royal Shakespeare Company
This might be to top spot to go to when you visit Stratford-upon-Avon. The RSC Stratford-upon-Avon, or Royal Shakespeare Company, is one of the most famous theatre Stratford-upon-Avon companies in the world.
It stages many of Shakespeare’s plays, as well as other famous plays. If you’d like to go and see a show at the RSC, you can book tickets online. You can see anything from comedy to romance, or the famous dramas that Shakespeare wrote.
You can also go behind the scenes if you’d like. This gives you a chance to see the theatre from the inside and learn about the history of the RSC.
You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the company and will be able to see how the plays are put together.
If you’re a Shakespeare fan, then the RSC is one of the best places in the world for you to visit.
Visit Anne Hathaway’s cottage
Anne Hathaway wife of Shakespeare was Shakespeare’s wife. The two were married when they were 21 years old, so they were very young. Anne was 18. You can visit Anne Hathaway’s cottage, which is located in the town.
Where is Anne Hathaway’s cottage? It is located in the village of Shottery, just outside Stratford-upon-Avon. The 500-year-old cottage is a thatched house that was the childhood home of Shakespeare’s wife.
It was originally a farmhouse where Anne grew up before marrying Shakespeare.
The cottage is small and is a typical house of the time. It might not sound like much, but it’s absolutely beautiful with its charming cottage gardens.
It is also the only home that Anne would have known as a married woman. Visiting here is a great insight into the life of a woman during the Tudor era and into Shakespeare’s love story.
There are a few things inside, such as the original furniture including the famed Hathaway Bed and Shakespeare Courting Chair, which you can see. It’s a very small building, but it’s an important link to Shakespeare’s life.
Some key facts about Anne Hathaway’s house:
- It was the home of the Hathaway family for 13 generations, from the late 1400s until 1911
- The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust acquired it in 1892 and opened it to the public, furnishing it with family heirlooms and period pieces
- It sits on a 90-acre working farm that has been maintained since Shakespeare’s time
- The acclaimed garden designer Ellen Willmott helped restore the cottage gardens in the early 1900s
- The house features a traditional cruck frame construction
If you’re interested in seeing this piece of history, Anne Hathaway’s cottage tickets can be purchased on the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust website. And for a preview, check out some Anne Hathaway’s cottage photos online.
Overall, the Anne Hathaway’s cottage reviews are very positive, with visitors praising the glimpse it provides into Shakespeare’s personal life.
A visit to Anne Hathaway Stratford is a must for any Shakespeare fan exploring the Shakespeare family homes.
Visit the Church of the Holy Trinity
The Church of the Holy Trinity is the main church in Stratford. There are lots of things inside, such as a stained glass window, as well as a carved pulpit.
If you’d like to visit the church, you can go any time that it is open. There is no charge for entry to the church, so it’s free to go and visit.
You can also go inside the church if you’d like to have a quiet moment to reflect.
There are guided tours that you can go on.
Places To Stay When You Visit Stratford-upon-Avon
Having a nice place to stay is one of the most important parts of a trip. It is a place to come back and relax after a long and busy day of exploring. Luckily, Stratford-upon-Avon has some absolutely lovely places to stay. Here are my top 5 recommendations.
- Hotel Indigo – A bright and semi-modern hotel only a 5-minute walk from the Royal Shakespeare Company, this one is convenient and suitable for pretty much anyone.
- The White Swan Hotel – A stunning period property with all the modern amenities. 5 minutes from the River Avon and 10 minutes from the Royal Shakespeare Company.
- Baraset Barn Hotel – If you like a rural feel to your stay, this adorable converted barn is the one for you. With a courtyard, fire pit, and produce from local farms in the restaurant.
- Broom Hall Inn – A little out of town and set in a beautiful Tudor period building, this one’s great for long stays. Complete with Full English Breakfasts and a children’s playground.
- Hotel Du Vin – 6 minutes walk from the Royal Shakespeare Company, this luxurious hotel has everything you need and is close to all the attractions. Its French restaurant makes this a great choice for foodies.
Check Out The 15 Best Things To Do In Stratford-Upon-Avon
If you want to see more great things to do in Stratford, check out this video on the top 15 things to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Stratford-upon-Avon is a beautiful town with lots of history. It’s especially famous thanks to its connection with Shakespeare, and if you’d like to visit, there are lots of things that you can do there.
You can walk along the river, see Shakespeare’s birthplace and his school, go to the RSC, visit Anne Hathaway’s cottage, and visit the Church of the Holy Trinity.
I hope you have an absolutely amazing time when you visit Stratford-upon-Avon.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope to see you back here again soon.
Ta-ta for now! x
