In the West Midlands of England, on the banks of the River Avon, lies the town of Stratford-upon-Avon. Located approximately two hours north-east of London the town is an essential stop for anyone looking to experience historical England. It’s quaint streets, beautiful buildings and many historical attractions make it a great place to spend a few days.
Stratford-upon-Avon is most famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare, one of the most famous English writers of all time. It was in this town that Shakespeare was born and spent both the early and later years of his life. Every year over 100,000 tourists visit the city to discover the history of Shakespeare and experience the town that shaped him.
As a medieval market town, Stratford-upon-Avon has a number of historical buildings that date back as far as the 15th century, and make for a very picturesque setting. Even if you’re not overly interested in Shakespeare, the town’s 800 years of history allows visitors to take a real step back into Olde England.
There is lots to do in the town and to help you start planning I’ve compiled 10 historical things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon. The list is not exhaustive and is in no particular order, but hopefully a great start to your historical adventure in one of England’s most beautiful and culturally important towns.
1. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace.
William Shakespeare is a main draw to Stratford-upon-Avon and there are plenty of Shakespeare-related things to do. The best place to start your historical adventure is at Shakespeare’s Birthplace. William Shakespeare was born in 1564 to parents John and Mary Shakespeare in the house located on Henley Street. The house acted as both a family home and his father’s workshop and was the place William lived up to his early adulthood. Thanks to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the building is well preserved and gives visitors a glimpse into life in Tudor England.
2. See Shakespeare’s grave at Holy Trinity Church.
Visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon can view Shakespeare’s final resting place at Holy Trinity Church. The church itself has over 1,000 years of history and played a key role in the writer’s life. Shakespeare was baptized at Holy Trinity Church and would also have attended services here as a child. Throughout his life, Shakespeare kept a connection with the church and eventually ended up purchasing a share that went towards maintaining the chancel. This meant that he was able to be buried in the church and today visitors can view the graves of himself and his family members. Visitors can also view a monument to Shakespeare, which is believed to be one of the most lifelike depictions of him. This is because it was erected shortly after his death, while his wife was still alive and its assumed she must have approved of its design.
3. Enjoy a meal at Lamb’s of Sheep Street in one of the oldest buildings in Stratford-upon-Avon.
There’s nothing like a nice cozy meal after a day of sight-seeing and in Stratford-upon-Avon I recommend having a meal at Lambs of Sheep Street. The restaurant is located in a beautiful 16th century building, that retains many of its original features. What I love about Lambs is that the restaurant provides a seamless mix of a historical atmosphere alongside a stylish and modern dining experience. The menu has a selection of high-quality, local food and is a great chance to try some English favourites. I took my parents here about 5 years ago and my mother still raves about the lamb!
View the menu or make a reservation at Lambs of Sheep Street here.
4. Take in a show at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
One of the top things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon is see a Shakespeare play in the bard’s home town. The current theatre was built in 1932, after a fire destroyed the original Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, which stood on the site since 1879. In 1961, the Royal Shakespeare Company was founded and the theatre was officially named the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
The theatre puts on a variety of shows, most notably works by William Shakespeare himself. Over the years many famous actors have performed as a part of the Royal Shakespeare Company, including Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian Mckellen, Ralph Fiennes and many more. I have to say, before my first visit to Stratford-upon-Avon I only had memories of studying Shakespeare in school and was unsure what I would think of the performance. However after seeing Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre I fell in love with and had a whole new appreciation for his work.
5. Have a drink at the The Black Swan pub, also known amongst Shakespearian actors as The Dirty Duck.
The Black Swan pub dates back to the 18th century and is one of the only pubs in England that has two names. The Black Swan is also known as The Dirty Duck and both names are displayed on the sign out front. The nickname ‘The Dirty Duck‘ is believed to have been given to the pub by American GIs who were stationed across the river during World War II. It’s a nickname that seems to have stuck.
The Black Swan/The Dirty Duck is located near the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and is perhaps most famous as the hang-out spot for a number of Shakespearian actors over the years. Inside visitors can see signed photos of legendary Shakespearian actors and there’s even a table signed by Dame Judi Dench.
6. See the home of Shakespeare’s daughter at Hall’s Croft.
Hall’s Croft was the home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and her husband Dr. John Hall. They married at the above-mentioned Holy Trinity Church in 1607 and moved into the newly built home (today known as Hall’s Croft) in 1613. The couple lived in the house for three years while John worked as a highly respected physician in town. The inside of the house is furnished similar to how it would have been when they lived there and gives an insight into how professionals would have lived in Jacobean England. It also gives an insight into the world of medicine at the time and how a physician would have treated their patients.
Learn more about visiting Hall’s Croft here.
Note: Hall’s Croft is currently closed to the public until further notice, however I have still included on this list of things to do because you can view the outside of the building from the street (and it is quite impressive). Visit the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust website to stay up to date on opening information.
7. Stay in historic accommodation at the Mercure Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Hotel.
While travelling, I always enjoy staying in historic accommodation and the Mercure Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Hotel provides a fascinating experience. The hotel is located in a Tudor building that retains many of its original features. The building has long been a hotel but is believed to have changed its name to The Shakespeare Hotel in the 18th century as a draw for tourists visiting the town. Staying in this 4-star hotel was really a treat and I loved the low ceilings, original beams and general coziness of the hotel. It’s also in a great location for walking to various Shakespeare attractions.
Click here to book accommodation at the Mercure Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Hotel
8. Go for a boat ride on the River Avon.
The River Avon is a central feature within the town and is a hub for tourists in the warmer months. Visitors can take a boat tour, which are great for pointing out the historical areas of interest along the waterfront. If you prefer to explore on your own, you can also rent a row boat named after a famous Shakespearian character. Whether you rent a row boat, take a boat tour, or simply stroll along the bank, the River Avon makes for a fun afternoon out!
9. Visit the home of Shakespeare’s wife at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage.
There is not a lot known about Shakespeare’s relationship with his wife Anne Hathaway. They were married in 1582 and had three children, but much of the mystery comes from the fact that Shakespeare lived away in London (without Anne) from approximately 1590-1613. What is known of Anne can be explored at her family home, now known as Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. Located in Shottery, about a 25-minute walk from the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon, the house was built in 1463 and still has many of the remaining features. Visitors can explore the history of both Anne and generations of her family, as the last remaining family member lived in the cottage until 1911. The cottage itself is a stunning example of a 15th century building and there is also a beautiful garden to explore.
10. Simply walk around and admire the history and culture of the city.
One of my favourite things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon is to simply wander the streets and take in the vast amount of history on every corner. Everywhere you turn there seems to be another stunning building and it certainly makes for a picturesque walk. Growing up in Canada, these kinds of towns were quite foreign to me and I’ve never tired of exploring Stratford-upon-Avon’s streets. Any time I have visited the town is bustling with a wonderful atmosphere. I would definitely leave yourself some time to wander and explore the beauty and buzz Stratford-upon-Avon has to offer.
This article’s information was last updated in July 2022.