Stratford-upon-Avon is a historic town with links to the famous William Shakespeare.
You can plan your visit to the birthplace of William Shakespeare with our list of fun things to do in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Nowadays, the town offers a variety of Shakespeare-themed attractions.
And it is also home to a range of family-friendly attractions, both fun and educational.
Whether visiting Stratford-upon-Avonwith your friends, family or loved ones, there are fun attractions to keep you entertained.
Check out 11 of our favourite things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon below…
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6BB
Many visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon to learn more about the history of William Shakespeare.
The 16th-century writer grew up and died in Stratford-upon-Avon, writing many famous plays and poems.
The Royal Shakespeare Theatreis a homage to the genius behind William Shakespeare. And, at the theatre, you can watch plays, talks and performances with your friends and family.
Or, if you want to pop in to learn more about the theatre and the history of Shakespeare, you can jump on one of the tours around the famous theatre.
Afterwards, refuel at a delicious eatery in the town with 12 of The Best Restaurants in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Opening Hours:
Shop and Café Opening:
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 – 17:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 17:00
Theatre:
Open for performances, check here for the latest showtimes.
Contact Number: 01789 331111
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Cottage Lane, Shottery, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 9HH
Don’t be mistaken for the Hollywood superstar Anne Hathaway.
The Hathaway we are talking about is the wife of William Shakespeare.
In the 15th century, the cottage was home to the Hathaway family. And they stayed up until 1892.
Now the cottage is open to the public and is now part of the Birthplace Trust.
Around the cottage, you can enjoy flowery cottage gardens, a sculpture trail and much more. It is the perfect opportunity to teach children about the importance of William Shakespeare.
If you are hoping to take a tour around more of Shakespeare’s history, the Story ticket is the most budget-friendly ticket.
With this, you get entry into Anne Hathaway’s cottage, Shakespeare’s birthplace and new place.
Opening Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00
Contact Number: 01789 338532
Butterfly Farm
Swan’s Nest Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 7LS
On a warm summer day, visiting the Butterfly Farm is one of the best things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon.
The attraction is in sections. You can visit a rainforest flight area, discovery zone, minibeast metropolis and more.
If visiting with children, the Butterfly Park is one of the best things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon.
It offers a hand on, educational trip to learn about butterflies.
Find out more about the Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Park here.
Opening Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 10:00 – 17:30
Contact Number: 01789 299288
Shakespeare’s House
Henley St, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6QW
Here is another must-visit attraction in Stratford-upon-Avon for Shakespeare fans.
During your visit, you can learn about William Shakespeare’s family life. Discover Glover’s Workshop and find all the artefacts that were part of Shakespeare’s life.
And, included in the Shakespeare’s story ticket, you are only ten minutes away from Anne Hathaway’s cottage and Shakespeare’s New Place.
Why not find your own holiday home to stay in Warwickshire?
Opening Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00
Contact Number: 01789 204016
Related Cottages
Holy Trinity Church
1 Old Town, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BG
Following the theme of Stratford-Upon-Avon, Holy Trinity Church is where William Shakespeare was baptised.
You can also see Shakespeare’s grave at the Holy Trinity Church.
Visitors are welcome for regular services or want to tour the church grounds.
Opening Hours:
Monday – Wednesday: 10:00 – 13:00
Thursday – Saturday: 10:00 – 13:00 & 14:00 – 16:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 16:00
Contact Number: 01789 266316
Countess of Evesham
Bancroft Garden, Waterside, Stratford, CV37 6BA
The Countess of Evesham is a unique restaurant on board a 70 ft houseboat.
The menu remains seasonal and serves meals that will make your mouth water.
Your time on the boat usually lasts about three and a half hours. And it is a unique way to see some of the local areas.
You can book your cruise on the Countess of Evesham here.
Opening Hours:
Lunch Cruise:
Monday – Friday: 12:15 – 14:00
Saturday – Sunday: 11:30 – 15:00
Evening Cruise:
Monday – Friday: 19:00 – 22:30
Saturday: 19:00 – 23:00
Sunday: 18:00 – 21:30
Contact Number: 07836 769 499
The Welcombe Hills
Warwick Road, Stratford, CV37 0NR
Stratford isn’t all about historic playwriters.
The Welcombe Hills are perfect if you want to get out and enjoy nature.
Along the route, discover giant obelisks, wells, old swimming pools and Clopton Tower.
It’s a great walk to keep the kids active and engaged on the hunt for famous landmarks along the way.
If you love walking and want to head further away from Stratford-upon-Avon, check out these 77 things to do in the Cotswolds.
Opening Hours:
Open 24 Hours
Contact Number: 024 7630 2912
MAD Museum
4-5 Henley Street, Stratford, CV37 6PT
The Mechanical Art & Design Museum (MAD)is one of Stratford’s most popular attractions for locals and visitors.
Whether taking children or going as an adult, the MAD Museum is sure to inspire creative thinking.
What makes this Stratford-upon-Avon attraction so engaging is the ability to get hands-on with many exhibits.
Pre-booking is only required at specific times of the year, and you can find out more on the MAD website.
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 17:00
Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 – 17:30
Contact Number: 01789 269356
Mary Arden’s Farm
Station Road, Wilmcote, Stratford, CV37 9UN
Mary Arden’s Farm is the childhood home of Shakespeare’s mother.
Largely unchanged, the farm is now part of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. You can still see some of the features of the original house.
Nowadays, the site is used mainly for education. And it is common for the grounds to shut down for school visits.
So be sure to check the website link below before you visit. Or, speak to one of the teams at Shakespeare’s Birthplace or Anne Hathaway’s Cottage.
Opening Hours:
Check here for updated opening times.
Contact Number: 01789 338 535
The River Avon
The River Avon offers walking trails and boating things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Find out about the River Festival in Stratford-upon-Avon here.
Boating on the River Avon
Boat hire is a popular tourist attraction in Stratford-upon-Avon.
You can choose from rowing boats and motorboats. Or you can sit back and relax along the public river cruise without having to captain a boat yourself.
You can find more about boating on the River Avon online or at the Swan’s Nest Boathouse.
Walking around the River Avon
Whether you want a short walk along the river or make a day of it, the River Avon welcomes thousands of hikers each year.
There are hundreds of walks that feature the River Avon. But we recommend the Stratford Riverside Walk.
Starting in Stratford, the walk explores the local countryside and is ideal for dogs.
The Stratford-Upon-Avon Treasure Trail
Starting Point: Bridge Foot, Stratford, CV37 6AT
Get the kids problem solving and hunting for landmarks following this Stratford-upon-Avon treasure trail.
Created by Treasure Trails, the Stratford trail is a self-guided tour that explores the landmarks around Stratford.
You can even take it at your own pace. Don’t feel like doing it all in one day? Take two.
There are so many attractions to see along the way. You may want to explore these more as you follow the trail.
Find more information about the Stratford-upon-Avon Treasure Trail here.
This cost-effective treasure trail is one of the best things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon with children and families.
By now we hope you aren’t wondering what to do in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Whether you are travelling with family, friends, pets or partners, Stratford is home to many engaging activities.
Do you like the sound of these things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon? Make the most of your visit by taking a break in one of these Stratford-upon-Avon Holiday Cottages.
Image Credits – Roger Kidd – (CC BY-SA 2.0); Paul Harrop – (CC BY-SA 2.0); Roger Kidd – (CC BY-SA 2.0); Tim Heaton – (CC BY-SA 2.0); Elliott Brown – (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0); DeFacto – (CC BY-SA 4.0)
