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From Tudor half-timbers to cutting-edge theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon rewards every kind of traveller with world-class sights and stories. AllShakespeare HousesTheatreNature & RiverYoung Visitors
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Shakespeare’s England
The most visited literary landmark in the world. This stunning half-timbered property on Henley Street is where William Shakespeare was born in April 1564 and spent his childhood years. Owned by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, it contains a fascinating museum exploring his early life and the Tudor world he inhabited.
Address Henley Street, CV37 6QW
Hours Daily 9am – 5pm
Admission Adults £21.50
Admission required
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Shakespeare’s England
A picture-perfect thatched farmhouse in the village of Shottery, one mile from Stratford town centre. This was the childhood home of Anne Hathaway, whom Shakespeare married in 1582. The cottage has been in the Hathaway family for centuries and its rooms and gardens are beautifully preserved, offering a romantic glimpse of Elizabethan rural life.
Address Cottage Lane, Shottery, CV37 9HH
Hours Daily 9am – 5pm
Admission Adults £17.50
Admission required
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Historic & Spiritual
Standing on the banks of the Avon since the 13th century, Holy Trinity is where Shakespeare was baptised on 26 April 1564 and buried on 25 April 1616. His grave and monument are in the chancel. One of the most visited parish churches in England, it is a place of profound peace and extraordinary history in equal measure.
Address Old Town, CV37 6BG
Hours Mon–Sat 8.30am–5pm, Sun 12.30pm–5pm
Admission Free (small charge for chancel)
Free entry
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Theatre & Culture
The RSC’s flagship venue on the Avon waterfront is one of the world’s great theatre buildings. Redesigned in 2010 to bring audiences closer than ever to the stage, the theatre hosts spectacular productions of Shakespeare and new plays year-round. Climb the tower for panoramic views over Stratford, or enjoy pre-show dining at the Rooftop Restaurant.
Address Waterside, CV37 6BB
Box Office 01789 403493
Tours Daily from £8
RSC Venue
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Nature & Wildlife
Europe’s largest butterfly farm sits just across the bridge from the RSC theatre. Walk through a lush tropical paradise where hundreds of exotic butterflies fly freely around you. The Insect City and Arachnoland sections introduce visitors to the fascinating world of exotic insects and spiders. Perfect for families and nature enthusiasts.
Address Swan’s Nest Lane, CV37 7LS
Hours Daily 10am – 6pm (summer)
Admission Adults £9.25
Admission required
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River & Outdoors
The River Avon is the beating heart of Stratford. Hire a rowing boat or punt from the boat hire near Clopton Bridge, take a cruise on a traditional motor launch, or simply stroll through the beautiful Bancroft Gardens to the Gower Memorial statue of Shakespeare and his characters. The riverside is magical at any time of year.
Location Bancroft Gardens, Waterside
Boat Hire From £9/hour
Gardens Free entry
Free entry
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Visit all five Shakespeare family homes with a combined ticket from just £36 for adults — a saving of over 20% on individual admissions.
| Property | Location | Connection | Adult Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shakespeare’s Birthplace | Henley Street, Stratford | Where Shakespeare was born, 1564 | £21.50 |
| Anne Hathaway’s Cottage | Shottery, 1 mile away | Home of Shakespeare’s wife | £17.50 |
| Mary Arden’s Farm | Wilmcote, 3 miles away | Shakespeare’s mother’s childhood home | £17.50 |
| Hall’s Croft | Old Town, Stratford | Home of Shakespeare’s daughter, Susanna | £13.50 |
| Nash’s House & New Place | Chapel Street, Stratford | Shakespeare’s final home (site) | £13.50 |
🎭 Royal Shakespeare Theatre
The RSC’s main house with 1,000+ seats, radical thrust stage design, and the world’s finest Shakespeare productions.
🌿 The Swan Theatre
A jewel-box galleried theatre within the RSC complex, modelled on Elizabethan inns of court — intimate and extraordinary.
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Walks
A long-distance walking trail following the River Avon through meadows and parkland from Stratford to Tewkesbury — 88 miles in total.
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Water
Punt, row, or cruise on the Avon. Electric boats and canoes also available from the boat yard near the RSC theatre.
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Wildlife
Europe’s largest tropical butterfly house — a riot of colour and movement just a five-minute walk from the town centre.
Not everyone comes for the Shakespeare history
Stratford has a genuinely good range of activities for children and teenagers beyond the Tudor houses — from swimming and indoor obstacle arenas to a free skate park. Ideal for balancing out a heritage-heavy itinerary, or for a rainy day.
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Sport & Swimming · All Ages
Run by Everyone Active on Bridgeway, the centre has a full-size main pool plus a dedicated teaching pool with a splash wall and water features — great for younger children building confidence in the water. Swim England-accredited lessons and family swim sessions run throughout the week.
Pay per swimBridgeway, CV37 6YX
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Ages 6–16 · Min. Height 1.2m
A neon-lit indoor obstacle arena testing speed, agility and strategy — somewhere between Total Wipeout and laser tag. Games run in 12-minute rounds with breaks between. A low-sensory “Inclusive Tag” session (no music, capped numbers) runs on the third Saturday of each month for neurodivergent children.
Booking requiredStratford Leisure Centre
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Under 8s & Climbers 4+
The leisure centre’s soft play area suits children up to around age 8, while the kid-specific Clip ‘n Climb wall welcomes climbers from age 4 upward. A reliable rainy-day option when the town centre attractions feel like too much walking.
Session feeStratford Leisure Centre
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Hands-On & Interactive
The UK’s only museum dedicated to mechanical art and design, on Henley Street just steps from Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Kinetic sculptures, wind-up contraptions and giant magnetic marble runs — genuinely interactive, and a firm favourite with children who’ve had enough of “do not touch” signs elsewhere in town.
Family ticket ~£254–5 Henley Street
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Teenagers · Boards & Bikes
A free, council-run concrete skate park with a quarter pipe, flat bank, funbox and mini ramps. Open year-round and popular with local teenagers after school and at weekends. Bring your own board, scooter or bike — there’s no hire on site.
Free entryWarwick Crescent, CV37 6YP
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Playground & Green Space
Stratford’s main park on Swan’s Nest Lane has a large playground, a free splash/paddling pool (open May–September), an outdoor gym, crazy golf, and a scaled-down cycle track modelled on the town’s own roads — a clever, safe way for younger children to practise cycling.
Free entrySwan’s Nest Lane
| Activity | Best Age Range | Typical Cost | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swimming pools | All ages | Pay per swim or membership | Stratford Leisure Centre, Bridgeway |
| TAGactive / Ninja Tag | 6–16 (min. 1.2m tall) | From approx. £9.50 per session | Stratford Leisure Centre |
| Soft play | Under 8s | Small session fee | Stratford Leisure Centre |
| Clip ‘n Climb | 4 years + | Per session | Stratford Leisure Centre |
| MAD Museum | All ages (best 5+) | Adult £8.80 · Child £6.50 · Family £25 | 4–5 Henley Street |
| Skate park | Teens & older children | Free | Warwick Crescent |
| Recreation Ground & playground | All ages | Free (mini golf small charge) | Swan’s Nest Lane |
🌦 Rainy Day Tip
Stratford Leisure Centre covers the most ground under one roof — swimming, TAGactive, soft play and Clip ‘n Climb are all in the same building on Bridgeway, making it the easiest fallback if the weather turns during a heritage-focused day in the town centre.