Discover Stratford
From Tudor half-timbers to cutting-edge theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon rewards every kind of traveller with world-class sights and stories.
Shakespeare's Birthplace
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.
Anne Hathaway's Cottage
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.
Holy Trinity Church
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.
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
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.
Stratford Butterfly Farm
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.
River Avon & Bancroft Gardens
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.
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 |
The RSC's main house with 1,000+ seats, radical thrust stage design, and the world's finest Shakespeare productions.
- Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6BB
- Box Office: 01789 403493
- Theatre tours daily from £8
- Tower viewing gallery open daily
- Rooftop restaurant open to non-theatre guests
A jewel-box galleried theatre within the RSC complex, modelled on Elizabethan inns of court — intimate and extraordinary.
- Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6BB
- Capacity: 450 seats
- Specialises in Shakespeare's contemporaries
- Some performances from £5 (Rush tickets)
- Bars open before and during performances
Avon Way Walk
A long-distance walking trail following the River Avon through meadows and parkland from Stratford to Tewkesbury — 88 miles in total.
Avon Boating
Punt, row, or cruise on the Avon. Electric boats and canoes also available from the boat yard near the RSC theatre.
Butterfly Farm
Europe's largest tropical butterfly house — a riot of colour and movement just a five-minute walk from the town centre.
Stratford has a genuinely good range of activities for children and teenagers beyond the Tudor houses — from swimming and indoor obstacle arenas to woodland disc golf and a free skate park. Ideal for balancing out a heritage-heavy itinerary, or for a rainy day.
Stratford Leisure Centre — Swimming
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.
TAGactive / Ninja Tag Arena
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.
Soft Play & Clip 'n Climb
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.
The MAD Museum
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.
Stratford Skate Park
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.
The Recreation Ground ("The Rec")
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.
Gilly’s Disc Golf @ Wayfield Gorse
Arguably the best couple of hours you can spend with teenagers near Stratford. Three woodland courses wind through 17 acres of bluebell woodland just outside town — an orange course for beginners (12 holes, 30–80m), a white course for intermediates, and a tougher blue course for anyone who fancies a real challenge. Rounds start from around £4, a casual round takes one to two hours, and the tree canopy keeps you sheltered when the weather turns. Easy to pick up from cold, genuinely competitive, and open year-round.
Quick Reference for Parents
| 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 |
| Gilly’s Disc Golf | Teens & families (all ages) | From approx. £4 per round | Wayfield Gorse, outside Stratford |
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.