to ask if you've ever been to Stratford upon Avon

[PinkStarAtNight]

I would appreciate tips please!

We are planning a weekend there first August Bank Holiday. We will be there two and a half days. We want to see all the main things; Shakespeare's birthplace and associated houses, tour of the RSC, river boat tour etc

We have booked to see a play at 2pm on the Monday. Nothing else booked so far - I'm wondering how far in advance do we need to book tickets for things like Shakespeare's House? Do they usually get fully booked very soon, could we leave it until the week before we go?

Also, any tips for how to maximise our time or just anything you think we need to know about Stratford upon Avon before going...would really appreciate the experience of mumsnet 😊

Thank you in advance!!

We went a couple years ago, it’s so lovely! It’s not far to Warwick castle which is fab (esp if you’re bringing kids). You can usually just get on a boat trip on the day but you need to get there early. The RSC has a nice bar with a terrace on the waterfront. The Christmas shop is very cute! Enjoy! X

2.5 days is a nice amount of time to enjoy both the town and surrounds.
Where are you staying, and will you have a car?

If you want a castle, I'd do Kenilworth over Warwick. Warwick is great, but it's a big tourist destination and pretty commercialised. Kenilworth would be a good antidote (but don't go if it's raining- it's 90% outdoor!).

Mad Museum is great as a break from Shakespeare. But there's so much to do, you'll fill the time easily.

The tower at the theatre gives you nice views, as well as the tour.

There are lovely walks along the river or up the greenway (there's a cafe in an old railway coach just out of town).
There may be races at the racecourse.

If you're coming from the south, it's worth travelling via the Cotswolds - stop off in Moreton in Marsh, Broadway or Stow on the Wold on your journey.

You'll need to book to eat out in the evenings - everywhere gets so busy. It's worth waiting until after the pre-theatre rush has died down.
Sheep St is full of nice bistros, and other places PPs have recommended are good.
Hoorays is a nice ice cream parlour.

Don't worry about people saying they 'did' Stratford in half a day. It's not a big town and you can walk from one end to the other in 15 mins. But you won't 'do' everything in 2.5 days! I have lived close by for 25 years (and worked there for 5 years) and still haven't been to many of the 'must see' things!

Just to say that you can easily get to Coughton Court via bus and to Warwick Castle by bus too. I like loved Warwick Castle

Oh and check out Magic Alley if you’re into spooky stuff! X

I live here!

I obviously think there is more than 2.5 days worth of stuff to do.

I'd go on the chain ferry, its a quick trip, but fun with kids and its about 50p. It's a lovely place to visit.

I’ve never been there. I’ve been to Stratford in East London though which is quite nice but no Shakespeare there.

I’m fairly local-ish to Stratford and saying you can do everything in an afternoon is like American tourists claiming they’ve “done” England when all they’ve done is a few days in London!

I also recommend The Sinister Side of Stratford tour. The guide is excellent.

Hire a rowing boat and go down the river

Don't forget to stop for a few minutes at the Shakespeare Memorial Statue (Shakespeare, Hamlet, Lady Macbeth, Prince Hal, and Falstaff). I always have my photo taken with Prince Hal.

Great cycling routes, hire bikes & see the countryside for a morning? Boat trip? Lots to do

If you have Tesco vouchers - you can use them at the MAD museum - it's on Henley St.

El Greco Greek restaurants is great too.

Another vote for the chain ferrry, OP! The kids (and I) love it.

If you like a walk, do, do walk the mile to Anne H's cottage. It's really enjoyable and shows you the quieter side of Stratford. I like to think that's the way William went when he was wooing Anne.

I'm a real pedant and stickler, so hard to please, but I think the Shakespeare houses (Birthplace, AH's and Dr Hall's House) are very well presented. Guides give you some crucial info, but otherwise you can wander at your own pace. Definitely book as soon as you can, though.

When the tourist herds get too much, make for Old Town, the oldest part of the town which is north of Holy Trinity Church. Walk up Old Town to the main road and cross to find the cut-through to the footpath to A H's cottage.

Of course there's plenty that's naff, but just enjoy it and you'll get some respite in the theatre. The river is always pleasant to relax by and if you're able, you can take refuge in some excellent second-hand book shops. I have to say - their a some great charity shops to browse too, towards the Rother Market.

Enjoy rowing on the Avon (but don't go over the weir....) or have a boat trip. There might be morris dancers on August BH too!

Definitely another vote for Kenilworth over Warwick. Both are great castles, but if you like a more quiet time in a rural setting and find ruins romantic, Kenilworth is the way to go. Warwick is much more 'theme parkey; and the queues will be horrendous.

Have a lovely time!

It's lovely. I highly recommend the restaurant Salt- i went at lunchtime which is a little cheaper (or was) as to the tourist stuff, been a while since I did them, no need to book in advance when I went

Thank you so much for all of your amazing, informative and lovely replies!

Everything has been duly noted and I'm even more excited for this trip than I was before. Thank you so much 😊

Have a great time OP, there's lots to see, it's a nice place. I wanted to see Anne Hathaway's cottage for years as it looks so quaint in all photos. Couldn't bear to be in it once I got there, I found it suffocatingly small and dark and strangely oppressive. But everything else fine. Enjoy it, I feel quite envious@😀

@PinkStarAtNight Where are you stsying, and when are you going?

If you're outside town and planning to drive in, be aware that one of the main routes in (the one coming from the M40) is closed in one direction. You can still get IN but you can't get OUT. It's causing traffic chaos as everyone is having to get out by different routes, and there's a one-way system at the bottom of town that it's easy to get stuck in.
It would affect you if you're staying at Stratford Manor, The Welcome or any B&B/accommodation on that side of town. It just means you need to plan more carefully.
There is a P&R which is pretty good if you're coming in from outside. It's just off the A46, which would be a main road many people would be approaching via.

If you want any more details/help with that side of things, shout up! I use those roads most weeks and know them well.
The road closure is PITA. It was bad when it was winter, but in peak tourist season it's going to be much worse! And doesn't reopen until after the main season. It can be planned around, but forewarned is forearmed!

The Butterfly House is definitely worth a visit. We also did a ghost tour, which was fun, and a Treasure Trails murder mystery tour (you can buy it online).

Our hotel is central to the town. We decided it is too far to drive so we are travelling in and out via train. It does mean that we probably won't be able to visit surrounding towns and villages or anywhere that requires a car...so we are just focusing on the town itself

Hoping to get the city sightseeing bus to Anne Hathaway's cottage.

AH's cottage is a nice easy walk from town. There's a footpath/cut-through from the town. It's well signposted (just follow signs to Shottery if you lose sight of those for AH). There's a nice pub (the Bell) there too, for a drink in the sun.

If you do decide to go to Warwick, the bus is quick and cheap (£2!). But honestly, you'll fill the time in Stratford easily.

You haven't booked the Crowne Plaza, have you? It's closed since a fire in April, and not planned to reopen until Sept.

Been to SOA many times as it was my mums favourite place. I even scattered her ashes on the river by the theatre!

Most recent visit was June with my son:

1. went to see Merry Wives at the RSC theatre, very funny.
2. walked along the river bank past the theatre and Dirty Duck, crossed with the chain ferry.
3. did a bit of shopping! Both in the town and the craft market on Sunday outside the theatre.
4. previous visits have included a river cruise, the hop on hop off bus, Anne Hathaways cottage, Warwick castle, Kenilworth castle.
5. it’s just pleasant to wander around the theatre gardens and river area.
6. August will be busy so book any evening meals - Lambs, the Oppo, Vitner are all good. Also,chains such as cafe rouge, zizzi are okay.
7. ive stayed in most of the B&Bs on Sheep street over the years, also the Arden (only when there’s an offer on!) and Crowne Plaza. All are central and with parking which you will need. ( CP currently closed]. This visit we stayed in an Air B&b which was about a 10 minute walk from the theatre, lovely, very quiet area.

Enjoy your trip.

Meant B&Bs on Shipston Road but can’t edit!

Plenty of good advice from pp above.

It's one of my favourite places - I've been going there all my life, more than 50 years.

Enjoy!