STRATFORD - any recommendations please?

[MadreInglese]

I'd like to take DP and DD to Stratford for a few days this summer as I've always wanted to visit and DD(12) is studying Shakespeare this year so I know she would love to go there.

Is it worth going for 2/3 days? Is it fab and beautiful and will we be able to meander around romantically in the sunshine taking in all the history, or will we be fighting the rest of tourists for floorspace in all the Shakespeare-referenced hotspots?

hopeful little bump.....

you will indeed fight for space.

Ann Hathaways house is a hit with my niece and nephew who are same age.

we tend to wander along the river, watch the boats, feed ducks and visit the buttefly farm. then finish off with a trip to the old fashioned sweet shop. mine are younger though.

top tip would be tickets for a play.

We (boys 11 and 12) saw Romeo and Juliet at half term: twas fab. Last year we saw As you like it and the year before The Taming of the Shrew.

We were there on a hot and sunny day and Stratford was absolutely heaving: very unpleasant. Yuck!

I would recommend avoiding the main tourist streets and heading in the opposite direction: walking by the river, maybe going on a boat if you fancy that. I haven't been in any of the museums/Shakespeare houses, cos it just seems a tourist rip-off to me.

By walking away from the crowds we found a fab noodle bar for lunch.

Oh, parking was a nightmare too, and very expensive.

Stratford is lovely, indeed. I live nearby and it is beautiful. It gets very busy in the summer though so maybe think about going in half term instead, if you want it to be less busy?

Alveston Manor is a nice place to saty. The theatre is great of course. 2 days max I think.

stay

Thanks all, will have a further googling session

I think if we do go we will probably go by train as I noticed not many hotels have parking

We used to saty at the Thistle but it closed suddenly last year. Any one know why?
We haven't replaced it yet as a regular hotel so if anyone has any suggestions?

There is a young people version of Hamlet in the summer. We are going in August. We saw Comedy of Errors done as a young peoples version last year and it was brilliant. Although your dd is older than mine & would be fine with an adult version.

I also think the Swan must be nearly complete now?

The Swan hotel? Was it being refurbed or something? That one came up on laterooms so I assume it's finished

This pub used to be a nice place for a drink/meal, but it has been many years since I was there. Still, maybe worth looking into.....

www.dirtyduck-pub-stratford-upon-avon.co.uk/

Anyone know it, or been there fairly recently?

This site has some good discount offers on attractions.

Swan theatre!They still say finished in 2010 but the courtyard one is fab and I'm hoping it stays too.

Dirty Duck is the place to go after the performance to see the actors. We saw John Lithgow in there.

Book in advance they always seem to be full but the food looks good.

The Arden Hotel has just been completely refurbished. Can't personally recommend, but it looked lovely from the outside the other day and the marketing all looks very swish.

As it's just opened, you might be able to get a good deal!

It's a fantastic location: very convenient for the theatre and shops.

Roisin - think that's the one that used to be the thistle. Across from the swan? Just emailed them about booking for August. Much better location than anywhere else we have stayed

Yes, just across from the swan. Looks very nice.

We always end up driving after the theatre, which is a pain. But can't really afford to stay in the centre of Stratford with the four of us.

Mind you if you get free parking, that saves you a packet in Stratford!

It has parking! £99 per adult dinner bed & breakfast including kids hotel & breakfast.

ooooh thanks for the tips

would def like to see a play so just have to coordinate hotel/theatre/train special deals now and see what I can find

found some super cheapo single trip train tickets which would save £££££ on parking, so if we can get a central hotel that would be fab

cotswolds farm park is not far away if you do bring the car, its great fun.
Parking's not that bad it stratford and you could then visit chipping campden and have a drive round the cotswolds.

DH's extended family live in the Stratford area so we go a few times a year for a long weekend and stay at a lovely B&B on Shipston Road which is the main route south out of town but still within easy walking distance of the centre, river, theatre. Shipston Rd is full of B&B's but we stay at Arden Way here. There is free parking and it means we have the car to visit relatives but can park outside the B&B and wander into the centre of town for food and take a walk along the river etc.
Dirty Duck is a nice pub and the area opposite (beside the river is an unofficial beer garden - well you can ask for plastic glasses and take your drinks over there which was perfect for us with 2 young children, DDs had a nap in the shade and we had a drink in the sun)
The only downside of Shipston Road is that is a busy road and I find the noise of traffic a bit off putting but we live in a very quiet place so I'm not used to it.
We've had nice food in Carluccio's (just opposite the theatre) and Cafe Pasta on Sheep St.