Local Area

The Stratford-upon-Avon area

Stratford-upon-Avon is a historic South Warwickshire market town located astride the beautiful River Avon. It is the region’s cultural centre and is internationally known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare and home to the Royal Shakespeare Company and its theatres.

The Midlands’ canal network joins the River Avon outside the RST and the basin and surrounding canal network has moorings for the colourful narrowboats.

Stratford town offers a wide variety of shopping, sporting and leisure facilities with a good selection of quality restaurants, dining pubs, inns and coffee/tea shops, all within a short walk from the apartment. Shakespeare’s birthplace and other historic properties are 5 – 10 minutes walk away, as is the main theatre. Guided walks take place every day, including Christmas Day (www.stratfordtownwalk.co.uk). Bus and river tours are available as an alternative way to explore Stratford.

There are weekly markets on Fridays and Saturdays plus specialist craft and food markets during the summer months on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. Also during the summer, there are free outdoor performances of Shakespeare’s plays in “The Dell” by Holy Trinity Church on Saturdays and Sundays (make use of the picnic basket and chairs provided in the apartment).

Notable dates to visit:

Around April 23^rd – Shakespeare’s birthday celebrations.

October – Mop and Runaway Mop fairs.

November to January – the spectacular Christmas lights and festivities making the town look and feel ‘magical’.

If you are an Art Fund cardholder, you not only get discounted entry to Compton Verney house and Gallery,  just outside Stratford, but also free entry to all the Shakespeare properties and gardens (www.artfund.org).

Activities near Stratford-upon-Avon

The Central England / Cotswolds / Warwickshire region

Warwick and Kenilworth Castles, Compton Verney Gallery, Coughton Court and many other historic country houses and gardens are close by, as is Royal Leamington Spa.

The whole area is set in green countryside with picturesque old English villages.