How to spend a perfect 48 hours in Stratford upon Avon
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them”. So wrote Shakespeare in Twelfth Night and whichever of the above applied to Shakespeare himself, there can be no doubt that he is the greatest playwright of all time. Whether you are a hardcore fan or have only read a bit of Shakespeare at school, I think it’s safe to say we all know the plot of at least one play. I’ve wanted to come to Stratford upon Avon since I was a teenager. I don’t even know if it’s the Shakespeare element. It might just be the name, which has always sounded beautiful and historic to me. Read on to see how to spend a perfect 48 hours in Stratford upon Avon.
DAY 1
The Shakespeare Pass/Shakespeare’s birthplace/Shakespeare’s New Place
First things first. If you are here for the Bard then head straight over to Shakespeare’s birthplace or the information centre and get your mitts on the Shakespeare Pass. This will give you discounted entry into all of the Shakespeare properties and museums. It’s also handy for people who, like us, want to see a lot in a short space of time.
We began our tour – naturally – in Shakespeare’s birthplace. This was probably our least favourite of the attractions as it had very little information about the man himself, and more so on the property’s history. However it is a sort of pilgrimage site so worth seeing if you are a massive fan.
Just a 10 minute walk away is Shakespeare’s new place, where he lived and died. Sadly the original building is gone. Instead you’ll find gardens and an exhibition in what would have been his neighbour’s home. There’s a bit more info here and the staff are happy to answer questions about the literary genius.
Lunch
Time to find a pub for a spot of lunch, and luckily in Stratford you are spoilt for choice! I recommend the Thatched Tavern or The Garrick for classic pub fare in a historical setting (the Thatched Tavern dates back to the 1400s!). Or if you’re looking for a food with a view then head to The Dirty Duck, a waterside pub looking over the River Avon, which is popular with RSC actors.
The Butterfly Farm
Shakespeare is cool and all, but bugs are cooler. And with that in mind, why not visit the Stratford Butterfly Farm? It’s just across the river, and is a fun way to kill a couple of hours. It’s also, handily, included with the Shakespeare Pass. It’s made up of walk-through enclosures housing different species of butterflies. There’s also an ant section which is always fascinating. The butterflies will sit on you if you are still, just be careful you don’t end up leaving with a little stowaway sitting on your shoulder unnoticed!
Dinner
For dinner I would recommend the incredible Lambs restaurant, which boasts beautiful interiors and welcoming, attentive staff. We had the veggie options here which were plentiful and full of flavour.
RSC
To really top of your evening, get tickets for a show at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s theatre. Of course the obvious thing to see here would be one of the Bard’s works. But they also put on other plays so check the playbill to see what’s on when you’re in town.
DAY 2
Breakfast
If you aren’t having breakfast in your hotel or fancy a late brunch then your best bet is The Boston Tea Party. Voted the best cafe in Stratford it has a thorough selection of breakfast and lunch items, including plenty of plant based options. If you don’t end up eating here for brekkie then I’m told the lunch is also very good!
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
My personal favourite stop with the Shakespeare pass, you’ll be sure to appreciate this beautiful location whether you are into Shakespeare or not. Anne Hathaway was William’s wife and this is her family home. The tour is interesting and engaging and you really feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Don’t forget to have a wander around the gardens and nearby woodland, which are peaceful and idyllic.
Sightseeing
If you haven’t done so already, make sure you dedicate an hour or two to just wandering around Stratford. The Elizabethan buildings are beautiful to look at and you can find many statues of Shakespearean characters dotted around town. There are also a few lovely local shops to pop into – my particular favourite being Magic Alley which is less of a shop and more of an experience!
A little out of the way but worth it for Shakespeare buffs is Holy Trinity Church, where the Bard and his family are all buried. The grave is inside the Church itself so it’s worth checking opening days and times before heading over to avoid disappointment.
Avon River Cruise
If you have time then a lovely way to end your trip to Stratford is to take a river cruise down the Avon. We didn’t have the weather or time for this but Bancroft River Cruises comes highly recommended.
I hope this inspires you to visit Stratford too. You may want to combine it with a trip to The Cotswolds, which are close by. If so, check out my post about the prettiest towns to visit here.
