Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon overview

Lying upon the River Avon in the county of Warwickshire, the pleasant market town of Stratford attracts around three million tourists every year due to its status as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

As such, as well as being a pleasant destination in itself, it also boasts a rich history as well as a lively riverside which truly comes alive during the summer months.

Founded over 800 years ago, the town grew up on the back of the wool trade, with the Bard's father illegally trading in this for some years, and only with the advent of mass tourism did this situation change. Centred around two main streets, which are lined either side with historic Tudor black-and-white buildings, Stratford is easily negotiated and the perfect size for a weekend getaway or day trip from the city.

Stratford-upon-Avon overview location

As with most destinations in the Midlands, Stratford-upon-Avon is well connected with the rest of the country and, being as it is surrounded by some idyllic English countryside, travelling to the town when the weather is pleasant is a real joy in itself.

From the UK's second city, Birmingham, Stratford can be reached along the M40 motorway, which in turn links onto the rest of the country.

Likewise, there are regular rail links into the Midlands and London to Stratford-upon-Avon station, while there are also excellent cycle tracks serving the region.

Given that Stratford is one of the smaller of the UK's tourist destinations, many visitors either visit the town as part of a day trip or else use it as a base to explore the surrounding region. The picture-postcard perfection of the Cotswolds is just a few miles away, as is Warwick Castle, a popular Medieval bout of fun for families.

Why visit Stratford-upon-Avon overview

Aside from the Royal Family, Shakespeare is arguably the very essence of England and a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon allows tourists to take a step back into time back to the Bard's days. His birthplace is far and away the most popular attraction and the town centre cottage, which has been tastefully converted into a museum and visitor centre, it well worth braving the crowds for. To complement this, a short drive or bus ride out of town to the cottage owned by Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway, is also highly recommended. As well as being perfectly preserved from her time, the cottage also boasts stunning landscaped gardens which include the maze which Mr and Mrs Shakespeare used to enjoy.

The thespian heritage has bequeathed Stratford with some of the finest theatre outside of London, most notably the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company as well as the New Space and the Swan Theatre, where shows old and new are premiered boasting some of the world's leading actors and actresses.

However, it is not just Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon. American tourists flock to see the family home of John Harvard, the founder of the great university, while once the sun comes out, locals and tourists alike flock to the Avon, where there are numerous parks and riverside walks.