Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford's Shakespeare Heritage

Shakespeare's Birthplace on Henley Street is the essential starting point for any group visit — the half-timbered house where Shakespeare was born and spent his childhood contains a fascinating exhibition on his life and times, and the birthroom itself (where he is believed to have been born) has been welcoming visitors since the late 18th century. Anne Hathaway's Cottage in the village of Shottery, a mile from the town centre, is one of England's most charming historic houses — a large thatched farmhouse with an authentic period garden where Anne lived until her marriage to Shakespeare in 1582.

Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare was baptised and where he and his family are buried, is a place of genuine pilgrimage for literary groups. His grave, inscribed with a famous curse against disturbing his bones, and the painted bust above it (one of only two contemporary likenesses) are among the most visited sites in England. The church itself, set beside the River Avon, is one of the finest parish churches in the English Midlands.

Beyond Shakespeare: The Town of Stratford

Stratford's Tudor and Jacobean townscape is remarkably well-preserved — the timber-framed buildings along Wood Street, Sheep Street and Bridge Street create an authentic historical streetscape that rewards leisurely exploration on foot. The Stratford Butterfly Farm (the largest in the UK), the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal Basin and the Bancroft Gardens riverside walk all offer excellent options for groups wanting to extend their visit beyond the Shakespeare sites.