Stratford Upon Avon Hotels

Stratford upon Avon Rundown

Forever associated with William Shakespeare, the world’s greatest playwright, Stratford upon Avon is jam packed with bard-related attractions. Stratford upon Avon is also bursting at the seams with tourists, especially during the summer months and at weekends – but, brave the crowds since this charming Warwickshire town simply must be seen. Plan a visit for low season and your Shakespeare pilgrimage is less likely to bring on your high blood pressure.

Whilst here it’s more or less compulsory to take in a performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford upon Avon’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Afterwards, theatrical groupies can sip a pint at the Dirty Duck aka the Black Swan, the favourite post-performance hangout of resident thesps where past luvvie regulars include Dickie Attenborough and Larry Olivier.

When you’ve had your fill of all things Shakespearian, Stratford upon Avon also makes an excellent base for touring some beautiful English countryside with the chocolate box pretty Cotswold villages on the doorstep, as well as majestic Kenilworth and Warwick Castles.

2) Stratford upon Avon’s Top 10

3)Top 10 Stratford upon Avon Events

The RSC Theatre always has a busy schedule . Book ahead to see Antony and Cleopatra, The Rape of King Lear, Romeo and Juliet or any of the other forthcoming plays both here, and in the other famous Stratford upon Avon Theatre, The Swan.

February is the month of love, ‘L.U.V’ in Stratford upon Avon, with the romantic Love Shakespeare Weekend taking place on the 12-14^th Tip - don’t take anyone you aren’t already married to or do not plan to marry or there could be misunderstandings.

April is a busy month in Stratford upon Avon with the William Shakespeare Parade taking place on the Saturday closest to the playwright’s birthday, 23^rd April.

‘Spring Merriment’ takes place at Stratford upon Avon’s Mary Arden’s Farm where all visitors, and especially the young, can enjoy seeing the newly born lambs and chicks.

May sees the Stratford upon Avon Literary Festival at Compton Verney Art Gallery and Gardens.

Also in May is the Falconry and Raptor Fair, a Stratford upon Avon event featuring exhibitors from all across Europe.

Ladies Day takes place at Warwick Races (just a short drive from Stratford upon Avon) in June, provides female race goers ( and possibly non female race goers) with a great opportunity to dress up at this historical racecourse.

Stratford upon Avon Racecourse is proof that size isn’t everything. One of the UK’s best smaller racecourses, it has a reputation for handing out generous prize money. Meetings take place from March through to October, with many of the UK’s top jockeys in action here.

The Stratford upon Avon River Race is where participants try to navigate the river on canoes, rafts and homemade vessels in support of charity… some of them make it back…

When to Go

· Due to its location in the heart of England, Stratford upon Avon enjoys better weather conditions than much of the rest of the UK.

· In the summer temperatures can get quite high, sometimes up to 30 °C but are on average more likely to be around the 25 °C level. Winter temperatures rarely go below 6 °C.

· Rainfall is relatively low in relation to the rest of the UK which means there is still bound to be the chance of a shower during a stay.

Getting There

· Stratford upon Avon is located in the central Midlands area of the UK, and has excellent transport connections to the rest of the UK. Stratford railway station runs a frequent service into London- a journey of around two hours – terminating at Euston Station. Visitors can also board the Shakespeare Express for a vintage steam train journey into Stratford.

· The nearest airports to Stratford upon Avon are Birmingham International which is around35 miles from the town, and Manchester International which is 60 miles from Stratford. Stratford’s main railway station runs a service to both cities.

· National Express and Stagecoach run frequent services into Stratford, including ‘Flight link’ services.