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Stratford-upon-Avon & Warwick Castle

Make an informed visit either independently or by tour

Stratfrd Upon Avon town centre by river
Stratford's River Avon

Stratford is situated about 80 miles north-west of Central London. It is just about within the range of a day trip but is best appreciated with a longer stay overnight if you want a thorough visit of all the Shakespeare attractions on offer.

About 15 minutes east of Stratford is Warwick Castle, close to the M40 motorway junction from London for Stratford.

Both Warwick Castle & Stratford have daily day tours from London, most tours the two are combined. Both Warwick & Stratford have frequent trains from London's Marylebone Station if you prefer an independent visit.

Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon houses & buildings

Holy Trinity Church, Stratford
Holy Trinity Church

There are five houses in or near Stratford-upon-Avon connected with William Shakespeare and his family.

There is also Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) that perform plays.

The Shakespearean properties offer a unique experience of the Stratford world in which the famous dramatist and poet was born, lived and died.

Open all year round, these 16th-century houses feature rare period furnishings and domestic items. Aspects of Tudor life, are on display, all set in attractive gardens and grounds.

Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon - more details

Stratford-upon-Avon - the town

Shakespeare may dominate any visit to Stratford-upon-Avon, but there are worthwhile things to see and besides Shakespeare. This page looks at those things to see and do in Stratford-upon-Avon that are not connected to Shakespeare.

Stratford-upon-Avon (Getting away from the bard for a brief period) - more details

Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle
The stunning Warwick Castle

About 15 minutes east of Stratford is Warwick Castle, close to the M40 motorway junction from London for Stratford. Most coach tours to Warwick also combine a visit to Stratford.

Warwick Castle although an authentic castle with great historical interest is less like a museum and more like a medieval entertainment. As such, it's one of the best castles in the UK to take your kids.

Warwick Castle - more details

Stratford-upon-Avon hop-on, hop-off bus - getting around Stratford independently

Stratford-upon-Avon hop-on, hop-off bus
Stratford-upon-Avon hop-on, hop-off bus

Like so many tourist towns and cities, a hop on, hop off open top sightseeing bus operates in Stratford.

At Stratford it is particularly useful as a couple of Shakespeare attractions, Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Mary Arden's House are well outside walking distance from the town centre.

The bus has ticketing options which includes admissions to the Shakespeare properties. The main starting point of the buses is by the bridge next to the main Tourist Information Centre. For independent visitors there is also a stop very close to the train station.

There are 12 stops including all 5 Shakespeare properties, Holy Trinity Church and the RSC theatres.

You can also purchase a ticket that combines the Ho Ho service with a river cruise on the River Avon.

Frequencies are broadly every 30 minutes with increased frequencies, every 15/20 minutes at the peak times in summer and weekends. During the summer months live guides are available, at other times audio guides are provided (English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, German and Kid's Commentary).

 

Getting to Stratford-upon-Avon & Warwick from London

Shakespeare in Stratford
Take a tour to Shakespeare's Stratford

By train

Direct trains to Stratford run from London's Marylebone station taking approximately 135 minutes to do the journey, a long time on the train for a day trip. Trains to Warwick are much more frequent and take around 45 minutes less. You can travel between Stratford and Warwick on the same line.

London - Stratford or Warwick Train timetables & fares

By bus

The bus service between London and Stratford-upon-Avon or Warwick start at London's Victoria Coach Station. Bus is normally significantly cheaper and slower than the more popular rail service. Services take 3 hours plus and frequencies are just a few each day both ways, though technically its still possible to do a day trip.

National Express Tickets & timetables

Tours from London

There is a good range of day tours daily from London to Stratford. All will combine Stratford with visits to either nearby Warwick Castle, Oxford or the Cotswolds.

More details of tours to Stratford from London

MOST POPULAR TOURS FROM LONDON 2024

VISITING STONEHENGE AND/OR WINDSOR AND/OR BATH

Stonehenge Morning Half Day Tour - from £65
Stonehenge and London Vintage Bus Tour - from £125
Windsor Castle Windsor Morning & Afternoon Tours - from £70
Windsor, Bath & Stonehenge (inc Lunch, no adm Roman Baths) - from £149 £139
Windsor, Bath & Stonehenge (no Lunch, inc adm Roman Baths) - from £140
Windsor, Stonehenge & Salisbury - from £134
Windsor & Bath Day Tour - from £85
Windsor, Bath & Stonehenge (Small Group - Max 16 people) - from £164
Stonehenge & Bath (Stonehenge admission only) - 3.5 hrs in Bath - from £88
Stonehenge & Bath (Stonehenge & Baths adm) - 3.5 hrs in Bath - from £115
Stonehenge & Bath (Stonehenge & Jane Austen Centre) - 3.5 hrs in Bath - from £106
Stonehenge & Windsor (featuring extended time at Windsor) - from £124
Stonehenge & Avebury - from £109
Windsor, Stonehenge & Oxford - from £79
Stratford, Cotswolds, Bath & Stonehenge - from £118
Stonehenge, Glastonbury & Avebury (Small Group) - £174
Bath, Cotswolds, Stonehenge & Avebury (Small Group) - from £164

DAY TOURS BY TRAIN TO LIVERPOOL, PARIS & SCOTLAND

Beatles Liverpool Day Tour - £189
Day Trip to Paris - from £249
Day Trip to Edinburgh - from £209

2 TO 12 DAY TOURS COVERING GREAT BRITAIN, IRELAND, PARIS & AMSTERDAM

2-day Windsor, Stonehenge, Bath & Oxford - from £299
2-day private Stonehenge, Bath, Cotswolds & Oxford - from £650
3-day Stonehenge, Glastonbury, Bath & SW - from £235
5-day Peak District, Wales & Yorkshire- from £425
Budget 3 days in Paris - from £289 (not currently available)
Luxury 2 & 3 days in Paris - from £399 (not currently available)
2-day Edinburgh - from £312
3-day Edinburgh & Scotland Weekend - from £379 (not currently available)
3-day Edinburgh & Scotland Anytime - from £599
6-12-day tours of Great Britain and Ireland - from £1150 £1035

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