Non Shakespeare Things In Stratford Upon Avon

Getting away from the bard for a brief period.

Cream Tea Facing Shakespeare's Birthplace
Cream Tea Facing Shakespeare's Birthplace

Things Shakespeare are of course the main draw to Stratford Upon Avon. We cover these on dedicated pages, see menu on left hand side of the page immediately below.

Stratford Overview
Shakespeare's
Birthplace
New Place
Halls Croft
Anne Hathway's
Mary Ardens
Holy Trinity Church
RSC
 
Other Stratford
Getting To Stratford
Public Transport
Tours
Within An Hour
Warwick Castle
Oxford
Cotswolds

As always, where there is a major attraction other activities spring up feeding of the stream of travelers.


One of the most long lasting and popular pastimes when visiting Stratford is to visit a tea shop. There is plenty of choice, especially opposite Shakespeare's birthplace which most day visitors pass through.


Stratford, although not the biggest shopping centre also has most of the chains making their presence felt. Some of them like M&S and BHS also have cafes. Your problem regards Pubs and restaurants is simply the wide choice.

The River & Canal Basin Stratford

The Stratford Upon Avon Canal was built in the 18th century and runs north from Stratford towards Birmingham linking with the British waterways network. Narrowboat holidays are a popular holiday with the British and the canal basin in the centre of Stratford is a natural focus for visitors.

The canal basin is a magnet for visitors, where the canal meets the River Avon in the very centre of town. There is plenty of space and grass. Some canal boats have been converted into shops, even art galleries.

Many simply sit by the side of the river watching all the activities with an ice cream.


It is possible to hire a range of crafts: rowing boats, small motor boats etc, where you can explore the river for quite a way

Butterfly Farm At Stratford

Europe's largest butterfly farm where you can enjoy some of the world's most spectacular and colourful butterflies flying around you. This is supplemented by similar exhibits on various other insects.

Harvard House Stratford

Owned by Harvard University in the USA. John Harvard instrumental in founding Harvard College was around in Shakespeare's time and married his second wife at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford on 8 April 1605.

Stratford Upon Avon Hop on Hop Off Bus

Like so many towns and cities with a lot of visitors, a hop on, hop off open top sightseeing bus operates in Stratford.


Stratford Upon Avon Hop on Hop Off Bus

At Stratford its 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.


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)


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.