![Little rowing boats moored up on the River Avon, with the Holy Trinity church in the background, in Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-river-Avon-with-the-Holy-Trinity-church-in-the-background-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
Bards & Boating, Stratford-upon-Avon, England
“To go, or not to go": that is the question?
![A pleasure boat approaching a bridge, in front of a Ferris wheel, on the River Avon, Stratford-upon-Avon.](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Along-the-river-Avon-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
Stratford-upon-Avon is located on the banks of the River Avon and around 100 miles (160km) north-west of London.
You don’t need to be a huge fan of William Shakespeare to visit here, as it is such a beautiful town in its own right, and full of so much history.
However, if you are a fan, it certainly helps.
Quick Links
Discovering Stratford-upon-Avon
Go for a stroll![The half-timbered Library and Registry Office in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire under be deep blue sky](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Library-and-Registary-Office-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
The Library and Registry Office
Take me to the River
The River Avon that is!![Little rowing boats moored up on the River Avon, with the Holy Trinity church in the background, in Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-river-Avon-with-the-Holy-Trinity-church-in-the-background-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
Canal boats, rowing boats, pleasure trips you name it, the choice was yours. There is even a little chain ferry to take you across the river for 50p, which is the first ferry from 1937.
![A young man operating the passenger chain ferry across the River Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Chain-Ferry-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
![A white Ferris Wheel set against the blue sky in Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-ferris-wheel-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
Gower’s memorial
![A bronze statue to Shakespeare's Flagstaff, seated with a tankard in hand, in the Bancroft Gardens in Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Flastaff-statue-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
![A bronze statue to a seated Hamlet, about to deliver the 'Alas, poor Yorick!' speech, in the Bancroft Gardens of Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-statue-to-Hamlet-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
![A bronze statue to Lady Macbeth in the Bancroft Gardens of Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-statue-to-Lady-Macbeth-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
![A bronze statue to Shakespeare's Prince Hal, holding his crown aloft, in the Bancroft Gardens in Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Statue-to-Prince-Hal-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
What you must see in Bancroft Gardens is the Shakespeare Memorial by Lord Ronald Gower. Surrounding William Shakespeare is four eye-catching bronze statues that depict the literary characters of Falstaff, Hamlet, Lady Macbeth & Prince Hal.
Tempted to?
William Shakespeare
The man himself![Shakespeare's house in the centre of Stratford upon Avon. The beige coloured half-timbered Tudor home stands now was a museum to the playwright's legacy.](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Shakespeares-Birthplace-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R3.jpg)
![A row of timber-framed Almshouses, Shakespeares Schoolroom & Guildhall on Henley Street in Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Guildhall-Shakespeares-Schoolroom-Almshouses-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
The Guildhall, Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Almshouses
![The wrought-iron and gold-trimmed sign attached to Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall on Henley Street in Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-sign-outside-Guildhall-Shakespeares-Schoolroom-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
William Shakespeare's Life
The family years![The 16th/17th-century timber-framed Nash's House in Chapel Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire,](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Nashs-House-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
Standing next to where New Place was, is Nash’s House, built around 1600 and home of Thomas Nash who was the first husband of William’s granddaughter Elizabeth.
Both Nash’s House and the site of New Place were acquired in 1876 by Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust.
![The 16th/17th-century timber-framed Hall's Croft owned by William Shakespeare's daughter, Susanna & her husband in Old Town, Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Halls-Croft-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
![The thatched, half-timbered, Anne Hathaway's Cottage. The childhood home of William Shakespeare's wife.](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Anne-Hathaways-Cottage-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Joint Ticket
William Shakespeare's Resting Place
Holy Trinity Church![A blue framed plaque in front of the grave of William Shakespeare inside the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-grave-of-William-Shakespeare-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
![A bust of William Shakespeare inside the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Monumnet-to-Shakespeare-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
The Royal Shakespeare Company
At home in Stratford-upon-AvonThe Royal Shakespeare Company as you would expect is based in Stratford-upon-Avon. It has regular performances in London and often tours the UK, so if you’re unable to pick up a production here, then keep a lookout locally.
The RSC has three theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon, the main one is the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and sits pride of place along the River Avon. This theatre was opened on Shakespeare’s birthday on the 23rd April 1932, in 2007 it was closed for a multimillion-pound refurbishment & reopened in 2010.
![A wide-beam cnalboat navigating on the River Avon between other boats in front of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre on a beautiful sunny summers day.](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/The-Royal-Shakespeare-theatre-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R3.jpg)
![The round, brick-built, Victorian-Gothic style Swan Theatre attached to the main Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Swan-Theatre-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
![The informal looking Other Place Theatre just a short stroll from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Other-Place-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
The Other Place Theatre
A Royal Shakespeare Company performance
Wherefore art thou?![The cover to our program from the RSC's production of Romeo & Juliet at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Romeo-and-Juliet-programme-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
It was a modern take on one of William Shakespeare’s most famous productions, and it was absolutely fantastic.
The cast was incredible, full of energy and transported you into their world. The cast member Charlotte Josephine played an amazing role as Mercutio.
Historic Stratford-upon-Avon
Sheep StreetOne of Stratford-upon-Avon’s most historic streets is Sheep Street, many of the buildings along here are from 15th & 16th-century.
Sheep Street, aptly named as this was where sheep were brought from the nearby Cotswolds for trading. We’ve come across a few Sheep Streets on this road trip.
![The Golden Bee pub, decorated with hanging baskets, in a timber-framed building on Sheep Street in Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Golden-Bee-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
![The 16th-century timber-framed Shrieve's house on Sheep Street in Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Shreves-House-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
Signs of William Shakespeare everywhere
Quirky Statues![A statue to Jester Touchstone from Shakespeare’s play ‘As you like it'](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Jester-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
![Three figures decorating a lampost in Stratford-upon-Avon. Bottom from Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer night's Dream', Topol from Fiddler on the roof and the owl from 'The owl and the pussycat'](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Interesting-Lampost-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
How to get there
The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal
Go with the flowIf you fancy a bit more of a sedate way to tour the local countryside, there’s always a canal boat. We’ve made a few canal boat trips, and they are great fun for young and old.
The waterway and locks that lead into the canal basin at the River Avon are the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal.
![A canal boat navigating between two locks on the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal.](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/A-canal-boat-navigating-the-locks-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
A canal boat navigating the locks
![Lock gates on the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal.](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Canal-Locks-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
![Canal boats moored up in the canal basin in Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Moored-canal-boats-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
Have You?
The best of Stratford-upon-Avon
Mixing with the locals![The rustic looking pub sign for the Garrick Inn on the High Street in Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-sign-outide-the-Garrick-Inn-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
It’s full of wooden beams, nooks and crannies and a great little snug bar at the front.
It’s been an inn since 1718 in its current Elizabethan style, however, the building dates back a couple of centuries further and is known to have been an Inn during the medieval period.
![The timber-framed exterior of the historic Garrick Inn, Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Garrick-Inn-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
Would you like a little more?
We have created a little YouTube video of Stratford-upon-Avon - why not check it out?
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Eating in Stratford-upon-Avon
Where we ate![The exterior of the Vintner Restaurant on Sheep Street in Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Vintner-Restaurant-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
![A main dish of chicken in lime with a mango & curry sauce at the Vintners Restaurant on Sheep Street in Stratford-upon-Avon](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Chicken-in-Line-with-a-Mango-Curry-Sauce-Vintners-Rastaurant-Stratford-upon-Avon-Warwickshire-England-UK-R2.jpg)
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Inspired to visit Stratford-upon-Avon?
![The pin image for our post - 'Bards & Boating, Stratford-upon-Avon, England'](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Bards-Boating-Stratford-upon-Avon-England-UK.jpg)
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Comments
I visited Stratford-upon-Avon years ago and had forgotten how gorgeous it was – we will have to go there again next time we are back in the UK. A fabulous post with great photos. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks very much, we really enjoyed it. It is a beautiful town, so much history & it was made all the better that we got to see the performance of Romeo & Juliet.
Oh yes! The answer is most definitely to go! I’ve visited Stratford-upon-Avon as a young teen, but would love to go back and explore more, see some of these Tudor, time-framed villages!! Pinned! #FarawayFiles
It was some years ago that I had previously visited, so, it was really great rediscovering it again. It’s a lovely size town and a relaxed atmosphere along the riverside.
What a wonderful look at Stratford upon Avon. Those half timbered houses and thatched roofs are so beautiful and I can never resist a town with canals and longboats. Shakespeare had a charmed life!
It was a real pleasure strolling around, I had forgotten how lovely it was. I’m so pleased we took the chance of grabbing a RSC performance, it was fantastic & a modern twist on Romeo & Juliet.
I have been wanting to visit Stratford upon Avon, and your post has pointed to what I should keep an eye out for. Looks like a great place to visit, and I am a fan of Shakespeare. Can’t believe I haven’t made it there yet! Thanks for all the great background and photos. Pinning for later. Cheers! #FarawayFiles
Thanks Beth, we really loved it & the sunshine made it all the better. The quirky little statues all around the town add a bit of fun.You must try and catch an RSC performance while you’re there it was fantastic. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.