Attractions

Many tourists, particularly on warm summer days, sit on the lawns outside the Royal Shakespeare theatres and picnic or stroll along the riverbank, watching the many swans that swim here all through the year.

At the far end of the lawns is the Canal Basin, part of the London to Birmingham canal, where you can watch canal boats navigate the lock or walk past the touring and permanently sited boats.

On the edge of the gardens, you will find Swan Fountain, unveiled in 1996 by Queen Elizabeth 2. From this fountain, guided tours of the city begin every day, including Christmas Day, organised by Stratford Town Walk.

Walk across the footbridge, and you will find a Butterfly Farm, the largest of its type in Europe.

Back on the town side of the river, you can stroll through the Tudor style frontage of retail outlets whilst finding historical reminders of Shakespeare.

Visit Henley Street and find the house where Shakespeare was born on 23rd April 1564.

At Wood Street, High Street and Sheep Street, you find many independent traders, including Curtis Brae, the famous Teddy Bear shop.

Sheep Street is the restaurant area, although there are many to be found elsewhere in the town.

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is another attractions. Shakespeare’s wife lived here before she married him.

“New Place” which Shakespeare owned and where he died, and Hall’s Croft where Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna lived after her marriage.