Discover Stratford-upon-Avon
Shakespeare's town on the Avon: a theatre on the riverbank, a Mop Fair in the streets, and a working market town under all of it
A market town with a famous son
Stratford was a river crossing and a market long before anyone wrote a play here. The church on the Avon bank is mentioned in a charter of 845, the present Holy Trinity was begun in 1210, and the town's fairs run on charters granted in 1553, 1611 and 1676, which is why the Mop still closes Henley Street and High Street every October. Shakespeare was born in 1564 in the timber house on Henley Street, the son of a glover, and he is buried in the chancel of Holy Trinity.
For a visitor the practical result is a compact town. The Birthplace, New Place, the Guild Chapel and the Schoolroom sit within a few minutes of each other, the theatres and the river are at the bottom of the same streets, and Anne Hathaway's Cottage is a 30 to 35 minute walk out to Shottery, by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust's own reckoning.
What's On
Upcoming events and things happening in Stratford-upon-Avon
Shakespeare's Birthday Celebrations
RecurringA free civic party with a parade and a service at Holy Trinity, on a Saturday around 23 April. 2026 was Saturday 25 April.
Stratford Mop Fair 2026
RecurringThe main Mop Fair rides through the streets on Sunday 11 and Monday 12 October 2026; town-centre roads closed from 00.01 on the Sunday.
Stratford Runaway Mop 2026
RecurringThe smaller second fair, on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October 2026, with a smaller set of road closures.
Stratford Literary Festival
RecurringTwice a year: autumn 29 October to 1 November 2026, and spring 6 to 9 May 2027.
Stratford-upon-Avon Right Now
Stratford's weather is Midlands changeable: a rain layer belongs in the bag in any month. A wet day is easy to fill, with the Shakespeare houses, the Schoolroom, Tudor World and the theatre's free foyers and tower all under a roof. After long rain the riverside paths and the Rec can be muddy or under water, so check before planning the Avon walk.
🚆 National Rail from Stratford-upon-Avon
Live departures
National Rail service from Stratford-upon-Avon. Updates every few minutes.
Where To Eat
From fine dining to casual favourites
Loxleys Restaurant & Wine Bar
Family-run Sheep Street restaurant and wine bar with a pre-theatre set menu from midday to 6.30pm and a proper Sunday roast.
Lambs
Early sixteenth-century beams on Sheep Street, bistro cooking, and two sittings a day that suit a curtain time.
The Dirty Duck (Black Swan)
Waterside pub below the theatre with an Actor's Bar, river views and two names; no wheelchair access.
Book a Local Experience
Tours, trips and tastings you can book ahead
Shakespeare's Birthplace
The Henley Street house where Shakespeare was born in 1564. Timed entry; the ticket includes New Place Gardens and lasts twelve months.
Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall
The Guildhall schoolroom on Church Street, open 11am to 5pm because lessons still run there until 11am in term time.
Tudor World
Independent Tudor living-history museum on Sheep Street, open 10.30am to 5.30pm daily, with a nightly ghost tour.
Shakespeare Distillery tour and tasting
A gin and rum distillery tour and tasting on the edge of town; visitor centre closed Monday and Tuesday.
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.