Local Essentials
The practical stuff most travel sites skip. Everything you need to know before visiting Stratford-upon-Avon, from parking to pharmacies.
Accessibility
Town
The centre is compact and mostly flat, but many of the historic buildings are timber-framed with steps, narrow doors and uneven floors. Stratford-upon-Avon station has step-free access to all platforms (National Rail category A).
The RSC says its Theatre Tour route is fully wheelchair accessible and its tower is reached by lift. Avon Boating's public cruises cannot take wheelchairs (access is by steps), though it runs a Wheelyboat for groups; the Dirty Duck says it cannot offer wheelchair access. Ask each venue before you go.
ATMs & Banking
Banks and cash machines around Bridge Street, High Street and Henley Street
Central Stratford-upon-Avon
Card and contactless payments are taken at the venues in this guide; the Mop Fair rides are pay per ride, so check how each ride takes payment. Confirm current cash machine locations on the ground.
Emergency Services
General Emergency
999 or 112
Police Station
Warwickshire Police. Call 101 for non-emergencies and 999 in an emergency. Check Warwickshire Police's website for front-counter opening before you call in; do not plan around it.
Warwick Hospital, Lakin Road, Warwick, CV34 5BW, which runs the full 24-hour Emergency Department for south Warwickshire (South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust). About 17km by road from the town centre, roughly 20 to 25 minutes' drive without traffic. Stratford Hospital has no 24-hour A&E.
01926 495321Stratford Hospital Minor Injuries Unit
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust's own page says the unit is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9am to 4pm, in Stratford Hospital Building 2, and not on other days at present. The number is the Trust's main switchboard. Outside those hours call NHS 111.
For urgent but non-life-threatening advice call NHS 111. The number given for the hospital is the Trust's main switchboard, which covers Warwick and Stratford Hospitals.
Parking
Stratford Park and Ride
Rate: Bus fares: adult single or return £2.50, young person £1.50, group return £4 (Warwickshire County Council, September 2026). The county council page lists bus fares and does not state a separate parking charge; check before travelling.
Capacity: 700+ spaces including several EV charging points
Off Bishopton Lane near the roundabout of the A46 and the A3400 Birmingham Road; satnav postcode CV37 0RJ. Seven days a week, buses about every 30 minutes for most of the day, 10 to 12 minutes into town, dogs welcome aboard. The sensible way to arrive on Mop Fair weekends, when the town-centre roads are shut.
Stratford-on-Avon District Council town-centre car parks
Rate: Charges change; check the sign or stratford.gov.uk on arrival
The council lists car parks at Arden Street, Bridgeway (multi-storey and surface), Church Street, Guild Street, the Leisure Centre, the Recreation Ground, Riverside and Windsor Street. Bridgeway is pay on return. Check the council's car park pages for current charges and for any closure on Mop Fair or market days.
Pet-Friendly Info
Pubs
Dogs are welcome at the Old Thatch Tavern and the Dirty Duck, in the bar area only at the Vintner (not the main restaurant or upstairs) and not inside Lambs, whose outside courtyard takes them in suitable weather. Holy Trinity Church welcomes well-behaved dogs on a lead.
River
Avon Boating describes its boat hire and cruises as dog friendly, and the Park and Ride buses take dogs.
Pharmacies
Boots
11 Bridge Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6AB
The town-centre pharmacy on Bridge Street, listed on the NHS service finder at this address. Check the NHS service finder profile for the phone number and hours before relying on them.
Public Toilets
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Waterside
WiFi & Connectivity
Cafes, pubs and the theatre foyers
Most cafes, pubs and hotels offer customer wi-fi; the Dirty Duck lists wi-fi among its facilities. Mobile coverage was not tested for this guide, so do not rely on a signal out on the Greenway.
SIM Cards
UK and EU visitors can usually use their existing mobile plan, with roaming terms varying by provider since Brexit. Visitors from further afield can buy a prepaid SIM or set up an eSIM before arrival; check your network's roaming terms before you travel.