Bancroft Gardens and the canal basin
About
The public gardens beside the theatre, the town's front lawn: grass running down to the Avon, the Gower Memorial with Shakespeare seated on the plinth and Hamlet, Lady Macbeth, Falstaff and Prince Hal around him, and the canal basin where narrowboats moor. The Avon Boating cruises leave from the river frontage here, and the Waterside Upmarket sets up beside it on Sundays from March to December and on bank holiday Mondays. Free to enter and open to walk through at any time.
Photos
Highlights
- ✓Gower Memorial with Shakespeare and four of his characters
- ✓Canal basin with moored narrowboats
- ✓Avon cruises depart from the river frontage
- ✓Free and open to walk through
Tips
- →The Waterside Upmarket runs on Sundays from March to December and on bank holiday Mondays, 10am to 5pm, on Waterside next to it.
- →The theatre's free tower and Riverside Cafe are a minute away.
- →Tickets for the cruises are sold on the vessel, from the river frontage next to the theatre.
Best Season
More Attraction Activities
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.
Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Thatched Shottery farmhouse, a 30 to 35 minute walk from town by the Trust's reckoning, with gardens and a cafe.
Shakespeare's New Place
The garden on the site of Shakespeare's last home, at 22 Chapel Street. Free with a Birthplace ticket; listed 11am to 3pm from 1 September.