Stratford Upon Avon is a great place for a day out for lots of reasons; there’s such a great deal to see and discover about Shakespeare, you can walk by the river or take a boat trip and of course there’s the theatre.

I’ve published a post previously about the Stratford Upon Avon park and ride facility so click here to have a look at that.  The key thing to bear in mind is that there is a length limit of 6.5m for your Motorhome but when I was there it was very quiet and there are a number of parking spaces for Motorhomes so I’m sure you’d be fine.  When you get there follow the signage for cars and you will come to a height barrier, but just before that is an office and they will lift the barrier for you.  The parking is free and you pay a small charge for the bus into town.  The park and ride facility opens at around 9.30 am and closes at around 7.30pm but you can check this once you’re there.  Don’t be late back because they do lock the gates on time.

Once you get into Stratford you should head for Shakespeare’s birthplace in Henley Street.  You buy a ticket from the office that will cost you £12 each which sounds a lot but when you take into account this gives you entrance into 2 other houses and is valid for revisits for 1 year after purchase it’s very good value.

This is what you get for your ticket and by the way they are all within a short walking distance:

• Shakespeare’s Birthplace – this is a fascinating house with a very pleasant garden.  You start off with a number of videos giving the general potted history of Shakespeare and then you do a tour of the house.  Each room has an attendant that will give you a short history lesson and these give you all the little details that you wouldn’t normally get to know.  It’s very well organised and you make your way through the house from room to room in a party – all very easy and simple.

• Nash’s House & New Place – This was Shakepeare’s final beloved home where he died in 1616.

• Hall’s Croft – This was the home of Susanna, Shakespeare’s daughter, where she lived with her husband John Hall, a wealthy physician.

Because your ticket is valid for a year you can do as little or as much as you want on the day.

You can also take a trip on an open top bus that not only shows you the best sites in Stratford but also takes you outside Stratford to see Ann Hathaways Cottage and Mary Arden’s farm.  This is a hop on and hop off trip so you can spend some time at each of the attractions.

The main theatre at Stratford is in the process of being rebuilt and while this is happening all of the plays are being performed at the Courtyard Theatre.  Incidentally there’s a very nice cafe at the Courtyard Theatre and they do some very good lunches at good prices although there are lots of places to stop and eat in Stratford.

You can walk alongside the River Avon which is very nice and there’s quite a bit of boat traffic to admire or hire a rowing boat if you’d prefer.  All in all it’s a very good day out with plenty to see and do.

The official website for Stratford Upon Avon is full of very good information together with street maps so click here.