Is Stratford-upon-Avon worth visiting?
Yes, Stratford-upon-Avon is worth visiting for a number of reasons. This is a town that everyone should explore, and we loved our time here. During our first trip to Stratford-upon-Avon in the spring of 2023, we fell in love with its small town charm and the regular productions at the classic Royal Shakespeare Theater. We've been back several times since then to experience it even more.
Whether you're a traveling as a family or a couple, this town has a lot to offer. Any local will tell you what makes it special is the fantastic theatre productions and spectacular food.
Stratford-Upon-Avon is famous among literary enthusiasts as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. The town is filled with history, but visitors will also enjoy the walking paths along the river, and the riverfront activities that include boating and a ferris wheel. Also make sure you check out a Shakespeare play while you're in town at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Stratford upon Avon, England
4 Reasons to Visit Stratford-upon-Avon
1. Theatre Productions
Shakespeare enthusiasts must check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. There are often tickets available the day of for a reduced price.
2. Food
The town center has a few nice restaurants including seafood, Italian food, Indian food, and cafes where you can enjoy high tea.
3. Historical Sights
The old town has a few highlights including Shakespeare's birthplace, and several museums.
4. Authenticity
Stratford-upon-Avon has an authentic vibe where you can experience local culture, cuisine, and activities without the large tourist crowds of other popular destinations.
Is Stratford-upon-Avon worth visiting in the Summer?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during summer with average temperatures around 17°C (63°F).
The peak season for travel is summer in Stratford-upon-Avon, so expect to see more tourists than usual. Even though this destination is not very touristy, in the high season it's busier than usual because this is when most visitors come here.
Don't miss the small town charm during summer. Just take some time to wander through the local shops and see the historic landmarks around town when the weather is nice. This is a great time of year to savor the small town atmosphere and admire the historic sights.
Summer Weather in Stratford-upon-Avon
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 17°C (63°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| August | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| September | 14°C (58°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Is Stratford-upon-Avon worth visiting in the Autumn?
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Stratford-upon-Avon. This destination is not very touristy, and in the shoulder season it can become fairly quiet.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 11°C (52°F).
You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to browse around the old town and explore the small town.
Autumn Weather in Stratford-upon-Avon
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| November | 7°C (45°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| December | 5°C (40°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
Is Stratford-upon-Avon worth visiting in the Winter?
This is the low season for travel in Stratford-upon-Avon. This destination is not very touristy, so in the low season it can become fairly quiet.
The weather in Stratford-upon-Avon can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 3°C (38°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
During this season it's fun to experience the theatre, the cuisine, and the historic old town.
Winter Weather in Stratford-upon-Avon
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 3°C (38°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| February | 4°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| March | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
Is Stratford-upon-Avon worth visiting in the Spring?
The weather in Stratford-upon-Avon can be quite cold during spring, and averages around 9°C (48°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Stratford-upon-Avon, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is not very touristy, and in the shoulder season it can become fairly quiet.
This is a great time of year to soak up the small town charm and admire the historic sights.
Spring Weather in Stratford-upon-Avon
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 9°C (48°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| June | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Stratford-upon-Avon
Museums and Attractions: Stratford-upon-Avon isn't a place that's filled with a huge number of sights and attractions. Many visitors make a point of seeing Shakespeare's Birthplace, Hall's Croft, and Anne Hathaway's Cottage.
Nightlife: Most people don't associate Stratford-upon-Avon with a lively nightlife scene. Music and theater are what make this nightlife interesting.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Stratford-upon-Avon might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Stratford-upon-Avon here or see if Stratford-upon-Avon is expensive here.
Related
What is Stratford-upon-Avon most famous for?
Stratford-upon-Avon is most famous for its status as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. People visit this impressive town for its great theatre productions. And many travelers come for the food and historical sights, as well. It is often described as charming, historic, quaint, idyllic, peaceful, and park-filled.
What is the most famous sight in Stratford-upon-Avon?
The most popular sight in Stratford-upon-Avon is Shakespeare's Birthplace. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Stratford-upon-Avon on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Shakespeare's Birthplace and other attractions here.
How touristy is Stratford-upon-Avon? Is it a popular town to visit?
Stratford-upon-Avon is an off-the-beaten-path town that many travelers overlook. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Traditional Afternoon Tea Experience and Baking Class in Stratford-upon-Avon: $175
- A Historical tour of Warwick with Queen Elizabeth's Secret Lover: $24
- Private Walking Tour in Warwick: $15
- One Day Cotswolds Walking Tour: $116
- Rum Tasting Experience at Judith's: $20
- Coventry's Historic Hauntings & Dark Legends Walking Tour: $16
- Warwickshire & Stratford-Upon-Avon Self-Guided Audio Tours: $20
- Private Stratford-Upon-Avon Town Walking Tour: $170
How long should I spend in Stratford-upon-Avon?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon is one to two days. Since Stratford-upon-Avon has a variety of activities such as theatre productions, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Stratford-upon-Avon? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Stratford-upon-Avon?.
For guided and organized tour options, check out The Best Family-Friendly Tours to UK and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in UK.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Expert Advice from Local Travelers
We're asking our community members and registered users to contribute their experiences about Stratford-upon-Avon.
How can you save money during your time in Stratford-upon-Avon?
Accommodation is very cheap, but you really only need one night in town.