Stratford-upon-Avon is a market town on the River Avon with many historic buildings. The town is famous as the birthplace of the poet and playwright William Shakespeare. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is ¾ mile from the station. The American Fountain is an ornate clock tower commemorating Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887 (the fountain no longer works).
Stratford-upon-Avon is usually shortened to Stratford but when buying tickets and checking train times the full name avoids confusion with Stratford station in London.
Before reaching Stratford-upon-Avon trains call at Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway, do not alight there as it is about 1½ miles from the town centre - remain on the train to Stratford-upon-Avon.
To visit the other Shakespeare attraction of Mary Arden's Farm take the train to Wilmcote or you may like to walk about 3 miles along the canal towpath.
TI tel. 01789 264293.
www.visitstratforduponavon.co.uk | www.rsc.org.uk | www.citysightseeing-stratford.com
Shakespeare's childhood home and where he lived for his early married years. The Shakespeare Centre
shows how his work has been enjoyed and interpreted. Shakespeare memorabilia. See his father's glove-making workshop. Resident actors.
Open Daily 1000-1700 (1600 Oct-Mar).
www.shakespeare.org.uk
The site of Shakespeare's family home with an exhibition of Shakespeare's world. Gardens.
Dressing up, costume and animation.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1000-1700.
www.shakespeare.org.uk
The schoolroom where William Shakespeare was educated and inspired to become a playwright after watching
actors performing in the Guildhall. The 15th century timber-framed Guildhall was the headquarters of the Guild of the Holy Cross
and later used by the town council. 13th century Chapel with rare medieval wall paintings.
Open Daily 1100-1700.
www.shakespearesschoolroom.org
A quirky and fun museum of Mechanical Art and Design with interactive pieces, kinetic art and automata.
Open Daily 1030-1630 but check website for occasional maintenance closures.
www.themadmuseum.co.uk
The luxurious Jacobean home of Shakespeare's daughter, Susanna and her husband Dr John Hall.
Flemish paintings and fine furniture. Walled garden. Café.
Open please see website.
www.shakespeare.org.uk
This 13th century parish church on the banks of the River Avon is where Shakespeare was baptised, worshipped
and buried. It has many historic features, for example every window in the nave and chancel is filled with stained glass.
Admission is free but a donation would be appreciated.
Open M-S 0900-1700 (1600 Nov-Feb), Sun 1230-1700, subject to alteration for services.
www.stratford-upon-avon.org
This 500 year old picturesque thatched cottage was the home of Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway, before they were married.
Original furniture. Cottage garden, orchard, sculpture trail and woodland walk. Café.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1000-1700.
www.shakespeare.org.uk
Butterflies from around the world in a rainforest environment. Minibeast Metropolis with leafcutter ants,
stick insects, spiders, snakes and giant snails.
Open Daily 1000-1700.
www.butterflyfarm.co.uk
Historic landscaped parkland with sheep, deer and views across the River Avon. It has been home to the Lucy
family for 900 years and parts of the House are open in summer with a collection of treasures from the family's European travels.
Victorian Kitchen and outbuildings. Stables with carriage collection. Gardens. Tearoom.
Open Daily 0900-1700 (1600 Nov-Feb), House by timed tickets 1030-1500 Mar-Oct only.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/charlecote-park
Bus 15 from Wood Street (½ mile from station, see map above)
to Charlecote Pheasant, shortly after Wellesbourne. 30 minutes journey, M-S hourly, Sun & BH 2-hourly.
Operated by Stagecoach.
Buses also operate from Warwick.
A watermill still working as a commercial mill producing stoneground flours and retaining the
atmosphere of a traditional Victorian mill. Refreshments.
Open see website for open days.
www.charlecotemill.co.uk
Bus see Charlecote Park above, the Mill is ½ mile from the bus stops.
Home to the Throckmorton family since 1409, Coughton Court is still very much a family home with an intimate feel.
Discover the history of the Catholic family, including their link to the infamous Gunpowder Plot.
Gardens with riverside walk and roses. Café.
Open Apr-Sep, WThFSSu 1100-1700.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coughton-court
Bus X19 from near station (see map above)
to opposite entrance shortly after Alcester. 30 minutes journey, M-S hourly, Sun & BH every 2 hours.
Operated by Stagecoach.
Buses also operate from Evesham and Redditch.
An art gallery in a Georgian mansion with a permanent collection and a temporary exhibitions programme.
The surrounding Park was designed by 'Capability' Brown with walkways, woodland, meadows and architectural features.
Open TWThFSSu & BH 1000-1700.
www.comptonverney.org.uk
Bus 77 from Wood Street to entrance shortly after Wellesbourne, about 30 minutes journey.
M-S about 2-hourly.
Operated by Stagecoach.
Buses also operate from Leamington Spa.
The world-famous Arts and Crafts garden created by the horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston.
The garden's colourful outdoor 'rooms' are full of surprises with many unusual plants. Café.
Open Mar-Oct, Daily 1100-1600 (1700 Apr-Sep).
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote
Bus 1/1A/2/2A from Wood Street
to Mickleton Three Ways (about 35 minutes journey)
then 1½ miles uphill walk. M-S every 1 to 2 hours.
Operated by Stagecoach.
Buses also operate from Moreton-in-Marsh.
Note After wet weather when the path is muddy you may prefer to walk 2 miles via the minor road.
The gardens were planted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Colourful summer borders contrast with the tranquil sunken garden. Bluebell wood in early May. Refreshments.
Open May-Aug, MTWThSu 1200-1800. Apr & Sep, MWSu 1400-1800.
www.kiftsgate.co.uk
Bus see Hidcote.
Chipping Campden is a small market town in the northern Cotswolds with an elegant High Street of historic buildings of the local honey-coloured stone, including the Market Hall built in 1627. Chipping Campden is a good place to stay if you are happy to explore the area by bus or on foot. If you are travelling from London I recommend a train to Moreton-in-Marsh then bus (or pre-booked taxi) from the station forecourt. Note that Campden is pronounced 'Camden'.
The Cotswold Way National Trail starts at Chipping Campden and passes Dover's Hill where there are good views over the Vale of Evesham, the viewpoint is 1¼ miles from the bus stops.
Bus 1/1A/2/2A from Wood Street to Chipping Campden High Street, about 45 minutes journey, M-S every 1 to 2 hours. Operated by Stagecoach. Buses also operate from Moreton-in-Marsh.
TI Tel. 01386 841206.
Accommodation in Chipping Campden:
Noel Arms Red Lion Inn Kings Hotel Eight Bells Inn Cottages from Cotswolds Hideaways Cottages from holidaycottages.co.uk
The story of the Arts and Crafts movement illustrated with many examples of the work of artists, designers
and craftspeople of the northern Cotswolds. Exhibitions programme. Tel. 01386 841951.
Open TWThFSSu & BH 1000-1600.
www.courtbarn.org.uk
Bus to Chipping Campden.
Broadway is a large Cotswolds village with a wide High Street lined with a picturesque mixture of Tudor, Stuart and Georgian buildings.
It is known as the 'Jewel of the Cotswolds'.
The Cotswold Way National Trail passes through Broadway.
Broadway is a good place to stay if you are happy to explore the area by bus or on foot. If you are travelling to Broadway from London
I recommend taking a train to Moreton-in-Marsh then bus (or pre-booked taxi) from the station forecourt.
Bus 1/1A from Wood Street
to Broadway High Street, about 65 minutes journey, M-S infrequent.
Operated by Stagecoach.
Buses also operate from Evesham and Moreton-in-Marsh.
Accommodation in Broadway:
Russell's Lygon Arms Broadway Hotel Crown & Trumpet Inn Cottages from Cotswolds Hideaways Cottages from holidaycottages.co.uk
A branch of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, this museum has
exhibits with connections to the local landscape and Broadway's history, including paintings, tapestries and
ceramics. Exhibitions programme.
Open MTWThSSu & BH 1000-1630.
www.broadwaymuseum.org.uk
Bus see Broadway above.
The Museum celebrates the life and work of the designer Gordon Russell and his Company.
The museum is housed in the original workshop and its furniture collection covers a range of styles
including Arts and Crafts, Modernism and Utility.
Open TWThFSSu 1000-1600.
www.gordonrussellmuseum.org
Bus see Broadway above.
A 16 mile standard gauge steam and diesel railway from Broadway to Cheltenham Race Course.
Heritage Trail at Toddington. Events programme. Tearooms at Winchcombe and Toddington stations.
Open please see website for operating days and train times.
www.gwsr.com
Bus see Broadway above.
Broadway Tower is a Capability Brown folly on an ancient beacon site.
There are exhibitions on three floors and dramatic views from the roof, on a clear day you can see 16 counties. Restaurant.
Open please see website.
www.broadwaytower.co.uk
Bus see Broadway above then 1½ miles uphill walk along the Cotswold Way.
The map shows a 6½ mile circular walk continuing to the picturesque village of Snowshill and Snowshill Manor
before returning to Broadway. The uphill section to Broadway Tower can be avoided by continuing beyond Broadway on Bus 1
to Broadway Country Park turning at the top of Fish Hill.
Snowshill Manor contains an eccentric collection of historic and interesting objects collected by the artist and
architect Charles Wade who lived in the adjacent garden cottage (also open). Terraced garden. Café and picnic area.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1130-1630, Garden from 1100, admission by timed ticket.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/snowshill-manor
Bus see Broadway above, then 2½ miles walk partly uphill.
The picturesque village of Snowshill is nearby and well worth visiting.
Ruins of a Cistercian abbey founded in 1246. Museum with sculptures, stonework and
other finds from the site. Medieval wall-paintings in the adjacent parish church.
Owned by NT but managed and maintained by EH.
Open Apr-Oct, WThFSSu 1000-1700. See website for Nov-Mar.
www.english-heritage.org.uk |
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hailes-abbey
G-W Railway from Broadway, see above, trains stop by request at Hayles Abbey Halt (note spelling),
½ mile from the Abbey. See the guard in good time (before Toddington) to request a stop. When returning hold your arm out
as the train approaches (like hailing a bus) - avoid waving as this may be mistaken for excitement at seeing a steam train!
