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The Royal Shakespeare Theatre on the banks of the AvonDeFacto · CC BY-SA 4.0

What to do · Stratford-upon-Avon

Guided tour of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (or an RSC performance)

Tour · 1 h · ages 5 and over · the Royal Shakespeare Company's theatre beside the Avon

Information
Duration
1 h
Season
All year; bookings open until August 2027
Who it's for
From age 5

The brick theatre beside the river is home to the Royal Shakespeare Company, which performs Shakespeare all year round. If you are not going to see a performance, take the one-hour guided tour of the public areas and the history of the building, suitable from age 5; there are also behind-the-scenes tours, through the dressing rooms and the control room. Book on the RSC website.

Seeing a play is the best way to end a day in Stratford, but evening performances finish too late to get back to London by train: do it if you are staying the night here.

As a familyWith teenagers

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

The actors' pub beside the theatre

The Dirty Duck (Black Swan)

Bar · Stratford-upon-Avon · €€€€

What to order: a pie or fish and chips on the terrace, with a pint, looking out over the river.

The front of The Fourteas, with sandbags and 1940s posters© The Fourteas1940s tea room

The Fourteas

Café · Stratford-upon-Avon · €€€€

What to order: the Ivor Novello afternoon tea, with homemade scones, cream and strawberry jam.

To stay nearby

One of the rooms at the Arden Hotel© The Arden HotelHotel

The Arden Hotel

Opposite the Royal Shakespeare Theatre · 45 rooms · Parking

Why we like it: A 45-room hotel on Waterside, directly opposite the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, with a restaurant, afternoon tea and parking.

A typical Premier Inn family room© Premier InnHotel

Premier Inn Stratford-upon-Avon Central

Payton Street · Family rooms · Five minutes from the Birthplace

Why we like it: A chain hotel on Payton Street, beside the canal and five minutes on foot from the Birthplace, with family rooms, air conditioning and a restaurant.

Itineraries

Features in these plans