• The Swan Water Fountain - Located in the Bancroft Gardens on Waterside, the Swan Fountain serves as the meeting point for the Stratford Town Walk. Look for the guide, identifiable by a yellow accent, standing by a lamppost with a yellow sign displaying the company name. The Town Walk route may change, so please inquire with the guide about the tour’s endpoint.

• Shakespeare’s Birthplace - This charming 16th-century half-timbered house on Henley Street was the family home of John and Mary Shakespeare, where their son William Shakespeare was born in 1564. It was here that John Shakespeare started his glove-making business, where William grew up, and where he lived with his wife Anne Hathaway after their marriage. Discover stories of his childhood and family life during the Tudor era. (Note: Stratford Town Walk customers receive a discount if they wish to visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace before or after the tour.)

• Shakespeare’s New Place - William Shakespeare bought New Place at the age of 33 and lived there with his family until his death at 52. As you stand outside the grand gates, envision the largest house in town and learn why it was demolished in 1759.

• Hall’s Croft - Hall’s Croft was the residence of John Hall, a physician who married William Shakespeare’s eldest daughter, Susanna. While admiring the impressive Jacobean home, hear intriguing tales of medieval medical remedies.

• Holy Trinity Church - Situated on the banks of the River Avon, Holy Trinity Church is one of England’s most visited parish churches. It is where William Shakespeare was baptized, worshipped, and later buried in the Chancel. As you walk along an avenue of lime trees, appreciate the magnificent building dating back to 1210.

• The Guild Chapel - The Guild Chapel is one of Stratford’s most iconic and significant historic buildings. Dating back to 1269, it was home to the Guild of the Holy Cross, a notable social and religious organization. The building houses one of the rarest collections of medieval wall paintings in Europe.

• Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall - William Shakespeare’s Schoolroom is a splendid example of a half-timbered building from the 1400s. Discover where Shakespeare was educated and inspired to become the world’s greatest playwright. Known as The King’s New School, it is now King Edward VI Grammar School (K.E.S). Below the schoolroom is the Guildhall, which became the headquarters of Stratford Borough Council in 1553, remaining the heart of civic life for over 400 years.

• Royal Shakespeare Theatre - Dating back to 1932, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre was designed by British architect Elisabeth Scott, who won a competition with her design. The theatre replaced the 1879 Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, which was destroyed by fire in 1926. It is home to the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company, performing Shakespeare’s plays to visitors from around the globe.

• Swan Theatre - The Swan Theatre is located on the site of the 1879 Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, most of which was destroyed by fire in 1926. Only the library and art gallery survived. In 1986, thanks to fundraising and generous benefactors, the Swan Theatre opened within the original red-brick Gothic facade.

• The Other Place - In the 1970s, The Other Place was a corrugated tin shed used as a rehearsal room and studio space for new and experimental theatre. Redeveloped over the years, it reopened in 2006 as The Courtyard Theatre, seating 1,000 people and serving as a temporary theatre during the transformation of the RST and Swan Theatres. The Other Place is now a versatile 200-seat theatre space with rehearsal rooms and costume storage.

• Town Hall Stratford upon Avon - The Town Hall, a Grade II listed building, dates back to the mid-1700s. It stands on the site of the Market House, which was used as a munitions store during the English Civil War. Unfortunately, the building was severely damaged by a gunpowder explosion. The current building was completed in 1767 and officially opened in 1769 by actor David Garrick. A statue of William Shakespeare, presented by Garrick at the official opening and during the Shakespeare Jubilee, stands proudly in a niche on the front of the building.

• High Street - In the 1400s, a High Cross was located at the junction of High Street and Bridge Street to mark the market’s location. At the corner of High Street and Bridge Street is a small building, sometimes called ‘The Cage’. The town’s jail was located beneath it. It was also the home of William Shakespeare’s youngest daughter, Judith, and her husband, Thomas Quiney, a vintner.

• The Almshouses - Known as The Guild Cottages, the Almshouses were built by the Guild of the Holy Cross in the 1500s for their aged and infirm members. The Municipal Charities of Stratford upon Avon manage the properties.

• Harvard House - Built in 1596 by Thomas Rogers, Harvard House boasts an elaborately carved facade, the richest in town, reflecting Rogers’s wealth and status. His daughter Katherine married into the Harvard family, and her son, John Harvard, emigrated to America and established the library around which Harvard University was built.

• Mason Croft - Once the home of Marie Corelli, a famous Victorian novelist, ‘Shakespeare’s Champion’, Stratford resident, and conservationist.

• The Gower Memorial - Created in 1888 by Lord Ronald Gower, the Gower Memorial is located alongside the main road into town, near the Clopton Bridge, with the Royal Shakespeare Theatre visible behind. It can be seen from the Bancroft Gardens and features a statue of William Shakespeare along with characters Hamlet, Prince Hal, Lady Macbeth, and Falstaff.

• Stratford-upon-Avon Canal - The Birmingham to Stratford Canal, opened in 1816, was used for transporting goods such as coal and wood. The canal ends in the basin, where a lock can be operated to access the River Avon. Today, the canal is primarily used by holidaymakers.

• Rother Street Market - Rother Market hosts the weekly market held on Fridays and Saturdays.

• Multi award-winning tour
• Insight into Stratford’s history
• Links with William Shakespeare
• Local professional Tour Guide
• Informative & entertaining walking tour

• Entry to the Shakespeare Houses, Schoolroom, Holy Trinity Church and other attractions

This acclaimed Guided Walking Tour, a recipient of multiple awards, has been delighting visitors since 2002. It operates every single day of the year, including Christmas Day, and warmly welcomes everyone. As you explore the key sights and attractions in Stratford upon Avon, the Tour Guide narrates the captivating story of Shakespeare. “It’s like stepping into the pages of history.” “An essential experience.” The fee also includes exclusive discounts, redeemable before or after the tour, at a variety of cafes, restaurants, pubs, shops, and attractions, such as the Shakespeare Houses, Schoolroom & Guildhall, Butterfly Farm, and many more.

• Public conveniences nearby
• Disabled parking bays nearby
• Cafes and restaurants nearby
• Mobility scooters and wheelchairs can be hired locally from Shopmobility
• Not recommended for travellers who have difficulty standing or walking

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.