Holidays in Stratford-upon-Avon

Weather in Stratford-upon-Avon

Thu

8° -4°

💧4%

Fri

6° -2°

💧4%

Sat

8° 3°

💧4%

Sun

11° 3°

💧45%

Mon

7° 2°

💧9%

Tue

6° 2°

💧58%

Wed

6° 0°

💧7%

Forecast: Met Office

More around Stratford-upon-Avon

Getting your bearings

Stratford-upon-Avon, in Warwickshire, is best known for its Shakespeare connection, and the town itself is the obvious place to start. It also works well as a base for days out across Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Birmingham, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Oxford and the Cotswolds. Some of the attractions below are close to town and others are a proper drive away, so check journey times before you plan a busy day.

The standout attractions by type

For families, the headline options are LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Birmingham and The Wave, a water park in Warwickshire. Climbing Frame in Worcestershire is another theme-park option for children with energy to burn. For something more unusual, the National Telephone Kiosk Collection in Worcestershire tends to spark conversation with older children and adults alike.

If the weather turns, the region has plenty of museums and galleries. Good choices include:

RSC Costume Workshop in Stratford-upon-Avon, a natural fit for anyone drawn by the theatre
Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum and the Collections Centre, both in Warwickshire
Stourbridge Glass Museum in Worcestershire
Bate Collection of Musical Instruments in Oxford
Discovery Centre, Museum of Gloucester in Gloucestershire

For time outdoors, save your fairer days for places where getting there and looking around is part of the appeal. Kinwarton Dovecot, cared for by the National Trust, and Hailes Abbey near Cheltenham both fit this bill. A wander around Stratford-upon-Avon itself is the easiest way to stretch your legs between visits.

Heritage lovers are particularly well served. Roman Alcester Museum sits within the Stratford-upon-Avon area. Sarehole Mill is in Birmingham, while the John Moore Countryside Museum and Almonry Museum and Heritage Centre are both listed under Cheltenham. The Old Prison is in the Cotswolds and the History Hut is in Oxfordshire. For grand houses and historic homes, look at Aston Hall, Blakesley Hall, Selly Manor, Edgbaston Hall, Stratford House, Old Berry Hall and Dudmaston Hall. The Fleece Inn and Back To Backs are both National Trust properties, alongside Kinwarton Dovecot.

Grouping attractions into a sensible day

The simplest approach is to group places by the town or county they are listed under. That way you spend your day visiting rather than driving.

Stratford-upon-Avon day: start at the RSC Costume Workshop, then head to Roman Alcester Museum, and finish with an unhurried look around town.
Birmingham day: pair LEGOLAND Discovery Centre for the children with Sarehole Mill for a quieter afternoon.
Warwickshire day: combine The Wave with Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum. That gives you a splash in the morning and something calmer afterwards.
Cheltenham day: put Hailes Abbey, the John Moore Countryside Museum and the Almonry Museum and Heritage Centre together for a heritage-heavy outing.
Worcestershire day: choose two from Stourbridge Glass Museum, the National Telephone Kiosk Collection, Dudmaston Hall and Climbing Frame, depending on who's coming.
Oxford and Gloucestershire: the Bate Collection of Musical Instruments, the History Hut and Discovery Centre, Museum of Gloucester are better treated as single-focus trips.

Where to eat

Every place below holds a 5-star food hygiene rating, which is a reassuring starting point:

The Stratford Alehouse: a pub for a relaxed lunch or an evening drink.
Huffkins: a tea room for a sit-down break.
Shakespaw Cat Cafe: a tea room with a difference, so check it suits everyone in your group before you go.
Costa: two branches are listed, useful for a quick, familiar stop.

Turning it into a short break

BritStays lists 221 places to stay in the Stratford-upon-Avon region, so you have plenty of choice whether you want somewhere for two or room for the whole family. Three or four nights works well.

Day one: spend it in Stratford-upon-Avon itself.
Day two: pick Birmingham or Warwickshire, depending on whether you're travelling with children.
Day three: head to Cheltenham or Worcestershire.
A longer stay: add a day for Oxford, Gloucestershire or the Cotswolds.

Practical tips before you go

Check opening days and times directly with each attraction before setting off, as smaller museums and historic houses don't always open every day. If you're visiting the Fleece Inn, Kinwarton Dovecot and Back To Backs, it's worth checking whether a National Trust membership would suit you. Keep a museum or two up your sleeve for wet weather. Book popular family attractions such as LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and The Wave ahead where you can, especially during school holidays.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do with children around Stratford-upon-Avon?

Family options include LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Birmingham, The Wave water park in Warwickshire and Climbing Frame, a theme park in Worcestershire. The National Telephone Kiosk Collection in Worcestershire is a more unusual choice.

What can we do on a rainy day near Stratford-upon-Avon?

Museums and galleries are your best bet. Try the RSC Costume Workshop in Stratford-upon-Avon, Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum in Warwickshire, Stourbridge Glass Museum in Worcestershire or the Bate Collection of Musical Instruments in Oxford.

Which National Trust places are in the Stratford-upon-Avon region?

Three National Trust properties are listed: the Fleece Inn, Kinwarton Dovecot and Back To Backs.

Are there any heritage attractions in Stratford-upon-Avon itself?

Yes. Roman Alcester Museum and the RSC Costume Workshop are both listed under Stratford-upon-Avon, alongside the town's Shakespeare connection.

Where can we eat in the Stratford-upon-Avon area?

Places with 5-star food hygiene ratings include The Stratford Alehouse, Huffkins, Shakespaw Cat Cafe and two Costa branches.

How many places to stay does BritStays list in the Stratford-upon-Avon region?

BritStays lists 221 places to stay in the Stratford-upon-Avon region.