6 Non-Shakespeare Things To Do In Stratford-upon-Avon

One thing everyone knows about Stratford-upon-Avon is that it’s the birthplace of William Shakespeare – the poet and playwright who brought us the classics like Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The cute timber-framed and thatched-roof cottages, and the plays at the RSC bring Shakespeare back to life. But this medieval market town has much more to offer, especially for those who couldn’t care less about a dead playwright; from boat trips along the River Avon to grand manor houses and museums. So, here are my favourite six non-Shakespeare things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon.

But, if you are a fan of the bard (like I am), here is a guide to the 10 best Shakespeare-related activities in Stratford-upon-Avon.

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Non-Shakespeare Things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon

1. Shopping in Stratford-upon-Avon

Beyond Stratford-upon-Avon’s notable attractions is Bell Court; a courtyard filled with independent shops, bars, and restaurants. One of the most unique experiences in Bell Court is Magic Alley, a shop where you’ll discover fairies, and dragons and the Enchanted Manor Museum which is an interactive puzzle trail with characters from The Chronicles of Wizard’s Thatch. There are also plenty of places for shopping in Stratford-upon-Avon, with many designer outlets, including Pragnell which has 16 of the world’s most exclusive watchhouses and experts on hand to create bespoke jewellery. The high street has shops stocked with designer brands like Armani Jeans, Hugo Boss, Chanel, Max Mara and more. For book lovers, head to The Chaucer Head Bookshop which stocks rare and antiquarian books covering a wide range of genres, while Harry Potter fans should head to the House of Spells!

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2. Compton Verney

One of the best things to do near Stratford-upon-Avon is Compton Verney Art Gallery and park. Within its 120 acres, is an 18th-century, Grade I-listed mansion with landscape gardens designed by Capability Brown. Within these grounds, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, including a woodland play area, a bird hide, a picnic area and public footpaths. Within the building, enjoy the beautiful works of the six permanent art collections, including exhibitions like the Women’s Library which is one of the few parts of the house that survives from the 19th century. It was created around 1860 by the mistress of the estate, Georgiana Verney. She championed women’s suffrage, education and reading, and this nook of the house reflects her passions. 

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3. Hire a Boat

One of my favourite non-Shakespeare things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon is to hire a rowing boat or embark on a river cruise along the River Avon. Avon Boating has a selection of boats, including Public Cruises which you can board from the Bancroft Gardens every day from March to October. This boat takes about 30 minutes, passing the back of the RSC, Holy Trinity Church, the 15th-century Clopton Bridge and grand waterfront houses. For groups of up to 12, Avon Boating has private charters, while couples can rent a rowing boat or punts and glide across the river at their leisure. 

• • • • • • • • • • Public Cruises: £9 for adults & £6 for children
                  • Private Charters: £100 for up to 6 people & £150 for 7-12 people 
                  • Rowing Boats: £9 for adults & £6 for children

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4. Eat at Cox’s Yard

Situated on the River Avon and overlooking the historic Boat House, Cox’s Yard is the perfect location for a meal. The establishment is a rare combination of a cafe, a shop, and restaurant serving classic British cuisine in a rustic and earthy atmosphere. It’s named after James Cox, a timber merchant who used the site to develop his fledgeling business 160 years ago. James Cox and Sons became known for supplying the best timber materials, many of which were used to build the historic buildings in Shakespeare’s County. The Pantry Cafe has some of the best freshly-baked bread and croissants in Stratford, while the restaurant’s classic beef burger, sweet potato fries and chocolate brownie with honeycomb and vanilla ice cream are to die for!

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5. Walk along the River

There is nothing better than walking along the River Avon on a sunny afternoon. Our walk began at The Gower Memorial in the Bancroft Gardens where we found a larger-than-life statue of William Shakespeare seated on the edge of a cruciform chair. Surrounding Shakespeare are four statues representing four themes. The first is Prince Hal from Henry IV who represents Shakespeare’s history plays. The second is Falstaff who represents Shakespeare’s comedy plays, including The Merry Wives of Windsor. The rather sad figure of Lady Macbeth represents Shakespeare’s tragedy plays, while a recognisable Hamlet with Yorick’s skull represents philosophy. From here, we pass the Stratford and Moreton Tramway Wagon, which used to run from 1826 for 16 miles to the market town of Moreton-in-Marsh. We continued along the nearby bridge which crosses the River Avon and eventually arrives at The Recreation Ground. The latter has several playgrounds with zip wires, sand pits, climbing walls and a paddling pool. As we followed the river’s curves, we found several benches overlooking the Avon with swans trying their luck for food. We later cross the Lucy’s Mill Bridge which overlooks two weirs and heads back into the town centre. 

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6. Avonbank Gardens

One of the best free non-Shakespeare things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon is to visit Avonbank Gardens which is adjacent to the RSC. The garden hosts open-air theatre productions by the RSC during summer weekends and has benches overlooking the River Avon which are ideal for a picnic. Along with these, you’ll find several lamp posts donated by counties from around the world, including one from Copenhagen. 

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Where is Stratford-upon-Avon and how to reach it?

Stratford-upon-Avon is situated in the county of Warwickshire and on the edge of the Cotswolds. If you’d like to know where to visit in the Cotswolds, check out my favourite Cotswold villages here. Anyway, Stratford-upon-Avon is only 80 miles northeast of Cardiff and 82 miles northwest of London. The market town is easily accessible by road and public transport.

• • • Trains to Stratford-upon-Avon: There is a train station in Stratford with direct train routes from Birmingham New Street and London Marylebone. You can check National Rail for details.
    • Buses to Stratford-upon-Avon: The National Express runs from London Victoria to Stratford-upon-Avon. This journey takes 3 hours. Take local buses by Stagecoach from Birmingham and Leamington Spa.
    • Cars to Stratford-upon-Avon: Stratford is connected to the UK’s Motorway networks. From the north, you can take the MI, M5, M40 and then the A46. From the south, drive on the M40, before taking junction 15 and then the A46.

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Getting around Stratford-upon-Avon

Thankfully, Stratford-upon-Avon is relatively compact with many key attractions within minutes of each other. For example, Shakespeare’s Birthplace is only a 15-minute walk from the Holy Trinity Church (the furthest point on our list). All the other Shakespeare sites, except one, can be found between them. Therefore, the best way to get around Stratford-upon-Avon is on foot. 

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FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE BEST Non-Shakespeare THINGS TO DO IN STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

Whether you’re a fan of historic houses, cute villages, or are simply looking for an exciting staycation in the UK, Stratford-upon-Avon is the town for you! 

Have you been to Stratford-upon-Avon? If so, what was your favourite place to explore?