Whether you are here to visit Stratford-upon-Avon for a few days or you’ve lived here for years, the Stratford Town Walk is a fascinating and fun way to spend two hours in our historic Warwickshire town.
What can you expect when you go on the Stratford Town Walk in Stratford-upon-Avon?
What is the Stratford Town Walk?
The Stratford Town Walk leads guests on a two-hour walking tour of central Stratford-upon-Avon. One of the expert guides will meet you and take you on a steady stroll, stopping at various spots to regale interesting stories, famous facts and a smattering of little-known morsels of information that have the assembled group saying, “ooh, I didn’t know that”.
Your guide on the award-winning Stratford-upon-Avon walking tour will lead you past a statue of the young William Shakespeare in Bancroft Gardens, where stories about the RSC spill out; to the marina, where we learn a little about Stratford’s industrial heritage; up Bridge Street, for post-boxes, Tudor rip-offs, and pretty cafes; and on to Shakespeare’s Birthplace on Henley Street, continuing past Harvard House on High Street and Shakespeare’s New Place in Chapel Street.
Onwards, past the Guild Chapel, Shakespeare’s Schoolroom, and a home once owned by Victorian novelist Marie Corelli on Church Street, with more stories outside Hall’s Croft and inside Holy Trinity Church.
There are tales on the way about pubs, secret tunnels, myths, skirmishes, and even the Teletubbies, which is filmed near Stratford-upon-Avon.
Whether you are here for a few days to visit Stratford-upon-Avon or you’re a long-time local, the Stratford Town Walk is so full of fun facts and thought-provoking stories, you can’t help but fall in love with the town.
The team at Stratford Town Walk also run a Ghost Walk every Saturday, 7.30pm-9pm. Tickets cost £7 or £5 for children. Booking is essential (07855 760377) as spaces are limited.
Groups and schools can also book private tours. You can find contact details here.
Meeting place for Stratford Town Walk
The meeting place for the Stratford Town Walk is the Swan Fountain, in Bancroft Gardens on Waterside, steps from the entrance of the RSC building and just across the road from Barnaby’s Fish Restaurant.
Stratford Town Walk times
Stratford Town Walk runs every day of the year, even Christmas Day, whatever the weather. Just turn up at the Swan Fountain 5-10 minutes before the start time of 11am. The Stratford Town Walk also runs on Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm.
Stratford Town Walk price
Tickets for adults cost £6, over 65s/students £5, children aged under 16 £3 and under 8s go free. Simply pay in cash when you turn up. You’ll also receive a strip of discount vouchers for use at a variety of Stratford-upon-Avon restaurants, cafes and attractions.
Value for money? Yes, absolutely. For two engaging hours of Stratford stories, facts and history, the Stratford Town Walk is unbeatable.
The Stratfordblog verdict
I joined a recent Stratford Town Walk with tour guide Owen: a funny and friendly guide who weaved his own passions for Stratford-upon-Avon into his entertaining tales. There was a human aspect to every story, every fact, and, while there’s plenty of Shakespeare stuff, the wider history of Stratford-upon-Avon and its people is skilfully brought to life. With around a dozen tour guides, every Stratford Town Walk will inevitably be slightly different.
Long-term residents of Stratford-upon-Avon, my husband and I joined other guests from around the world on the Stratford Town Walk and we both learned things we never knew about our beloved hometown.
If you are coming to visit Stratford-upon-Avon, join the Stratford Town Walk. If you live in or near Stratford-upon-Avon, join the Stratford Town Walk. Not only will you learn something new about the town, your Stratford soft spot will grow a little deeper. Promise.
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Information correct at date of publication