Here are the top 5 Stratford-upon-Avon May half-term events to make the whole family happy. Boredom? What boredom?
Find out what’s in store over the May half-term school holiday, which runs from about 3.15pm on Friday May 25, when the final bell rings and ties are loosened, to Sunday June 3. And don’t forget (as if you would) that it’s the Spring Bank Holiday on Monday May 28.
Plan your half-term holiday in Warwickshire now with the top 5 Stratford-upon-Avon May half-term events.
Top 5 Stratford-upon-Avon May half-term events
The Wonder World Funfair
Open every day on the Recreation Ground car park (satnav: CV37 7LS), from Friday May 25 to Sunday June 3, the funfair is sure to attract crowds across the Tramway bridge and onto the Rec for white-knuckle rides, screams, candyfloss and all the usual fun of the fair.
Admission to the funfair is free and, if you ask around at town-centre shops and at the Stratford Big Wheel, you can pick up discount vouchers for 50p rides.
Woolly week at Mary Arden’s Farm
It’s sheep shearing time at Mary Arden’s Farm, the rural home of Shakespeare’s mother in the nearby village of Wilmcote, so pop over to see shearing demonstrations and discover what the Tudors would have done with the wool.
Woolly week runs from Sunday May 27 until Monday June 4, with daily sheep-shearing sessions between noon and 4pm. The farm is open 10am-5pm. The half-term family fun is free with standard admission (though you should really invest in a Full Story ticket. Find out why).
Travelling players at Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall
On Friday June 1 and Saturday June 2, a troupe of players will journey to Stratford-upon-Avon, just as they would have done during Shakespeare’s lifetime, to regale visitors with a witty tale called Uncle Richard.
Told in the historic environs of the guildhall, where Shakespeare might have had his first taste of the theatre, the performances are held after-hours at 7.30pm and are suitable for ages 6+. Early-bird tickets priced £6.25/£4 are available before Sunday May 27 on the website.
Caricatures at Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Ever fancied having a caricaturist capture your likeness? Well now you can, with a Shakespearean twist of course.
Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, from Saturday May 26 to Monday May 28, and get the Tudor look, courtesy of a skilled caricature artist. Remember to share your images on social media!
Preparations for The RSC’s Midsummer Dance Party
Preparation? That’s what boring adults do isn’t it? Not this week young theatre fans, because The RSC is running a series of craft and dance workshops ahead of their Midsummer Dance Party on June 24.
Get Dance-Party ready with the experts from Kinetika and stand a chance of being involved in the big event in late June. If you’re not the dancing kind, pop along to a craft workshop instead and help to make costumes and decorations. More details here.
Here’s what else is happening during the Stratford-upon-Avon May half-term break
There are plenty of Stratford-upon-Avon attractions offering a warm welcome this May half-term break, including Stratford Town Walk, Tudor World, the Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm, Magic Alley, The MAD Museum, Escape Live, the Stratford Big Wheel and the other Shakespeare Family Homes (Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Shakespeare’s New Place and Hall’s Croft).
There’s a free Lego café on Thursday May 31 at 1pm at the Caterpillar Cafe at The Old Slaughterhouse, in The Yard off Sheep Street.
The following day, Friday June 1, also at the Caterpillar Cafe, there’s a free taster session at 10am from BilinguaSing, which runs interactive music classes for children in English and Spanish. Suitable for kids aged three months to four years, there will be bilingual nursery rhymes and activities. Booking is required due to limited spaces.
Kids can also go free to RSC exhibit The Play’s The Thing and up the RSC Tower with a paying adult. See here for the terms and times.
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Information correct at date of publication