Stratford-Upon-Avon is a beautifully preserved market town in Warwickshire best known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare offering visitors a captivating blend of Tudor heritage stunning riverside walks world-class theatre and charming independent shops in a quintessentially English setting.
UK: Warwickshire – Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
🎭 Finally Getting Round to Stratford-Upon-Avon
Right, so I’ll hold my hands up here — when I was at university, I spent three years living practically on the doorstep of Stratford-Upon-Avon and barely gave it a second glance. Student, wasn’t I. Too busy doing whatever it is students do. So, decades later, we decided it was well past time to put that right, and we planned ourselves a full day exploring this rather charming little market town sitting slap bang in the middle of Warwickshire — and indeed slap bang in the middle of England.
Now, Stratford is famous for one thing above all else, and if you’ve ever opened a school textbook, you already know what that is. The town is the birthplace and stomping ground of one William Shakespeare — poet, playwright, and the bloke whose works have been tormenting GCSE students for centuries. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust looks after five properties connected to the great man, including his actual birthplace on Henley Street, a rather lovely garden, and a museum at Shakespeare’s New Place — the site where he retired and lived out his final years until his death in 1616. The Trust has been preserving all of this since 1847, so they know what they’re doing.
🌸 Anne Hathaway’s Cottage — And No, Not That One
One of the places firmly on our list was Anne Hathaway’s Cottage — and yes, before you ask, we did make that joke at least twice before we even got there. Anne Hathaway — the original one, not the actress — was born in 1556 in what is now a Grade I listed thatched farmhouse in the tiny village of Shottery, about a mile or so outside the centre of Stratford. She grew up there with her family and lived in the cottage right up until 1582, when she married a certain 18-year-old by the name of William Shakespeare. Anne herself was 26 at the time, so she was the older woman — quite the scandal for Elizabethan England. The farmhouse, which dates back to the 15th century, remained in the Hathaway family right up until 1892, when it was acquired by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
Getting out to the cottage is actually rather pleasant, and you’ve got a few options. We could wander through the streets of Stratford itself and pick up one of the old country footpaths — the same sort of paths that Shakespeare himself would have trodden when he came courting. Alternatively, you can drive yourself out there, or hop on the hop-on-hop-off bus that does the rounds of all the key Shakespeare sites. We went on foot, which we’d thoroughly recommend if the weather’s behaving itself.
And look, even if old thatched cottages aren’t really your thing, the gardens surrounding the cottage are genuinely beautiful and well worth the visit on their own. There’s an orchard, a woodland walk, and all manner of plantings that feel wonderfully timeless. It’s the sort of place that makes you slow down a bit — which, frankly, is no bad thing.
The cottage we were standing in front of was far older than it looked — and it already looked pretty old. It was built back in 1463, which means it was already well over a century old by the time Shakespeare was even born. Originally it was a working farmhouse, and a modest one at that, comprising just three rooms, two of which — the kitchen and the parlour — you can still see today.
The first Hathaway to set foot in the place was Anne’s grandfather, John Hathaway, who worked the land here as a tenant sheep farmer. Back then the farm went by the name of ‘Hewlands’, and the Hathaways did rather well for themselves out of sheep. The garden we wandered through — all roses and herbaceous borders now — was in those days a working farmyard, with livestock milling about and space given over to growing herbs and vegetables. Rather different, we think you’d agree.
Anne herself was born here in 1556, and the family carried on after her marriage to Shakespeare. When her father died in 1581, her brother Bartholomew inherited the tenancy of the 90-acre farm and eventually bought the freehold outright. He clearly had ambitions for the place — he added an extension, put in new chimneys, and added an upper floor, all completed before his death in 1624.
By the late 19th century though, the family’s fortunes had taken a bit of a knock. Land and property were mortgaged off, then sold. The cottage itself went in 1838, though the Hathaways stayed on as tenants — which is rather poignant when you think about it.
One of the last family members to live here was a Mary Baker. When the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust bought the cottage in 1892, Mary and her family were kept on at a wage of £75 a year — a tidy sum then — to look after the place and share their family stories. Her son William finally left in 1911, bringing nearly 450 years of Hathaway occupation to a quiet close.
Planning your visit to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
| 📍 | Location | Cottage Lane, Shottery, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 9HH | |
| 🕖 | Opening Times | Varies seasonally. Typically open daily 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (summer); reduced hours in winter. Closed Christmas period. | 🌐 Website: shakespeare.org.uk |
| 📞 | Phone | 01789 338532 | 📧 Email: info@shakespeare.org.uk |
| ℹ️ | Notes | Booking in advance recommended. Dogs welcome in the garden. Audio guides available. |
🎟️ Entry Fees
| Adults | Children (5–15) | Under 5s | Concessions |
|---|---|---|---|
| £17.50 | £11.00 | Free | £16.00 |
The Best Time to Visit Warwickshire
🌸 Spring (March to May)
Temperatures range from around 7°C in March to 15°C by May, with blossom in the hedgerows, green fields along the Avon, and noticeably fewer crowds at Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Warwick Castle than in summer. Cold snaps and showers are still possible, but the countryside is excellent for walking and cycling.
What to pack: Waterproof jacket, layered jumper or fleece, waterproof walking shoes, compact umbrella and light scarf.
☀️ Summer (June to August)
The busiest and warmest season, with temperatures between 17°C and 23°C and long daylight hours. The Royal Shakespeare Company is in full swing, Warwick Castle hosts jousting and outdoor events, and food festivals are at their liveliest. Book accommodation well in advance, as prices rise and popular spots fill quickly.
What to pack: Light clothing, waterproof layer for summer showers, sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable trainers, insect repellent.
🍂 Autumn (September to November)
Arguably Warwickshire’s most beautiful season. September is still warm but far quieter than summer, and by October the Forest of Arden and the Avon valley are rich with copper and gold foliage. Temperatures cool from around 16°C to 8°C, and paths become muddier as the season progresses.
What to pack: Waterproof jacket, warm jumper, waterproof boots, hat and gloves for November, compact torch for shorter evenings.
❄️ Winter (December to February)
Quiet, atmospheric, and considerably cheaper. Stratford-upon-Avon has Christmas markets and a packed RSC programme, while the county’s coaching inns come into their own on cold evenings. Temperatures sit between 2°C and 8°C; snow is rare but possible. Check opening hours for outdoor attractions before visiting.
What to pack: Warm waterproof coat, thermal underlayers, hat, gloves, scarf, grip-soled waterproof boots, smart-casual clothes for theatre or dining.
📊 Season Summary Table
🗓️ Overall Best Time to Visit
Late spring (May) and early autumn (September) offer the best balance of good weather, open attractions, and manageable crowds. Summer is ideal for the RSC and castle events but requires advance booking. Winter suits those after quiet streets and lower prices, especially around Christmas. Whenever you visit, pack for England’s unpredictable weather.
Other things to do in Stratford-Upon-Avon
1. Shakespeare’s New Place
New Place was the largest house in Stratford when Shakespeare bought it in 1597, and it was where he spent his final years until his death in 1616. The original building no longer stands — it was demolished in the eighteenth century — but the site has been thoughtfully redesigned as a garden and heritage space. The interpretation here is quieter and more reflective than at the birthplace, inviting you to think about what Shakespeare’s later life might have been like. There are some interesting installations and displays, and the grounds themselves are worth a look. It suits those who enjoy a slower, more contemplative kind of visit.
2. Shakespeare’s Birth Place
On Henley Street in the centre of town, this is the house where William Shakespeare was born in 1564. It is a timber-framed building that has been carefully looked after over the centuries. Inside, the rooms are furnished to give you a sense of how an ordinary family lived in Tudor times. There is also an exhibition about Shakespeare’s early life and the world he grew up in. The garden at the back is pleasant and often quieter than the street-facing rooms. Entry is ticketed, and it is one of the busiest spots in Stratford, so arriving early in the day tends to make for a more relaxed visit.
3. Mary Arden’s Farm
Mary Arden was Shakespeare’s mother, and this working farm in the village of Wilmcote, around three miles from Stratford, was her childhood home. It is run as a living history attraction, with staff in period costume going about the kind of daily farm tasks that would have been carried out in the Tudor period. There are animals, demonstrations of crafts and cooking, and hands-on activities that make it particularly suitable for families with children. The farmhouse itself has been preserved and is worth seeing, and the wider site is spacious enough to spend a couple of hours exploring without feeling rushed.
4. Royal Shakespeare Theatre
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre sits right on the banks of the River Avon and is the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Even if you are not attending a performance, the building is worth visiting. There is a rooftop viewing tower that offers a good view across the town and the river, and the foyer areas are open to the public during the day. If you do want to see a show, it is well worth booking in advance as popular productions sell out quickly. The theatre stages a range of Shakespeare’s plays throughout the year, alongside other work, and the standard of production is generally very high. The riverside walk nearby is a pleasant addition to any visit.
Where to stay
1. Youth Hostel Alveston
Hemmingford House was built in 1784 and has been welcoming guests as a YHA hostel since 1947 — and what a setting it is. This magnificent Georgian mansion sits in three acres of grounds and is Grade II-listed, just two miles from Shakespeare’s birthplace. The building retains many original features including stables, coach houses, and listed trees, while the interior dazzles with beautiful stained-glass windows, traditional floor tiles, and rich décor in purple, green and ochre. Budget it may be, but basic it is not. Guests can unwind in the games room with pool and table football, enjoy meals at Hemmingford’s Restaurant, or relax with drinks at the stylish café-bar. There’s also a bus stop right outside, and the hostel is an easy walk from Stratford in fine weather. A genuinely characterful place to stay at an affordable price.
2. Shakespeare’s View Bed & Breakfast
This award-winning, five-diamond Gold B&B is situated in the middle of a fruit orchard, with spectacular views looking south across the Avon Valley. Guests have their own front entrance, sitting room with television and conservatory dining room, giving onto a large patio and mature, beautifully maintained garden. Breakfast is a real highlight — locally sourced produce is served in a dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the orchard, with commanding views over the Avon Valley to enjoy alongside your meal. Guests frequently rave about spotting deer from their windows and waking up to birdsong. Situated on the outskirts of the village of Snitterfield, three miles north-east of Stratford upon Avon, the village itself boasts a pub, village shop, and an extensive farm shop. A car is useful for getting around, but you’ll be glad of this peaceful rural retreat to return to each evening.
3. Midsummer House
This beautifully restored Victorian townhouse is within walking distance of Stratford-upon-Avon’s restaurants, shops and the RSC theatres, offering three spacious guest rooms designed with luxury, comfort and relaxation in mind. Hosts Sandie and James make you feel very welcome, the house is spotlessly clean, and the decoration and ambience are faultless. Rooms come with thoughtful touches throughout — one loft room features a spacious ensuite, a great selection of books, and a beautifully considered décor. A full breakfast is on offer daily, with Full English, vegetarian and gluten-free options, and the hosts are always happy to give advice on local restaurants and things to do in the area. Located within one kilometre of Shakespeare’s Birthplace and just 500 metres from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Midsummer House is as central as it gets — perfect for theatre-goers and history lovers alike.
Where to eat
Plantarium Cafe
Being a tourist hub there are plenty of places to eat in and around Stratford. Of course, these cater for the masses, but if you are like us, vegan, the options are more limited. We did discover a small cafe in the centre of Stratford, the Plantarium, that is completely vegan. So, no need to think! It is a quaint place and the food was amazing – we recommend it highly.
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