Shakespeare’s Stratford, Rail Trails

Start: Stratsford Upon-Avon Railway Station (CV37 6PL) Grid ref. SP 194 551

(S/E) Turn right out of the station and follow the path as it bends left, parallel to the road on the right. Walk ahead to the pedestrian crossing where you cross the side street (Brunel Way) and go ahead on the left-hand pavement of the main road, passing Rother House Medical Centre on left. At the next junction, bend left with the pavement to the pedestrian crossing.

(1) Cross Arden Street, then on the opposite side turn right and bend left with the pavement onto Greenhill Street. Walk ahead to the five way junction. Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing to The Old Thatch Tavern opposite, go round the corner then at the next pedestrian crossing.

Cross the road to the Shakespeare Memorial Fountain. Follow the railings around the fountain, then where they end, cross Wood Street to NatWest Bank. Walk ahead past the bank, then turn right onto Meer Street. Follow to the end, where it joins Henley Street.

(2) Turn left, then in 50 m look to your right to see Shakespeare’s Birthplace. From the Birthplace, retrace your steps to the junction then continue in the same direction (South-East) to the roundabout ahead. Turn left, cross Union Street to Lloyds Bank, walk ahead to the pedestrian crossing and cross Bridge Street.

On the opposite side, turn left for 200m. Immediately after the road crosses the canal, turn right on the path between bollards and follow around edge of canal basin to see the Gower Memorial. Return to Bridge Street, turn left.

(3) Immediately after re-crossing the canal, turn left again. Walk ahead first across broad paved area, then on the path, to see the Swan Fountain on your left, and beyond it Bancroft Gardens. Continue ahead on same path to reach Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and behind it The Swan Theatre.

(4) Turn left in front of the theatre and follow the path around it to reach the River Avon on your left. Follow the riverside path for 600m into the churchyard.

(5) Then turn right away from the river to see Holy Trinity Church. Exit the churchyard onto Trinity Close, with the Methodist Church opposite. Turn right, then in 100m bend left with road. At the junction, cross Southern Lane. In a further 100m see Hall’s Croft on your right. Walk ahead 80m to a junction.

(6) Turn right onto Church Street. Walk ahead 100m to Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall on your right. Go ahead to the junction with Guild Chapel on the corner. Cross the side road to site of Shakespeare’s New Place ahead, with Nash’s House adjacent to it.

Cross the main road, turn left to a junction and turn right down Scholars Lane. In 250m, at junction, cross road to small park opposite.

(7) Turn left on the path parallel to the road. At the end of the park, the path bears right with a Chinese pavilion on the left, to exit the park. Cross the road, turn left for 20m.

Then, turn right on the path with a wall on the left and a hedge on the right. In 120m, turn right onto Summerton Way (cycle/footpath following route of old railway line).

In 200m, turn right on the path (just before the main path bends left at the end). Follow for 180m to emerge onto a pavement, with a hedge on the left and three terraced houses on the right. Turn left, cross the cul-de-sac (Briar Croft), and in 50m, at the pedestrian crossing, cross the main road. On the opposite side turn right, bend left with the pavement, then immediately turn left on the path back to station. (S/E)

Start: Stratsford Upon-Avon Railway Station (CV37 6PL) Grid ref. SP 194 551

Transport : Stratford-upon-Avon is he southern terminus of the Leamington-Stratford line, served by both West Midlands Trains and Chiltern Railways. Direct trains from London Marylebone run via Leamington Spa, and there are two trains an hour from Birmingham.
The station has a ticket office which is open on weekends, a self-service ticket machine, refreshment facilities and toilets (when the ticket office is open).

Refreshments : Beyond the bard, Stratford boasts no less than three Michelin starred restaurants, a cat cafe.
The Dirty Duck : Formerly known as the Black Swan, this traditional alehouse with riverside views sits just along the road from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. This is a favourite thespian watering hole, often jam packed with celebrities.

Shakespaw Cat Cafe: Book in advance to spend 90 minutes enjoying scrummy food surrounded by beloved rescue moggies. Vintage china, eclectic decor, cocktails and crazy milkshakes provide a perfect setting right in the heart of Stratford!

Discover the Heart of England by rail at Heart Community Rail Trail here.

In the 18th century a William Gastrell bought Shakespeare’s old house on New Place but tired of visitors looking through the windows, he demolished it! The building has never been rebuilt, though the foundations are still there. The people of Stratford were so angry that they ran Gastrell out of town!
Take time to explore his family homes – Shakespeare’s Birthplace on Henley Street and The New Place on Chapel Street – and see where the young William went to school at Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall on Church Street. Enjoying a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the more intimate Swan Theatre is an absolute must!
Beyond the bard, Stratford boasts no less than an arthouse cinema, great shopping, parks and gardens, open air bus tours, ghost walks, boat trips, cycling routes and so much more. Take your time and enjoy this corner of merry old England.

Shakespeare’s Birthplace: Get straight to the heart of the matter where the Shakespeare story begins! Hear tales of his family life and discover how the extraordinary playwright continues to shape our lives today. Shakespeare had a poem sketched into his tomb stating anyone who moves his bones will be cursed. Consequently, his grave has gone untouched since 1747!

Bancroft Gardens : Slap bang in the middle of everything bard related, the canal basin is the perfect spot to pause, watch the boats on the water, enjoy the floating markets, grab a coffee or ice cream and simply relax.

Holy Trinity Church : Stratford’s oldest building,, it is often referred to as Shakespeare’s Church, due to its fame as the place of baptism, marriage and burial of William Shakespeare. Join the throngs who make their pilgrimage to the bard’s final resting place.

Shakespeare’s School Room : Wonder where the bard got his start in life? Wonder no more! Instead, explore the very room where William Shakespeare sat in the 1570s and where he wrote his first works.