Stratford-upon-Avon: Day Trips and Tours from London

The quaint medieval town of Stratford-Upon-Avon is a place where time has seemingly stood still despite its proximity to the bustling capital of London.

It is best known as the birth and final resting place of William Shakespeare, but a day trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon from London will show you the town has lots more to offer.

You will find below everything you need to know about Stratford-Upon-Avon, one of the best destinations for a day tour from London.

How to get to Stratford-Upon-Avon from London

Stratford-Upon-Avon sits in the West Midlands, 160 kilometers northwest of London, halfway between Oxford and Birmingham.

• By car: The drive to Statford-Upon-Avon from London takes anywhere from 1 hour to 3 hours, depending on traffic conditions. The most direct route is via the M40 towards Birmingham and turning off at the A46.
• By bus: The most cost-effective way to travel to Stratford-Upon-Avon is by bus. Direct services take about 2.5 hours.
• By train: You can hop on a train at London’s Marylebone station for Stratford-Upon-Avon, with the journey taking about 2 hours.
• Guided tour to Stratford-Upon-Avon from London: For a hassle-free experience, you can join a guided tour to Stratford-Upon-Avon. These day trips from London take care of all logistics, allowing you to relax and enjoy the ride.

Typical itinerary of day trips to Stratford-Upon-Avon from London

A jaunt to Stratford-Upon-Avon typically includes a slew of Shakespeare-centric attractions, starting with his birthplace and school, and graduating with his body of work and final resting place.

You can explore the town at your own pace, but most people prefer to start at his birthplace, move on to the Swan Theater, Hall’s Croft, the Holy Trinity Church, and finally, the cottage of his wife Anne Hathaway. The walking distance is only around 2.5 kilometers to reach all the most famous spots in town.

The best tours available to Stratford-Upon-Avon

Guided tour to Stratford-Upon-Avon from London

Join a guided tour to Stratford-Upon-Avon to explore several locations related to the life and times of William Shakespeare, "The Bard of Avon", including his birthplace, schoolroom, family home and grave.

The drive home takes you through the storybook villages of Bibury, Burford and Bourton-on-the-water that are strewn across the English countryside. The undulating hills of the Cotswolds make a memorable ending to an already unforgettable trip.

Our pick: Shakespeare's Stratford-Upon-Avon & Cotswolds Tour

• Includes: Roundtrip transfers, professional guide, optional entry to Shakespeare’s birthplace, schoolroom and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage & Gardens
• Price: From £85
• Duration: 1o hours

Private tour to Stratford-Upon-Avon from London

Booking a private tour to Stratford-Upon-Avon is the best way to travel in comfort and avoid crowds. A private tour will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

An expert guide will help you explore the town and see everything from his school to his grave and theater. The fully customizable itinerary also includes a visit to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Shakespeare’s Grave and his family home.

Our pick: Private Cotswolds & Stratford Tour

• Includes: Roundtrip transfers, personal driver/guide, snacks
• Price: £740 per group (up to 7 travelers)
• Duration: 10 hours

Day trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon plus Stonehenge, Bath and Cotswolds from London

This all-encompassing historical tour starts as far back as 5,000 years at the mysterious Stonehenge. Jump forward to around 1,000 A.D. when the Romans built the second stop on the tour, Bath. It is renowned for its natural hot springs and admirable architecture.

After a scenic drive through Cotswolds, you will stop in Stratford-Upon-Avon to enjoy a private tour of Shakespeare’s schoolroom and watch a short extract from one of his plays. You will also get schooled with a Tudor lesson and get the chance to write with a quill.

Our pick: Stonehenge, Bath, Cotswolds and Stratford-Upon-Avon Tour

• Includes: Roundtrip transfers, Stonehenge visit, private tour of Shakespeare's schoolroom, Panoramic Bath city tour, professional guide
• Price: £116 to £131
• Duration: 12 hours

Day tour to Stratford-Upon-Avon plus Oxford, Cotswolds and Warwick Castle from London

Hop on a luxury coach and set off to Warwick Castle, an iconic stronghold built by William the Conqueror almost 1,000 years ago. Next, you will visit Stratford-Upon-Avon to see the home where Shakespeare was born and explore the charming market town.

The last stop on this historic sightseeing adventure is a guided walking tour of Oxford. You will also stop by the most iconic sites in town, the Bodleian Library and University Church of St Mary the Virgin.

Our pick: Stratford, Oxford, Cotswolds and Warwick Castle Day Trip

• Includes: Roundtrip transfers, professional guide, Oxford walking tour, optional entry to Warwick Castle, Shakespeare's Birthplace, and University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
• Price: £79 to £110
• Duration: 11 hours

Prices of day trips to Stratford-Upon-Avon from London

Standard guided tours to Stratford-Upon Avon cost £80 to £100, while private tours are charged per vehicle, with prices starting at around £700 for a group of 7 travelers.

Day trips through the Cotswolds, Stratford-Upon-Avon and Oxford costs around £80 or £100 if you want to include entrance to Warwick Castle.

More extensive tours that include Bath and Stonehenge is around £110 to £130 and includes entry to Stonehenge, as well as a short performance of a Shakespeare play in Stratford.  

What to see and do in Stratford-Upon-Avon

Shakespeare’s Birthplace

The house where Shakespeare was born is now a monument to the illustrious life of one of the most famous playwrights of all time. The half-timber house gives a glimpse into what life for a lower-middle class family would have looked like back in the late 1500s, as it has been outfitted with furniture and memorabilia from the time.

The Shakespeare's Treasures Exhibition also includes one of the original First Folio prints from 1623. Visitors can also enjoy a short performance by Shakespeare Aloud, a company dedicated to keeping Shakespeare’s work alive.

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage

This was once the home of Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway, and the quaint cottage remains almost completely unchanged. Although the interior and period furniture is a remarkable treasure, the gardens around the cottage are the main attraction.

The gardens cover 9 acres of land, and every tree mentioned in Shakespeare’s work has been planted here. There is also a sculpture trail inspired by his body of work.

Church of the Holy Trinity

The idyllic setting of the church is an appropriate final resting place for Shakespeare. His tomb is marked by a stern warning, and his wife and daughter have also been laid to rest close by.

The Church of the Holy Trinity sits at the end of a tranquil tree-lined walkway next to the river, and the gothic architecture is illuminated by grand stained-glass window scenes. This is also the church where Shakespeare was baptized, and the font used for his baptism remains to this day.

Best time to visit Stratford-Upon-Avon

From May to October, the countryside is at its finest in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Blooming flowers, lots of blue skies and pleasant temperatures make spring and summer the best times to visit Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Don’t exclude the rest of the year, though, as you can see leaves change colors in the fall or enjoy a vibrant Christmas atmosphere over December. There is a high chance of snowfall in January, which gives a whole different look to the otherwise lush green scenery.

Tours to Stratford-Upon-Avon from other UK cities

You can join tours to Stratford-Upon-Avon that depart from other cities in England:

• Day tours to Stratford-Upon-Avon from Oxford

More day trip destinations from London

• Lacock day trips from London
• Cotswolds day trips from London
• Stratford-upon-Avon tours from London
• White Cliffs of Dover day trips from London
• Warwick Castle tours from London

Travel Tips

• Always bring something warm to wear, even on a lovely sunny day. There is usually a crisp breeze in the mornings and as night starts to fall, you don’t want to be caught off guard.
• If you are driving to Stratford-Upon-Avon, you might want to consider staying at a hotel if you want to avail of free parking.
• Most of the sites are easily accessible on your own, but it is good to book a guided audio tour so that you won’t miss out on their fascinating history.