When it comes to the UK’s most charming towns, few can rival the picturesque Warwickshire bolthole of Stratford-upon-Avon. Steeped in rich history and heritage, this charming destination is famously the birthplace of renowned playwright William Shakespeare, and attracts visitors from around the country – and across the globe – who come to see where it all began.
Although its association with Shakespeare is undoubtedly one of its biggest draws, this pretty 16th-century market town, characterised by quaint cobbled streets and Tudor buildings, offers plenty more to see and do besides. From an endless selection of charming pubs and restaurants and a vibrant riverside scene to its proximity to the neighbouring town of Warwick and the city of Leamington Spa, it’s the perfect place for a lavish countryside getaway in 2023.
Here’s our guide on where to stay, where to eat and what to do when enjoying a luxury break in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Where to stay
The Arden Hotel
Located right in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon, Eden Hotel Collection’s The Arden Hotel is the most luxurious boutique hotel in town, serving up a generous helping of style, elegance and all-round sophistication.
Just a stone’s throw from the banks of the canal and the town’s many shops and restaurants, and just across the road from the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre, it’s the perfect place to base yourself for a stay in the town, and exudes warmth and a sense of welcome the moment you set foot inside – think cosy-looking lounges filled with plush soft furnishings and roaring fires.
Each of the 45 rooms are named after different types of trees like Yew, Fig and Maple, and are suitably spacious, with comfortable king-size beds and large bathrooms featuring huge walk-in showers and free-standing tubs that are just perfect for soaking away the stresses and strains of the day, with a choice of luxurious ESPA toiletries provided for use at leisure.
Downstairs, there’s the two AA Rosette No.44 Brasserie, which serves up a variety of home-cooked family favourites with a modern and mouth-watering twist under the direction of head chef Lee Cresswell. The stylish Club Bar, which gives a nod to the old fashioned gentleman’s club, is the perfect place to relax and unwind with an evening drink.
Address: Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BA
Phone: 01789 298682
Website: theardenhotelstratford.com
Hotel Indigo Stratford-upon-Avon, an IHG Hotel
Similarly well located is the newly renovated Hotel Indigo, which can be found just opposite the famous Bard’s last home in the town. The hotel’s beautiful Grade I listed façade dates back to the 16th century, when the building was originally a public house. More recently, it was extended to include a newer wing, from the 1960s – which now houses some of its more modern guest rooms.
The town’s rich history and heritage continues to be evidenced throughout, with an expertly curated selection of murals and 3D artifacts contrasting with contemporary artwork to give this spectacular hotel a unique feel. Downstairs, there’s a chic cocktail bar and dining at meat-centred restaurant The Woodsman is a must, having fast become one of the most sought-after dining spots in town.
Address: 4 Chapel St, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6HA
Phone: 01789 279953
Website: stratford.hotelindigo.com
Hotel du Vin Stratford-upon-Avon
Another pretty boutique hotel that promises a comfortable and suitably luxurious base in Stratford-upon-Avon, the original part of Hotel Du Vin was built all the way back in 1798, and having had many different iterations over the years, has been carefully restored to retain its same original charm and character. Now home to 46 plush rooms and suites, décor is traditional but with a contemporary twist, with lavish features including hand-sprung mattresses, soft Egyptian cotton bed linen, monsoon showers and deep, roll-top baths.
Add to that the hotel’s famous French bistro and bar, with its picturesque landscaped courtyard, two private dining rooms and an extensive wine cellar, and it ticks all of the right boxes and then some.
Address: 7-8 Rother St, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6LU
Phone: 01789 613685
Website: hotelduvin.com/locations/stratford-upon-avon/
Where to eat
No.44 Brasserie on The Waterside
The award-winning two AA Rosette No. 44 Brasserie on The Waterside at The Arden is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in the town, and offers up a tasty seasonal menu based around local produce and fresh, contemporary flavours. You can choose from tapas or a la carte dining, with traditional favourites like ham hock with homemade piccalilli and toasted ciabatta or Hereford beef fillet with celeriac promising a hearty and fulfilling meal – especially when you round it off with something sweet, like the cinnamon mini donuts with hazelnut cream or the dark chocolate tart with pistachio ice cream.
There’s also a tempting Sunday lunch and afternoon tea menu, and with its stylish décor and a relaxed and friendly vibe, it’s the perfect place to indulge yourself.
Located in: The Arden Hotel
Address: Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BA
Phone: 01789 298682
Website: theardenhotelstratford.com/eat/no-44-brasserie/
The Woodsman
The Woodsman might not have been around for long, but it has more than made up for it, having quickly become one of Stratford-upon-Avon’s most in-demand dining spots.
Under the guidance of executive chef Mike Robinson, whose passion for British produce and sustainable wild food is well-known, diners can watch their food being cooked before their eyes on a sizzling charcoal grill or in the restaurant’s large, wood-fired oven, with menu highlights including the finest British venison, wild boar, beef and Hebridean lamb – all locally sourced and seasonal, of course. The restaurant even has its own butchery, with carcasses coming in whole and efforts made to use every part of them to reduce wastage.
Located in: Hotel Indigo Stratford-upon-Avon, an IHG Hotel
Address: 4 Chapel St, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6HA
Phone: 01789 331535
Website: thewoodsmanrestaurant.co.uk/dining
Salt by Paul Foster
Having first opened its doors in 2017 with funding secured through a Kickstarter campaign, Paul Foster’s Salt has made quite the name for itself in the years that have followed. Just a year and a half after opening, it was awarded the town’s very first Michelin Star, and focuses on modern British cuisine and seasonal ingredients, with purity of flavour central to the ever-changing menu.
Taking a relaxed approach to fine dining, there’s a choice of a four- or six-course menu for lunch, while the eight-course dinner menu features decadent delights such as the roasted mushroom consommé with egg yolk and the dressed crab with pune emulsion, cucumber and ‘salty fingers’, coming in at £110, with an additional £90 for the accompanying drinks pairings.
Salt is also home to a cookery school, located above the restaurant, where you can enrol on a cookery course and learn how to make the perfect bread or pasta or prepare and cook delicious meat and fish dishes.
Address: 8 Church St, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6HB
Phone: 01789 263566
Website: salt-restaurant.co.uk
What to do
The Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre
Visitors from around the world make the pilgrimage here every year to attend the Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre, where the eponymous playwright’s plays are performed on the scenic banks of the River Avon. Known for his sonnets and plays, including ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Hamlet’, Shakespeare’s ties to the town are undoubtedly one of its major draws – and what better way to immerse yourself in this thrilling piece of history than to see one of his greatest works brought to life?
Address: Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BB
Phone: 01789 331111
Website: rsc.org.uk
Shakespeare’s Birthplace
If visiting the town where Shakespeare was born isn’t enough for you, then why not go to the exact house where it all began? Something of a shrine for Shakespeare fans, Shakespeare’s Birthplace is the home where the famous Bard was born and grew up, and has been open to the public for more than 250 years.
Shakespeare is thought to have written many of his plays within the property and spent the first five years of married life here, too – and with costumed guides, live performances and exhibitions happening on a regular basis, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Address: Henley St, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6QW
Phone: 01789 204016
Website: shakespeare.org.uk
River cruise
If you’re visiting the town during good weather, or as we move into the spring, then taking a stroll along the banks of the canal or a river cruise on the River Avon is a great way to enjoy Stratford-Upon-Avon’s natural beauty. There are several departures happening throughout the day, as well as a selection of restaurant boats moored along the canal-side that are the perfect spot for a unique romantic dinner.
