How to spend a day in Stratford-upon-Avon

Good food, cosy pubs, riverside walks and a little bit of old-world charm… what more could you want from a day out for a Birthday adventure? While Stratford-upon-Avon may be best known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare, I’ll admit that Shakespeare isn’t exactly my bag. Instead, on my day in this charming Warwickshire town, I was much more interested in discovering its foodie spots, cosy pubs, independent gems and the more whimsical things there are to see and do.

And that’s exactly what I found. Between wandering along the River Avon, stopping for a bite to eat, discovering a few hidden gems and raising a glass or two along the way, it turned into the perfect way to spend a birthday. So, if you’re looking for a day in Stratford-upon-Avon that goes beyond Shakespeare, here’s how I’d spend it.

1. Take a rowboat along the river Avon

It rained on and off throughout our visit in August, but luckily we managed to catch a little sunny spell and make the most of it with a jaunt along the River Avon. It felt very much like my own Ariel moment (from The Little Mermaid), although I’ll admit, when I say “we” went rowing, I was very much the passenger princess. But it was my birthday after all!

You can hire a rowboat for an hour, which gives you plenty of time to explore the river at your own pace. We hired ours from Avon Boating, and the staff were so lovely and helpful. If rowing isn’t for you, you can also hire a motorboat or take a guided boat trip instead.

We actually didn’t make it all the way along the river as, unsurprisingly, the rain decided to make another appearance. By the time we turned around, it was absolutely pouring down and my trousers were going see-through, haha! So, we thought it was probably best to make a speedy return to the dock. Despite the soggy ending, it was such a fun way to see Stratford-upon-Avon from a different perspective and definitely something I’d recommend adding to your day.

2. Get a FREE 360 degree view of Stratford-upon-Avon.

You might know the Royal Shakespeare Company for its theatre productions, but did you know you can also head up to its viewing tower for gorgeous panoramic views over Stratford-upon-Avon? I’d read on Pinterest that the viewing platform was free, but we had that awkward moment of “do I ask, just in case it’s actually not a thing.. no you ask, no you ask?” So, naturally, I ended up asking – and I can confirm, it is indeed FREE!

The lovely staff popped us in a lift that took us up to the 32-metre-high viewing platform. The original tower was part of the Victorian Memorial Theatre and was designed to serve as both a water tower and viewing platform. However, when the auditorium caught fire in 1926, the tower collapsed before it could fulfil its firefighting purpose.

As part of the theatre’s reconstruction, a new tower was built to echo the original, offering visitors a viewing point over the town and drawing people into the new building as part of the Stratford experience. From the top, you get a 360-degree view across Stratford, the River Avon and the pretty parks on the opposite bank.

We spent a little while people-watching from above, watching the Ferris wheel go round, boaters bob along the river and even attempting to choose which houses we’d live in based purely on the rooftops we could spot! As it’s completely free, I’d definitely recommend doing this at the start of your day to get your bearings. It’s such a unique way to see Stratford from above, and while you’re there, it’s also worth having a wander around the theatre and shop if you have time.

3. Grab a drink in one of Stratford’s old pubs

There are several pubs worth popping into in Stratford-upon-Avon, particularly if you fancy soaking up some old-English atmosphere, and you might even come across a ghost while you’re at it! A few worth mentioning are Cox’s Yard, sitting right on the banks of the River Avon; The Stratford Alehouse, known for its selection of real ales and located just down the road from the theatres, where it’s been a haunt for actors for decades; and the Old Thatch Tavern, Stratford’s second-oldest pub.

However, we decided to visit the Garrick Inn, and it was exactly the sort of pub I’d hoped to find. We were welcomed by low-hanging crooked beams, dark corners and, of course, a man and his dog sitting at the bar. It felt super cosy inside and was the perfect place to rest our legs and enjoy a little tipple.

We grabbed half a pint of cider and settled by one of the little windows, enjoying a spot of people-watching as the world went by outside. The timber-framed building dates back to 1594 and has been a pub since 1718. It’s also Grade II listed and arguably has one of the most characterful interiors in town. If you’re looking for somewhere with a little history, plenty of atmosphere, home to ghosts, and a good excuse to stop for a drink, this is definitely worth adding to your Stratford itinerary.

4. Take a whimsy trip to the Butterfly Farm

Back when I was a kid, my mamma and dadda would take me to the butterfly farm at Wheelgate Park in Nottinghamshire, so I was really looking forward to this nostalgic and whimsical trip, as well as the chance to visit a different butterfly farm!

Stratford Butterfly Farm is the perfect activity for a rainy day, as most of it is under cover. There are several different areas to explore, from the Rainforest Flight Area, filled with butterflies of all shapes, sizes and colours, to the Minibeast Metropolis. You can even watch ants criss-crossing above your head!

There were sooo many butterflies flying around, and they get incredibly close to you. A couple even landed on my bag, while one rather confidently made itself at home on another visitor’s head! We spent around 45 minutes exploring, although your visit gives you up to 90 minutes, so there’s plenty of time to wander around at your own pace.

It’s such a lovely, slightly whimsical activity and one I think would be perfect for families, couples or even a solo visit – especially if the British weather isn’t quite playing ball!

5. Take a stroll along the river Avon

Now that we’ve rowed along the River Avon, it’s also well worth exploring it on foot! There are plenty of lovely spots to wander along the riverbanks, with parks to stumble across, narrowboats bobbing on the water, rowboats drifting by and even floating shops to browse.

There’s also no shortage of places to stop for a little treat, with floating ice cream vans, takeaway coffee spots and stalls selling baked goods dotted along the way. We even came across live music during our stroll, which made the whole walk feel even more lively and relaxed.

And, of course, the river itself is beautiful. We really enjoyed taking our time, soaking it all in and spotting some of the art sculptures and statues along the route. Even the lamp posts have something to offer! It’s the sort of walk where you don’t really need a plan – just follow the river, see what you stumble across and enjoy the views along the way.

6. Eat pizza!

Now, I genuinely thought I’d be eating in a pub during our trip, as there are plenty of great-looking pubs in Stratford-upon-Avon serving up some seriously tempting food. However, eating out in Stratford can be on the pricier side, and having already eaten at a pub earlier in the week back home, I fancied something a little different for my birthday dinner.

Enter Red Hot Mamma! When researching where to eat, I was immediately drawn in by the colourful, vibrant decor. The Neapolitan-style pizzas looked delicious too, with a variety of toppings that you’re definitely not going to find on your usual Domino’s menu. Their cocktails also looked wonderfully quirky and fun, so I was sold!

Neapolitan pizza originates from Naples, Italy, and is all about simple, fresh ingredients and beautifully made dough. Red Hot Mamma uses Caputo flour and Italian tomatoes, so there’s plenty of authenticity behind the pizzas as well as the fun setting.

We ordered some olives to start, followed by the Capricciosa and Calabrese pizzas, and I went for the Mamma On The Dancefloor cocktail to wash it all down. The pizza was pretty darn good, the cocktails were fun and the colourful setting made it feel like a great choice for a birthday dinner.

If you fancy something a little different from the traditional pub meal while you’re in Stratford-upon-Avon, I’d definitely recommend giving Red Hot Mamma a try!

7. Admire the old Tudor buildings

One of my favourite things about wandering around Stratford-upon-Avon was simply looking up. The town is packed with wonderfully wonky, half-timbered Tudor buildings, many dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, giving the streets that instantly recognisable old-English charm.

You’ll find some of Stratford’s most famous historic buildings dotted around the town, including Shakespeare’s Birthplace on Henley Street, Hall’s Croft in the Old Town and Harvard House on High Street. Even if, like me, you’re not particularly interested in Shakespeare, they’re still worth admiring from the outside – the architecture alone is pretty impressive.

We enjoyed strolling around with no real plan, turning down little streets and seeing what we stumbled across. There are plenty of walking routes you can follow if you prefer a bit more structure, but I actually loved wandering aimlessly and discovering all the little nooks and crannies for ourselves.

Keep an eye out for the timber-framed buildings leaning at rather questionable angles, colourful doors, tiny windows and unexpected architectural details. Stratford-upon-Avon is one of those places where you don’t necessarily need an itinerary – half the fun is simply seeing where the next pretty street takes you.

8. Rest your feet with coffee and books

I’m never too far away from a coffee stop, especially when it also involves beautiful books! The Falcon Coffee House is the perfect place to retreat to when your legs are starting to feel a little tired and you need a caffeine-fuelled pick-me-up. It’s cosy, the coffee is excellent and there are several different rooms where you can settle in and enjoy your drink.

If, like me, you’re a bit of a book lover, I’d recommend taking your coffee (and cake, of course) into the Snug. It’s exactly the sort of cosy little corner you could happily spend an afternoon in, surrounded by books and tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the town. The bookshleves even have a ladder! Yes the type on wheels!

There’s also a lovely selection of sweet and savoury treats to choose from, including pastries, fudge and sausage rolls. I couldn’t resist the apple crumble macaroon – and honestly, it was the best macaroon I’ve ever had! I paired it with a hazelnut latte, which is my absolute favourite, and it was the perfect little birthday treat.

After all that exploring, sometimes all you need is a comfy chair, a good book, a slice of cake and a very good coffee.

And that, friends, is how I spent a day in Stratford-upon-Avon! From rowing along the River Avon and admiring the old Tudor buildings to discovering a few quirky spots, enjoying a delicious pizza and finding the perfect coffee and cake stop, it turned out to be such a lovely birthday adventure.

While Shakespeare may be the town’s most famous resident, I hope this post has shown that there’s plenty more to Stratford-upon-Avon than the Bard. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed day of food and drink, a little bit of history or some wonderfully whimsical things to do, it’s a town that’s well worth exploring.

Thanks so much for stopping by and joining me on my little Stratford adventure. I’d love to know if you’ve visited any of these spots, or if there are any other places you think I should try on my next visit. Let me know in the comments!

Until we speak again, safe travels.