A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Stratford-upon-Avon vs. Southampton for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Stratford-upon-Avon and Southampton can help you decide which place is right for you.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a historic, quaint, and idyllic town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the food and theater.

Southampton

Southampton is a waterfront, dynamic, and up-and-coming port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Stratford-upon-Avon and Southampton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Stratford-upon-Avon than Southampton, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Stratford-upon-Avon is better known for its theatre productions, historical sights, and small town charm, while Southampton is more popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty. Stratford-upon-Avon is well known for its status as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is famous for Shakespeare's Birthplace. Southampton is well known for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports.

Shakespeare's Birthplace

How is Stratford-upon-Avon different from Southampton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Southampton and Stratford-upon-Avon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton?

Southampton is very good for its museums and history. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Southampton offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Museums are a favorite activity in town. There are a surprising number of options including SeaCity Museum, the Tudor House and Garden, and Southampton City Art Gallery.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Many visitors make a point of seeing Shakespeare's Birthplace, Hall's Croft, and Anne Hathaway's Cottage.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton Better for Theater?

Stratford-upon-Avon is an amazing town to visit for its theatre productions. However, Southampton is not a theatre destination.

The theater and performance venues in Stratford-upon-Avon draw crowds from around the world. Shakespeare enthusiasts must check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. There are often tickets available the day of for a reduced price.

Southampton is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Stratford-upon-Avon and Southampton can be an enjoyable experience.

Stratford-upon-Avon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The town center has a few nice restaurants including seafood, Italian food, Indian food, and cafes where you can enjoy high tea.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Southampton area. While most people used to pass through Southampton on their way somewhere else, the city now offers a dynamic food scene with local restaurants mixed with international options and even fine dining.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton Better for Nightlife?

Southampton is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Southampton. The nightlife scene is filled with restaurants, pubs, and bars as well as a few nightclubs mixed in.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton Better for its Old Town?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a popular place for its old town. However, Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Stratford-upon-Avon. The old town has a few highlights including Shakespeare's birthplace, and several museums.

Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton?

Southampton is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Southampton. The city has two indoor shopping centers, as well as a range of markets and several independent vendors.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a family-friendly town. This small town has a ferris wheel that offers beautiful views. There's also a the Stratford Butterfly Farm, which is a beautiful setting and if you stand still enough, you might even be lucky enough to have one land on your shoulder. You can also check out Tudor World, the MAD Museum, or one of the playgrounds around town.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Southampton. This cruise port city offers a handful of fascinating activities for kids including learning about the Mayflower and the Titanic. There are also many parks and gardens as well as the Mayflower Theater, which regularly has kid-family productions.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton Better for Couples?

Southampton is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Southampton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Museums, parks, gardens, and chartered boats all offer a romantic experience for couples visiting the area.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a good town for couples to visit. The charming town offers a few nice restaurants where you can enjoy a meal. For a lovely date night, check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. During the day, wander around the old town or stroll down the river and enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting. Many residents have converted properties into Bed and Breakfasts, so there are a number of cute and affordable places where couples can stay.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Stratford-upon-Avon and Southampton.

Public transit is mostly limited in Stratford-upon-Avon. The train station is a bit removed from the town center, but because the town is so small, it's still possible to reach it on foot from most places.

Public transit is generally limited in Southampton. There are buses around town that make some areas accessible even without a car.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton a more walkable city?

Stratford-upon-Avon and Southampton are notable when it comes to walkability.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a somewhat walkable place. It's easy to stroll around town on foot, but there aren't many pedestrian only areas. Head for the river for some of the nicest walking areas.

Southampton is a somewhat walkable town. It's possible to walk in parts of Southampton but in general it's easier to take a taxi.

For even more information, also check out Is Stratford-upon-Avon Worth Visiting? and Is Southampton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Southampton or Stratford-upon-Avon?

How long in Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Stratford-upon-Avon and Southampton. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Southampton than in Stratford-upon-Avon. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Stratford-upon-Avon, and 1-3 days is enough time in Southampton.

Couples should spend more time in Southampton than Stratford-upon-Avon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Southampton that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Stratford-upon-Avon than Southampton if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Stratford-upon-Avon.

One day in Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town with plenty to do. Most people visit for the theater. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Southampton, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton?

Stratford-upon-Avon might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Many people visit Southampton for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Southampton, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton?

Because Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

The destination of Southampton offers shopping and museums. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton?

Since Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the theater. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Southampton. This port city offers something for everyone. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 3-Day Tours from London, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London.

When comparing the travel costs between Stratford-upon-Avon and Southampton, we can see that Stratford-upon-Avon is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Stratford-upon-Avon Expensive? and Is Southampton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton?

Southampton has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Stratford-upon-Avon. When comparing the sizes of Stratford-upon-Avon and Southampton, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Stratford-upon-Avon and Southampton. Most visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Southampton because of the family-friendly experiences.

Stratford-upon-Avon is around the same temperature as Southampton in the summer. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Southampton fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Southampton during summer. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Southampton receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Southampton. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Southampton receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Stratford-upon-Avon as well as Southampton. The autumn months attract visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon because of the small town atmosphere. Additionally, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Southampton this time of year.

In the autumn, Stratford-upon-Avon is around the same temperature as Southampton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Southampton averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Southampton. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Southampton receives 107 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Southampton. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Southampton receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton in the Winter?

Both Southampton and Stratford-upon-Avon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Stratford-upon-Avon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Southampton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Southampton. It's quite cold in Stratford-upon-Avon in the winter. In January, Stratford-upon-Avon is generally cooler than Southampton. Daily temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon average around 3°C (38°F), and Southampton fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Southampton during winter. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Southampton receives 52 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Southampton. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Southampton receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Southampton in the Spring?

Both Southampton and Stratford-upon-Avon during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Southampton in the spring for the natural beauty.

Stratford-upon-Avon is around the same temperature as Southampton in the spring. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Southampton fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Southampton. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Southampton receives 147 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Southampton. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Southampton receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Southampton and Stratford-upon-Avon