A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Windsor vs. Stratford-upon-Avon for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Old Town

Should you visit Windsor or Stratford-upon-Avon?

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

Should I visit Windsor or Stratford-upon-Avon? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Windsor

Windsor is a royal, traditional, and touristy town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, museums, and nightlife.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a peaceful, park-filled, and charming town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. And you can't forget about the food and theater.

Windsor and Stratford-upon-Avon: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Windsor than Stratford-upon-Avon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Windsor is better known for its museums, nightlife, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Stratford-upon-Avon is more popular for its theatre productions. Windsor is more touristy than Stratford-upon-Avon and is popular for being home to the largest and oldest operating castle in the world. Also, Windsor is famous for The Windsor Castle. Stratford-upon-Avon is well known for its status as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

How is Windsor different from Stratford-upon-Avon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Windsor is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Windsor specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The main draw is the Windsor Castle, which many people explore in a few hours. Then you can pass some time wandering around the town.

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 Windsor or Stratford-upon-Avon Better for Theater?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a world-class destination for its theatre productions. However, Windsor 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.

Windsor is not a theatre destination.

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

Foodies will find both Windsor and Stratford-upon-Avon both to be notable destinations.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Windsor. There are cafes, pubs, and local restaurants that let you sample regional dishes. There are also chain restaurants and international options including Japanese and Thai food.

Stratford-upon-Avon is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The town center has a few nice restaurants including seafood, Italian food, Indian food, and cafes where you can enjoy high tea.

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

Windsor 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 Windsor. There's a low key nightlife scene with local pubs and a theater. Dinner cruises are also a fun activity.

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

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

It's fun to wander around the notable old towns in both Windsor and Stratford-upon-Avon.

Many people head to Windsor to see the old town. The old town is opposite the castle and caters specifically to tourists with its restaurants, pubs, and a few shops.

Stratford-upon-Avon has an old town worth visiting. The old town has a few highlights including Shakespeare's birthplace, and several museums.

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

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Windsor or Stratford-upon-Avon.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Windsor. Kids will enjoy seeing a working castle when they visit Windsor Castle. While a visit to Windsor Castle is the obvious draw to the town, there are also river cruises, parks, and even the Royal Windsor Maze at the Goswells Park that the whole family will enjoy. There is also a Legoland in the area for those who have more time.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers lots of family activities. 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.

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

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

Windsor makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Exploring the Windsor Castle, taking a river cruise, and wandering the parks and gardens hand in hand make this a great place for a couples retreat.

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

Windsor is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Windsor has some public transit options. There is a bus system around town.

Public transit is generally 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.

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

Windsor is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Windsor is a very walkable town. The town is compact and relatively easy to walk around. There are also several walking routes in the area.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a somewhat walkable town. 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.

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

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

How long in Windsor or Stratford-upon-Avon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Windsor or Stratford-upon-Avon to fill your time. In our opinion, Windsor has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Windsor than Stratford-upon-Avon. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Windsor than Stratford-upon-Avon. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Windsor, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

One day in Windsor or Stratford-upon-Avon?

Windsor is a small town with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Stratford-upon-Avon, you'll find food and theater. One reason most visitors come is for the theater. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Windsor or Stratford-upon-Avon?

Many people visit Windsor 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 Windsor, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Stratford-upon-Avon, you'll find theater and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the theater. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Stratford-upon-Avon has to offer.

Five days in Windsor or Stratford-upon-Avon?

Because Windsor is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Windsor or Stratford-upon-Avon?

Since Windsor is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. This town 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Stratford-upon-Avon. Many people enjoy the theater and food when visiting Stratford-upon-Avon. One reason most visitors come is for the theater. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom.

When comparing the travel costs between Windsor and Stratford-upon-Avon, we can see that Windsor 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 Windsor Expensive? and Is Stratford-upon-Avon Expensive?.

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

Windsor has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Stratford-upon-Avon. When comparing the sizes of Windsor and Stratford-upon-Avon, 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 Windsor or Stratford-upon-Avon?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

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

The summer brings many poeple to Windsor as well as Stratford-upon-Avon. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Windsor this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In the summer, Windsor often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Stratford-upon-Avon. Windsor gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stratford-upon-Avon receives 195 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Stratford-upon-Avon. Windsor gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Stratford-upon-Avon receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Stratford-upon-Avon and Windsor are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Windsor for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

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

Windsor usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Stratford-upon-Avon during autumn. Windsor gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Stratford-upon-Avon receives 107 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Windsor usually receives around the same amount of rain as Stratford-upon-Avon. Windsor gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Stratford-upon-Avon receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Stratford-upon-Avon and Windsor during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Windsor in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the museums, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Stratford-upon-Avon can be very cold during winter. Windsor can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Windsor is generally a little warmer than Stratford-upon-Avon. Daily temperatures in Windsor average around 4°C (40°F), and Stratford-upon-Avon fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Windsor often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Stratford-upon-Avon. Windsor gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stratford-upon-Avon receives 52 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Stratford-upon-Avon. Windsor gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Stratford-upon-Avon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Windsor and Stratford-upon-Avon. Most visitors come to Windsor for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon because of the small town charm.

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

Windsor usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Stratford-upon-Avon during spring. Windsor gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Stratford-upon-Avon receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Windsor usually receives around the same amount of rain as Stratford-upon-Avon. Windsor gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Stratford-upon-Avon receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Stratford-upon-Avon and Windsor