Stratford-upon-Avon On a Budget
Stratford upon Avon, England
The town has a temperate maritime climate that is common throughout the British Isles. Temperatures stay moderate throughout the year and rain is spread evenly year around. The average summer highs are around 22 degrees Celsius and the average winter lows are around freezing.
Sights
The most obvious attraction in town is Shakespeare's Birthplace. It's located on Henley Street and is the most likely location of Shakespeare's birth as well as his home in the early years of his life. It has been restored in 16th century decor using many authentic items. Other sights worth visiting in the area include Ann Hathaway's Cottage, Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare is buried, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Wyrd Museum and Henley Street Theatre, and the Stratford Butterfly Farm. The Falstaff Experience is the largest museum in town and offers ghost tours of this famous haunted building in the evenings.Neighborhoods
There are several streets of interest for tourists. Henley Street is one of the oldest streets in the city and where you will find the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Sheep Street runs from Ely Street to the Waterside and was a residential quarter in the 16th century. Waterside and Southern Land is between the foot of Bridge Street and the Holy Trinity Church. It follows the River Avon and is where you will find the Waterside Theatre.Activities
There are many relaxing activities that you can enjoy while you're in town. Many visitors like to hire a row boat and take a trip along the river. There's also the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, which is an excellent place to watch a show, although tickets sell out quickly. If you're traveling with children, then you can check out plays that are put on by The Royal Shakespeare Company in the courtyard theatre. They are kid friendly with no swearing or adult content. Another interesting place to visit is Tudor World. It is set in a Tudor Building and lets you see what Tudor England was really like.There are many different walking tours around town as well. The Stratford Town Walk is a daily guided tour that offers a great introduction to the town. The walk starts on Waterside by the Swan Fountain and lasts for a couple of hours. Other interesting tours of the town include the Terrifying Tales with the Master of the Macabre and the Stratford Town Ghost Walk.
Food and Dining
Food options in town range from local cuisine to international. You can find Thai, Italian, sandwiches and tapas. If you're on a tight budget then there is a fish and ship shop across the street from the RSC, by the river. The Black Swan is also a favorite pub for visitors to the area. If you want a local restaurant that is popular with the locals then check out Vintneron Sheep Street. It's more expensive, but of very high quality.Transportation
The best prices for buses and trains in United Kingdom can be found on Omio (formerly GoEuro). They let you search across all train, bus, and plane routes throughout Europe.The town is small and compact, making it an easy place to explore on foot. You can easily walk to most of the main sights and attractions. There are also daily walking tours of the town that go by the major attractions of the area, including Holy Trinity Church. These walks, called the "Stratford Town Walk", offer a great overview of the town. If you're not interested in walking, there are also open top bus tours that go by most of the main attractions and the town center. The tours also take you out of town so that you can see the local countryside as well as Anne Hathaway's Cottage in Shottery and Mary Arden's House in Wilmcote.
Cycling is also a great way to see the area. There are many cycle paths around town and through the countryside. The Stratford Greenway is about 5 miles of trail at the edge of town. It used to be part of the rail network until the 1960s and it has now been converted into part of the Sustrans National Cycle Network. If you don't have your own bike, you can rent one from Stratford Bike Hire on Seven Meadows Road.
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