School Trips & Tours to Stratford Upon Avon

A quintessentially English town, Stratford-Upon-Avon, located on the river Avon, is bursting with character underneath its sleepy exterior. The quaint medieval town, with its beautiful thatched houses, little streets and mass of surrounding countryside isn’t just an attractive UK destination to explore, it’s also the birthplace of world-famous playwright, William Shakespeare.

Littered with Shakespearean houses, all of which are linked to the Bard and his family, school trips to Stratford-Upon-Avon take students on an inspiring journey into the life of William Shakespeare, starting with his childhood and meandering through to the legacy of literature he left that has inspired generations around the world.

Of course, no school trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon is complete without watching an enthralling theatre production, which is one of the main visits for school trips. The world-famous Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is dedicated to capturing the essence of Shakespeare’s work on stage, with resident actors, astounding stage decoration and stories of love, romance, murder and deception. Performances take place throughout the year at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon, and allow students to really engage with the plot and context of Shakespeare’s plays.  

At WST, we offer the following school trips and tours to Stratford-Upon-Avon:

Top Attractions

Shakespeare’s Birthplace

Shakespeares House

On an educational tour to Stratford-Upon-Avon, students can see where the life of Shakespeare actually began. Shakespeare’s Birthplace, a charming medieval house located in the town, can be explored by school groups as they listen to stories about the Bard. On visits to this humble dwelling, students will discover rare artefacts and can imagine what life was like for Shakespeare in the 16th Century.   

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage

Anne Hathaways Cottage

Anne Hathaway was Shakespeare’s dedicated wife, whom he married when she was 26 and he was 18. This beautiful 500-year-old thatched cottage was her childhood home, where students can view original furniture and wander through nine colourful acres of woodland and gardens attached to the building. Anne Hathaway lived here while her and Shakespeare courted, which makes it a fascinating place to visit.

Accommodation

 Accommodation

As a compact town, accommodation for students in Stratford-Upon-Avon is located within close distance to all the main attractions, which means school groups can really make the most of their time here. At WST, we arrange stays at YHA Stratford, which is a beautiful Georgian building set in amazing grounds. Due to its exceptional location – just a short drive to Stratford-Upon-Avon’s centre – this is a really popular option so booking early is recommended. We can also arrange stays at a Travelodge in Stratford-Upon-Avon, which is 1.2 miles from the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Local Cuisine

Although quaint, Stratford-Upon-Avon has a variety of fantastic places to eat, offering a selection of cuisines from around the world. The town is littered with cafes, tea shops and restaurants, of which we will be happy to book reservations at.

Hidden Gems

Carpe Diem Workshops

 Workshop (1)

Run by YHA Stratford, these Carpe Diem workshops are based on key Shakespeare’s themes, which allow students to fully immerse themselves in the playwright’s work. Each one can be tailored to focus on a specific play you’re studying, and offers a dynamic, fun introduction to William Shakespeare.

Warwick Castle

 Warwick Castle

Just 30 minutes away stands Warwick Castle, a dominant fortress located on the banks of the river Avon. This impressive building has eye-opening exhibits on daily, providing detail on great historic battles, unusual myths and brave knights. Warwick Castle has withstood attacks, besiegement and even a fire – and yet still remains one of the most well preserved and striking castles in the country. For a slightly different day out, we recommend a trip to this astounding fortress where groups can delve into its history and explore the all-encompassing grounds.

WST Support

At WST, we can arrange stimulating school trips to Stratford-Upon-Avon that bring the stories and works of Shakespeare to life, enhancing a student’s learning of drama and literature. If you would like to find out more information about tours to this inspiring destination, why not speak to a member of our travel team who will be happy to assist with planning your trip.

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Nici's Expert Tip

The RSC website has a really useful Education section full of resources, lesson plans and blogs. 

Top tip from Nici, our Specialist English, Theatre and Performing Arts Expert