Last week we went to Stratford-Upon-Avon and didn’t go to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Well we did, but not to see a play, just to have a look round the shop for potential mother’s day presents – she likes a but of theatre does mum!

This short break was a spa break at the Macdonald Alveston Hotel – a 16th century hotel (or at least partly 16thC) just across the river from the theatre: so perfect if you did want to see a play.  But the moment of complete calm that usually hits me around half way through the 4th act of a Shakespearian play was provided the spa at the hotel halfway through a delightful back and scalp massage.

In fact the whole weekend break was relaxing. We got there on Friday afternoon and were welcomed by a bottle of Champagne and a small plate of chocolate truffles. We took it slow because we wanted to use the gym and the pool before our preprandial walk through the town centre. Fortunately it was raining after our swim so the walk was cut short and we were able to return to the hotel and finish off the bottle of Champagne without haste whilst we dressed for dinner.

Behind the ancient facade lies several modern accommodation blocks and the spa again in a more modern building enablig this hotel to mix old age charm with modern facilities but the bar and the restaurant are in the old section offering characterful surroundings for aperetifs and dinner.

The menu was fairly varied (we always judge menus by the number of options my vegetarian wife has to chose from) and the balance between the number of choices that we can’t afford and those that we can. Fortunately the package that we were on gave us the full run of the menu with ony a few items attracting a modest supplement. The wine list was acceptable too and having asked the waitress to nail her colours to a particular bottle we were pleased to trust her.

Shakespeare’s birthplace

And so to a good night’s sleep (hardly surprising after a bottle of Champage, an aperetife and a bottle of wine between the two of us!

The next morning saw the sun come out over Stratford-Upon-Avon and we took the opportunity to wander its streets and it was here that we got our fill of William Shakespeare and all things theatrical.

The Garrick Pub in Stratford-Upon-Avon

As we meandered past pubs called The Garrick and The Encore, cafes called Act V and Quicklys, and even the Thespian Curry House. It was a surprise to find that Marks and Spencer wasn’t called Rozencrantz and Gildenstern!

The Thespians Indian Restaurant

Even the river birds are named after his theatre…

We refused a pint of Falstaff or a Richard III Burger to take lunch at  the Castle Inn by Edgehill – a pub on the way home. Refreshing not only for its welcome, warm fire and hearty fayre but for the allusions to the Civil war and absolutely nothing to do with Shakespeare!

By accident of birth, or as William Shakespeare would say “some vicious mole of nature …wherein they are not guilty, Since nature cannot choose his origin” the sleepy town of Stratford-Upon-Avon was ever destined to side-step obscurity and be thrust upon the tourist trail thanks to a glover’s son, born in Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564, who managed to avoid the plague, enjoy a free education at King Edward IV Grammar School and, almost miraculously, take on board such education and knowledge in the years following his brief education that he was to entertain the whole world with his stories for the next 450 years!

For a man whose plays are so universally known, there are huge gaps in our knowledge of the life of the writer himself.  Offering us a window in to this life are the five Stratford-Upon-Avon properties under the control of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust which allow thousands of visitors each year to step into the life and times of William Shakespeare: Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage (the childhood home of Shakespeare’s wife) Nash’s House & New Place (Shakespeare’s final home), Mary Arden’s Farm and Hall’s Croft, the Jacobean home of Shakespeare’s daughter.

Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Nash’s House & New Place and Hall’s Croft are all in central Stratford-Upon-Avon which makes a visit all three in one day a comfortable proposition.

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is on Shottery Road which is about a mile away. Most visitors travelling independently decide to visit by car (it well sign posted with parking is available) with the idea of doing Mary Arden’s farm at the same time although the walk is a pleasant one. Mary Arden’s Farm is three miles from the town centre in Wilmcote. Wilmcote railway station is directly opposite the Farm if you don’t have a car.

Whether you have bought your car or not, you may be tempted to leave it behind and take advantage of the Sightseeing bus tours which combine tour and entry for 24 hours for a choice of houses AND river cruise. Depending on your plans it is an excellent way to spend the day.

Depending on when you are planning to go there are also a host of events taking place throughout the year: especially as this is the 400 anniversary of the poor chap’s death!  Check out http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit-the-houses/whats-on.html

Because of the size of Stratford-Upon-Avon, the proximity of the properties and, of course, the theatre, it doesn’t really matter where you stay to make the most out of your Stratford break, but do check out our Stratford Hotels for some suggestions… and when planning your dates, don’t forget to check what is on – the Royal Shakespeare Company performs “in rep” which means there is a different play on almost every night!

But whenever you go I am sure you will have a brilliant time: BTW his birthday is celebrated over the weekend of the 21st and 22nd April this year, that is next weekend as I type so, if you can drop everything quick, do drop in: it is likely to be a lot of fun.

Macdonald Alveston Manor Hotel, Stratford

Central Stratford-Upon-Avon is a small place all told: the railway station is on one side and the theatre, 800 yards away past a couple of likely looking hotels, is on the other. William Shakespeare managed to be born right in the middle of it all!

So the perfect destination for a short break. There are a couple of sites that will take you out of town: Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is a mile out and Mary Arden’s farm a couple of miles further, but otherwise a day strolling around, a play or two and a Guide Friday coach tour (throuroughly recommended for the content and the value) and that’s Stratford done and dusted.

If you have come by train then I would suggest a one night stay with two full days either side or if you have come by car and you can explore a little further afield – Warwick is just 12 miles away with its brilliant castle and a nice little race track if you fancy a flutter on the nags – then do stay 2 nights the wider area is delightful.

So where to stay for your one or two nights. Actually there is a good selection of accommodation: from bed and breakfasts to 4 star country lodge hotels.

The first place I ever stayed in was the then Stratford Victoria Hotel which is now just The Stratford, so perfect for a Stratford Break! It is run by QHotels and they have spent some time and money on it changing this old hospital into a  hospitable place to stay!

It’s got a big carpark so is a good choice if you drive but is also 100 yards in town from the train station so is perfect if that is how you plan to get here.

I’ve actually stayed at the Youth Hostel which is a mile and a bit out the other side – but we don’t offer it so I will only mention it for interest sake – although the walk isn’t to bad distance wise, coming back from the theatre after an evening show it isn’t great in the dark. So if I am on a budget I would suggest a central B&B – tonnes to chose from, just drop into the Tourist Information Centre or give them a call.

If you are on a budget but need more amenities (well, a Bar Cafe and a lift) then the Travelodge is only a mile from the theatre – OK it’s basic but it is clean and good value and let’s face it, how long are you going to be there? Of course if you really like bars and lifts you may want to spend more time there but this is middle England and there are some great pubs here – if a little expensive!

Stratford’s Historical Hotels

If tudor is more your style then there are three hotels that spring to mind: The Legacy Falcon, the Mercure Shakespeare and the Macdonald Alveston Manor. They are all four star and all central and all jolly nice really. The Falcon is the cheaper of the three and VERY central, The Shakespeare is just as central and of course really goes for the theme: the hotel features the 1AA Rosette Garrick Restaurant, Othello’s Bar Brasserie and Quill Bar. The Alveston Manor Hotel has a bit more space to it, with landscaped grounds, pool and gym. For me it has the space that the country lodge hotels have but within walking distance of the centre.

The Swan’s Nest is another great choice – on the banks of the river Avon it has pool and gym and bar and restaurant… I suppose it might be raining!

I’ve only ever been in the reception area of the Best Western Grosvenor. It looks nice but it was full! What can you do when you don’t book ahead?   So for that reason alone I would go for the Stratford or the Swan’s Nest first.

Lastly I’ve just got to mention the 157 acres of beautiful parkland and stunning Jacobean style house that is Menzies Welcombe Hotel Spa and Golf Course because let’s face it,  sometimes life isn’t about drama and great acting but about beauty treatments and 2AA Rosette Awarded restaurants!

So Stratford-Upon-Avon is very well served by its range of accommodation and I really don’t think anyone should leave disappointed.  If you have any questions, do ask but I hope that all the information you need can be picked up as you book your Stratford Break

The main reason why Stratford-Upon-Avon is on anyone’s “must-do” lists is because it’s the birthplace of William Shakespeare and consequently home to the Royal Shakespeare Company.

It’s as simple as that really. Yes it is a beautiful place to visit even if you don’t go and see a production – the River Avon, the parks, the surrounding countryside all help to put this small midlands town on the tourist trail.

But going to Stratford-Upon-Avon without seeing a production at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre is just plain daft!  And whilst the Royal Shakespeare Company is committed to keeping the complete works alive, they are also committed to keeping the plays relevant to today’s society: which means some radical updating over the past 400 years!

So who are they?

The RSC website says: “The RSC is one of the world’s best known theatre companies. It’s our job to connect people with Shakespeare and produce bold, ambitious work with living writers, actors and artists.  We are an ensemble company, so everyone here has a part to play in creating distinctive theatre.”

Of course they do not only perform at the theatres in Stratford-Upon-Avon. They are also to be found in London and regularly on tour around the country, but in my view if you are planning to see a Shakespeare play then you should see it in his own backyard (although Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London comes a very close second!).

The Royal Shakespeare Company are a repertory company which means they perform a wide variety of shows throughout the week rather than concentrating on one for the whole season (although they give Julius Caesar a good old bash during June)!  Rather than try to recreate their diary here, there are links to the forthcoming seasons attached.  Do have a browse there before selecting your dates and coming back here to book your Stratford Break.

In this festival year of 2012 the RSC will also be going to London. Check out Theatre Breaks – the original theatre break site – or
London Theatre Breaks for further details.