Getting Back to London after RSC show in Stratford

I have always stayed in Stratford-upon-Avon when seeing those shows and never thought it would work to catch that last train to London. From the theater sidewalk to the train station is a 17-minute walk or 7-minute taxi ride, per Google Maps. The show you're thinking of attending may not have a confirmed run time online yet, but as an example, their current production of Taming of the Shrew starts at 7:15 and runs 2.5 hrs + a 20 min interval, so you would not be on that sidewalk before 10:15.

Also, I don't find it correct that the last train leaves at 10:15. Looking at schedules for this Friday and Saturday, it's earlier. On Saturday, there is a 10:15 departure but it does not get you to London on the same day. You'd actually be spending the night in Banbury.

No, you'll have to stay overnight in Stratford.

Thanks everyone!

It used to be possible to return to London after an RSC evening performance, but for reasons too complicated to summarise, the equivalent train today (leaving S-u-A at 23:15) goes no further than Oxford.

If you are really desperate to avoid paying for a room in Stratford, the coaches from Oxford bus station to central London continue running all night.

Hi Holly -

Or you could stay in London and get your Shakespeare fix at the Globe, as recommended by Mr Steves. And me too incidentally, although unlike Rick, even though we are of a similar age, I prefer to shell out a bit more to sit as opposed to standing with the ‘groundlings’. Shell out for cushions and a backrest too!

Either way, have a great trip!

Ian

Thanks again for all of the kind replies. I was hoping to see the RSC, because I study Restoration/18th century literature (PhD student), and they are presenting a play from that period. As my husband would rather stay in London and do photography, I was thinking I could just take the evening to see the play by myself. However, you have all convinced me that we will both just have to travel to Stratford and spend the night. He can take pics there, haha.
Holly

Would a matinee performance work. There are performances in the afternoon Saturday's and mid week. It would be simple to get there and back by train with an off peak return.

I noticed the matinee. The only date that works for me is a "chilled" performance. That means people can make noise, bring babies, walk in and out etc. While I see the sense in this approach and find it refreshing, I have awful hearing and I'm worried about hearing the dialogue. Maybe if I sat close.....Hmmm...

Since you're still pondering, I'll mention that the inexpensive seats have very little leg room. When we went, it happened to be opening night of a new production so it was almost sold out, and the only seats we could get were up the nosebleed section. My husband isn't much taller than average, but he's kind of big. The leg room was so tight that he could just barely bend his knees to fit in the seat, and he was in such pain that with regret he had to leave after the first act. I myself (a woman of average height & weight) was very uncomfortable. If we ever go again, I'll plan ahead to get better seats.