Squeezing in Warwick Castle and Stratford-Upon-Avon

You would get a much better Shakespeare experience if you visited the Globe Theatre in London. This is as close as possible to what a theatre was like in Shakespeare's day, and has an interesting museum. Even better, you could see a play. Your sons would probably enjoy being groundlings. The most exciting way to get to the Globe is across the Millennium footbridge from St Paul's Cathedral. This would all be a lot better than several exhausting hours on a train to see a pleasant but very touristy Midlands market town.

We are going to see Much Ado About Nothing...and I am very excited :)

So you don't like Stratford-Upon-Avon? I've been assuming it will add value to my teaching.

Do you believe a trip to Warwick Castle would be fun? The boys seem to be very interested in castles. In preparation for this trip, I have a wonderful English history book, geared for older kids/tweens, that the boys have been happily reading. They really liked the War of the Roses/King Maker chapters, so they could like it on both the "cool castle" and "ooh, I know this story" levels.

I've been to both Stratford and Warwick. The historic sites in Stratford can be done with a driveby; although it is a nice place to overnight: The Swan theatre may have a Shakespeare play. However, I would suggest that Warwick Castle would be a lot more entertaining for the family; the lifelike displays are fabulous and sometimes they have live events such as jousting.

If in Stratford I assume you plan on stopping to see Shakespeare's grave at church of the Holy Trinity. Check its website to verify the hours it is open. I found Warwick Castle to be a very nice castle turned into a tourist destination with an almost Disney like atmosphere. Your children would love it since many of the activities are geared towards children.

To clarify: I rather like Stratford-upon-Avon. I am from Warwickshire and enjoy walking its busy streets. Do go by all means, amd I would recommend a visit to New Place, Hall's Croft and the Harvard House (the home of the grandfather of the founder of Harvard University). However, as other contributors have noted, Warwick Castle has a lot to offer teenage boys. You could also stroll up the High Street of Warwick to see the Tudor-era Lord Leycester Hospital, which has a tea room and has been used as a set in several films.

Two teenage boys would likely adore Warwick Castle, and I suspect you would enjoy it as well (though be prepared for a bit of 'Disney-ization' of an otherwise excellent castle). If you do end up going, make sure that when you are finished with the castle, you walk up Church Street to St. Mary's Church. Gorgeous views of the castle and area from the tower.

We are planning to visit both places this October on separate days. We have a B&B booked close to the Warwick Castle.

As for Stratford on Avon, we plan on taking a walking tour. It covers all my Anne Hathaway's house, which is a bit away from town center. Any suggestions on how to get to Anne's house?

I started to copy and paste the link to the bus that drives you around town.....but I can't find it anymore. I will keep looking for it, but what a disappointment if they no longer have that service.

https://city-sightseeing.com/en/100/stratford-upon-avon

Is that the one? They have been going for years.

I find the town very walkable - have a look at the places on their map. Unless you want to go out into the countryside to see Mary Arden's place (I never have done despite living 6 miles away for 15 years) with a good guide, audio or book, you can easily see everything closer and for the time you want ..... on foot.