Stratford-upon-Avon

For me Stratford, whilst a very pleasant place to spend some time, is not the most interesting place to visit. If you are really into Shakespeare then it is an obvious place to visit, but maybe not if you aren't. If, as most travellers, you have limited time and too much you want to see and are not an avid Shakespeare fan I would go elsewhere. If, however, you are here for several weeks and passing close, then it is worth a stop.

It all depends on what you want to do and see... Have you drawn up a list yet?

How many of the Shakespeare properties are you planning on seeing - Birthplace, Church, Halls Croft, Ann Hathaway's Cottage, New Place, his schoolroom?

If you like the quirky, the family loved the MAD Museum (Mechanical Art & Design Museum) and highly recommend it. (Grandson reckoned it knocked spots off Shakespeare....)

There's also the chain link ferry across the river, or you may want to go on a boat trip too.

We did Stratford on a day trip from Chipping Campden, probably spent six hours there.
We visited the four Shakespeare sites starting with the house that was his birthplace. It was a package tour for all four sites that included transport.

Thanks, everyone! We want to do everything that you have mentioned.
We will also want to see a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

We spent a couple nights there, but used it as a base to visit other Cotswold villages. To me, a day is about right to see the town.

I'll just say as someone who is at most a very casual Shakespeare fan, I absolutely loved Stratford-upon-Avon. We spent a weekend there so probably about the same amount of time as you're proposing and were able to see Shakespeare's birthplace, his "new place," the church where he is buried, and (my favourite) Anne Hathaway's cottage, as well as see a great production of Richard III at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

If you like Shakespeare you may like the show Upstart Crow, a sitcom version of his life (very funny)- it was on BBC but not sure where to stream it in the US.