We are (hopefully) going to be in London for the first and last legs of a July trip. (Arrival/departure from 1 city was dictated by use of FF miles.) We will have 3 days and 2 days respectively in London. I pondered whether a day trip by train to Stratford-upon-Avon is possible. Once there, I'd imagine there are logistics of getting around. Any advice here is appreciated as I weigh its possibility for our limited time!
--Shelbey
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8421 posts
Almost everything you want to see in S-u-A is walkable. Its not a long walk from train station to the center of town either. That part of your question sounds fine. There is a regular walking tour that will take you to everything as well.
Posted by
7640 posts
http://stratfordtownwalk.co.uk/
Meet by the yellow sign, close to the Swan fountain on Waterside, near the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and opposite the junction of Sheep Street.
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri at 11am
Sat & Sun at 11am and 2pm
Christmas Day at 10.30am
Duration approximately 2hrs
Adults £6
Over 65's and students £5
Children (under 16) £3
Under 8 years FREE!
Just turn up, whatever the weather! There is no need to book (unless a group of 10+).
Posted by
Nashville, TN, USA
3747 posts
Yes, a day trip is possible. Take the train from London into Stratford-Upon-Avon station. From the train station, walk south and then east on Alcester Road/Greenhill Street into the center of town. Walk north up Windsor Street, turn right on Henley Street, to get to Shakespeare's birthplace. Most of the Shakespeare sights are within an eight block area.
The one sight that is out of town is Anne Hathaway's Cottage, but you can walk out Shottery Road to see it, or take a bus. There is a bus that takes you around to all the sights. I have not been on it. We walked to the sights.
The church where Shakespeare is buried is in the south part of the old town center, Trinity Church. Definitely worth the walk down to see it.
Don't miss the Royal Shakespeare Theatre on the banks of the Avon River. Lovely terrace out back overlooking the river where you can have coffee and lunch. Beautiful views of the river, plus all kinds of boats, swans and ducks are on the water.
We spent three nights in S.U.A. last spring. We found it to be interesting and very charming.
You could see the sights in about 4 hours if you were pressed for time.
Posted by
2398 posts
Go to www.nationalrail.co.uk and put in for MRB > SAV. You should be able to find an off peak return for £26.55. However, if you advance the date, you will find that you can buy a specific train Advance ticket for as low as £5.50 one way. Now, when you click DETAILS it will tell you that you have to change trains at some place and where this is. You will be using Chiltern Trains from London Marylebone. If you wish to pre-book a specific train with them in advance - do it here:>https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk
If you find little price difference with the advance purchase and the off peak return, buy the latter on the day as this way you will not be tied to a specific train.
Posted by
London
231 posts
Yes, absolutely doable as a day trip. I've done it on an early train from Marylebone (7:00 am ish?) I was able to get to the Birthplace just as it was opening and we had the place to ourselves. By the time we were through, the tour coaches had arrived and the place was teeming!
We also caught the walking tour at the Swan fountain as mentioned above and I do recommend it.
The walk to and from Anne Hathaway's cottage plus a walk around took about two hours.
We didn't get to Mary Arden's farm as that's the outlier....maybe next time.
If you do go by train, save your tickets as they're good for 2 for 1 entry, including the 5 house pass. I booked well in advance and think I paid about £6 each way, times two.