Stratford Town Walking Tour 365 Days a Year

Departure Point The Swan Fountain (a water fountain) is on Waterside 200 yards in front of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and opposite the junction of Sheep Street. Look out for the guide (wearing a flash of yellow) standing by a lamppost with a small yellow sign saying "Walking tour meeting place". Return Details The Stratford town walking tour may end outside Shakespeare's Birthplace or near the meeting place. The Stratford town walking may end near the meeting place or outside Shakespeare's Birthplace. Duration 1 hour and 45 minutes - 2 hours Languages Available Human tour guide - English Points of Interest Stop At: The Swan Water Fountain Bancroft Gardens Stratford-upon-Avon The Swan Fountain in the Bancroft Gardens on Waterside is the meeting place for the Stratford Town Walk. Look out for the guide (wearing a flash of yellow) standing by a lamppost with a yellow sign our company name.The route of the Town Walk may vary. Please ask the guide if you need to know the ending place of the tour. Duration: 10 minutes Stop At: Shakespeare's Birthplace Henley Street Stratford-upon-Avon A beautiful 16th century half-timbered building in Henley Street. It was the family home of John and Mary Shakespeare and where their son William Shakespeare was born in 1564. It was in this building where John Shakespeare established his glove-making business where William grew up and after his marriage lived with his wife Anne Hathaway. Hear stories of his childhood years and family life in Tudor times.(note - if you would like to visit Shakespeare's Birthplace before or after the tour a discount is offered to Stratford Town Walk customers) Duration: 10 minutes Stop At: Shakespeare's New Place 22 Chapel St Stratford-upon-Avon William Shakespeare purchased New Place when he was 33 years old and where he lived with his family until he died ages 52. As you stand outside the magnificent gates imagine the largest house in the town and find out why it was demolished in 1759. Duration: 10 minutes Stop At: Hall's Croft National Cycle Route 41 Old Town Stratford-upon-Avon Hall's Croft was the home of John Hall physician who married William Shakespeare's eldest daughter Susanna. As you admire the impressive Jacobean residence hear fascinating stories of medieval medical cures. Duration: 10 minutes Stop At: Holy Trinity Church Old Town Stratford-upon-Avon Holy Trinity Church on the banks of the River Avon is one of England’s most visited Parish Churches. It is where William Shakespeare was baptised worshipped and subsequently buried within the Chancel. As you approach along an avenue of Lime trees enjoy the magnificent building dating back to 1210. Duration: 10 minutes Stop At: The Guild Chapel The Chapel Chapel Lane Stratford-upon-Avon The Guild Chapel is one of Stratford’s most iconic and important historic buildings. Dating back to 1269 it was the home of the Guild of the Holy Cross a prominent social and religious organisation. The building contains one of the rarest series of medieval wall paintings in Europe. Duration: 10 minutes Stop At: Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall Church Street Stratford-upon-Avon William Shakespeare’s Schoolroom is a fine example of a half-timbered building dating back to the 1400’s Discover where William Shakespeare was educated and inspired to become the world’s greatest playwright. It was known as The King’s New School but is now King Edward VI Grammar School (K.E.S). Below the schoolroom is the Guildhall and in 1553 the headquarters of Stratford Borough Council. It remained the heart of civic life for over 400 years. Duration: 5 minutes Stop At: Royal Shakespeare Theatre Waterside Stratford-upon-Avon The Royal Shakespeare Theatre dates back to 1932. It was designed by British Architect Elisabeth Scott who won a competition with her design. The theatre was a replacement for the 1879 Shakespeare Memorial Theatre destroyed by fire in 1926. It is the home of the world-class Royal Shakespeare Company who perform Shakespeare’s plays to visitors from all over the world. Duration: 5 minutes Stop At: Swan Theatre Waterside Stratford-upon-Avon The Swan Theatre stands on the site of the 1879 Shakespeare Memorial Theatre most of which was destroyed by fire in 1926. Only the library and art gallery were saved. In 1986 thanks to fundraising and generous benefactors the Swan Theatre opened within the original red-brick gothic facade. Duration: 5 minutes Stop At: The Other Place Southern Lane Stratford-upon-Avon In the 1970’s The Other Place was a corrugated tin shed rehearsal room and studio space dedicated to new work and experimental theatre. Re-developed over the years it re-opened in 2006 as The Courtyard Theatre. It seated 1000 people and was used as a temporary theatre during the transformation of the RST and Swan Theatres. The Other Place is now a flexible and adaptable 200 seat theatre space with