Our Gold Stratford Tours show the sights of Stratford-upon-Avon and give you time to stretch your legs whilst visiting the two out-of-town Shakespeare properties.
The Gold Stratford Tour takes half a day to complete so is most suitable for a morning. Afternoon tours are possible but the properties normally close at 5pm.
Discounted entry passes for Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Mary Arden's house are available from Bardtours.
The two properties we stop at on our Gold Stratford Tours have gift shops, cafés and WC's. Mary Arden's House/Palmer's Farm includes falconry, staff in Elizabethan costume and rare breeds of farm animals and poultry.
Our Gold Stratford Tours are in a spacious, modern, air-conditioned minibus. We can seat up to seven passengers including wheelchair access for one. Bardtours will pick you up from your hotel at a time to suit you.
Our Stratford tours operate all year round including weekends to suit your schedule.
Please contact us if you have any questions or want to book one of our Gold Stratford tours.
Where better to begin a Stratford Tour than at the medieval river crossing by the Toll House over the River Avon?
Nearby are Alveston Manor, Cox's Yard and views of the theatre across the River Avon.
The most famous building in Stratford, this is of course where Shakespeare was born. Right at the heart of Stratford the birthplace is next to the Shakespeare Visitor Centre.
An interesting 'Wealden' shaped building dating from the late 15th Century and the oldest inhabited dwelling in Stratford.
Our Stratford Tour includes the nearby American Fountain and Rother Market.
In addition to Shakespeare, Stratford boasts connections with another prolific writer. Marie Corelli lived in a large town house in Stratford. She wrote her novels in her garden gazebo (pictured). Her grave is in Stratford's Cemetery (pictured).
The Grammar School has been teaching Stratford's boys since the early 15th Century. Built in 1417, the upper floor is still used for lessons. It started life as the Gild Hall and keeps its connection to this once powerful organisation with the Gild Chapel. Also pictured are the pretty Almshouses (foreground).
Thomas Nash was married to Shakespeare's granddaughter, Elizabeth. Our Stratford Tour includes Nash's House, now one of the Shakespeare properties.
The house adjoins the New Place gardens, the site of the house Shakespeare bought in Stratford in 1597 and where he lived until he died in 1616.
Nearby is the Shrieve's House, Harvard House and the Garrick Inn. All are interesting timber-framed buildings that lend Stratford so much of its character.
A fine church on the banks of the River Avon made all the more famous for being the final resting place of William Shakespeare and members of his family.
Like many churches Holy Trinity is rich in history and has links to many of Stratford's leading families.
We reach Holy Trinity passing by the renowned 'Dirty Duck' pub, a regular haunt of (in)famous actors. We also pass the chain ferry and Courtyard Theatre.
Leaving the church we move on to "Old Town" and...
A truly stunning Elizabethan town house with some excellent architectural detail and fine walled gardens. Hall's Croft was owned by Shakespeare's elder daughter Susanna and her husband Dr John Hall, an eminent physician.
Located in Shottery, on the outskirts of Stratford, this picturesque cottage was home to Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare's wife. Originally built in the 15th Century as a farmhouse it has a typical English cottage garden.
A short drive through the countryside to Wilmcote and we arrive at Mary Arden's House. This is where Mary Arden lived before she married John Shakespeare, William's father. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust have recreated a 16th Century farm with rare breed cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry. Staff wear traditional Elizabethan costume and you can explore the daily chores with them.
On the same site as Mary Arden's house is Palmer's Farm. This was originally, wrongly, thought to be where Shakespeare's mother lived. The grounds include a nature walk, falconry displays and visitor facilities, subject to seasonal variation.
The Gold Stratford Tours are onboard tours with two out-of-town stops; one at Anne Hathaway's Cottage and one at Mary Arden's House. Entry tickets for these properties are available at discounted prices from Bardtours. Your guide will remain on the minibus while you explore these properties. Knowledgeable Shakespeare Birthplace Trust guides and staff are on hand at both properties. The Gold Stratford Tours allow sufficient time to visit these properties but the itinerary is flexible, subject to other bookings and closing times. If you have special requirements please discuss these when you book the tour as we always endeavour to accommodate requests.
The tours specified offer the best opportunity to see as much of interest as possible in the available time. Bardtours reserves the right to vary tours without notice to take into account road works and other events out of our control.
A Line Taxis
A quality Stratford taxi service
Airport service for 1-8 passengers available.