A medieval market town, the 16th-century birthplace of William Shakespeare and a thriving community offering a wide variety of leisure and shopping experiences. Ideas of places to explore might include:

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage the beautiful 500-year-old cottage where Shakespeare courted his bride-to-be. See original furniture including the Hathaway bed and uncover five centuries of stories and 13 generations of the family who lived there. NB: This is out of the centre of town; you may wish to find a bus or taxi to get there.

Shakespeare’s Birthplace can be found in the town centre. Discover more about young William’s family life as you travel through the rooms once lived in and loved by the family. You’ll also have the opportunity to get up close to objects from the Trust’s world class collections. See website for ticket prices, pre-booking recommended.

Shakespeare’s School Room and Guildhall will bring to life William's time as a schoolboy, from about 1571 to 1578. You'll find out how his outlook and ambitions were formed by the lessons he attended at the Guildhall and the plays he saw there. NB: See website for details of ticket prices, a combined discount ticket with the MAD museum.

NOTE that online booking is highly recommended to secure your time slot to visit the Shakespeare family homes above. Tickets can be booked up to 3 months in advance, via the above website links.

Shakespeare Memorial Fountain A commemorative clock tower incorporating horse troughs and a drinking fountain of 1886-7 by Jethro Cossins of Birmingham, gifted to Stratford-upon-Avon by the American publisher George William Childs, in dedication to William Shakespeare and in celebration of Queen Victoria's Jubilee.

Royal Shakespeare Theatre This iconic theatre is free to enter, plenty to see and do, from going up the Tower for a view of the town to popping in to the Riverside Café. There are also plenty of public toilets here.

MAD – Mechanical & Art Design Museum A quirky attraction displaying pieces of mechanical art, kinetic art and automata. If you’re not sure what mechanical art is, think of the machines and gizmos in Wallace and Gromit, Scrapheap Challenge and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. £7.50 Concessions, no need to pre-book.

Canal and River Tours depart from the historic canal basin with standard tours lasting 40-45 minutes. These trips have an informative, amusing and light commentary whilst you enjoy unparalleled views of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Holy Trinity Church and experience local water fowl, travelling through one of the oldest working river locks in the country. No need to prebook.

NB: Trips undertaken at members’ own risk. See the website for prices, FAQs, risk assessment and information about accessibility.

Holy Trinity Church on the bank of the River Avon is said to be one of England's most beautiful parish churches. Visit Shakespeare's grave, that of Anne Hathaway, Dr John Hall, his wife Susanna Shakespeare and Thomas Nash in the chancel of the church.

Stratford Minigolf in the Recreation Ground claims to be one of the premier minigolf venues in England and has hosted the National and Midlands Open. Not to be mistaken for 'crazy' golf, minigolf is a test of skill, good fun with tricky hazards, bumps and ramps

And much, much more including ideas of where to eat, see here for details.

Cost: £20.00.

Booking: Starts at the DDu3a Monthly Meeting on Wednesday 11th March 2026. Places must be booked and paid for in advance.

Departure and return times: Coach will leave from outside Dronfield Sports Centre at 09:00 prompt and we will leave the destination at 17:00 unless advised otherwise.

Before booking, please see our Booking Arrangements and Terms and Conditions.

This trip is open primarily to DDu3a members – spare tickets will be offered to friends of DDu3a members (who must be u3a members somewhere in the UK).