Stratford Upon Avon is a great family friendly place to visit, there is so much to do.
But what do you do when you visiting Stratford Upon Avon with kids?
There may be no theme parks; it has a different kind of fun, a beautiful organic kind of fun. Stratford Upon Avon is a great place to travel with kids, so vibrant and full of culture. I wanted to share some of our favourite places to visit. Some of the places we have created beautiful family memories.
A great historical place to visit in Stratford Upon Avon is Shakespeare’s Birthplace,
This is somewhere the boys pulled a face at the first time they visited. But they absolutely loved it. The staff at the Shakespeare Trust have a real talent, they are able to draw the whole family in. Take you back to Shakespeare life and times; they really help you get the feel for life back in the day. I particulate loved sitting in the stunning garden, the sun shining, watching a live reenactment of Romeo & Juliette. It’s a wonderful family day out.
For a free activity In Stratford Upon Avon, Visit the banks of the River Avon
On a beautiful day there is no better place to be, take a picnic and spend the day watching the boats sailing up and down the River, honestly I could spend hours here, I just love it.
You can also hire a boat for a family boat trip down the River Avon.
Avon boating offers rowing boats and motorboats for independent tips or boat trips on larger boats. Last time we visited the rain was horrific so we never got to hire a boat. However we have previously hired a motorboat.
Chris and the boys wanted a rowing boat, but I put my foot down, I had no intention or rowing. But sailing down the river in a motor boat feels so quintessentially British, of course Shakespeare would have rowed, but he wasn’t in a boat with Jack and Joe, who I know would have found it hard work, got bored and left it to Chris and I.
Visiting the Butterfly Farm is a great rainy day activity in Stratford Upon Avon
I was a little worried about the spiders but actually they didn’t bother me. The Butterfly farm is a tropical paradise; it is such a beautiful environment. I didn’t think I would love it as much as I did, and Joe thought it was wonderful. As you walk through the butterfly area the just land on you. I think Joe loved it even more because it freaked Jack out a little ha ha. He was worried about them landing in his hair. This is such a wonderful interactive family attraction to visit.
Continuing on the Shakespeare journey visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottages and Gardens.
The childhood home of the wife of William Shakespeare is just so pretty. I love the story if the house and how the family capitalised on the fame of the Shakespeare’s, it is so interesting. The countryside around the house and gardens is just stunning, it even has a woodland area, the perfect family walk.
With perfect woodland walks and manicured gardens it is a great place to visit on a sunny day to enjoy its full beauty.
Next try out Shakespeare’s mother Mary Arden’s Farm
Here they took interactive to the next level. What an incredible example of a working museum, it literally takes you back to a working farm in the 1500s it was so much fun, yet we learn so much. The staff act out what life was like back then rather than tell you. There are live demonstrations from a blacksmith who told us all about the life of a blacksmith and how he could earn extra money removing teeth oooh! It is a real living museum and a great thing to do on a family day out.
We witnessed a Tudor meal, as the family rang for dinner, prepared and ate their meal they told us about etiquette of the time. This was so fascinating, did you know that depending on your status your cutlery was made of different material, and children had to stand and eat at the table, they were not allowed to sit.
Have a game of Archery at the Stratford Archery Centre
For an activity day out, this is the perfect activity to do with teens, the Christie boys see themselves as experts so loved this. It was so great to get the time to have a little tuition; it was a session that Chris and boys thoroughly enjoyed. I was busy in the spa having a full body massage but they came back buzzing, full of stories of who was the better archer.
Where to stay in Stratford Upon Avon?
For a budget, family friendly hotel in Stratford-Upon-Avon the Premier Inn Waterways’ is around a 10 minute walk from the town centre. Yes, there are many more centrally located hotels. But the Premier Inn Waterway’s is located on the water side right next to a lock, it’s the prefect spot to enjoy a glass of wine as the barges negotiate the locks.
However if it’s a luxury hotel you crave the Q Hotel Stratford Hotel is centrally located. With stunning well-appointed rooms and a fantastic a’la’carte restaurant.
If you are wondering if you should visit Stratford Upon Avon with kids? We love it! Every time we visit we find a new adventure, I don’t think I will ever get bored with it.
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Stratford-upon-avon is lovely, isn’t it?
We went there for the first time a few months ago – mostly hung around in town. Had the biggest scone I’ve ever had in my life.
Would love to go boating next time though as it looks a lot of fun! 🙂
#summerdayslinky
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Jenna i love it there it is the most beautiful place isn’t it, it just feels so calm there x
Gorgeous pictures, it looks stunning there! I’ve never visited but it’s another place to add to my ever growing list of places to go to! #summerdays
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Thank you, it is such a stunning place to visit, we love it x
I love Stratford-Upon-Avon, although I haven’t been for years, and haven’t yet visited with kids in tow 🙂 Lots of fun things to do! #countrykids
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Sara my two love it there, there is so much to do x
I love Stratford too, the Butterfly is a favourite of ours. Looks like you’ve given me a couple of ideas too for when Monkey is a bit older #CountryKids
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I know the butterfly farm is so fab isn’t it, I could have spent hours in there x
I LOVE that you put your foot down at the rowing boat. Definitely the right thing to do! There is so much to do. You had such a fab trip. Love it. #summerdays
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Thanks Karen, yes we didn’t stop but had such a great time,x
I’ve always wanted to go to Stratford-upon-avon, I heard it’s really pretty, and your photos have just proved that! Beautiful! #summerdays
Sabrina xx
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Oh Sabrina it is so stunning the prettiest place, and so chilled and friendly x
Aww such a lovely place. Like traveling back in time. My husband loves archery too. This is a perfect place to visit for him as well. #countrykids
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Thanks you Merlinda it really is, I love it there so much x
I love Stratford too! I have been to the Butterfly Farm as well – it is wonderful. Unfortunately it is Rich and Freyja’s idea of hell so I tend to miss out on this kind of thing (or rush through with a small child screaming “don’t let them land on me mummy!”). Thanks for linking up to #SummerDays again – hope you will be able to join in again next week x
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Oh dear, yes they bothered Jack a little, Joe, Chris and I loved it could have stayed in there for ages x
This is one place I would love to visit but always thought the kids probably wouldn’t enjoy, but you have well and truly changed my mind! Thanks for linking up with the #summerdays linky xxx
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Katie you would all love it there it really is fantastic xx
I’ve only visited Stratford a couple of times, on a flying visit to see a play. It’s such a beautiful, historic place – you’ve convinved me I need to go back there and do some more exploring! Thanks for linking up with #CulturedKids
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Nell you do it is such a beautiful place, so much beauty and culture x