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Shakespeare’s home town

The best Stratford-upon-Avon day trips

Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, New Place and free time in town: here is which trip to book, with honest advice on how long the coach takes, entry tickets that cost extra and walking on the day.

By the Things to Do in London editorial team 3 tours compared Prices checked 24 October 2026

See our 3 picks
Boats moored on the River Avon at Stratford-upon-Avon in warm evening light
Short answer

The best Stratford-upon-Avon day trip from London visits Shakespeare’s houses, from €106. Tours take 10 to 11 hours. Our Cotswolds tours page has trips that add the villages.

Our 3 picks for Stratford-upon-Avon day trips

Three coach days from Victoria, all with free cancellation. Two are new, with few or no reviews yet. GetYourGuide shows prices in your own currency.

Stratford-upon-Avon tours from London compared

Stratford-upon-Avon tours from London compared
TourFromDurationEntry included?Who it suitsWhy we picked it
Shakespeare’s Stratford with three family homes 4.1 (183)€106
per person		11 hoursYes: Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, New PlaceSeeing all three houses in one dayEntry to all three houses is included, rated 4.1 from 183 reviews.
Stratford by coach, with the houses as an option 5.0 (1)€115
per person		10 h 30 minWith the option that includes itA shorter 10.5-hour dayA newer listing with the same three houses; few reviews so far (1).
Stratford by coach, transport and free timeNew, no reviews yet€172
per person		10 hoursNo; upgrade possibleExploring the town at your own paceCoach and free time only, for people who want to plan the town themselves.

  • Shakespeare’s Stratford with three family homes

    €106 per person11 hours 4.1 (183)

    Details
    Entry included?
    Yes: Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, New Place
    Who it suits
    Seeing all three houses in one day
    Why we picked it
    Entry to all three houses is included, rated 4.1 from 183 reviews.

  • Stratford by coach, with the houses as an option

    €115 per person10 h 30 min 5.0 (1)

    Details
    Entry included?
    With the option that includes it
    Who it suits
    A shorter 10.5-hour day
    Why we picked it
    A newer listing with the same three houses; few reviews so far (1).

  • Stratford by coach, transport and free time

    €172 per person10 hoursNew, no reviews yet

    Details
    Entry included?
    No; upgrade possible
    Who it suits
    Exploring the town at your own pace
    Why we picked it
    Coach and free time only, for people who want to plan the town themselves.
  • None of the 3 includes hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point.
  • All 3 offer free cancellation.
  • Small‑group option available: Shakespeare’s Stratford with three family homes.
  • Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 24 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.

Which Stratford trip includes the houses?

The main difference is entry: only one tour always includes all three Shakespeare houses. The others include them only in some options, or not at all.

All three tours start at Bulleid Way near Victoria. Other day trips from London add Oxford or the Cotswolds.

What you see in Stratford-upon-Avon

The big sights are Shakespeare’s family homes: his Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and New Place. With free time, you can also walk by the River Avon.

Shakespeare’s Birthplace is open daily from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4.30pm. An adult ticket costs £25 online or £27 at the door on the official site. It includes the New Place gardens.

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage costs £15 online, or £5 more on a Birthplace ticket. Tickets stay valid for 12 months.

Stratford-upon-Avon on your own by train

Trains run from London Marylebone with Chiltern Railways. The fastest takes 2 hours 6 minutes, and the average is 2 hours 23 minutes. There is about one train an hour, direct or with one change.

Chiltern lists advance singles from £6.40 on its own site. Its current timetable runs to 12 December 2026, so check times after that.

Before you book a Stratford-upon-Avon trip

  1. Check what entry you get

    Only one tour always includes all three houses. On the others, pick the option with entry or buy tickets yourself.

  2. Wear good shoes

    The houses are spread around town, and no tour here drives you between them. Plan to walk at your own pace.

  3. Find the coach stop

    All three tours leave from Bulleid Way near Victoria. Check the stop number on your ticket.

  4. Book the Birthplace ahead

    If you go on your own, the Birthplace recommends booking ahead. Online tickets are cheaper.

Real questions about Stratford-upon-Avon

How long should you spend in Stratford-upon-Avon?
Plan a full day. Tours from London take 10 to 11 hours, with free time in town. The Birthplace is open from 10am to 5pm.

How do I get to Stratford-upon-Avon from London?
Take a Chiltern Railways train from Marylebone, fastest 2 hours 6 minutes. Or join a coach day trip from Victoria.

What day is market day in Stratford-upon-Avon?
Friday. The council lists a Charter Market on Rother Street every Friday, with 40 or more traders. There are also markets on Saturdays and Sundays.

What are the best things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon?
See Shakespeare’s family homes: his Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and New Place. Then walk by the River Avon in your free time. For a similar trip, see our bus london to bath guide.

More Stratford-upon-Avon trips, live

More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.

See all of these with today's prices and open dates on GetYourGuide.

Browse all on GetYourGuide

Browse all of them on GetYourGuide

More day trips from London

Sources (5), facts checked on 24 October 2026

Written by the Things to Do in London editorial team.