Local Area – Stratford-upon-Avon:
Situated on the River Avon in the heart of England
Stratford-upon-Avon is best known as the birthplace of England’s greatest poet and playwright, William Shakespeare. Visit this beautiful place to discover a charming town with a real sense of history.
The Farm Stratford
We are lucky to have The Farm Stratford onsite as part of Snitterfield Fruit Farm. It boasts a range of artisan food producers, a whole food café, farm shop and delicatessen. A butchers and fishmonger, baker, wine merchant, fermented foods, chilli farmer, chocolatier and a florist. Alongside production they also offer educational workshops, nutritional seminars and demonstrations, from foraging courses to baking your own sourdough. They also have a range of animals including sheep, pigs, goats and chickens. Keep up to date with what is happening there via their Facebook page.
Top attractions
Explore Shakespeare’s Birthplace for a fascinating insight into his childhood, the house where his daughter lived at Hall’s Croft , then see his final resting place at Holy Trinity Church. Along the way, don’t miss the fairy tale setting of his wife Anne Hathaway’s Cottage , or the working Elizabethan farm where his mother, Mary Arden, lived. The spectacular medieval fortress of Warwick Castle has everything from jousting knights to haunted dungeons get tickets from Warwick Tourist Board as they are often cheaper than the gate. Cruise the River Avon on a guided boat-tour , explore the area by hop-on, hop-off sightseeing buses , join one of the walking tours.
Twycross Zoo is about 45 mins drive from the cottage. They care for around 500 animals of 125 species of bigger animals, including many endangered species. They care for a wide variety of monkeys and apes, and are the only zoo in the UK where you can see all types of great ape. Bourton-on-the-Water has a very cute model village which makes a fun trip further into the Cotswolds. Cadbury World is c. 25 miles and a straight forward route up the motorway. After the success of the Clarkson’s Farm program on Amazon Prime, we have guests who want to visit the Diddly Squat Farm Shop. It’s 28 miles away so allow about an hour. Sunday mornings have often been quieter but be prepared for queues. Or you could visit his pub, The Farmers Dog – as seen on TV. You can also enjoy a trip to Daylesford whilst you are in the area – one of our guests was thrilled to get a picture there with David Beckham (whilst he was getting in some grocery shopping).
Arts and culture
While you’re in Shakespeare’s hometown, why not see his dramatic works performed at the Royal Shakespeare Company? There are free exhibitions at The Swan Theatre and their guided tours are very informative. You can eat/drink at the restaurant at the RSC whilst enjoying the great views – then go up to level 8 in the 360 degrees viewing tower. If you’re in the mood for music, watch the brilliant Orchestra of the Swan, the resident orchestra at Stratford Arts House , or for art, stop by the award winning Compton Verney art gallery . From a medieval fortress to Elizabethan palace Kenilworth Castle is a super English Heritage property. If you’re off to see or host something at The NEC the your within a handy journey time of c. 30 minutes. There are lots of village churches in the area which are always very welcoming to our guests. There is an Everyman Cinema in the centre of Stratford, you can grab a sofa to watch the latest films whilst enjoy food and drinks.
For kids and families
Get hands on with clever gadgets at the Mad Museum. The Butterfly Farm is open whatever the weather, where you can stroll through a lush landscape of tropical blossom surrounding splashing waterfalls and fish-filled pools. Hatton Country World is also a firm family favourite with a children’s adventure world and a shopping village. The Jump In Trampoline Arena Trampoline Park is handy in Warwick, it is good fun and open early till late everyday. The indoor snow slope at the Snowdome is about 45 minutes drive and a great place for lots of fun activities. West Midlands Safari Park is about an hours drive and Twycross Zoo is only about 40 minutes away. Cadburys World is also a firm favourite. Or Cotswold Farm Park run by Adam Henson from Countryfile.
National Trust
Baddesley Clinton, Charlecote Park, Packwood House, Upton House and Coughton Court are National Trust properties worth visiting in Warwickshire. New rooms, changing exhibitions, conservation in action, guided spring walks, and family days out all await you. Not actually National Trust but worth a drive to is Blenheim Palace, one guest rated it so highly she visited three times in one week! Kenilworth Castle is also lovely.
Eating and drinking
As well as the cafe/restaurant in the farm shop, our local pub is great, The Snitterfield Arms and is less than a mile from the cottage so walkable for most. There is an award winning pub in the village of Norton Lindsey called The New Inn which is owned and run by the residents of the village, its just over 3 miles from the cottage. No 19’ restaurant is based at Stratford Park Hotel and Golf Club which is about 1 mile by road or there is a nice off road walking route to reach it which is about 1.5 miles. Also similar distance is Welcombe Hotel which is a completely off road route there c.1.5 miles.
On the doorstep; you can pop along to our neighbours at Welcome Hills Vineyard; it’s a short stroll from the cottage which is handy if you like their award winning wines as much as we do! They offer regular tastings and tours during the summer. If you fancy trying some local spirits, head down to the Stratford Gin Distillery where you can take a tour, go on a gin tasting cruise up the River Avon or take a cocktail master class.
The Hatton Arms isn’t far and is next to a massive flight of canal locks, there is also a nice little cafe at the side of the canal. The group called Lovely pubs have a few in the area and they are all good, our favourite is Baraset Barn. The Fleur de Lys is a traditional pub set in a very pretty village by the canal and well known for its pies. The King’s Head is a traditional 15th Century village inn located in picturesque Aston Cantlow. Henley in Arden is only a short journey away and has some great places to eat. We use The Black Swan as our go too, if you sign up online there are some good discounts. StoneAged in The White Swan where you cook your own steak, halloumi or vegetable on hot lava stones, can be fun. The Bluebell is another favourite on the high street where owner/chef sources all the fresh ingredients himself. The Curry Republic always comes up well on Trip Advisor. Warwick has the best Thai Restaurant called The Art Kitchen and the best Tapas Restaurant too called Tasca Dali. Pop along to a great independent bar called The Square for a drink first. We also like some of the pubs in the pretty village of Welford upon Avon. The Four Alls is set next to the river with a good outdoor seating area. The Bell is also lovely with a pretty garden. I am veggie so all of these places have nice options.
In Stratford you have a wide choice of restaurants, some of our favourites include; The Woodsman, Lambs, Loxleys, Salt, The Opposition and Vintners, booking is advisable for all. Anything of the places in Bell Court are good, I really like Veenos. Italian has to be Sorrentos. If you would rather stay in then there are lots of take-aways; PawPaw in Warwick is great. I also like fish and chips from The Chip Shed. Or you could hire a private chef to come to the cottage and cook for you.
If you want a good breakfast head for the independent outfit Boston Tea Party in Stratford Upon Avon – for the best cinnamon buns and treats it has to be Gails Bakery. For hot chocolate made with real chocolate and great coffee head for Box Brownie, its where all the cyclists go and they know a thing or two! Always popular is Hotel Chocolat, it is on the retail park and has a cafe/ice cream place at the rear of the shop. Or The View in Wootton Wawen set alongside the canal – look out for the two black swans in the marina.
The 1940’s tea room in Stratford is a fun step back in time. Yew Tree Shopping Village at Wootton Warren has a lovely tea room called The Cow Shed. It also has a beautiful church, St Peter’s which is one of the oldest structures in Midlands dating back to the 900s.
Shopping & Antiques
With choices ranging from gift shops to cheesemongers, jewellers to antique shops, boutiques to bookshops, you won’t go home empty handed. There is a weekly market on Fridays, as well as a regular farmers’ market, a craft market in the summer and a Christmas market. Located just outside of Stratford upon Avon, Bonds is filled with delights that shoppers can spend hours happily exploring. Under one roof, you can find antique, bespoke and reproduction furniture, in addition to a broad selection of interior design goods. To take a break from shopping there is a tea room, selling homemade cakes and light lunches. Lots of our guests have rated Whichford Pottery near Shipston on Stour as a top day out and it’s a 40 minute drive down through the lovely Cotswold countryside. Or why not sign up to try your hand at jewellery making yourself at The Jewellery Bench it’s a great, fun indoor activity and you will come home with your very own bespoke piece.
