Stratford-upon-Avon

We stayed in Stratford-upon-Avon so we could catch a Shakespearean play there. It was also convenient to Warwick Castle.

Got to the train station very early. Today’s travel included changing trains at Leamington Spa. We arrived at Hamlet House around 11am to find our room ready. We dropped our bags and headed for Warwick Castle. A very helpful lady on the bus helped us out.

Back in Stratford-Upon-Avon, we saw Shakespeare’s grave, then had a rest before dinner. We took a nice walk by the river. There were many people in boats, as you can see in the photo at the top.

Tonight is one of our big event nights on the trip and THE reason why we’re staying in Stratford-upon-Avon: to go to a Shakesperean play in the town he was born in. We had a lovely set-price meal at Essence at the Red Lion. Steve had steak and kidney pie; I had (huge) fish and chips. We both had apple & plum crumble for dessert. Yum!

The play was great fun. We saw an Indian themed version of Much Ado about Nothing. Audience participation and entertainment started before the play and continue during the interval, when we were asked to hold a laundry basket for one of the actors.

Shakespearean theater
Shakespearean theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. Not the one we went to.

Essentials​

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Lodging

Very convenient to the station and to downtown. We had the room on the ground floor (#5, maybe?). We read comments about it being noisy, but it wasn’t. Our room was quite nice, with a view of the back garden. Breakfast was great and included hash browns!

Paul was very knowledgeable and helped with a discount coupon to the restaurant where we had dinner and information about local busses, since we took the bus to Warwick and back and onto Chipping Campden the following morning.

The creative ensuite? Shower in one corner, toilet (enclosed) in a second corner, sink in a third. It worked fine for us, but may not be for everyone; sounds like other rooms have a more conventional layout.

Dining

We had a great pre-play Essence at the Red Lion. Steve had steak and kidney pie; I had (huge) fish and chips. We both had apple & plum crumble for dessert. Yum! I’m not sure if this place is still open. It’s NOT The Red Lion.

Transportation

We took the bus to Warwick Castle and back and were able to walk everywhere else.