It's Shakespeare's birthday, the perfect excuse to visit his scenic hometown
Why now
It’s time to dust off the candles (454 this year) and celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday in his home town. He was probably born on April 23, but the party started on Saturday 21 with a parade and garden parties. Sonnets on the chain ferry across the Avon contribute to the merrymaking. The RSC summer season (rsc.org.uk) got under way, too.
Stay here
With an enviable location steps from the theatres, a great brasserie and river-view terrace, the Arden Hotel (telegraph.co.uk/tt-stratford-arden) is a stylish address. Doubles from ￡150 including breakfast. Another central option heaving with character is the Mercure Shakespeare Hotel (telegraph.co.uk/tt-stratford-mercure). From ￡79 (breakfast ￡10).
Walk here
Follow Shakespeare from cradle to grave. Start in Henley Street, at the home where William was born in April 1564, before strolling on to High Street. On your right is Stratford’s oldest pub, the Garrick. Continue on Chapel Lane and pause at New Place, a thoughtful reimagining of the family plot Shakespeare bought, before going back to William’s formative years at Shakespeare’s Schoolroom.
Keep your course on Chapel Lane/Church Street and turn on to Old Town. Hall’s Croft, home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna, is on the left. Proceed, spotting the spire of Holy Trinity Church: the Bard’s final resting place.
See this
Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and King Lear are summer highlights at the Royal Shakespeare and Swan theatres (rsc.org.uk). There are also panoramic views from the tower.
Try this
Make waves while the sun shines and hire a rowing boat (avon-boating.co.uk; ￡12 per hour for two).
Shop here
Independent retailers are scattered along Wood Street, High Street and Henley Street, with fashion boutiques and quirky homeware stores among the mix. Put together a picnic at Paxton and Whitfield (paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk), Wilde Nuts (wildenuts.com) and Vinology (vinology.co.uk).
Drink here
Take the lift to the third floor of the RSC building on Waterside. Find a sofa, stool or booth for two, or a spot on the deck. Order a cocktail (around ￡8) – almost as good as the views.
The best English villages
Eat here
Loxleys on Sheep Street (loxleysrestaurant.co.uk) is a steadfast option from breakfast through lunch, pre-theatre dinner and on to evening à la carte. Dine pre-show for about ￡25pp for two courses with wine.
Off the map
Complete the five-piece of Shakespeare Family Homes (shakespeare.org.uk). Mary Arden’s Farm is in Wilmcote (a 10-minute drive), while Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is in Shottery, a 20-minute walk (or a five-minute drive). City Sightseeing buses call at both properties (city-sightseeing.com).
Find out more at telegraph.co.uk/royal-shakespeare-company