Christmas and New Year at Stratford-upon-Avon at Heritage Mews 5 star self catering cottage

Christmas lights Stratford upon Avon, Wood Street

Christmas in Stratford-upon-Avon is a magical experience. The Christmas lights throughout the town centre are regarded as amongst the finest in the UK, providing a spectacular backdrop for weekly Christmas Markets, late night shopping, candlelit tours of Shakespeare's Birthplace and a variety of festive events - starting from Thursday 25 November 2010.

At Heritage Mews you can be sure of a special welcome – the cottage will be beautifully decorated for Christmas from 10th

December, or earlier if requested, with some festive extras awaiting you on your arrival. With fully controllable gas central heating, double glazing and luxurious carpets the cottage is welcoming, warm and comfortable whatever the weather. Enjoy the convenience of our private off-road parking (for two cars) and explore this beautiful historic town on foot – all the attractions and amenities are within easy walking distance. Enjoy Stratford's Christmas markets, excellent shopping, unique festive atmosphere and great choice of restaurants, pubs and bistros.

We look forward to welcoming you at Heritage Mews.

Here are the comments in our visitors' book from our 2009 Christmas and New Year guests:
"Thank you for making your lovely house so welcoming for Christmas. We have had a super week here." J, S, A & E, Wallington, Surrey.

"Thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Stratford. Cottage is delightful - well appointed and beautifully decorated for Christmas. Thanks Val & Simon." S & D, Hornchurch, Essex.

Christmas 2010 short break and weekly rates

Rates include central heating, gas, electricity, unlimited Wi-Fi internet access, bed linen & towels and a welcome tray.

November to 18 December 2010: Minimum stay is two nights. Flexible arrival and departure day depending on existing bookings.	2 night break - £218 3 night break - £276 4 night break - £320 5 night break - £360 Weekly rate - £395
18 to 21 December 2010: Minimum stay is two nights.	2 night break - £240 3 night break - £315
Christmas week: minimum stay is seven nights: 7 nights are from either Monday 20 December or Tuesday 21 December. A longer stay is available - please see our availability calendar.	Weekly rate - £695: additional nights from 18 December are pro rata at £99 per night,
New Year week: minimum stay 7 nights: from Monday 27 or Tuesday 28 December.	Weekly rate - £695. Now booked

Stratford-upon-Avon Christmas lights cover twelve streets throughout the town centre. The lights will be switched on Thursday 25 November 2010, with a special ceremony and procession heralding the beginning of the town’s Christmas celebrations. There are weekly Christmas Markets, free bus tours of the Christmas Lights and late night shopping each Thursday until Christmas.

See the Shakespeare Houses decorated for Christmas - Shakespeare's Birthplace and Nash's House in the town centre, Hall's Croft in Old Town (a few minutes walk from Heritage Mews) and Anne Hathaway's Cottage in the nearby village of Shottery. The Shakespeare Houses are open every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. They are also open New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Enjoy a Magical Christmas Cruise on the River Avon in Stratford on the afternoon of Saturday 18 December. This year the Royal Shakespeare Company's Christmas production is the world premiere of the Company's musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic novel, Matilda, with songs by composer and comedian Tim Minchin. Matilda, A Musical is at The Courtyard Theatre (6 minutes walk from the cottage) from 9 November 2009 until 30 January 2011.

Christmas in Bridge Street, Stratford-upon-Avon

Nearby National Trust houses and gardens are open for Christmas shopping and winter garden & parkland walks during December. The houses are decorated for Christmas with a variety of traditional events including Christmas markets and carol concerts.

Charlecote Park celebrates Christmas at weekends from 4 to 19 December. Baddesley Clinton is open Wednesdays to Sundays from 1 to 19 December. Upton House holds its unique Christmas Market on the weekend of 4 and 5 December with a 1930s Christmas at weekends until 19 December. Coughton Court celebrates a Victorian Christmas from 4 to 12 December (open daily) and holds its long-established Christmas Wassail, with Christmas stories, carols, mince pies and mulled wine, on 11 and 12 December. At Snowshill Manor and Hidcote Manor Garden you can enjoy Christmas lunches at weekends until 12 and 19 December, with the gardens open for walks. The parks and gardens are also open for winter walks in January.

Visit Warwick Castle and enjoy festive celebrations with the castle transformed into a wintry wonderland until the beginning of January. Christmas lunches are available throughout December and there is a craft fair and Christmas Carols - dates and more details to be announced.

Nearby Leamington Spa holds weekly festive markets in December, alongside the town's excellent shopping.

Blenheim Palace (about an hour's drive) celebrates Christmas from 13 November to 12 December 2010 with Gulliver's Travels - a Fairytale Christmas. Highlighting the recent filming at the Palace of the UK film production of Gulliver's Travels (to be released in December), the Palace will be decorated with magical displays depicting scenes from this classic tale.

We will provide more details of 2010 festive events in Stratford-upon-Avon and area as soon as they are available.

The Tree of Thought, Stratford-upon-Avon