Stratford upon Avon Warwickshire attractions events Heritage Mews

Mary Arden's Farm at Wilmcote, near Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England.
Situated on the banks of the River Avon in the heart of rural Warwickshire, Stratford-upon-Avon is a beautiful market town

steeped in history and culture - an ideal holiday destination at any time of year.

Heritage Mews is within ten minutes walk of the town centre with its rich variety of historic buildings and unique attractions, including Shakespeare’s Birthplace and two other beautifully preserved Shakespeare Houses and Gardens - Nash's House and Hall's Croft in Old Town. You can visit Shakespeare's tomb in Holy Trinity Church, one of England's most beautiful parish churches on the banks of the River Avon – three minutes walk from Heritage Mews. From here you can enjoy the delightful walk into town and to the theatres along the riverside footpath. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is a nine or ten minute walk. Nearby is the celebrated "Dirty Duck" inn with a terrace overlooking the river and inside, walls of signed photographs of Shakespearian actors, past and present.

There are delightful walks through parks and gardens along the banks of the River Avon which provides boating, sight-seeing & restaurant cruises. Enjoy a river cruise aboard a traditional Edwardian pleasure launch. Cross the river on an old chain ferry - the last to be built in Britain. Or take a 'City Sightseeing' open-top bus tour of the town and nearby villages - Anne Hathaway's Cottage in Shottery and Mary Arden's House in Wilmcote. Walk across the Old Tramway bridge and visit the Butterfly Farm. Regular live music at Cox's Yard, weekly Stratford Jazz and classical concerts cater for all tastes. There is an award-winning daily guided Town Walk, a Ghost Walk and a lively market every Friday. Explore the nearby 'Greenway' cycle trail - cycles can be hired in town or visit Stratford Leisure Centre with swimming pool and fitness studio.

Enjoy National Hunt horse-racing at Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, one of the country's leading small racecourses. Stratford Racecourse is a 10 to 15 minute walk from Heritage Mews.

Stratford town centre offers an excellent choice of award-winning restaurants, pubs, bars, bistros, traditional tearooms and cafes. There is also excellent shopping, with a wide variety of interesting independent shops as well as well-known high street names – all within a short walk.

You will find a detailed entry for each restaurant displaying their special offer or discount. Just phone the restaurant to book, mention the 'Gastro Card' and confirm the offer. Show the card when you arrive at the restaurant. Current offers (January / February 2012) include 2 main courses for the price of 1; 3 courses for the price of 2; special reduced price menus; and discounts between 10% and 25% off your food bill. These are just some of the participating restaurants: in Stratford-upon-Avon - Edward Moon's; No 9 Church Street; Essence; Marlowe's Restaurant; No 1 Shakespeare Street; Old Town Restaurant; Othello's Bar & Brasserie; Sorrento; The Alveston Manor Restaurant; and Benson's Restaurant & Tea Room. In Warwickshire and the Cotswolds - award winning The Howard Arms at Ilmington and The Bell at Alderminster; The Fox & Goose Country Inn at Armscote; The King's Head at Bledington; Kings Arms at Mickleton; The Granville at Barford; The Curry Republic in Henley-in-Arden and many more. (Please note: our Gastro Card is available solely for use by guests while staying at Heritage Mews. Failure to leave the card in the property when you vacate may incur a £40 replacement charge.)

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is a ten minute riverside stroll from Heritage Mews. Open seven days a week, there are daily Theatre Tours, a stunning Rooftop Restaurant, a riverside walkway and Riverside Cafe and a 36 metre high Theatre Tower, from which you can enjoy panoramic views of the Warwickshire countryside and Shakespeare's home town. In 2012 the Royal Shakespeare Company presents the World Shakespeare Festival, a celebration of Shakespeare as the world's playwright, with major new productons, groundbreaking international collaborations, exhibitions and events.

SHAKESPEARE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS - 21 and 22 April 2012: unique celebrations in Stratford-upon-Avon with a grand procession through the town, of international and local civic dignitaries, actors and school children, to lay floral tributes on Shakespeare's grave in Holy Trinity Church. Street enterntainemnt inlcuding strolling players, musicians, Morris Dancing, a brass band and the ceremony of unfurling the flags of the nations. On Saturday evening a Birthday Performance of one of Shakespeare's plays at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. On Sunday the annual Birthday Service at Holy Trinity Church, with music and readings by actors, in honour of Shakespeare.

2 to 10 June 2012 - Stratford upon Avon Fringe - a 9 day celebration of performance and modern culture, at venues in pubs, on the street and in theatres.

30 June and 1 July 2012 - River Festival Stratford-upon-Avon - a weekend of free family fun in Stratford-upon-Avon with music, narrow boats on the River Avon, craft and food stalls, charity stalls, illuminated boat parade and spectacular fireworks.

1 July 2012 - Olympic Torch in Stratford-upon-Avon - on 1 July the Olympic torch will be carried from Birmingham to Coventry, passing through Alcester, Broadway, Chipping Campden, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwick and Royal Leamington Spa.

22 & 23 September 2012 - Stratford-upon-Avon Food Festival - set on the banks of the river, an opportunity to taste and buy an extraordinary range of great tasting food. Plus three markets in the town centre streets - a French, Italian and Farmers' market.

22 November 2012 to 5 January 2013 - Stratford-upon-Avon's spectacular Christmas Lights and wonderful festive atmosphere make Heritage Mews amongst the best located cottages for Christmas in Warwickshire.

Heritage Mews is ideally located for exploring the scenic Cotswold Hills and South Warwickshire countryside. Within a short drive are the beautiful Cotswold villages of Chipping Campden and Broadway; internationally renowned Hidcote Manor Garden; Moreton-in-Marsh with its famous Tuesday market, and nearby Batsford Arboretum; Warwick, with its antique shops and magnificent medieval Warwick Castle; Kenilworth Castle (English Heritage); and a number of National Trust houses and gardens, including Charlecote Park, Baddesley Clinton (now open 7 days a week throughout the year), Upton House and Coughton Court. You can enjoy leisurely drives through country lanes and rolling countryside, with many delightful villages to explore and excellent traditional country pubs.