Stratford upon Avon local area information and events at Heritage Mews self catering cottage

Stratford-upon-Avon self catering holiday accommodation Heritage Mews

Stratford-upon-Avon and area

Stratford-upon-Avon
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 easy walking distance 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. You can visit Shakespeare's tomb in Holy Trinity Church, one of England's most beautiful parish churches – a few minutes walk from Heritage Mews. The Courtyard Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company's award-winning new home, is just six minutes walk. Nearby is the famous "Dirty Duck" pub overlooking the River Avon, and frequented by actors.

Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon

Garden at New Place and Guild Chapel, Stratford-upon-Avon

There are delightful walks through parks and gardens along the banks of the River Avon which provides boating, sight-seeing & restaurant cruises. You can 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. In the summer there are weekly craft markets and outdoor theatre and cinema on the banks of the Avon.

The 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.

Warwickshire and the Cotswolds

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, 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.

Some interesting activities
For a memorable experience take a scenic flight with Avon Air Centre at Wellesbourne airfield, just a short drive from

Avon Air Centre photo of Stratford

Stratford. Following the path of the River Avon, fly over the famous sights of Stratford-upon-Avon, with great views of Holy Trinity Church, the Royal Shakespeare Company theatres and much more. Or fly high over the Cotswold Hills, with fine views of the many picturesque Cotswold stone villages and stately homes in the area.

Take a luxury horse drawn carriage tour of Stratford town centre - the coachmen act as excellent guides.

There is horse riding, golf, gliding, hot-air ballooning also within a short drive and National Hunt horse-racing at Stratford and Warwick.

Birmingham city centre, with its stylish shopping malls, restaurants and Symphony Hall (considered one of the best concert halls in the world), is about an hour by train. The National Exhibition Centre is 30 to 40 minutes drive.