Overview
Discover Stratford Butterfly Farm before visiting the Royal Shakespeare Company theatre. Enjoy the Tudor Works experience before calling at Harvard House and The Guild Chapel. Enjoy The Old Slaughterhouse hub before taking in MAD Museum. Explore the house of Shakespeare’s birthplace and the American Fountain before arriving at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage.
Stratford Butterfly Farm
Explore the rainforests of Belize in the Flight Area. In the Discovery Zone find out about the plants and see some of the world's largest and most camouflaged caterpillars. See the amazing lifecycle of a butterfly within the Emerging Cage and see stick insects, beetles, leafcutter ants, and some of the world’s largest tarantula spiders in Mini-Beast Metropolis.
Royal Shakespeare Company
As well as taking in a play or seeing some of the other events that regularly take place you can tour the theatre at most times or have a coffee or meal overlooking the River in this purpose built building.
Tudor World
Although set in an original medieval property this isnt a traditional museum with original static displays. It offers a chance to immerse yourself in Tudor living with video screens, media table and actual use some of the exhibits like trying on some of the hats or quill writing.
Harvard House
This town house has survived in its present state since the late sixteenth century (although some of the stained glass windows date back to the 14th century), it is now the property of Harvard University. Open to the public its strange and complex history including the story of John Harvard is revealed by its dedicated staff.
The Guild Chapel
It was built in the 13th century by the Guild of the Holy Cross and became central to medieval life. Today the Chapel’s rare and special wall paintings offer a unique glimpse back to that period. John Shakespeare, father of the playwright, covered with layers of limewash to prevent them being destroyed during the English Reformation. Nearby Trinity Church is where the Bard is buried.
The Old Slaughterhouse
The Old Slaughterhouse is a new arts and heritage hub in the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon which celebrates the town’s history by creating exciting archives of Stratford stories for generations to come.
The MAD Museum
For something different you may like the country’s only permanent venue for mechanical art. Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, Art and Design with imagination and clever and often witty design this may just encourage the family to put down their remotes and be more hands-on.
Shakespeare's Birthplace
Explore the house where he was born and grew up. Hear tales of Shakespeare’s family life, enjoy live theatre on demand and get up close to rare artefacts. John and Mary Shakespeare were wealthy enough to own the largest house on Henley Street and William was one of their 8 children and continued living in the house for the first five years of his married life.
American Fountain
Gifted by American publisher George W Childs in 1887 to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee this ornate Victorian Gothic clock tower comes complete with Lions, eagles, owls and Tudor roses. A fairy sits atop each clock face representing A Midsummer Night's Dream. Although the fountain no longer runs, the clocks and bell still work.
Anne Hathaway's Cottage
This thatched cottage is a twelve-roomed farmhouse where Anne Hathaway, the wife of William Shakespeare, lived as a child, about 1 mile west of Stratford-upon-Avon. Spacious, and with several bedrooms, it is now set in extensive gardens. The earliest part of the house was built prior to the 15th century; the higher part is 17th century.
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