Rich in literary history and Tudor architecture, the medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire boasts a bustling high street, scenic riverside charm, and plenty to keep families entertained. I spent two weeks in Shakespeare's birthplace with my husband and our two young sons, Odhran, 10, and Reuben, 7. It wasn't our first time in Stratford. We've visited several times over the years, mostly during the summer months, when its prominent green spaces offer a different kind of appeal. But on this occasion, we enjoy two weeks in December ambling around and discovering all the town has to offer for a holiday with kids.
Shakespeare's Birthplace
Top of the list on a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, is a visit to Shakespeare's Birthplace. The restored 16th- century half-timbered house is a striking Grade 1 listed building, located on Henley Street in the heart of the town. This is where William Shakespeare was born and spent his childhood. It's believed that William and Anne Hathaway continued to live at the Birthplace in the early years of their marriage. After reading Maggie O'Farrell's book Hamnet (an historical fiction novel made into a blockbuster movie that reimagines the life and death of William Shakespeare's only son, who died at age 11) I really enjoyed the scenes I'd imagined, being brought to life. John Shakespeare, a prominent figure in the town, worked as a glovemaker in the house, and the workshop has been recreated. The boys loved trying on different gloves and learning about how they served not just a practical function but as codified symbols of social status. It was hard to imagine how the Shakespeares and John's apprentices managed to squeeze into such a small space - and this was a substantial house for its time! The property features a curated collection of authentic 16th and 17th-century oak furniture, and the stones in a section of the house are authentic to the time of William's childhood. The Shakespeare's Birthplace Trust is the independent charity that cares for Shakespeare heritage sites in Stratford-upon-Avon, and volunteers help out. I strongly recommend speaking to the guides as you explore any of the sites, as they are hugely knowledgable and passionate about Shakespeare. I was interested to learn how in 1847, P.T. Barnum (in inspiration for The Greatest Showman) attempted to purchase, dismantle, and ship Shakespeare's Birthplace to America to exhibit in his museum, until his plan was thwarted by a campaign led by the novelist Charles Dickens.
Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Relive Shakespeare's love story at Anne Hathaway's Cottage in Shottery. This was originally a farmhouse, built in 1463, and is located just outside the town of Stratford-upon-Avon. It takes under half an hour to walk there from the town centre, following a scenic path, or you can hop on a bus for a 10-minute ride. This is where the young Shakespeare is believed to have courted Anne, who lived here until she married William in 1582. Growing up in Ireland, my first introduction to Shakespeare wasn't until I was in my teens and studying for the Junior Cert (equivalent to GCSEs). But now, child-friendly adaptations and simplified retellings, make the Bard's greatest works accessible and engaging for young audiences. Attractions such as Shakespeare's Globe in London offer family tours and interactive storytelling workshops for children as young as five. Odhran is a big fan of Shakespeare and after starting with Hamlet, raced through other child-friendly retellings of Shakespeare's masterpieces, including Othello, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth. Bringing kids to Stratford-upon-Avon and visiting sites such as Shakespeare's Birthplace and Anne Hathaway's Cottage is a great way to help kids relate to Shakespeare as a real person rather than an archaic figure, who is difficult to understand. Visitors to Anne Hathaway's Cottage are invited to pack a picnic to enjoy on the grounds and take in the surrounding at their leisure.
The RSC
The Royal Shakespeare Company on Waterside is a world-renowned theatre company, comprised of three theatres - the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Swan Theatre, and The Other Place. It produces a mix of Shakespearean plays and new works, and we visited to see Roald Dahl's novel The BFG brought to life on stage in a magical production including incredible puppetry and special effects. The BFG closes at the RSC this weekend, 7 Feb, before moving on to Chichester Festival Theatre at the beginning of March. When we visited Stratford-upon-Avon, the RSC was also hosting an interactive experience for kids at The Other Place. So, it's always worth keeping an eye out for what family-friendly shows are scheduled during your visit to Stratford-upon-Avon.
The MAD Museum
Art meets engineering and science at The Mechanical Art & Design Museum - a unique attraction located near to Shakespeare's Birthplace on Henley Street. It's a bit like Scrapheap Challenge at this small museum, which is filled with intricate mechanical, interactive, designs made from metal, wood and sand. Kinetic and automata artists from around the world display intricate sculptures and button-operated designs of everything from quirky clocks to a giant mechanical dinosaur head. Odhran and Reuben enjoyed the section where they could build their own marble runs, and I had fun tilting a large table to try and navigate a metal ball around a maze without it falling into any of the holes. We spent about an hour here, and it's an interesting place to visit, especially on a rainy day.
Shakespeare's Grave
A little further up the road from the RSC, you'll find Holy Trinity Church, on the banks of the River Avon. This is the place of the baptism and burial of William Shakespeare. We paid the small fee to enter the chancel to view Shakespeare's grave. There's also an historic chained Bible from the 13th century. It's kept in a glass case and looks like it would crumble away if you were to thumb through its pages. There was a beautiful carol service here when we visited at Christmas.
Riverside walks
Take a stroll along the River Avon to enjoy the views, feed the swans and see the pretty canal boats. We passed by significant landmarks such as the RSC and Holy Trinity Church and we loved the rushing sound of the weir. During winter, parts of the river froze over and we watched seagull trying to peck through the ice. During the warmer months, you can hire a boat and head out on the water.