Step into England's Tudor past on a tour of Shakespeare's home town

The ‘Sweet Swan of Avon’ is how William Shakespeare was described by his contemporary, the actor Ben Jonson. Those elegant birds still grace the waters of Stratford’s famous river, while the town has a proliferation of charmingly wonky Tudor buildings, whose timbered walls and low ceilings beckon you centuries into the past. Among these historic properties is the former family home of William’s wife Anne Hathaway, as well as the house in which Shakespeare was raised: the ultimate pilgrimage site for devotees of the written word.

Where can I find Shakespeare’s Stratford?

Shakespeare was baptised and buried in Holy Trinity Church in the south of Stratford, on the banks of the Avon. A bust of the playwright sits beside his grave, upon which is engraved a short poem — written by the man himself — cursing anyone who moves his bones. A short walk away is Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the house where William was born in April 1564 and spent his childhood. The property has been decorated in keeping with the time, with original 16th-century cribs and painted wall linens. New Place, the large house where Shakespeare died in 1616, no longer stands, but the gardens have been planted with herbs and trees the playwright would have recognised. Between the lavender, snapdragon and mulberry, you’ll find bronzes based on Shakespeare’s plays by famed sculptor Greg Wyatt.

A mile from town is Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, a thatched farmhouse set in sprawling fruit orchards. Built in 1463, this is where Shakespeare’s wife-to-be grew up. It’s been extended several times in the intervening centuries, with each section restored to reflect the decorative norms of different periods.

What about theatre?

Catching a play is, of course, a must. The Grade II*-listed Royal Shakespeare Theatre on Waterside is the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company and one of the best places in the world to watch performances of the bard’s plays. The attached Swan Theatre hosts works by Shakespeare’s contemporaries, while The Other Place, a short walk down the road, is an intimate 200-seater venue in a modern, tin-clad building where the RSC showcases and develops new writing.

After all that culture, you might be craving some fresh air. Thankfully, Stratford is a great base for exploring the meadows, reedbeds and bluebell-filled woodlands of the Warwickshire countryside. The Welcombe Hills — part of the Stratford-upon-Avon Local Nature Reserve — offers panoramic views and the chance to spot herons, kingfishers and butterflies.

Where are some of the best places to stay?

The Arden Hotel rises handsomely above the west bank of the Avon, directly overlooking the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, making it the ideal choice for theatregoers. The property has been added to many times over the centuries, but Shakespeare’s father John is said to have been involved in its original construction in the 17th century; William is even thought to have written some of his works in the gardens. In the years since, the hotel has played host to countless Shakespearean actors, its rooms — some with huge bathrooms — rooted in the classic English country house style. The hotel’s No 44 Brasserie, meanwhile, offers a fantastic pre-theatre dinner menu, including dishes like pan-seared sea bass and wild mushroom fricassee.

On the other side of the river, the Swan’s Nest Hotel occupies a Georgian redbrick townhouse built around The Bear, a 17th-century inn that still stands here, and is an atmospheric spot for a drink. The lavish Shakespeare Suite is the room to book for anyone celebrating a special occasion.