Discover YOUR Doorstep…with a daycation to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon

As families across the nation look-forward to a summer spent exploring the UK this year, there’s plenty of great culture to discover on your doorstep in Stratford-upon-Avon, whether you’re escaping for a long-weekend, day-tripping with family and friends or simply missing the thrill of seeing live theatre in the flesh. 

“The past few months have been testing times for many, but the tourism and arts sectors have been hit massively”, Chief Executive of Shakespeare’s England, Helen Peters, commented.

“Stratford-upon-Avon and the surrounding towns are reawakening and now is the time to show people what we have to offer, so it is perfect that the RSC and The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust along with many other attractions are adapting what they can offer as they welcome people back. With the summer holiday season just starting, the move could not have come at a better time as many people will be looking for events and activities to do closer to home this year.”

To help plan your visit, we’ve compiled a list of What’s On this August in Shakespeare’s hometown complete with handy tips and guidance to help your family stay safe this Summer.

Socially-distanced outdoor Shakespeare for the whole family.

Royal Shakespeare Company

Running throughout Aug, Fri – Sun from at 1pm and 3pm each day

Whilst the Royal Shakespeare Theatres remain temporarily closed to the public, the Royal Shakespeare Company have launched a new series of free outdoor pop-up performances, taking place every weekend in August in the beautiful surroundings of the Dell Gardens.

These high-energy family-friendly performances will be different each week, taking inspiration from well-known Shakespearean texts and featuring actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company’s postponed productions of The Winter's Tale and The Comedy of Errors.

Featuring a mixture of socially distanced speeches and scenes from Shakespeare’s best-loved plays, these fun, fast-paced, no-frills performances are the perfect re-introduction to live theatre and are a suitable for Shakespeare enthusiasts, newcomers and Stratford day-trippers alike.

“Our buildings may be temporarily closed but our commitment to Stratford-upon-Avon is as strong as ever. We are delighted to be working with our current, professional acting company, who would otherwise be performing in The Winter’s Tale and The Comedy of Errors, to deliver this unique scratch programme of socially-distanced outdoor Shakespeare Though it may not have lights and costume, and the full bells and whistles of a normal RSC show, it will be a welcome treat for anyone who, like me, has been missing live theatre these last few months.”

Gregory Doran, Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company

Performances will be first come, first served, with space for up to eight household groups (maximum 6 people each), plus some standing spaces.

Visitors can also enjoy a daily takeaway service from the RSC’s Riverside Café, which is open from 10am to 4pm.

When in town, visitors can also stop off at the Riverside Cafe or "Rocket" ice cream van located at the front of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Both will serve a wide range of drinks, ice cream, crisps and cakes. The Riverside Cafe will offer a full range of fair-trade tea and coffee. Alcohol will also be served from 12noon.

Customers are asked that they observe social distancing throughout their visit, using the markings on the pavement and payment is by contactless card only.

For more information, visit www.rsc.org.uk

Take a walk in William Shakespeare’s footsteps…

Shakespeare’s Birthplace

Pre-booking Essential

Hear tales of Shakespeare’s family life and get up close to rare objects from the Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust’s world class collections as you discover how the extraordinary William Shakespeare continues to shape our lives today.

Discover the secrets of William Shakespeare’s childhood home, brush up on the history of the bard with the ‘Beyond Words’ exhibition featuring an array of Shakespearian memorabilia, contemporary artwork, an early printed Shakespeare Folio and take a stroll around the stunning Tudor gardens without the usual crowds, all whilst helping to ensure that Shakespeare’s heritage survives this difficult period for future visitors to enjoy.

To keep visitors and staff safe, Shakespeare’s Birthplace have introduced a timed ticket system and all tickets must be booked in advance, even if you have a pre-existing ticket. Online booking is essential to secure your time slot. Tickets will be released every Friday, with availability up to 2 weeks in advance.

Upon arrival at The Birthplace, markers around the site will help visitors to maintain social distancing measures at all times. The Birthplace Trust has also introduced extra hygiene measures including hand sanitiser stations, enhanced cleaning regimes, contactless payments, one-ways routes around the property and one-in-one-out toilets to ensure you and your family feel safe at all times.

https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/

Enjoy a flying visit to Stratford Butterfly Farm…

Swan’s Nest Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon

Pre-book your tickets the day before you wish visit to guarantee entrance.

Get up close (whilst maintaining your social distance) with hundreds of the world’s most beautiful butterflies at Stratford’s very own butterfly farm.

Take a socially distanced stroll through the unique rainforest environment in the company of over 2000 free-flying butterflies, observe the amazing life-cycle of the butterfly at the Discovery Zone, encounter a miniature world of wonder with the mini-beast metropolis, take a walk through the wildlife garden and explore the incredible world of the Leaf Cutter ant colony!

https://www.butterflyfarm.co.uk/attraction/

Take a Punt on the River Avon…

Avon Boating

Swan’s Nest Boathouse, Stratford-upon-Avon

Discover the history of Shakespeare’s Stratford, soak up the local wildlife (and a spot of sunshine while you’re there) and take in the beautiful riverside views of this historic market town with a range of Covid-secure options including Boats and Rowing boat hire, Electric launches and public and private river cruises.

All hire boats and life jackets are sanitised between uses which may result in longer waiting times. For more information and to book visit https://www.avon-boating.co.uk/

Lights, Camera, Hand Gel!

Everyman Cinema,

Bell Court Stratford-upon-Avon

Located at the heart of Bell Court shopping courtyard in the town centre, the ever-popular Everyman Cinema is once again open for online bookings with forthcoming screenings which include family-favourites Jumanji: The Next Level, Four Kids and It, The Greatest Showman and Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, cult classics; Pulp Fiction, Dirty Dancing and The Darjeeling Limited plus new releases Dark Water, Stage Mother and many more!

To ensure visitors continue to enjoy their screenings safely and in style, The Everyman have introduced a series of new safety measures to help make your visit as smooth as possible including cashless payments, extended time between screenings, hand sanitiser stations in bar and lounge areas plus adapted sofa-style seating to ensure plenty of space between visitors at all times.

https://www.everymancinema.com/

Elsewhere in Coventry and Warwickshire…

Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park

Warwick

Compton Verney will be reopening its popular House and Galleries to the public this Summer with pre-bookable, timed tickets now available for a range of indoor exhibitions and spaces. Plus, no visit would be complete without a stop-off at the gift shop located in the main house plus refreshments available from The Garden Shed at Compton Verney horsebox.

Current exhibitions at Compton Verney include Cranach: Artist and Innovator in association with The National Gallery, a stunning celebration of the art of Lucas Cranarch the Elder (1472 – 1553) featuring some of Cranach’s most beguiling paintings and illustrations, on loan from the National Gallery, the Royal Collection, the British Museum and Waddesdon Manor and Fabric: Touch and Identity a beguiling exploration of how artists and designers have employed fabric to express and subvert societal expectations, explore sexuality and personal identity.

https://www.comptonverney.org.uk/