Getting There
- By TrainTrains leave London's Marylebone Station for a direct journey to Stratford-upon-Avon several times throughout the day. The journey takes about two and a half hours. It is possible to see a matinee performance and return to London on the same day, but arranging train trips back to London after evening performances is difficult and it is better to stay over in Stratford-upon-Avon. For current information about train times and fares, check the National Rail Enquiries web site.
- By BusNational Express Coaches have several trips a day between London Victoria Coach Station and Stratford-upon-Avon. The journey takes between 2 and a half and nearly five hours, depending upon the time of day.
- By Car The theatre is 10 minutes from Junction 15 of the M40, connecting to London and Birmingham. It is 146 miles from London, in practice a journey of at least three hours.
Staying in Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is a popular visitor destination, even when there are no performances at the theater, so it's wise to book accommodation as soon as you book your theater tickets. Though there is a selection of moderately priced hotels and cheap b&Bs, frankly, the quality of hotels right in Stratford-upon-Avon is not brilliant. There is, however, a good selection in the surrounding towns and villages of nearby Warwickshire.Your best option is to let the RSC book accommodations for you. Here's how, plus a few other options:
- Book an RSC Short Break The Royal Shakespeare Company offers booking services and a changing selection of accommodation deals, in Stratford and in the surrounding countryside, on its web site.
- Sunnydale Guest House A simple and very typical English B&B close to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. There's nothing "ye olde" or quaint about the place, but it offers decent, friendly accommodations and nice breakfasts for about £30 per person or less.
- Cherry Trees looks for all the world like a suburban family home from the 1960s. But rooms are very surprising, with four poster beds and lots of little luxury touches. They'll even organise champagne, flowers and chocolates for a romantic getaway. Rates are between £85 and £95 per room.
- The White Swan absolutely reeks Tudor charm and it's authentic, if a bit tired. The place was a coaching inn at least 100 years before Shakespeare was born. Rooms cost about £90, including breakfast. New owners took over in April 2007 so a freshening up is in the cards.
- The Falcon is a fabulously half-timbered, 16th century coaching inn with an oak panelled bistro, Scholars, and a restaurant with a beamed and coffered Tudor ceiling. Only twenty rooms are in the original 16th century section. Make sure you ask for one of those because the 1970s addition is devoid of character. Bed and breakfast for about £50 per room.
