Raise Your Glass at the Actor's Pub, The Dirty Duck

The Dirty Duck is about 100 yards down Waterside from The Royal Shakespeare Theatre. This popular Stratford-upon-Avon pub is must for theatre-goers or anyone else who enjoys a friendly drink in a picturesque pub. It's spread over several rooms, plus a rear garden and front terrace, of a 15th century building that has been a pub since at least the 1700s.

Stop in for a pre-theatre drink and book a table for supper after the show. They take last food orders at 11 p.m. Chances are you will see half the cast of the play having their after show meal there as well.

Stick your nose in the Actor's Bar, a plain room that is probably as close to the original 18th century decor as you can get - except, of course, for the pictures. The room as absolutely papered with autographed photos of Royal Shakespeare Company luminaries going back decades.

You may notice that the sign board, visible in this picture, says "Flowers". That's the brewery associated with this pub. It is also the family that first donated land and money to build a Shakespeare theatre here in the Victorian era and who continue to support the RSC to this day.

Food is simple bistro fare - pasta, burgers, bangers and mash - and frankly, it is nothing to write home about. But it is decent and reasonably priced. Besides, it's the people watching and the friendly atmosphere that make this place so much fun.

Dirty Duck Essentials

• Address: Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6BA
• Telephone: +44 (0)1789 29 7312
• Prices: Main courses from about £7 (cheaper at lunch)

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