Stratford-upon-Avon Coach Holidays
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Tipping: 10 to 12% is usual for hotels with 10 to 15% being usual for restaurants. In each case, it is not necessarily added to the bill. If a service charge has already been added, no further tip is required.
Stratford-upon-Avon - an introduction
Known worldwide as the birthplace of popular playwright William Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon has fast become one of those must visit places when taking a UK coach holiday. You can't fail to notice on your coach tour of Stratford-upon-Avon the connections it has with the Bard as there are five 16th century houses that have been beautifully preserved to enable visitors to understand more about Shakespeare and his family. Go back to where it all began with a visit to Henley Street House where he was born and where he also spent the first five years of married life with Anne Hathaway. Literature enthusiasts will also appreciate hearing about visits to Henley Street House made by other famous writers including Charles Dickens, John Keats and Thomas Hardy.
No visit to Shakespeare's Birthplace would be complete without seeing Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Gardens. This is where William Shakespeare fell in love with Anne Hathaway and with one look at the beautiful thatched cottage, you can almost feel romance in the air! Visit Nash's House because New Place next door is where William Shakespeare lived when he was not visiting London. It was here in 1616, that the famous playwright died. He was buried in the Chancel at Holy Trinity Stratford-upon-Avon, a church where he used to worship and where he was baptised.
If you would really like to get close to Shakespeare and admire the genius of his writing, plan your Stratford-upon-Avon coach tour so you can see one of his famous plays performed on stage at the newly renovated Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The 2022 theatre season includes performances of Much Ado about Nothing, Henry VI: Rebellion and War of the Roses.
Although the main focus of visits to Stratford-upon-Avon is Shakespeare, there are many other things to do and places to visit that do not have this connection. Join one of the many award-winning walks around the town and if you're feeling brave you could experience a ghost walk! Enjoy the delights of the River Avon as you board a boat for a relaxing cruise where you can see the sights of Stratford from a different perspective. Visit Europe's largest Butterfly Farm or just admire the wonderful flowers and plants on display with a visit to the Rose Garden, Arboretums and Parklands.
Tours to Stratford-upon-Avon start from £79 per person and typically include; return coach travel, transportation whilst in the resort, accommodation in a good standard hotel, meals and a variety of included or optional excursions so you can explore further should you wish to.
Planning a coach tour to Stratford-upon-Avon? Here are a few places that you can visit during your tour:
Tudor World
Whether you enjoy historic houses, museums, going to the theatre, a spooky ghost tour or ghost hunts - this building has something to offer everyone. It's an unusual tourist attraction thus making it one of the most unique experiences in Stratford-upon-Avon.
River Avon
If you would like to simply enjoy the delights of the river, let someone else take the responsibility? You can jump aboard a cruise boat or even indulge in an evening cruise or enjoy dinner on a specially adapted boat. There are a variety of walks along the riverbank including an exceptionally peaceful one taking in the weeping willows, over the river and around to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm and Jungle Safari
By visiting Europe's largest butterfly farm you can enjoy the unique pleasure of watching hundreds of the world's most spectacular and colourful butterflies flying overhead. Watch them feeding and fluttering around this wonderful tropical environment. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous you can venture into 'Arachnoland' and 'Insect City' home to the world's largest spider and scorpion colony.
Holy Trinity Church
The church is on the banks of the River Avon and is probably England's most visited Parish Church. In addition to this, it receives thousands of visitors each year due to the fact that William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway are both buried here. There is even a brass rubbing centre to visit.
To help you have an enjoyable holiday in England, please take a look at these useful tips and advice provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office:
Health and Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended by all our tour operators and for some operators it is a condition of booking. When choosing a travel insurance please ensure it fully covers all your personal requirements including pre-existing medical conditions, cancellation charges, medical expenses, and repatriation in the event of accident or illness. As a British citizen you will obviously be entitled to free emergency health care on the NHS.
If you are visiting England from outside the United Kingdom and fall ill or are involved in an accident and are from an EU country or Switzerland, you can use a valid EHIC issued by your home country to access healthcare. Please note this is not an alternative to travel insurance. Comprehensive travel insurance is advised for nationalities planning on visiting the UK.
For the latest information and travel advice regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19), please click here
If you need to contact the emergency services whilst in the UK simply dial 999 or 112 to ask for an ambulance.
Crime
The United Kingdom is a safe place to visit, however, as with all countries please exercise common sense. Petty crime can occur so take your usual precautions such as not leaving luggage unattended, beware of pickpockets in tourist areas and leave valuables in the hotel safe.
Local Laws and Customs
Queuing is a British Institution - jump a queue at your own risk!
If you are visiting from outside of the United Kingdom, it is wise to check customs requirements before you travel. If you are planning to bring alcohol, tobacco or souvenirs into the country, you need to be familiar with the UK's custom laws. If you go over your allowances, you may have to pay tax or duty. It is worth checking the HM Revenues and Customs website before you travel.
UK Entry Requirements
When travelling between the UK, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man you may need to show a Border Force officer a document confirming your identity. In most cases an official form of identification such as a driver's license or an armed forces identity card will be ok. However, some airlines will insist you show a passport so please check before you travel.
If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein you can enter the UK with one of the following identity documents: a passport, an Irish passport card or a national identity card issued by an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, if you’re eligible to use one. The identity document should be valid for the whole of your stay.
If you’re from outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you must have a valid passport to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay. You may also need a visa, depending on which country you’re from. Please check here if a visa is required before you travel.
Tourist offices
For further information about Stratford-upon-Avon you can go to the Official Tourism Website at shakespeare-country.co.uk