the WalkTalkShow:
Stratford upon Avon
TripAdvisor rating : rated Excellent & 100% Customer Recommendation
GetYourGuide : ‘Top Activities’ Average Score = 4.9/5 Recommendation
“…without doubt the best possible way to get to know this town and its incredibly famous son.”
"We are such stuff as dreams are made on."
The WalkTalkShow.co.uk is a fascinating and entertaining Guided Tour through the incredible history of Stratford upon Avon – which spans the last 14 centuries.
Our Tours, which take about 75 minutes, have a dozen stops, with each one being used to illustrate key historical details; about Straford’s history as well as focusing on it’s most famous son – William Shakespeare; who we follow from cradle to grave.
See Harvard House (built 1596), the family home of the man who went on to start America’s first and most famous University. Shakespeare frequented all five of the taverns from his day that survive to this – and you still can; the oldest and most impressive dates back to 1450. You will encounter countless buildings from this period as well as others that are more than 200 years older.
Two Tours Daily:
We run two Tours daily, starting at 1pm and again at 3pm. We start and finish outside The Royal Shakespeare Theatre (aka the RSC), at the base of the huge Viewing Tower; so you can’t fail to find us! Your Guide will be there; at busy times sporting a red umbrella (open or closed). Your Tour typically takes 75 minutes, although pace is always dictated by the pace of the group. Please book through this website – you cannot buy cheaper anwhere else – and we’ll give you maximum flexibility on swapping times and cancellations.
Our passage through history is 1.4km (0.9 miles) and 1400 years long. It is all on established paths with nothing more than a gentle incline (so the route is wheelchair and mobility scooter friendly).
Our guides are all locals with a special interest in local and Tudor history – and we all have a wealth of knowledge and information to share, and we love to do precisely that. Dogs are very welcome but must be on a lead at all times.
Please book your tickets directly with us – from this website. We have a full no questions instant refund policy for any cancellation request that is more than 24hours ahead of a booked tour. We will also swap the date/time of any booked Tour on request – subject to availability.
Fancy a Private Group Tour?
If you are interested in booking a private guided tour for your family or group, at a time (and even start point) of your choice, just contact us via the email link below – or via our Contacts page.
Click below to email us about a private group guided tour, or any other issue that isn’t addressed on our FAQ page:
Coach Tours – Embedded Guides
We have Guides with many years experience of working on local sightseeing coaches. We can meet your coach and run live commentary as we guide you on a 60min (or longer) local tour. We know the best routes, allowing for traffic congestion.
Click the email link below to enquire about using an embedded guide :
Just a few take-outs from our customers reviews posted online:
“Vast knowledge ...
Superb ...
Fantastic ...
The best walking tour we've ever done
It all came alive ...
Magical ...
Incredible ...
The perfect walking tour! ...
Extremely interesting ...
Highly recommended ...
Wonderful ...
We loved our tour guide ...
A fabulous way to learn ...
Great for all ages ...
Fascinating history.”
And a few reviews in full. Many more on TripAdvisor & GetYourGuide
“Excellent value tour! Brought the history and landmarks of the town fully alive! Thoroughly enjoyed it!!”
Bronwyn J. Melbourne, Australia.
“Excellent tour. Very knowledgable guide who told a fascinating story about the development of the town with enough detail to enlighten without making it dry. Very witty renedition and well paced to cover it all.”
Andrew G. Liverpool.
“Detailed and informative tour of the town. ... Takes in all key locations related to Shakespeare and the history of Stratford. Really interesting.”
Michaela. Maldon, UK.
“We had a really enjoyable, informative experience and would highly recommend the tour. Thank you to Richard who took us around in awful weather!”
Helen G. Leeds, UK.
“A fantastic informative walking tour - even in the rain! We learnt a lot about the town and about the life of Shakespeare, with plenty of tips for tourists.”
Dan P. London.
“Easy to book the tour. Excellent tour guide, very knowledgeable and allowed plenty of time at each stop to explore and ask questions. Highly enjoyable and would recommend.”
Brian D. Liverpool.
“. . . Thank you Kate for making our visit so special and rewarding - your tour genuinely made our whole trip from the US worthwhile! ”
Mike S. California.
“As regular breakers we often do walking tours, in the UK and abroad. This one is right at the very top of our favourites list ”
Emma P. Norwich.
“This is a genuine, diligent, and friendly tour operator committed to making the experience as good as possible for the visitor. I was sincerely delighted with the service. Highly recommended!”
Michael. Somerset.
“”We had a wonderful tour with Kate who was so knowledgeable and informative. A really personal and great historical experience. Highly recommend.
Candice. London
A few tour highlights :
Where we meet . . . the RST
Below the main steps into the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (aka The RSC) at the base of the Tower. This is also our first stop - where we deliver a short historical overview of this town's rich past. Please remain outside the RST building.
Guild Chapel & Alms Houses
The town's mighty Guild built these houses for the poor and underprivileged of the town. That was early in the 15th Century - and these dwellings still play that important role in the community.
The Bancroft Gardens
With room for everyone the gardens and canal basin are the unofficial social centre of the town. Peppered with historical statues, monuments and memorials - as well as great views across the river.
New Place & Nash's House
William Shakespeare made himself a wealthy man and aged just 33 he bought the biggest house in the town; having 26 rooms. Deliberately destroyed not once but twice its now beautiful gardens belie a very troubled past.
History Corner at Sheep Street
Named after the main route for livestock travelling from pastures to market, Sheep Streets' restaurants have long made it a magnet for foodies. Learn about buildings that span five centuries - right in front of your eyes.
Shakepeare's Birthplace
See the house where William was born in 1564 - recreated as it would have been when he was a boy. Our guide will paint you a picture of the life and times of the young genius.
Market Cross
This intersection at the top of town is historically significant. What might look like a Greek church is Market Hall and dates back to the early 1500's and traders, including John Shakespeare, would sell their goods across its' flat top tables.
The Swan Theatre & Finish
Housed in the main theatre complex The Swan is the smaller auditorium - where non Shakespearian productions often take to the stage. We then finish back at the start point.
The Garrick Inn. Harvard House
The Garrick is one of five taverns where you can still share a drink with Shakespeare's spirit - and right next door is the house whose owners left England to start a college that would go on to become the world famous Harvard University.
Messing aboat on the river
Stratford offers visitors a myriad of ways to relax and unwind. Scores of bars and restaurants, open parklands, themed attractions and every type of river journey. Our Guides are always available to advise on what to do - next - of course!
Chart the life of Shakespeare
Your Tour spans a history of 14 centuries but it also follows the timeline of Shakespeare's life; from his birthplace to the home he bought to retire to. His 52 years changed the world forever.
more about the 'WalkTalkShow' . . .
We Tour twice daily; meeting just below the Tower by the main entrance to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre [RST] at 1pm and again at 3pm. Please note we meet outside – so do not enter the building or you could miss us! If the area is busy our Guide will be sporting a red umbrella – so that you can easily identify them.
Our guided tour encompasses Stratford’s 14 centuries of history as well as a deep dive into the life and times of its most famous son; William Shakespeare.
Please book your tickets directly with us – from this website; you cannot save money by purchasing tickets through other platforms and we have a full no questions instant refund policy for any cancellation request that is more than 24hours ahead of a booked tour. We will also swap the date/time of any booked Tour on request – subject to availability.
Our circular route takes about 75 minutes and includes 12 stops:
1) Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Waterside
2) Market Hall at Market Cross
3) Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Henley Street
4) The American Fountain, Rother Street
5) Bell Court from Wood Street
6) History Corner from Sheep Street
7) Shakespeare’s New Place
8) The Guild Chapel
9) Shakespeare’s Schoolroom
10) KES from Chapel Lane
11) The Swan Theatre, Waterside
12) Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Waterside.
Throughout your tour your guide will be happy to answer any questions you have.
A few more of our customers reviews - as posted online:
“Our wonderful tour guide explained everything in detail. He was very professional and answered all the questions our boys had.”
Katherine A. Kuala Lumpar
“A fantastic experience with our terrific guide, Richard. History was brought to life during our most enjoyable experience.”
George & Phyllis C. NJ, USA.
“We really enjoyed the tour; our Guide was really informative and interesting - taking us to the main places of interest with some fascinating background stories. Well worth doing.”
Angela D. Bristol
“Our Guide was able to show and explain wider history about the town than just Shakespeare's period. As a local he was also able to give us very useful local recommendations. A very enjoyable and informative experience.”
Andrew & Julie S. Aberdeen
“Liz was friendly and incredibly knowledgeable about both Shakespeare and his home town - an amazing tour guide. This town of only 30,000 copes with 5 million tourists a year! The Walking Tour, especially with Liz as guide, is the very best way to visit Stratford on Avon.”
Janet H. San Francisco
“Great value and delivered at a perfect pace - as we've sometimes found guided walks a bit too slow. Our guide had boundless knowledge about both the town and its most famous son.”
Douglas B. Glasgow
“Kate was such a great guide. It is though she had 'skin in the game' as one directly affected by all of the historical facts, context and anecdotes she shared . . .Thank you Kate, for making our visit so special and rewarding - your tour genuinely made our whole trip from the US worthwhile!”
Mike S. California
“A fantastic informative tour of Stratford upon Avon - even in the rain! We were a family of four and we learned a lot about the town and the life of Shakespeare , with plenty of tips for tourists too. The duration was perfect, as was the early afternoon start time which perfectly fitted our schedule. Thanks again.”
Dan P. London
Private Group Bookings
If you are interested in booking a private WalkTalkShow for your family or group, at a time (and even start point) of your choice, just contact us via the email link below – or visit our Contacts page.
QUESTIONS?
Please see if your question has already been addressed on our FAQ’s page.
If not, we’re happy to answer any questions, please email us: stratfordwts@gmail.com
Terms & Conditions
The WalkTalkShow (WTS) generally goes ahead almost whatever the weather – so please dress accordingly. Our guided walk covers a distance of just under 1.4km and it is all on hard pathways with no more than gentle inclines – so no walking boots or high levels of fitness are required.
The route has been risk assessed and optimized for the safe transition of a guided group – so wheelchairs and mobility scooters can easily navigate our route.
In the unlikely event of extreme weather conditions (e.g. torrential rain, gale force winds or compacted ice/snow) the tour may have to be shortened or cancelled for safety reasons. In this case you will of course receive a full refund.
All our Guides are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The Walk Talk Show takes every precaution to ensure the safety and comfort of all customers. However, customers do participate entirely at their own risk.
We accept no liability for our customers health and safety and neither do we accept any liability for their personal belongings. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is responsible for their supervision and safety throughout the duration of the tour.
Whilst scheduled to take 75 minutes, the tour duration is ultimately determined by the pace of the group.