Who are you?
Anne and David Dean, motorhome owners for more than 20 years. We have travelled extensively in the UK and Europe.
Why are you a local authority on Stratford-upon-Avon?
We currently live 25 miles from Stratford-upon-Avon and visit frequently, and we have taken our grandsons there on camping holidays, exploring many of the local attractions.
What do you love about it?
Its riverside location, plus the fact it has retained a lot of the character from its roots as a medieval market town and the birthplace of Shakespeare.
What’s your favourite place to visit in the area?
As well as exploring all Stratford-upon-Avon has to offer, it also works as a base for visiting the surrounding area – including the beautiful Cotswold village of Broadway, and the fine city of Worcester, where you can see the medieval cathedral, which houses a royal tomb, cloisters and crypt, or visit The Commandery museum, marking Worcester’s central role in the Civil War.
The elegant Georgian market town of Pershore has an abbey that dates back some 1300 years, while nearby Evesham is known as the fruit and veg basket of England, famous for its fine asparagus and spring blossom trail.
Charlecote Park and Upton House and Gardens, are within easy reach, as is spectacular Ragley Hall, ancestral home of the Marquess of Hertford.
Which local campsites would you recommend, and why?
Riverside Park is ideally located, as its name suggests, on the banks of the river, only a mile from the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon.
The town centre can be accessed by a pleasant 20-minute walk, a flat cycle ride of via water taxi from the park in the main season. The site has good facilities, a play area, crazy golf, and an excellent bar/restaurant. The location also offers you the option of fishing, or simply relaxing and watching the local ducks, swans and kingfishers.
What about food and drink?
Attracting tourists from all ver the world, Stratford has an abundance of eateries to appeal to many cultures, including traditional British cuisine and to suit all pockets.
Tell us somewhere great to eat!
We always enjoy dining at Riverside Park’s welcoming bar/restaurant, with the bonus of great views over the river, but if you want to have the chance to spot some of the actors appearing at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, The Dirty Duck (aka The Black Swan), just opposite the theatre, is the place to dine! Star-spotting aside, the food is good and the prices are reasonable.
If you fancy spoiling yourself with afternoon tea or delicious cake and coffee, try Huffkins, on Bridge Street.
Where can you get spare kit?
Broadlane Leisure, Alcester, stocks a wide range of accessories specifically for motorhomes and camping.
Where can I find the cheapest petrol/diesel in the area?
Try Tesco, on Birmingham Road, or Morrisons, on Alcester Road.
Where in Stratford-upon-Avon should you avoid?
Stratford is busy throughout the year, but if possible, avoid weekends and school holidays – they are the busiest times. Parking is difficult, especially for motorhomes, but is allowed at the local leisure centre (CV37 6YX).
Share a highlight only a local would know…
Shakespeare’s Birthplace is situated in the town centre, but a trip on the tour bus provides good background knowledge on Stratford and outlying areas, with the chance to hop on and off at points of interest, such as Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Mary Arden’s Farm. As well as the production at the theatres, backstage tours are available.
Hiring a boat on the river is a great way to relax and get close to nature.
Stratford Butterfly Farm has a leafy, simulated tropical environment within greenhouses and is home to numerous species of free-flying butterflies, and some fish and birds, too.
The MAD (Mechanical Art & Design) Museum, 100 yards from Shakespeare’s Birthplace, has really mind-boggling interactive exhibits.
There is something of interest in and around Stratford for all ages, at any time of the year, whatever the weather – that’s why we love it.
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