STRATFORD upon AVON
Stratford-upon-Avon is a market town and tourist attraction partially due to its attractive setting on the banks of the river Avon but mainly because it was the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
Stratford-upon-Avon is a market town and tourist attraction partially due to its attractive setting on the banks of the river Avon but mainly because it was the birthplace of William Shakespeare. It has a population of about 27,000 but this is increased by about 3.5 million tourists (many are school trips from Britain and abroad) a year.
Shakespeare was born in 1564 and his birth house, his next-door neighbour’s house (Nash's House), his daughter's house and grave (at the Holy Trinity Church) are several of the sights to see. Several of the hostelries also claim to date back many centuries.
The riverside is dominated by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Judged a Sunday Times “Best Place to Live” 20201
Visit Stratford upon Avon William Shakespeare Royal Shakespeare Theatre
A tour of the pubs (marked with the purple indication points on the map) will start with a walk down into the town from the railway station keeping to the left hand side pavement. A short walk brings you to a cross roads on the opposite side of which is The Madison (closed & knocked down) followed by the Chicago Rock Cafe (night club). Not a good start. However, coming up, on the left, is The Stratford Alehouse micropub.
At the next cross roads on the opposite corner is The Old Thatch Tavern which will be our last pub (number 27)! Just across the road on your left is The White Swan Hotel. When you leave here we double back a few yards to the road just crossed. Going up Windsor Street takes us to Number 7 Windsor St, later Oddfellows Arms and now closed and then at the top of Windsor St there is a roundabout with Shakespeare St Cocktail Bar (formerly No. 1 Shakespeare St) and The One Elm both across the road.
From here walk down Guild St and at the first on the right there is the Cz Bar (night club) and on the other corner the Hole in the Wall then called The Union and now called The Phoenix. Continue down Guild St to the road junction and opposite this is the Red Lion.
The Red Lion is on the corner by the bridge over the canal. The Pen & Parchment is across the canal from The Red Lion. Still keeping on the left follow the road and cross the bridge over the river Avon. At the end of the bridge on the right is The Bear (part of Swan's Nest Hotel). When leaving the Bear walk along the main road and turn right. Continue along a few minutes to The Old Tramway.
Return to The Bear and walk to down the river and after the car parks find the Riverside cafe/bar. Return from this by using the pedestrian bridge to cross the river.
While crossing this bridge you can see the outside seating of Cox's Yard across the river. Turn into it at the end of the bridge. The next building after Cox's yard and the statues, opposite The Red Lion, is The Encore.
Walk down the road parallel to the river and first right brings you to Sheep St. Half way along this is The Golden Bee on the right and across the road from it is The Rose and Crown.
Return to the river and continue along to the theatre. At the far end of the theatre is The Swan Theatre bar. Across the road is the Arden Hotel and further down the road is The Black Swan better known as the Dirty Duck.
After the Dirty Duck there is a 5-10 minute walk parallel to the water which goes left past the Holy Trinity church. At the church turn right along College Lane and keep walking as this becomes Sanctus Street, then Sanctus Road and a bridge over a main road. At the end of this there is The Salmon Tail. After this we return along Sanctus Road and Street turning up to the left at Bull St. (If you get back along College Lane you missed Bull St). On Bull St is The West End (formerly The New Bull's Head and before that The West End). Pubs will return to being close together.
Leaving here and walking up Bull St to return to the town you take a slight turn to the right but continue up Church St to find The Windmill on the right and then The Town House on the left. The Falcon Hotel is across the corner from here and is the first of three really old buildings to house pubs. On the opposite side of the road further up is The Shakespeare Hotel. Continue towards the town and at the next cross roads diagonally opposite, a few steps up the High Street brings The Garrick Inn.
Leaving The Garrick return to the cross roads and go along Ely Street, where half way along there are The Keys and Kitchen (formerly The Cross Keys) and Queen's Head opposite each other. At the end of Ely St turn right and walk up to the Lamplighter. Crossing the road and going up to the corner brings you to the Old Thatch Tavern and you will recognise The White Swan Hotel, where you started, opposite.
The station is now up to the left.
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The website of the Campaign for Real Ale
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Pubtrails HOME
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Shakespeare CAMRA
Pub Facts
Greene King seems the best represented brewery.
No pubs are dominated by lots of TV screens
Purity beers are from the local brewery.
Most pubs have a couple of premium lagers. Some even have no Carlsberg or Carling
Most pubs are long and thin because houses used to be taxed on the length of their frontage.
PLACES TO VISIT WITH PUBTRAILS
The towns and villages highlighted on this web site have a wide variety of pubs and beers in them. All of the places are great to visit, whether for a day or longer, and most have tourist attractions for all of the family.
There is a large variety of pubs throughout the different towns shown below. Some you may wish never to visit again but even discovering these can be interesting. There are pubs that you would not take your wife into. While some you could not take your girlfriend into. A few you would not take either into. However, most of the pubs are very pleasant.
HOME MAP of places visited
Alnwick Ambleside Anstruther Bakewell Bamburgh Barnard Castle Bath Berwick upon Tweed Birnam & Dunkeld Bourton on the Water Bowness on Windermere Bridge of Allan Chester Chichester Dunblane Dunoon Edinburgh Ely Fort William Glasgow Gourock Greenock Helensburgh Inverness Kelso Keswick Knaresborough Largs Linlithgow Lyme Regis Melrose Montrose Newton Stewart North Berwick Norwich Oban Pebbles Penzance Portree Pitlochry Quorn Richmond Rothesay St Andrews Seahouses Seend Shrewsbury Skipton Stirling Stratford-upon-Avon Stockton Heath Whitby Windemere Whitstable York
The Stratford Ale House ♥ ★
The Stratford Ale House is a micro pub set in a small shop front. There are three tall tables along each side with a small servery at the far end. Beer comes from the barrel. The table in the shop window area is set upon barrels on a small stage area. Radio plays in background. Dog friendly
Have a pint or two in pleasant surroundings
Regular in Good Beer Guide, including 2023, 2024
Real ale: Millstone True Grit; Prescott Spring; Green Duck Duck and Cover; Wye Valley Butty Back
The White Swan Hotel ★
The White Swan Hotel is a Fuller's hotel from the 15th century. There is comfortable seating, large armchairs and sofas, either side of the door. Hard backed chairs are the exception. Continue through to the servery. It has a stunning interior. The lounges have low ceilings and wood panelling and are very relaxing. There is outside seating at the front and up the right hand side, which is where the hotel reception is located. Lunch and evening meals
Have one here
real ale : Spring Sprinter ESB, London Pride, - Fullers
bitter :Wild River Pale Ale
lager :Frontier; Amstel, Peroni,
cider : Guinness
Pub Jukebox:
Alcohol themed music to listen to while you browse.
the piano has been drinking, not me - Tom Waits
Shakespeare St. Cocktail Bar
Shakespeare St Cocktail Bar (formerly No. 1 Shakespeare Street) which was very modern and swish. There is a small lounge area downstairs and a larger room upstairs called The Chapel. The night club part is now called No 1.
The front door opens into the cocktail lounge
The One Elm ★
The One Elm a large bright and airy pub diner. Restaurant through to the rear and big courtyard area with plenty of large umbrellas to protect from sun or rain. Small room immediately to right. Servery ahead and round to left where there a variety of seating and table sizes around it. There is also outside seating at the roadside out front. You can tell by the lagers on sale the clientele expected. Staff seemed to be auditioning. Dog Friendly. Lunch and evening meals.
Have one or two here
real ale :Mad Goose and Pure Ubu (both from Purity), Hooke, Doom Bar, Ren's Pride (Churchfarm); Timothy Taylor
bitter: Longhorn IPA (Purity)
lager :Estrella; Lawless; Prevha; Urquell; , Peroni,Fruli
cider : Aspall Guinness
The Union - now The Phoenix ★
(previously The Hole in the Wall)
The Hole in the Wall which became The Union, Stratford upon Avon - now The Phoenix
The Hole in the Wall which became The Union, Stratford upon Avon - now The Phoenix
The Union, Stratford upon Avon - now The Phoenix
The Union, Stratford upon Avon - now The Phoenix
The Union, Stratford upon Avon - now The Phoenix
The Union, Stratford upon Avon - now The Phoenix
The Union, Stratford upon Avon - now The Phoenix
The Phoenix ( formely The Union and before that The Hole in the Wall) is nicely modernised with variety of seating making use of the spacious interior. There is a large attractive roof terrace. Good food available
Have one here
real: : Hook Norton
lager : Carlsberg; San Miguel; Moretti, Pravha
cider : Stowford Press Guinness
The Red Lion
The Red Lion, Stratford upon Avon
The Red Lion, Stratford upon Avon
The Red Lion, Stratford upon Avon
The Red Lion, Stratford upon Avon
The Red Lion, Stratford upon Avon
The Red Lion, Stratford upon Avon
The Red Lion, Stratford upon Avon - beer garden by the river
The Red Lion, Stratford upon Avon
The Red Lion is a Table Table pub from Whitbread with many 'own space' areas for dining. The main entrance is at the corner of the pub. The servery is straight in front. Several seating/dining areas to the left and a small and larger seating' to right. this larger room has doors onto the extensive side beer garden along the side of the canal. There is outside seating directly in front of the pub (facing the road) and a lot more round to the right alongside the canal. Meals all day
Have a half here
real ale :Hobgoblin; Hobgoblin Gold; Atlantic (Sharp)
bitter :Tetley's
lager :Carling, San Miguel Stella, Becks
cider : Strongbow; Thatcher's Gold Guinness
The Pen & Parchment
The Pen & Parchment is a Greene King pub offering beer and food. Tables and chairs all around room including in a raised section. Good sized outside seating area close to canal and road. Quite bright inside with lighting and light coloured wood.
Have a half pint here
real ale :Old Speckled Hen, Greene king IPA, Abbot; Blonde Star (Silhill)
lager :Carling, Stella, becks, Fosters
Guinness
The Bear ★ ❤
The Bear is the lounge of the Swan's Nest Hotel. It is not very clear that the building at the end of the bridge is a pub. However, it is a lovely hotel lounge serving good food and plenty of ales. It is a local for many of the people in the area. Mixture of seating table styles. Never be tempted to miss this because it is over the bridge - does not add much distance at all. Meals, disabled access and dog friendly
Regular in Good Beer Guide
Have two here
real ale : Peaky Blinder Pale Ale (Sadlers); Bear Best Bitter, Old Hookey, Mauler (Ringwood); Butty Bach (Wye Valley), Purity Gold; Doom Bar,
lager :Lawless; Longhorn; Estrella; Galatia, Becks, Stella
cider : Stowford Press; Strongbow Guinness; Sadler's Peaky Blinder
The Old Tramway
The Old Tramway, Stratford upon Avon
The Old Tramway, Stratford upon Avon
The Old Tramway, Stratford upon Avon
The Old Tramway, Stratford upon Avon - out back sheltered seating and beyond grass, alongside car park
The Old Tramway, Stratford upon Avon
The Old Tramway. Through the door in the middle has a short corridor to take you to the middle of a large room allowing two side areas around to the right and left. decor is stylish brown wood with green paint and stripped back brick. Beams in the low ceilings and dark green heavy curtains give a comfortable opulent atmosphere. Servery is at the diagonal in the far right corner. Some tall tables near servery for hanging around the bar and TV. There is seating at tables around each side. lots of outside seating and car park to the rear of building
Have a pint here
Real ale: Stratford Gold; Purity; London Pride
keg bitter: Tetley's
Lager: San Miguel; 1664
Cider: Cheddar Valley; Stowford Guinness
The Riverbank (now The Embankment)
The Riverbank , now The Embankment, is a modernised cafe/bar hoping to benefit from customers sitting outside and watching the boats on river. Bit more of a young place in the evening.
Have a half pint here
bitter :Tetley's
lager :San Miguel, Carlsberg
cider : Thatchers Guinness
Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
Benjamin Franklin
Cox's Yard ★
Cox's Yard is an ex-timber merchants and takes up a lot of space. There is seating for 300 outside at the river. It has a coffee shop, ice cream parlour and the attic theatre. The bar is a like a small barn with seating down one side. Upstairs is a function suite where bands play.
Have one here
real ale :Pure Gold (Purity), Bombardier
bitter :
lager :Estrella, Red Stripe, Fosters, Erdinger
cider :Stowford Press Guinness
The Encore
The Encore is a smart lounge offering restaurant upstairs and bit of a bar diner downstairs. Attracts after workers in early evening. Expensive - though has champagne offers! There are lots of intimate tables and the lights go down at 9pm.
Have one here
real ale :Doombar, Purity UBU
bitter :
lager :Amstel, San Miguel, Carling, Peroni, Pilsner Urquell
cider :Aspall Guinness
The Golden Bee
The Golden Bee is a Wetherspoons pub with usual variety of seating areas and food, and staff training on the coffee machine.
Have one here
real ale : Ruddles, Abbot, Mad goose (Purity), Breakspear 99,
bitter :John smith
lager :Amstel, Heineken, Coors Light, Carlsberg, Stella,
cider :Hogan's Guinness
The Rose & Crown
The Rose & Crown (Greene King) looks very traditional from outside but once inside the first sign you see is one explaining how to order food. However, the second sign is the real ales on that day. It is perfect example of a place being built long to avoid the tax levied on size of front. Seating area followed by long bar followed by more tables and then entrance to beer garden.
Have one here
real ale :Courage best bitter, Directors, Bombardier, EPA
bitter :John Smiths
lager :Stella, Carling,
cider Guinness
Swan Theatre
Swan Theatre bar is open to the public although only a blackboard outside indicates this. Therefore, apart from showtimes it is empty.
Have half pint here
real ale :Purity UBU
lager :Stella
The Arden Hotel
The Arden Hotel has a large patio area outside. this leads to a dining area with bar and through to lounge.
Have one here
real ale :Hooky bitter, Purity UBU
lager :Leffe, Hoegarden, Becks, Lawenbrau
Guinness
The Black Swan ★
The Dirty Duck or as it is actually called, The Black Swan, is a Greene King pub. It has a reputation as a haunt for actors from the theatres. A large square bar serves customers in three different locations. There is a bar through a door (hard to make out) immediately to the right when entering. The large lounge leads through to more seating and then out to garden. There is a pleasant balcony to the front and customers even make use of the seating on the pavement.
Historical Info
Good Pub Guide 2013
Have a pint here
real ale :Dirty mallard, Greene King IPA, Speckled hen
lager :Esperella, Fosters, stella, carling,
Guinness
The Salmon Tail - now The Paddock
The Salmon Tail, now The Paddock, is a relatively modern pub build at a junction and far from the tourists. It is triangular in shape (fish tail!). A small beer garden at the apex unfortunately caught between two roads. The door from the garden leads to a small lounge and then through to more comfortable seating on the right. Further on is a long bar at the base.
Have one here
real ale :Tribute Cornish PA, Hoohy bitter
bitter :
lager :Carling, Stella, Stella 4,
cider : Strongbow, Thatchers Heritage Guinness
The Bull - formerly The West End and The New Bulls Head
The West End (formerly The New Bull's Head and formerly The West End) now back to The Bull also isolated from the tourist route and as such acts as a community pub selling fruit and veg; cards and stamps, bread and cakes as well as beer and offering food.
seating and dining at front. bar curves around to open into large lounge which then leads to outdoor garden seating. Lounge is dominated by pool table.
Good Beer Guide 2013 (CAMRA)
Have one here
real ale :Landlord, Millard's Musket (Uphampton), Golden Best (Timothy Taylor), Cooker Hoop, Doombar
bitter :Worthingtons
lager :Grolsch, Carlsberg, Becks
cider : Strongbow Guinness
The Windmill
The Windmill (Greene King) almost reaches the tourists. It is a large open lounge with plenty of standing around the bar. Claims to be the oldest bar having a continuous licensed from 1600
Good Pub Guide 2013
Have one here
real ale :Greene King IPA, Abbot, Doom Bar
bitter :Bodingtons
lager :Carling, Estrella, Becks, San Miguel
cider :Stowford Press Guinness
Town House ★
Town House (Brakspear) is a hotel and restaurant but do not be put off. The lounge is not merely for awaiting a place in restaurant. It is a small intimate bar space with stools and some low and tall tables. Music is played on piano in early evening and acoustic showcase on a Sunday. Further comfortable Library bar through from front bar.
NEWS
Have one here
real ale :Windrush Ale (Cotswalds), That (Teme)
bitter :Tetleys
lager :Carlsberg, Staropramen
cider : Old English Guinness
Falcon Hotel - now Hotel Indigo Stratford
Falcon Hotel now Hotel Indigo Stratford is an old building from the 16th century
Small bar with large hotel lounge comprising tables with small red stool. Beautiful and large garden through back of hotel. Most expensive real ale in town.
Have half pint here
real ale :Mad Goose, Purity UBU (both Purity)
lager :Carlsberg, Carlsberg Export
cider :Hogan's, Olde English Guinness
The Shakespeare Hotel
The Shakespeare Hotel is another old world hotel full of large sofas, armchairs and giant stools. Here is comfort. Othello's is the name of the bar, brassiere and cafe.
Have one here
bitter :Worthington Cream Flow
lager :Grolsch, Carling
Guinness
The Garrick
The Garrick (Greene King) has a small bar immediately to the right of the entrance. Continue further on to a large lounge designed to give feel of having own space. Even further on is a dining area. Claims to be the oldest pub in town dating from the 1400s. Food available and dogs welcome
Good Pub Guide 2013
Have one here
real ale :Abbot, Shakesbeer, Greene King IPA
lager :Carling, Stella, Staropramen, Fosters
cider : Guinness
The Keys and Kitchen - now The Keys
The Keys and Kitchen (formerly The Cross Keys) and now The Keys is on a side street and loses the tourists. Doubtful if anyone here cares though. Serving area and tables to the left but bar seems incomplete. Modern furniture and sofas to right. A 'sun trap' garden at back. Only bar in town with 'heavy metal' feel - though not any more.
Have one here
real ale :Hooky Bitter
bitter :John Smith
lager :Carling, Stella
cider : Stowford Press, Strongbow Guinness
The Queen's Head
The Queen's Head makes a bit more of a show to attract tourists. Although the drinking area is opened out the small area to the right has a 'bar' feel while the large portion to the left has variety of seating and tables. There is an outside bench patio through the back. The small right hand 'bar' area has the loudness and language associated with old style bar that would put off many a tourist. Lunch and evening meals
Have half pint here
real ale :Doom Bar, Southwold (3 pumps became 1 during visits)
bitter :John Smith
lager :Carling, Stella, Coors Light
cider :Strongbow, Stowford Press Guinness
Lamplighter - now The Coach House
The Lamplighter, now The Coach House (Davenports) is basically a one roomed pub but with some large pillars and a step in the middle. This makes the floor a bit above the that of the bar. There is a pool table to the right of the entrance door and a garden area behind the pub. The wall decorations are posters held up with tacks which do not match the smart tables and chairs.
Have one here
real ale :Highgate Dark Mild, Summer Swing
bitter :Brew XI
lager :Stella 4, Bud
cider : Magners Guinness
Old Thatch Tavern ★
Old Thatch Tavern (Fullers) is an attractive old pub. Small seating area at front with dining beyond. Small outside area
Have one here
real ale :Seafarer's, HSA, London Pride
bitter :Worthington Cream Flow
lager :Grolsch, San Miguel
cider : Aspall Guinness
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Books on Beer
A selection of recommended books covering all aspects of beer and brewing. There are books on the history of beer and others on different styles of beer.
For example
An Inebriated History of Britain by Peter Haydon
Amber, Gold & Black by Martyn Cornell
Brew Britannia by Jessica Boak & Ray Bailey
The Story of the Pint by Martyn Cornell
Miracle Brew by Pete Brown
Built to Brew by Lynn Pearson
And many more
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Books on Pubs
A selection of recommended books on pubs and their history. There are books on the social history of pubs and the design of pubs through the ages.
There are also books on visiting pubs and ones recommending pubs to visit.
CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide
Death of the English Pub by Christopher Hutt
Brewers, Brands and the Pubs in their Hands by Tony Thornton
Licensed to Sell by Brandwood, Davidson & Slaughter
And many more
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Who owns your pubs?
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Interesting articles to read
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Who owns your beer?
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Comparing pubs in Scotland with England
ANSWER: Dopey