Stoke & Newcastle Ramblers

For this Shakespeare themed weekend away, we’ll be heading to the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon. 

Everyone is welcome to come on the weekend away, regardless of how much walking experience you have and however long you’ve been part of Berkshire Walkers. Like with every BW trip, you have to be a member of The Ramblers to join, but members of other groups are also welcome to come along.

If you’re interested in coming to Stratford, complete the form by Sunday 1st November* to avoid disappointment. The walks that we’ll be doing are designed so that we fully enjoy the Stratford area as well as the views that they offer whilst we’re there.

*PLEASE NOTE: If you wish to be part of the group theatre ticket booking, you'll need to sign up by the earlier deadline of Sunday 16th August (details below). 
 

Friday walk: The Stratford Enchantment Circuit

This short walk explores the countryside northeast of Stratford-upon-Avon, through Welcombe Hills country park and past Philips Obelisk.

• Walk leader: Michael
• Distance: 4.2 miles.
• Terrain/ascent: Some hills, 75 metres.
• Meeting point and time: Stratford Tourist Information at 14:00.
• Estimated finishing time: 16:00.

Friday evening: Social to see “As You Like It” at the Swan Theatre

We'll be attending the Royal Shakespeare Company's performance of "As You Like It" at the Swan Theatre at 7.30pm. We will be doing a group booking for tickets for anyone who signs up on or before Sunday 16th August. Ticket prices start at £18. After this, you can book your own ticket in the theatre, if you wish to attend.

Terms & Conditions for group ticket booking only:
The Berkshire Walkers account is used only to streamline payments to suppliers. In the event of a supplier failure Ramblers and Berkshire Walkers are not liable for reimbursement. Once you have paid, and the organiser has booked your ticket, if you then decide to cancel, you will only be eligible to receive a refund if we receive payment from someone else to take your place. By signing up for this event, you are accepting these T&Cs.

Saturday walk: Is this the way to Henley-in-Arden?

This linear walk will enjoy the picturesque waterways of the Stratford-Upon-Avon Canal, passing Mary Arden's Farm (the childhood home of Shakespeare's mother), and finishing in Henley-in-Arden, a historic market town, with an exactly one-mile-long high street of medieval, Tudor, Georgian and Edwardian design.

• Walk leader: Michael
• Joint walk with the West Midlands Walking Group (TBC).
• Distance: 9.6 miles.
• Terrain/ascent: Some hills, 60 metres.
• Meeting point and time: Stratford-upon-Avon Railway Station at 10:00.
• Estimated finishing time: 14:15 in Henley-in-Arden.
• Please note this is a linear walk, so you’ll need to take the train/bus back to Stratford-upon-Avon afterwards.
• Return trains run hourly from Henley-in-Arden back to Stratford-upon-Avon and take around 15 minutes.

Saturday alternative: Sights of Shakespeare's Stratford

Alternatively, join us for an tour around the Shakespeare-related and historic sights of Stratford-upon-Avon.

In the morning, there is the option to join Michael's walk, following the canal for 3 miles until Mary Arden's Farm (the childhood home of Shakespeare's mother), and then catching the train back to Stratford-upon-Avon from Wilmcote, arriving about midday.

In the afternoon, we'll start at Shakespeare's New Place and loop around the town, passing the Guild Chapel, Shakespeare's Schoolroom and Guildhall, the Almshouses, Hall’s Croft, Holy Trinity Church (where we should be able to visit Shakespeare's grave), the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Gower Memorial, and ending outside Shakespeare's Birthplace. 

• Walk leader: Shannon
• Distance: approximately 2 miles
• Meeting point and time: Shakespeare's New Place at approximately 13:00 (exact timings to be decided on the day)
• Estimated finishing time: approx. 15:00 (exact timings to be decided on the day)

Saturday evening: Social at The Garrick.

We'll meet for dinner and/or drinks at The Garrick, a Green King pub, which is one of the oldest pubs in Stratford-upon-Avon, inside a beautiful Grade II listed Tudor building.

Sunday walk: Much A Loop About Nothing: Stratford, Binton and Welford edition.

This circular walk takes us out into the countryside past Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the family home of Shakespeare's wife, through the quaint thatched cottages of Welford-on-Avon (and its 65-foot Maypole), and back along Shakespeare’s Avon Way.

• Walk leader: Michael
• Distance: 10.5 miles.
• Meeting point and time: Gower Memorial, Bancroft Gardens at 09:45.
• Estimated finishing time: 14:30.
• Terrain/ascent: Smalls hills, 30 metres.

The trip organiser is also looking for other walk leaders to lead other options. If you’d be interested in doing this, please mention this in the form.

Other Activities

Around these walks, there’ll also be some time to visit some of the local sites and attractions. Some recommendations are as follows:

• Canal and River boat trip.
• Shakespeare’s birthplace.
• The MAD Museum.

Accommodation

For this trip, you’ll have to find and book your own accommodation for the two nights. There are two Premier Inns in Stratford-upon-Avon, as well as a Travelodge, and many other hotels. There is also a YHA Stratford-upon-Avon which has many cheap small rooms, about 2 miles out from the town centre.

Travel

Stratford-upon-Avon is approximately 2 hrs away from Reading by train or car.

If you plan to do the walk on Friday, the recommended train to get is the 10:15 CrossCountry service that arrives in Leamington Spa at 11:16. You then change here for the 11:39 Chiltern Railways service that arrives in Stratford-upon-Avon at 12:13. If you don’t want to come on this walk, there’s an hourly service towards Leamington and Stratford.

If you plan to drive, the fastest way is to travel via Oxford and Banbury towards Leamington Spa via the M40. At the latter of these places, you then follow the A46 into Stratford, and this way takes you around 1.5-2 hours. Please note, that parking is busy and limited in the town centre, which may restrict where you can park in terms of accommodation.