Local area
Stratford-Upon-Avon
Famous for its connection with Shakespeare, most people visit Stratford-upon-Avon during their short break in Warwickshire. It’s full of historic buildings, riverside walks and stylish cafés. On a sunny day, there is nowhere better to be than our local area. Grab an ice cream, take a canal boat tour or even take a dip in the river Avon at the Old Bathing Place.
All things Sheakspeare
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has no less than three theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the Swan Theatre are both within the same building on Waterside. Their other theatre is called “The Other Place” and can be found on nearby Southern Lane.
If you are in the area to learn about Shakespeare, don’t miss Anne Hathaway’s cottage, where he spent time with the love of his life. Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust has also restored the house where the famous bard was born and lived during childhood. See rare artefacts and learn the story of how he became the most famous playwriter in history.
When touring museums, don’t be put off by the name of Shakespeare’s New Place. There’s nothing new about it – in fact, it was his family home for 19 years from 1597 to 1616. Whilst you can follow in his footsteps and learn all about his life, you will be strolling through a commemorative garden. The house itself was demolished in 1759. View specially commissioned artworks and get an idea of the scale of his home, which was one of the largest in the town. In the Great Garden that was once part of Shakespeare’s estate, visitors will see sculptures and floral displays inspired by his writing.
Around Warwickshire
Whilst there is a strong Shakespeare bias in Stratford-upon-Avon, the area has grown to include visitor attractions suitable for everyone. These include:
Stratford Butterfly Farm
Stratford Butterfly Farm is the largest tropical butterfly habitat in the UK. Whatever the weather, visitors can enjoy a stroll through the warm rainforest flight area, discovery zone and minibeast metropolis. Look out for Prudence and Bennie the iguanas, they’ll be watching you from high up in a tree!
Welcombe Hills and Clopton Park nature reserve
One of the fabulous things about taking a short break in Warwickshire is that nature is never far away. If you feel the need to reconnect with nature, Welcombe Hills is the ideal place for a walk. Enjoy impressive views, wildflower meadows, ponds and woodlands.
Old Bathing Place
Pack a swimming costume and a picnic and head just outside of town to the Old Bathing Place. The entry point is clean and shallow, although you do need to look out for boats if you’re taking a dip
Warwick
Like nearby Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick is a town with plenty of parks and green space. Stroll along the River Avon from St Nicholas Park and take in views of the historic castle. Now owned by Merlin Attractions, the castle itself is a popular Warwickshire attraction with something for all the family. Learn about the castle’s history and walk the towers and ramparts. Venture into the dungeons for an interactive experience and witness spectacular bird of prey displays. There are plenty of fun things for children to do too, making it one of the best historic attractions to visit as a family.
Museums and historic attractions are dotted around throughout Warwick. Look out for:
- The Warwickshire Museum in Market Hall
- Hill Close Gardens: A network of Victorian gardens restored to their former glory
- Lord Leycester Hospital: parts of the site are open to visitors including the Regimental Museum of the Queen’s Own Hussars
- The Court House: Here you will find the Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum as well as a café and visitor information centre
Elsewhere in the local area
With such famous towns as Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon nearby, other attractions can be overlooked. Don’t forget to check out Henley in Arden, located a short distance from the Annex. Here you will find such delights as:
- Walks around the local area from The Annexe: The View restaurant is located just 300 metres from The Annexe across a field. Turn left out of our main driveway gates and walk down the path to the small gate at the bottom. Go through the gate and turn right. Walk across the field and you can’t miss the large yellow building that is The View. From there, you can extend your walk to take in more of the local countryside. Check out their fabulous directions for walks of various lengths: 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 90 minutes, 2 hours 30 minutes. We love the loops around Austy Woods.
- Henley in Arden Museum and Heritage Centre: Found in Henley’s High Street, the Heritage Centre teaches visitors about the history of the town. Learn how it has developed right through from the Norman Conquest to modern times.
- Spot-On Wake: With three lakes to choose from, Spot-On Wake offers a host of water sports including an aqua jungle, stand up paddle boarding, open water swimming and of course wake boarding.
- Warwickshire Flight experience: experience flight in a Spitfire Simulator or Boeing 737 simulator.
- Middle England Farm: Meet alpacas and take them for a walk. You can also say hi to the lamas and take a goat for a stroll.
Food and drink
Within walking distance of the Annexe across the fields, you will find The View café and restaurant. They offer breakfast and lunch menus, including vegan and gluten free options. The view is open from 9 am to 4pm weekdays and 9am to 5pm at the weekend. Further afield, there are plenty eateries in Henley in Arden, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick, including the below:
Henley in Arden
- Cow Shed Coffee Shop: A family-owned coffee shop with an abundance of home-made fresh meals, snacks and cakes created from locally sourced ingredients. Located around a mile from Annexe at the Chalet and a nice walk along the canal. Directions: Turn left out of our main driveway gates and walk down the path to the small gate at the bottom. Go through the gate and walk straight across the field to the metal gate at the other side. Go through the gate and walk across the canal bridge right ahead of you. Turn right along the canal and keep walking until you go across the bridge that crosses the main road – it has an aqueduct that the barges use. At the next cross-canal bridge, turn left down a gravel road. Cross the tarmac road at the end and enter the Yew Tree Farm site – the courtyard where the Cow Shed Coffee Shop is situated is down to the left, past the furniture barn and chocolate shop.
- Henley Kitchen & Bakery: Fresh bread baked on site every morning, the sausage sandwich is the best we’ve tasted!
- The Bull’s Head: Thai and traditional English food served in a historic Tudor building
- The Bluebell: British and Mediterranean
- The White Swan: Steak restaurant where your steak will be brought to your table on a hot lava stone for you to cook as you like it (vegetarian alternatives and pizzas also available)
Stratford-upon-Avon
- Lambs: situated in one of the oldest buildings in the town, Lambs offers a range of fine dining menus
- Loxleys: Local produce paired with fine wine
Warwick
- Giggling Squid: family friendly Thai restaurant
- Tasca Dali: Spanish cuisine, won Spanish Restaurant of the Year in the 2019 Restaurant Award