Visiting the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon: Tickets, Dress Code, Food & Parking

Seeing a show at the Royal Shakespeare Company is the reason many people come to Stratford-upon-Avon. This guide covers what’s on, the three theatres, tickets, whether there’s a dress code (there isn’t), what to expect on the night, where to eat, access, and the best places to park for an evening show.

What’s on at the RSC now

Every production coming up at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Swan Theatre and The Other Place, updated automatically from the RSC’s own listings. Tap a show for dates, nearby car parks and places to eat. For cheaper seats, see our RSC Ticket Hacker, and for next year see the RSC 2027 season.

The RSC’s three theatres

• The Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) on Waterside is the main house, with 1,018 seats around a thrust stage that reaches out into the audience. It stages the big Shakespeare productions and, this winter, the Christmas shows.
• The Swan Theatre, in the same building, is smaller and galleried, and often stages plays by Shakespeare’s contemporaries and less familiar classics.
• The Other Place on Southern Lane, a short walk along the river, is the RSC’s studio space for new and experimental work.

Tickets

Book on the RSC website or through the box office on 01789 331111. Prices depend on the show, the day and where you sit. Our RSC Ticket Hacker rounds up every current way to pay less, from cheaper performances to offers for young people and locals.

Is there a dress code at the RSC?

No. The RSC’s own advice for first-time visitors is that “if your style is more jeans and trainers, then that’s fine too” and that “the important thing is to be comfortable”.

On the night

• Bags: there’s a bag check as you go in, and the RSC asks you to keep personal items to a minimum. There’s a staffed cloakroom for coats and bags.
• If you’re late: speak to a front of house assistant, who will help you to your seat during the performance.
• Food and drink in your seat: you can take in food and drink bought at the theatre, but no hot food or hot drinks. You can order pre-show and interval drinks at the bars, and there are water refill taps.
• Photos: you’re welcome to take photos before the show, but not to photograph or record the performance.
• Children: a limited number of booster cushions are available, first come first served. They can be used in the Stalls but not in the Circle levels.
• Running times: these vary by production; the show’s page on the RSC website or the box office will have them.

Eating and drinking at the theatre

• The Rooftop Restaurant and cocktail bar on the third floor of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre takes pre-show bookings, with views over the river. Its cocktail bar serves “alcoholic and non alcoholic favourites”.
• The Riverside Café is on the ground floor.

Nearby, the Dirty Duck on Waterside is the actors’ pub, and there’s more on our map of every restaurant, café and pub, in our best pubs guide and our bars guide, which has a table of what’s open after the show.

Free at the RSC: the exhibition and the tours

• The Play’s the Thing, the RSC’s exhibition about how its productions are made, is free and open from midday to 7pm (4pm on Sundays) on Level 1 of the Swan Theatre.
• Guided theatre tours run daily, led by the RSC’s tour guides. Book on the RSC’s tours page.

Access

The RSC offers captioning for all its productions, with caption screens beside the stage; tell the box office when booking so you get a seat with a clear view. There’s at least one captioned and one audio-described performance of every play, with a touch tour of the set and costumes before audio-described shows, plus relaxed performances and some performances with British Sign Language interpreting. Details and dates are on the RSC’s assisted performances page.

Parking for the RSC

Walking times are from each car park to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Prices, opening hours and a map are in our parking guide.

• Recreation Ground (about 3 minutes, over the Tramway Bridge): the closest, but access is limited between 4.30pm and 6am, so it’s not the best for evening shows.
• Swan’s Nest Lane (about 4 minutes, by Clopton Bridge): small, so it fills up.
• Church Street (about 5 minutes, in the Old Town): open to the public on weekday evenings from 4pm, at weekends and on bank holidays, so it’s handy for an evening show.
• Bridgeway Multi-Storey (about 6 minutes): big and covered, with the first hour free.
• NCP Rother Street (about 6 minutes): private, open 24 hours.

The Park & Ride isn’t an option for evening performances: its last bus back is mid-afternoon on weekdays and about 6pm on Saturdays.

Getting there by train or bus

Stratford-upon-Avon station is about a 15-minute walk from the theatres. Check our live train times for the last trains home before you book a late show, and Stratford Live shows buses and road closures as you travel.

Staying overnight

The Arden Hotel is directly opposite the Royal Shakespeare Theatre on Waterside, and there are plenty more hotels and B&Bs within a few minutes’ walk. See our where to stay guide, which has a map with walking times to the RSC.

Questions

Is there a dress code at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre?

No. The RSC says jeans and trainers are fine, and the important thing is to be comfortable.

Can I take a drink into the RSC?

Yes, if you bought it at the theatre’s bars or cafés, but hot food and hot drinks aren’t allowed inside the auditorium.

What happens if I’m late?

Speak to a front of house assistant and they’ll help you to your seat during the performance.

Where should I park for an evening show at the RSC?

Church Street car park (public on weekday evenings from 4pm) and Bridgeway Multi-Storey are both a few minutes’ walk away. The Recreation Ground car park is closer but has limited access in the evening.

Alex Harrington

Alex Harrington grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and runs What's up, Stratford? as an independent guide to the town.