Where you stay in Stratford-upon-Avon changes your trip. Waterside puts the Royal Shakespeare Theatre on your doorstep. The town centre puts you among Tudor streets and restaurants. The guest houses on the Evesham Road side offer value and free parking, and the country house hotels outside town give you space, spas and golf. This guide sorts Stratford’s hotels, B&Bs and guest houses by area and by what you need, with links to our full write-up of each.
On this page
Quick picks
- Closest to the RSC: The Arden Hotel, directly opposite the theatres
- Town-centre character: Hotel Indigo, Hotel du Vin, The White Swan
- Budget: Premier Inn Central, Premier Inn Waterways or the YHA hostel at Alveston (see cheaper places to stay)
- Guest house with parking, walkable to town: the B&Bs on Grove Road, Evesham Place and the Shipston Road
- Country house and spa: The Welcombe, Billesley Manor, Ettington Park
- With a dog: see our dog-friendly hotels guide. The Swan’s Nest describes itself as dog friendly.
Places to stay: map and filters
Every hotel, inn and B&B we list, sorted by walking time to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Filter for free parking, dog-friendly rooms, a pool or spa, EV charging or accessible rooms, then open any listing for the details we’ve checked: parking costs, dog fees and rules, and how far it is to the theatres, the Birthplace and the station.
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The Arden Hotel
Hotel · Waterside · about 1 min walk to the RSC
The Arden sits on Waterside directly opposite the Royal Shakespeare and Swan theatres, so it's the obvious choice for a theatre break. It has 45 rooms, a brasserie and a garden bar, and it's one of the few central hotels that welcomes dogs in the bedrooms and lounges.
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The Pen & Parchment
Inn with rooms · Bridgefoot · about 4 min walk to the RSC
A 17th-century inn at Bridgefoot, by Clopton Bridge and the canal basin, with rooms above a traditional pub. It's a short walk to Bancroft Gardens and the RSC.
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Hotel Indigo Stratford-upon-Avon
Hotel · Town centre · about 5 min walk to the RSC
A characterful hotel on Chapel Street, opposite the site of Shakespeare's New Place and a few minutes' walk from the theatres. It's home to The Woodsman restaurant.
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The Townhouse
Hotel · Old Town · about 5 min walk to the RSC
A 12-room hotel with a restaurant and bar in a 400-year-old listed building on Church Street, opposite Shakespeare's school and five minutes from the theatres. Dogs are welcome in the bar.
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The Swan's Nest
Hotel · Bridgefoot · about 5 min walk to the RSC
A riverside hotel by Clopton Bridge, about five minutes' walk from the RSC, with Bistrot Pierre and The Bear pub on site. Dog-friendly rooms and its own parking.
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Premier Inn Stratford-upon-Avon Central
Hotel · Town centre · about 6 min walk to the RSC
Premier Inn's town-centre hotel on Payton Street, by the canal basin and a short walk from Bridge Street and the river. There's no hotel car park, so plan to use Bridgeway or another town car park.
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Crowne Plaza Stratford-upon-Avon
Hotel · Bridgefoot · about 6 min walk to the RSC
Stratford's biggest hotel, with 259 rooms by the river at Bridgefoot, an indoor pool and gym, and paid parking on site. Bancroft Gardens and the RSC are a short walk away.
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Avonlea
B&B / guest house · Shipston Road · about 6 min walk to the RSC
A Victorian guest house on the Shipston Road, about half a mile from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre over Clopton Bridge, with en-suite rooms, a private car park and cooked breakfasts.
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Arden Way Guest House
B&B / guest house · Shipston Road · about 7 min walk to the RSC
A six-room guest house on the Shipston Road, a short walk over Clopton Bridge to the theatres and Bancroft Gardens, with its own car park.
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Hotel du Vin
Hotel · Town centre · about 8 min walk to the RSC
A boutique hotel in a restored 18th-century building on Rother Street, a few minutes' walk from the shops and theatres. Its 46 rooms come with the brand's French-style Bistro du Vin and a champagne terrace.
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The Grosvenor Hotel
Hotel · Warwick Road · about 8 min walk to the RSC
A 76-room hotel on the Warwick Road, a few minutes' walk from the town centre and the river, with paid parking on site.
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Avonpark House
B&B / guest house · Shipston Road · about 8 min walk to the RSC
A family-run guest house on the Shipston Road, south of the river, with two family rooms and a ground-floor room opening onto the garden. It's a walk over Clopton Bridge into town.
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The White Swan
Hotel · Town centre · about 8 min walk to the RSC
A Fuller's hotel and pub in one of the town's oldest buildings, a timber-framed, Grade II listed inn on Rother Street dating back to around 1450. It has 41 rooms, including accessible rooms.
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Macdonald Alveston Manor
Hotel · Bridgefoot (south bank) · about 8 min walk to the RSC
A mainly Elizabethan, Grade II listed manor house just over Clopton Bridge from the town centre, with 113 rooms and a spa with an indoor pool. A short walk to the RSC.
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Hampton Lodge
B&B / guest house · Shipston Road · about 8 min walk to the RSC
A family-run guest house on the Shipston Road with en-suite rooms and free parking, one space per room. It's room only, with no breakfast served, which keeps prices down.
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Ashgrove House
B&B / guest house · Grove Road · about 9 min walk to the RSC
A family-run guest house on Grove Road, a few minutes' walk from the town centre, with free parking and a breakfast basket delivered to your room.
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Salamander Guest House
B&B / guest house · Grove Road · about 9 min walk to the RSC
A family-run guest house on Grove Road, less than five minutes' walk from the town centre, with rooms from singles up to a ground-floor family suite for four.
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Twelfth Night Guest House
B&B / guest house · Evesham Place · about 9 min walk to the RSC
A family-run B&B in an 1897 Victorian villa that the RSC's governors once owned as a home for actors. It has free parking and is a short walk from Hall's Croft and the Old Town.
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Hamlet House
B&B / guest house · Grove Road · about 9 min walk to the RSC
A four-room Victorian guest house on Grove Road, about five minutes' walk from the railway station and the town centre, with its own free car park.
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Ambleside Guest House
B&B / guest house · Grove Road · about 9 min walk to the RSC
A guest house on Grove Road, about five minutes' walk from the RSC, Shakespeare's Birthplace and the shops, with free private parking and an English breakfast included.
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Broadlands Guest House
B&B / guest house · Evesham Place · about 9 min walk to the RSC
A Victorian town-house B&B on Evesham Place, about five minutes' walk from the town centre, with free private parking and an English breakfast.
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Carlton Guest House
B&B / guest house · Evesham Place · about 9 min walk to the RSC
A guest house on Evesham Place, about ten minutes' walk from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, with free private parking and a full English breakfast.
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Linhill Guest House
B&B / guest house · Evesham Place · about 9 min walk to the RSC
A six-room guest house on Evesham Place, a few minutes from Hall's Croft and the town centre, with an English breakfast included.
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Woodstock Guest House
B&B / guest house · Grove Road · about 10 min walk to the RSC
A five-room guest house on Grove Road, a few minutes' walk from the town centre, with on-site parking and a full English breakfast.
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Arden Park Guest House
B&B / guest house · Arden Street · about 10 min walk to the RSC
A seven-room Victorian B&B on Arden Street, a few minutes' walk from both the railway station and the town centre, handy if you're arriving by train.
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Aidan Guest House
B&B / guest house · Evesham Place · about 10 min walk to the RSC
A guest house in an 1897 Victorian town house on Evesham Place, on the edge of the Old Town and about ten minutes' walk from the theatres.
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Quilt and Croissants
B&B / guest house · Evesham Place · about 10 min walk to the RSC
A five-room guest house on Evesham Place, a few minutes from Hall's Croft and the Old Town, with free parking and an English breakfast included.
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The Hathaways
B&B / guest house · Evesham Place · about 10 min walk to the RSC
A former B&B on Evesham Place, renovated in 2022 for groups, about ten minutes' walk from the RSC, with free on-street parking permits for up to five cars.
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Virginia Lodge
B&B / guest house · Evesham Place · about 10 min walk to the RSC
A family-run Victorian town house on Evesham Place, five minutes' walk from the centre, with two four-poster rooms, free parking and a full English breakfast.
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Avoncot Guest House
B&B / guest house · Evesham Place · about 10 min walk to the RSC
A five-room guest house on Evesham Place with on-site parking (for a charge), a shared guest kitchen and an English breakfast included.
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DoubleTree by Hilton Stratford-upon-Avon
Hotel · Arden Street · about 11 min walk to the RSC
A large modern hotel on Arden Street, close to the railway station and a short walk into town. It takes dogs and has its own parking, with a council car park next door.
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Green Haven Guest House
B&B / guest house · Evesham Road · about 13 min walk to the RSC
A guest house about ten minutes' walk from the town centre, with free off-street parking and a ground-floor room with an easy-access shower.
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Premier Inn Stratford-upon-Avon Waterways
Hotel · Birmingham Road · about 15 min walk to the RSC
Premier Inn's second Stratford hotel, on the Birmingham Road by the canal, about ten minutes' walk from the town centre. Unlike the Central branch, it has its own car park.
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Moonraker House
B&B / guest house · Alcester Road · about 20 min walk to the RSC
A seven-room guest house on the Alcester Road, about six minutes' walk from the railway station, with free parking. Breakfast is extra.
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Moss Cottage
B&B / guest house · Evesham Road · about 22 min walk to the RSC
A three-room B&B in a 1930s house on the Evesham Road, about 15 minutes' walk from the town centre, with free parking and a cooked breakfast using local produce.
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Mil-Mar Guest House
B&B / guest house · Alcester Road · about 24 min walk to the RSC
A guest house on the Alcester Road, a short walk from the railway station and about 15 minutes from Anne Hathaway's Cottage, with free on-site parking and breakfast included.
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White Sails
B&B / guest house · Evesham Road · about 26 min walk to the RSC
A four-room B&B on the Evesham Road, round the corner from the racecourse, with air-conditioned en-suite rooms. It was rated five stars by VisitEngland at its last published inspection.
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Penryn Guest House
B&B / guest house · Alcester Road · about 26 min walk to the RSC
A long-established family guest house on the Alcester Road, 10 to 15 minutes' walk from the town centre and close to Anne Hathaway's Cottage, with free parking.
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The Burnside Hotel
Hotel · Shottery · about 29 min walk to the RSC
An independent 24-room hotel in Shottery, a short walk from Anne Hathaway's Cottage, with a restaurant open to the public and cheap secure parking.
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The Welcombe Hotel
Hotel · Warwick Road (out of town) · about 1.5 miles by road from the RSC
A Grade II listed Neo-Jacobean mansion on the edge of town, with 85 bedrooms, a spa with an indoor and outdoor pool, and its own golf course.
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The Stratford Limes Hotel
Hotel · Tiddington · about 2 miles by road from the RSC
A 16-room hotel in Tiddington village, about 2 miles east of the town centre, with free parking. Handy if you're driving and want somewhere quieter than the centre.
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Victoria Spa Lodge
B&B / guest house · Bishopton · about 2 miles by road from the RSC
A five-room guest house in a Grade II listed former spa hotel from 1837, by the canal at Bishopton and a short walk from Stratford Parkway station, with free parking.
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Ingon Bank Farm
B&B / guest house · Warwick Road (out of town) · about 2.5 miles by road from the RSC
A farmhouse B&B on a working sheep farm about two miles from Stratford on the Warwick Road, with countryside views, free parking and a full English breakfast.
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The Stratford Park Hotel & Golf Club
Hotel · Ingon Lane (out of town) · about 2.5 miles by road from the RSC
A golf hotel north of Stratford, formerly Ingon Manor, with an 18-hole championship course, a floodlit driving range and the No. 19 restaurant. The hotel is a 14th-century farmhouse.
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YHA Stratford-upon-Avon
Hostel · Alveston · about 2.5 miles by road from the RSC
The youth hostel at Alveston, about two miles from Shakespeare's Birthplace, with dorm beds, private rooms, camping pods and bell tents, a restaurant and bar, a guest kitchen and free parking.
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Baraset Barn
Inn with rooms · Alveston · about 2.5 miles by road from the RSC
A restaurant with 16 rooms in a converted barn just outside Stratford in Alveston, with breakfast included. Ground-floor rooms have their own terraces, and one is fully accessible.
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Shakespeare's View
B&B / guest house · Snitterfield · about 3.5 miles by road from the RSC
A countryside B&B on Kings Lane near Snitterfield, about seven minutes' drive from the theatres, with garden-view suites and free parking.
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Stratford Manor
Hotel · Warwick Road (out of town) · about 3.5 miles by road from the RSC
A large modern hotel on the Warwick Road, about 3 miles north of the town centre, with a pool, ELEMIS spa and a big free car park. A practical base for families, dogs and drivers.
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Larkrise Cottage
B&B / guest house · Countryside (Billesley) · about 4 miles by road from the RSC
A two-room countryside B&B at Upper Billesley, about three miles west of Stratford and 20 minutes' walk from Mary Arden's Farm, with a garden, free parking and a full breakfast.
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The Mary Arden Inn
Check it's open before booking
Inn with rooms · Wilmcote · about 4 miles by road from the RSC
A Grade II listed village inn on the green at Wilmcote, near Mary Arden's Farm, with 11 rooms named after Shakespeare's plays.
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Billesley Manor Hotel & Spa
Hotel · Countryside (Billesley) · about 4.5 miles by road from the RSC
A Grade II listed manor house in 11 acres of parkland west of Stratford, with an ESPA spa, two restaurants and bars, and dog-friendly barn rooms. Good for a spa break with walks from the door.
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Ettington Park Hotel
Hotel · Countryside (Ettington) · about 6.5 miles by road from the RSC
A country house hotel in parkland south of Stratford, part of Hand Picked Hotels, with an indoor pool and free parking. Best for a countryside break with a car.
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The Shakespeare Hotel
Closed for refurbishment
Hotel · Town centre · about 3 min walk to the RSC
The timber-framed Shakespeare Hotel on Chapel Street is one of the town's best-known historic hotels. It's closed for refurbishment, with a reopening reported for 2027.
Walking times are approximate, measured to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Facts checked with each place's own website or listings. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Waterside and the theatres
Stay here if the RSC is the reason for your trip. You can walk to the Royal Shakespeare and Swan theatres in minutes and back from a late show along the river.
- The Arden Hotel, Waterside: a 45-room boutique hotel directly opposite the RSC theatres, with 2 AA Rosette dining in its No. 44 Brasserie, plus a terrace and garden bar.
- The Swan’s Nest, Bridge Foot: a riverside hotel by Clopton Bridge, about five minutes’ walk from the RSC. Dog friendly, with parking at £10 a day.
- Crowne Plaza, Bridgefoot: a large modern hotel by the river and Bancroft Gardens, with its own car park.
- Pen & Parchment, Bridgefoot: an inn with rooms by the canal basin.
- Alveston Manor, Clopton Bridge: a timber-framed manor house with a spa, just over the bridge on the south side of the river.
The town centre
For Tudor streets, restaurants and Shakespeare’s Birthplace on the doorstep. Parking is limited at most town-centre hotels, so plan on a nearby car park (see our parking guide).
- Hotel Indigo, Chapel Street: a boutique hotel behind one of the town’s most striking timber-framed frontages.
- Hotel du Vin, Rother Street: 46 rooms and suites, with the French-style Bistro du Vin.
- The White Swan, Rother Street: a historic timber-framed hotel and bar in the market square area.
- The Townhouse, Church Street: boutique rooms above a restaurant and bar in the Old Town.
- Premier Inn Stratford-upon-Avon Central, Payton Street: dependable budget rooms a short walk from Bridge Street.
- The Shakespeare Hotel, Chapel Street: currently closed for refurbishment. Reports suggest it will reopen in 2027.
B&Bs and guest houses in Stratford
Stratford has more than 25 B&Bs and guest houses, many in Victorian houses on a handful of streets, and most of them within about ten minutes’ walk of the theatres. Nearly all of them have parking, which matters in a town where council car parks charge £13.90 for 24 hours. Walking times below are to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Show only B&Bs on the map, or open any listing for the parking, dog and breakfast details we’ve checked.
Grove Road and Arden Street: closest to the station and the shops
The nearest guest houses to the town centre, and a few minutes’ walk from Stratford-upon-Avon station.
- Ashgrove House, about 9 min walk to the RSC, free parking, breakfast basket to your room
- Salamander Guest House, about 9 min walk to the RSC
- Hamlet House, about 9 min walk to the RSC, free parking, four rooms in an 1865 town house
- Ambleside Guest House, about 9 min walk to the RSC, free parking
- Woodstock Guest House, about 10 min walk to the RSC, own parking
- Arden Park Guest House, about 10 min walk to the RSC, no parking, a few minutes from the station; a car park permit can be booked
Evesham Place: on the edge of the Old Town
A row of Victorian guest houses near Hall’s Croft and Holy Trinity Church.
- Twelfth Night Guest House, about 9 min walk to the RSC, free parking, an 1897 villa once owned by the RSC for actors
- Broadlands Guest House, about 9 min walk to the RSC, free parking
- Carlton Guest House, about 9 min walk to the RSC, free parking
- Linhill Guest House, about 9 min walk to the RSC
- Aidan Guest House, about 10 min walk to the RSC
- Quilt and Croissants, about 10 min walk to the RSC, free parking
- The Hathaways, about 10 min walk to the RSC, free parking, let to groups, with street parking permits for up to five cars
- Virginia Lodge, about 10 min walk to the RSC, free parking, two four-poster rooms
- Avoncot Guest House, about 10 min walk to the RSC, parking for a charge, shared guest kitchen
Shipston Road: south of the river
Over Clopton Bridge from Bancroft Gardens, so the walk to the theatres is short and flat.
- Avonlea, about 6 min walk to the RSC, own parking
- Arden Way Guest House, about 7 min walk to the RSC, own parking
- Avonpark House, about 8 min walk to the RSC, own parking
- Hampton Lodge, about 8 min walk to the RSC, free parking, room only, no breakfast
Evesham Road and Alcester Road: quieter, with parking
A little further out, towards Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and the racecourse. Most have free parking.
- Green Haven Guest House, about 13 min walk to the RSC, free parking, a ground-floor room with an easy-access shower
- Moonraker House, about 20 min walk to the RSC, free parking, breakfast is extra
- Moss Cottage, about 22 min walk to the RSC, free parking, three rooms, local-butcher breakfast
- Mil-Mar Guest House, about 24 min walk to the RSC, free parking
- White Sails, about 26 min walk to the RSC, four air-conditioned rooms
- Penryn Guest House, about 26 min walk to the RSC, free parking
B&Bs in Stratford with free parking
These say parking is free for guests (some in their own car park, some on the street with a permit or a nearby bay). Spaces can be limited, so mention your car when you book: Hampton Lodge, Ashgrove House, Twelfth Night Guest House, Hamlet House, Ambleside Guest House, Broadlands Guest House, Carlton Guest House, Quilt and Croissants, The Hathaways, Virginia Lodge, Green Haven Guest House, Moonraker House, Moss Cottage, Mil-Mar Guest House, Penryn Guest House, Victoria Spa Lodge, Ingon Bank Farm, Shakespeare’s View, Larkrise Cottage.
Cheaper places to stay
Prices change with the date and what’s on, so compare on the night you want. Big weekends (the Christmas markets, Shakespeare’s Birthday, RSC opening nights) push every price up. Ways to keep the cost down:
- YHA Stratford-upon-Avon at Alveston, about two miles out: dorm beds, private rooms, camping pods and bell tents, a guest kitchen and free parking
- Hampton Lodge on the Shipston Road is room only, so you don’t pay for breakfast
- Moonraker House and Victoria Spa Lodge charge for breakfast separately
- The two Premier Inns (Central and Waterways) are budget chain hotels
Countryside B&Bs near Stratford
You’ll want a car for most of these (or a taxi after the theatre), but you get space, views and an easy drive in.
- Victoria Spa Lodge, Bishopton: a Grade II listed former spa hotel by the canal, a short walk from Stratford Parkway station
- Ingon Bank Farm, Warwick Road: a working sheep farm about two miles out, with a footpath and cycleway into town
- Shakespeare’s View, Snitterfield: garden-view suites about seven minutes’ drive from the theatres
- Larkrise Cottage, Upper Billesley: two rooms, about 20 minutes’ walk from Mary Arden’s Farm
Prefer a small hotel? The Grosvenor Hotel on the Warwick Road is on the north side of the centre and has an EV charger.
Edge of town
- DoubleTree by Hilton, Arden Street: a large modern hotel near the railway station, a short walk from the centre
- Premier Inn Waterways, Birmingham Road: budget rooms by the canal on the way into town
- The Burnside Hotel, Shottery: a boutique hotel near Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Country house, spa and village hotels
Best if you’re driving and want space, grounds or a spa. You’ll need the car, a taxi or the bus to get into town.
- The Welcombe, Warwick Road: a Victorian country mansion in 157 acres on the edge of town, with a spa and an 18-hole golf course
- Billesley Manor, near Alcester: a historic manor house with a spa and indoor pool in 11 acres of gardens
- Ettington Park, Alderminster: a Gothic mansion in parkland south of Stratford
- Stratford Manor, Warwick Road: a modern hotel with gardens just outside town
- Stratford Park Hotel & Golf Club, Snitterfield: golf on site, with EV chargers
- Baraset Barn, Alveston: a boutique hotel with a popular restaurant
- Stratford Limes, Tiddington: a village hotel east of town
- The Mary Arden Inn, Wilmcote: a village inn next to Mary Arden’s Farm
Tips for booking
- Book early for big weekends: the Christmas Markets (28–29 November and 5–6 December 2026), Shakespeare’s Birthday weekend in April, and big RSC opening nights fill rooms fast.
- Check parking before you book: many central hotels have little or no parking. Council car parks charge £13.90 for 24 hours, or £3.50 overnight from 4pm to 8am.
- Driving an EV? See our EV charging guide for hotels with chargers.
Where to stay: quick answers
What’s the best area to stay in Stratford-upon-Avon?
Waterside, for theatre trips. The town centre, for sightseeing and restaurants. The guest houses west of the centre, for value and parking.
Which hotel is closest to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre?
The Arden Hotel is directly opposite the RSC theatres on Waterside.
Where can I stay cheaply in Stratford?
The two Premier Inns (Central and Waterways) are the budget chain hotels, and the YHA hostel at Alveston has dorm beds and private rooms about two miles out. Among the guest houses, Hampton Lodge is room only, and many B&Bs include free parking, which saves £13.90 a day in the council car parks. See cheaper places to stay.
Where are the B&Bs in Stratford-upon-Avon?
Mostly on four streets: Grove Road and Arden Street (near the station and the shops), Evesham Place (by the Old Town), the Shipston Road (just over Clopton Bridge) and the Evesham and Alcester Roads further west. Most are within about ten minutes’ walk of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. See B&Bs and guest houses.
Which B&Bs in Stratford have free parking?
Most of them. Our free parking list has 19 B&Bs and guest houses that say parking is free for guests, from Ashgrove House and Hamlet House on Grove Road to the guest houses on Evesham Place.
Is the Shakespeare Hotel open?
Not at the moment. The Shakespeare Hotel on Chapel Street (previously Mercure) is closed for refurbishment, with reopening reported for 2027.