The Writer's Retreat - Local Guide

Richard
The Writer's Retreat - Local Guide

Theatre

If you are lucky enough to get a ticket to the RSC, you are sure to enjoy the experience. The rooftop restaurant is good for pre-theatre supper, but there are also a plethora of local restaurants for an early meal. Richard's tip 1: If you are driving, go passed the theatre and beyond Trinity Church, and you might find free parking down Mill Lane. Then walk back to the theatre through the churchyard and the waterside gardens. Richard's Tip 2: You might be able to get returned tickets from the box office on the day. There are always age and student discounts available.
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Königliches Shakespeare-Theater
Waterside
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If you are lucky enough to get a ticket to the RSC, you are sure to enjoy the experience. The rooftop restaurant is good for pre-theatre supper, but there are also a plethora of local restaurants for an early meal. Richard's tip 1: If you are driving, go passed the theatre and beyond Trinity Church, and you might find free parking down Mill Lane. Then walk back to the theatre through the churchyard and the waterside gardens. Richard's Tip 2: You might be able to get returned tickets from the box office on the day. There are always age and student discounts available.
A slightly less formal environment with a deep thrust stage. As part of the RSC, you will see Tudor, Restoration and Contemporary productions. Richard's tip 1: If you are driving, go passed the theatre and beyond Trinity Church, and you might find free parking down Mill Lane. Then walk back to the theatre through the churchyard and the waterside gardens. Richard's Tip 2: You might be able to get returned tickets from the box office on the day. There are always age and student discounts available.
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Swan Theatre
Waterside
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A slightly less formal environment with a deep thrust stage. As part of the RSC, you will see Tudor, Restoration and Contemporary productions. Richard's tip 1: If you are driving, go passed the theatre and beyond Trinity Church, and you might find free parking down Mill Lane. Then walk back to the theatre through the churchyard and the waterside gardens. Richard's Tip 2: You might be able to get returned tickets from the box office on the day. There are always age and student discounts available.
For contemporary plays, poetry and music: Susie's Cafe Bar. Free live Jazz night with Stratford Jazz, third Thursday of every month, from 7.30pm. Play On, free live music, on the first Thursday of every month, starting at 7.30pm. Bright Smoke - free spoken word event on the second Thursday of every month, from 7.30pm.
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The Other Place, RSC
22 Southern Ln
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For contemporary plays, poetry and music: Susie's Cafe Bar. Free live Jazz night with Stratford Jazz, third Thursday of every month, from 7.30pm. Play On, free live music, on the first Thursday of every month, starting at 7.30pm. Bright Smoke - free spoken word event on the second Thursday of every month, from 7.30pm.

Local Walks

There is a beautiful two and a half mile walk down The Avon to Hampton Lucy ending at The Boars Head. A well kept cellar with local guest beers - a CAMRA favourite. Beer Garden at the back.
The Boars Head
1 Church Street
There is a beautiful two and a half mile walk down The Avon to Hampton Lucy ending at The Boars Head. A well kept cellar with local guest beers - a CAMRA favourite. Beer Garden at the back.

Historic Properties

A must see 16th century National Trust property with a popular deer park full of Fallow Deer. It is a three and a half mile walk away, but there is a large car park if you prefer to drive.
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Charlecote Park
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A must see 16th century National Trust property with a popular deer park full of Fallow Deer. It is a three and a half mile walk away, but there is a large car park if you prefer to drive.
Another easy walk of two and a half miles, Charlecote Mill is a working Water Mill dating from the 18th century, although previous mills on the site date back to the Doomsday Book of 1086. Check their website for Open Days and buying their specialist flours. Very picturesque.
Charlecote Mill
Charlecote Road
Another easy walk of two and a half miles, Charlecote Mill is a working Water Mill dating from the 18th century, although previous mills on the site date back to the Doomsday Book of 1086. Check their website for Open Days and buying their specialist flours. Very picturesque.
Dating back to the 12th century (only 900 years ago) this is a local treasure. The "Brethren" who welcome you are ex-servicemen who were wounded in service. Think of the Royal Hospital Chelsea and the Chelsea Pensioners - The Lord Leycester has a similar ethos. Because of its traditional Tudor facade, this is a popular film & TV location with productions including "Doctor Who", "Pride & Prejudice", "Shakespeare & Hathaway" and "A Christmas Carol"
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Lord Leycester Hospital
60 High St
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Dating back to the 12th century (only 900 years ago) this is a local treasure. The "Brethren" who welcome you are ex-servicemen who were wounded in service. Think of the Royal Hospital Chelsea and the Chelsea Pensioners - The Lord Leycester has a similar ethos. Because of its traditional Tudor facade, this is a popular film & TV location with productions including "Doctor Who", "Pride & Prejudice", "Shakespeare & Hathaway" and "A Christmas Carol"
More of a visitor attraction than a simple historic property - not surprising since the same company owns Alton Towers, Chessington, Thorpe Park, Legoland etc. Be prepared to get your wallet out regularly during your visit. Very child orientated and a bit kitsch, but a major visitor attraction - allocate plenty of time if you plan a visit.
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Warwick Castle
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More of a visitor attraction than a simple historic property - not surprising since the same company owns Alton Towers, Chessington, Thorpe Park, Legoland etc. Be prepared to get your wallet out regularly during your visit. Very child orientated and a bit kitsch, but a major visitor attraction - allocate plenty of time if you plan a visit.
A restored 18th Century country mansion set in 120 acres of parkland. A permanent collection and a changing range of curated exhibitions. The catering can be a bit hit and miss. Prices can be a bit confusing ... you pay for entry to the park, plus a payment to enter the house and the special exhibitions are an additional cost. Check their website for details.
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Kunstgalerie und Park Compton Verney
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A restored 18th Century country mansion set in 120 acres of parkland. A permanent collection and a changing range of curated exhibitions. The catering can be a bit hit and miss. Prices can be a bit confusing ... you pay for entry to the park, plus a payment to enter the house and the special exhibitions are an additional cost. Check their website for details.
If you are on a Shakespeare pilgrimage, you can't miss this. Can be a bit of a bun fight because of numbers, but worth the effort. Other houses related to The Bard ( Mary Arden's, Anne Hathaway's, New Place and Halls Croft) are part of the same Trust, so discounted passes are available for multi-access. Richard's Tip: There is a large multi-storey car park about ten minutes walk away at "Bridgeway" at the bottom of the town, but locals first try the Pay and Display on Windsor Street and then try Rother Street Pay and Display between "Hotel du Vin" and "The United Reform Church".
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Geburtsort von Shakespeare
Henley Street
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If you are on a Shakespeare pilgrimage, you can't miss this. Can be a bit of a bun fight because of numbers, but worth the effort. Other houses related to The Bard ( Mary Arden's, Anne Hathaway's, New Place and Halls Croft) are part of the same Trust, so discounted passes are available for multi-access. Richard's Tip: There is a large multi-storey car park about ten minutes walk away at "Bridgeway" at the bottom of the town, but locals first try the Pay and Display on Windsor Street and then try Rother Street Pay and Display between "Hotel du Vin" and "The United Reform Church".

Food scene

An Indian takeaway with just that little bit extra. An excellent menu with a great variety of regional dishes. Very accessible website with admirably slick online ordering. Friendly and approachable.
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Saffron Gold
Westgate Close
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An Indian takeaway with just that little bit extra. An excellent menu with a great variety of regional dishes. Very accessible website with admirably slick online ordering. Friendly and approachable.
Welcoming pub, newly refurbished. Overlooking "The Hatton Flight" run of locks on the Grand Union Canal. The menu is a tad on the expensive side, but tasty and well presented in a comfortable setting. A commercial pub rather than a "local", but a safe choice for a good meal.
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The Hatton Arms
Birmingham Road
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Welcoming pub, newly refurbished. Overlooking "The Hatton Flight" run of locks on the Grand Union Canal. The menu is a tad on the expensive side, but tasty and well presented in a comfortable setting. A commercial pub rather than a "local", but a safe choice for a good meal.
A boutique pub, so you can expect good food, well presented and efficiently served . You can also expect to pay a bit extra for the privilege. For us it's a place for a special occasion. Staff friendly and attentive.
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The Baraset Barn
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A boutique pub, so you can expect good food, well presented and efficiently served . You can also expect to pay a bit extra for the privilege. For us it's a place for a special occasion. Staff friendly and attentive.
A very friendly pub/restaurant with excellent food. It may be changing hands soon, so worth checking TripAdvisor for the latest reviews. Good sharing platters and a Seafood Risotto that never fails to hit the right spot.
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The Red Lion at Claverdon
Station Road
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A very friendly pub/restaurant with excellent food. It may be changing hands soon, so worth checking TripAdvisor for the latest reviews. Good sharing platters and a Seafood Risotto that never fails to hit the right spot.
A cosy beamed restaurant with great food. Just a short walk to the theatre. Nice intimate atmosphere. Reserve a table to avoid disappointment.
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Lambs
12 Sheep St
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A cosy beamed restaurant with great food. Just a short walk to the theatre. Nice intimate atmosphere. Reserve a table to avoid disappointment.