Stratford-upon-Avon River Cruise: Audio Tour Shakespeare

Thirty minutes on the water, then the town unfolds on your terms.

A combined river cruise and self-guided audio tour of Stratford-upon-Avon that pairs a 30-minute traditional boat journey on the River Avon with a digital audio guide covering nine landmarks including Shakespeare's Birthplace and Anne Hathaway's Cottage. The audio commentary is available in six languages. You download it before arrival and move through the town at your own pace after the cruise ends.

Step-by-step itinerary

River cruise and city audio tour

• Board Edwardian vessel
• Enjoy 30-minute River Avon cruise
• See Royal Shakespeare Theatre
• Pass under 15th century Clopton Bridge
• View Swan Theatre and park gardens
• Spot Holy Trinity Church tomb
• Explore Stratford with audio guide
• Visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
• Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace

The experience

The river cruise departs from Bancroft Gardens next to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and runs every 15 to 30 minutes between 10:30am and 4:00pm daily. You'll board a traditional Edwardian vessel and pass under the 15th-century Clopton Bridge while spotting the theatre itself on the waterfront and Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway are buried. The boat ride lasts 30 minutes and seats are first come, first served. During high water periods the duration can shift if the cruise cannot pass underneath the bridges.

After you step off the boat, the audio guide takes over. Download it to your phone by scanning the QR code on your voucher before you arrive, then move through Stratford at whatever pace suits you. The guide covers nine points of interest across the town, including Shakespeare's Birthplace, Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the Swan Theatre (opened in 1986 and run by the Royal Shakespeare Company), and the market square with its gardens and street performances. Commentary is available in English, Spanish, Italian, French, Chinese and Dutch, so you can follow in whichever language works best.

Tickets are valid only for the date you book, and you'll need to present your mobile voucher at the boarding point. Service animals and well-behaved dogs are welcome on the cruise. Infants must sit on an adult's lap. Public transport options are nearby if you need them to reach Bancroft Gardens.

What’s included

• 30-minute river cruise on the River Avon aboard a traditional Edwardian vessel.
• multilingual audio guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French, Chinese and Dutch covering nine Stratford landmarks.
• mobile voucher accepted at the boarding point.
• access to Bancroft Gardens boarding location next to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayLast departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (4 to 15 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 50

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian, Chinese and Dutch

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Vox City International Ltd

Is this one for you?This works best for independent travelers who want to see the river and the town without a guide's fixed schedule. The audio guide lets you linger at any of the nine stops or skip ahead, and you control how long you spend in each part of Stratford after the cruise ends.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 15 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What exactly do I see from the boat on the River Avon?

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre sits on the waterfront and is visible from the water. You also pass underneath the 15th-century Clopton Bridge and see Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare was buried. The cruise takes in scenic views of the historic market town from the river.

Can I take the audio guide tour without doing the river cruise?

The product includes both the 30-minute cruise and the audio guide as a single booking. The audio guide covers nine landmarks across Stratford, including Shakespeare's Birthplace and Anne Hathaway's Cottage, which you explore after the boat ride ends.

How do I get the audio guide to work on my phone?

Scan the QR code printed on your mobile voucher before you arrive in Stratford to download the audio guide. It's available in six languages, and you can start listening once the download is complete.

What time should I arrive for the river cruise?

Boats run every 15 to 30 minutes from 10:30am to 4:00pm daily. Seats are available on a first come, first served basis, so arriving a few minutes early gives you the best choice of where to sit.

Are dogs allowed on the cruise?

Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the boat. Service animals are also permitted. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the cruise.