The Twisted Tales: Stratford-Upon-Avon's Dynamic Walking Tour
- 1h 30m
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Stratford-upon-Avon is famous for one thing… but there’s an entire town of stories waiting to enthral you — long before we even mention Stratford's most famous son! Join our expert guides, for a small-group journey through scandal, crime, and curious characters — all meticulously researched and told exactly where the history happened. By the time Shakespeare finally takes the stage, you’ll see him in a whole new light: not just a legend, but the man, the town, and the tales that shaped them both. This isn’t a walking tour. It’s a curated, dynamic immersive adventure through Stratford’s hidden stories — twisted, true, and unforgettable. - Duration: ~90 minutes - Price: £12 per adult / £6 per child (8-12 years) / under 8s go free - When: Thursday–Saturday (seasonal) - Meeting Point: The Windmill Pub, Church Street - Extra: Walks are fully accessible, paced for ease and enjoyment. Guests participate at their own discretion. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Inclusions
What's included
- Your ticket gives you admission onto the tour and also unlocks exclusive discounts to local eateries, attractions and shops
What's not
- There is ample parking in the town which comes at a small fee
Itinerary
Discover the quiet grandeur of Holy Trinity Church, one of England’s most beautiful and historically significant parish churches, set on the peaceful banks of the River Avon. This stunning medieval church has stood at the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon for over 1,000 years and remains a place of worship, reflection, and deep cultural importance.
Arrive first at Hall’s Croft, a beautifully preserved Jacobean home and one of Stratford-upon-Avon’s most atmospheric historic houses. Once the residence of Dr John Hall, a renowned physician, this elegant property offers a fascinating glimpse into life in the early 17th century, and holds close ties to the town’s most famous son.
Discover the atmospheric Avon Bank Gardens, a secluded riverside space where Stratford-upon-Avon’s beauty meets its darker past. By day, the gardens offer peaceful views over the River Avon, but beneath the calm surface lies a history shaped by shadows, secrecy, and survival.
Follow the story of Stratford-upon-Avon back to its origins along the River Avon and the enduring stone arches of Clopton Bridge, where trade, travel, and danger once flowed side by side. For centuries, the river was the town’s lifeline—providing food, transport, and prosperity—while also posing constant risks through flooding, accidents, and unseen threats.
Stand before the iconic Royal Shakespeare Theatre, where Stratford-upon-Avon’s creative spirit meets centuries of drama, ambition, and transformation. Rising proudly beside the River Avon, this landmark building is the beating heart of the town’s theatrical legacy and home to the world-famous Royal Shakespeare Company.
Your journey continues to the green space of Bancroft Gardens, where Stratford-upon-Avon’s lively present masks a previous gateway to the town, alive with traders, travellers and performers. From Bancroft Gardens, we will walk up the historic Sheep Street, leading us to the Garrick Inn - an historic magnet for locals and travellers alike—especially when darkness gave cover to mischief and crime.
Step outside of New Place, once the grandest house in Stratford-upon-Avon and the final home of the Bard. Though the house no longer stands, the ground beneath your feet is rich with stories of success, status, and controversy, offering a powerful connection to the man behind the plays.
Stand outside Shakespeare’s Schoolroom, the place where the Bard’s story truly began. Housed within the historic King Edward VI School, this remarkable room has changed little since the 16th century and offers an intimate glimpse into the formative years of the world’s greatest playwright.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
5.0
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Ratings come from 33 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5Entertaining and Informative
As a big fan of the bard and his work I was looking forward to my visit to Stratford. We spent the day taking in the sights but the highlight was undoubtedly the evening walking tour, led by Jez. Having experienced such tours in other historic locations I really believe that Twisted Tales have set the gold standard. Jez talked to us , not at us, with charm, wit , warmth and inclusivity, much as the great man does in his plays. His breadth of knowledge was a reflection of the infectious passion he clearly has for the area and it’s famous son. The tour was great value for money with Jez taking time to answer any questions the group had. I would like to add for those that have only a passing interest in John Shakespeare’s son, this tour is still a great way to spend an evening. Well done, Twisted Tales.
5A tail of lam posts
"Absolutely brilliant tour! The guide was fantastic—witty, highly intelligent, and full of fascinating insights. It wasn't just a sightseeing trip; it was a masterclass in storytelling and lamp post history. Highly recommended!"
5Amazing tour!
Amazing tour! Lot's of interesting history and stories. Would recommend to anyone. Guide was personable and made everyone feel both welcome and entertained.
5The best in town
A wonderful tour, with a great guide, intelligent, knowledgeable, witty and very entertaining. Others may show you the sights, but this was a real tour in which we felt we were being truly guided! Very many thanks.
5Fantastic
Had a great evening getting to know more about this wonderful town, the guide was very knowledgeable and made it a fun night
5WHAT AN INCREDIBLE EVENING!!!
The tour was amazing!!!! Our tour guide, Jez, was incredible (and thank you to Sophie for accommodating us at such last minute) giving us informative facts and twisted tales the whole way through ! Would highly recommend. The most engaging tour I’ve ever been on - and I’ve been on many!! All the best for the future of your business, there is no doubt it will soar!
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Meet at the entrance to the pub on Church Street.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 30 travellers
- Operated by
- The Twisted Tales
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Stratford-upon-Avon
- Its from-price is 52% below the median of the 41 experiences we list in Stratford-upon-Avon.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 14 of 41.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is the Warwickshire market town where Shakespeare was born, with timbered houses, riverside gardens and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford in 1564 and is buried at Holy Trinity Church beside the River Avon. His birthplace on Henley Street is a half-timbered house, and Hall's Croft, Nash's House and the gardens of New Place stand close by in the old town. Anne Hathaway's Cottage, a thatched farmhouse in the village of Shottery, and Mary Arden's Farm at Wilmcote complete the Shakespeare family sites.
Top-ranked sights in Stratford-upon-Avon: Shakespeare's Houses & Gardens, Holy Trinity Church, Royal Shakespeare Theatre .
