School Trips to Stratford Upon Avon
Walk in Shakespeare's footsteps
This is where Shakespeare's story began. Students can explore his hometown, experience his works on stage, and discover the world that shaped one of the most influential writers in history. From Royal Shakespeare Company performances to interactive workshops and Tudor experiences, Stratford brings classroom learning to life.
With decades of experience creating school trips to Stratford, we'll help you build the right itinerary and make the most of every opportunity.
What can students expect on a school trip to Stratford-upon-Avon?
Stratford offers something students may not get in the classroom: context.
Students can experience Shakespeare in the place where he lived, explore the Tudor world that shaped his writing, and see his plays performed by one of the world's leading theatre companies.
Whether you're studying English, drama & performing arts or history, Stratford helps students connect classroom learning with real places, real performances and real experiences.
What are the highlights of a school trip to Stratford-upon-Avon?
Shakespeare sits at the heart of every visit.
Students can watch a Royal Shakespeare Company production, take part in expert-led workshops and go behind the scenes to discover how world-class theatre is made.
Highlights include:
- Royal Shakespeare Company productions and workshops.
- Behind-the-scenes RSC tours.
- Shakespeare's home town and historic Tudor streets.
- Award-winning town walks and ghost walks.
Why book your Stratford-upon-Avon school trip with NST?
We've been creating Stratford school trips for years. We know the visits that work for school groups, and how to build an itinerary that supports your learning objectives.
From securing Royal Shakespeare Company experiences to coordinating accommodation, transport and workshop bookings, we'll handle the planning and keep everything running smoothly.
Less time organising. Less time on admin. More time bringing Shakespeare to life.
Browse our most popular Stratford Upon Avon school trips
Why choose NST?
Here's why thousands of teachers choose NST each year...
- Unrivalled school trip knowledge
Your dedicated Tour Co-ordinator will use their trip planning knowledge and expertise to create a tailor-made, curriculum-linked itinerary to meet your group’s exact needs.
- Making it easier for you
Your own trip organiser, travel app, free classroom packs and trip promo resources.
- Free group leader inspection visits
Visit your chosen destination free of charge and plan with confidence.
- Value for money, always
We work hard to make every penny count.
- Over 55 years’ experience
With NST you can rest assured that your group is in safe hands.
- Aligned to your learning outcomes
Every trip can be built around your specific goals — from the latest GCSE and A level curriculum requirements to particular themes, interests or visits you want to focus on.
- Risk assessment guidance
Clear, practical support to help you manage group safety including our free guide.
- Offsetting carbon emissions
Through our partnership with Carbon Footprint, we're committed to offset one tonne of CO2 emissions, and plant a tree on school grounds in the UK, for every trip booked.
Stratford Upon Avon trip highlights
Royal Shakespeare Company Production
Located on the bank of the River Avon in Shakespeare’s home town, the Royal Shakespeare Company welcomes school groups to experience world renowned productions every day. Furthermore, as there is a requirement in the curriculum for students to study two Shakespeare plays, this is a perfect opportunity to introduce your group to various Shakespeare texts.
RSC Tours
Go behind-the-scenes to discover more about the theatre-making process. Starting in the foyer, these guided tours explore the public and private areas of the theatre. Learn about the history of the RSC, the theatres and the recent transformation.
RSC - The Play's The Thing Exhibition
Take a magical journey through 100 years of theatre-making in Stratford-upon-Avon with our new permanent exhibition "The Play's The Thing". Discover rarely-seen treasures from our museum and archive: exquisite costumes, amazing model-boxes and weird and wonderful props.
Get hands-on and celebrate the creativity behind the scenes; discover the inspiration behind some of our most acclaimed shows, play Hamlet alongside actor Ewart James Walters, using state-of-the-art gaming technology, try on virtual costumes from our collection and take a photo, dress up in the dressing room and take part in the Quick Change Challenge and many more.
RSC Tower
The 36-metre high tower offers an iconic landmark for the RSC theatres whilst providing fantastic views of Shakespeare’s home town. A lift will take you to the 32-metre high viewing platform. As you descend you will find an exhibition installed on the walls and in the alcoves.
RSC Workshops
Tailored to meet your learning objectives, these half or full day workshops provide students with either a first introduction to, or a deeper study of a chosen plays language, characters and themes. Each workshop is led by RSC Education Associate Practitioners all of whom have first-hand experience of RSC rehearsal room practice, working either as actors, directors or theatre education specialists.
For upper primary groups, our workshops are designed to explore language, character and themes and include the development of written outcomes.
Shakespeare Properties Sessions
Put the spotlight on Shakespeare with an interactive talk that aids the discussion of language use, exploration of literary and historical context, and the discovery of characterisation and stagecraft. Choose from a range of plays for comparison and link your workshop to suit your students’ needs.
Theatre Workshops
At the YHA Stratford, we can provide popular curriculum-linked workshops such as ‘An Introduction to Shakespeare’, ‘Circus and Clowning’, ‘Improvisation’, ‘Playwriting’, and ‘An Inspector Calls’. Course content can be tailored to meet the needs of your group.
Stratford Walks
Take an award-winning guided walk around the historic streets and explore Stratford, its history, attractions and fascinating relationship with Shakespeare. Hear informative and interesting stories of fires, flooding, the plague and mediaeval cures!
Stratford Ghost Walk
On an award winning ghost walk, your group will meander around the streets of Stratford and discover terrible tales and sinister stories of ghosts, witches, murder and misery.
Tudor World
Step back in time and experience a slice of what it was like to lead a Tudor life. Put your feet up in a four-poster bed, see what it would have been like to sit at an Elizabethan dining table and imagine ruling the land by taking your seat on a throne.
Speak to one of our school travel experts
Hundreds of students travel with NST to Stratford Upon Avon every year, and members of our team regularly visit to Stratford to really get to know the ins-and-outs of the area, from logistics and visits to our range of student-friendly accommodation.
Your dedicated Tour Co-ordinator will use their knowledge of Stratford to create an itinerary that’s tailor-made, perfectly timed and meets your exact school travel needs. They’ll be able to share their first-hand experience, suggest options you might not have considered and give you insight into the feedback other teachers have given us too.
