Car Rental Stratford-upon-Avon
Hertz in Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon, in the beautiful English county of Warwickshire, is famous the world over as the birthplace of William Shakespeare – one of the most famous writers in the English language.
Aside from its renowned claim to fame, Stratford is also a lovely medieval market town straddling the River Avon, with glorious old buildings and fine shops, pubs and restaurants to explore.
Our pickup point in Stratford-upon-Avon is conveniently located at the train station, just a short distance from the town center, so you’ll be able to hop in your rental car and be on your way as soon as you arrive.
Whether you want to hit the celebrated Shakespeare Trail, or drive out to the many other historic attractions in this lovely part of the UK, we can help.
There are no hidden fees and we won’t charge you to change or cancel your reservation up to two days before collection. For extra peace of mind, our best price guarantee means that if you find a cheaper Hertz price in Stratford-upon-Avon, we'll refund the difference.
Driving in and around Stratford-upon-Avon
Most of the sights you’ll want to see are clustered around the small and compact town center. The exceptions are Anne Hathaway’s cottage, a mile west of town and Mary Arden’s Farm, just under five miles north-west of the center via the Alcester Road and Ridgeway.
Parking in the town is fairly straightforward with plenty of on-street parking as well as lots dotted around the center. The best parking spots for Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the theaters and other key sights are those on Windsor Street, Rother Street and Bridgeway.
If you’re visiting this iconic town during the summer months or the Shakespeare Birthday celebrations in April, be aware that it can get very busy with visitors.
The 16th-century Charlecote Park country house and Compton Verney art gallery both lie east from Stratford along the B4086. They’re ideal spots for day trips and less than a 30-minute drive away.
The town of Warwick lies 10 miles north-east of Stratford on the A439/Warwick Road. Explore the impressive castle and admire the stunning Lord Leycester Hospital. Dating back to the 14th century, the medieval timber-framed structure makes for an intriguing visit.
The biggest difference when driving in the UK is that you’ll be driving on the left-hand side of the road. Speed limits are usually 30mph or lower in built-up areas, 60mph on main roads and 70mph on two-lane divided highways (called dual carriageways) and three-lane highways (called motorways). These can change though, so keep a close eye on signs.
A quick guide to Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is packed with places related to the life and times of William Shakespeare, as well as a wealth of other interesting and historic sights to appeal to any visitor.
Get on the Shakespeare Trail
It all starts at Shakespeare's Birthplace, the house where he was born and grew up. This fascinating piece of history is also where Shakespeare and his wife Anne lived for five years at the start of their marriage.
The house is a shrine for Shakespeare enthusiasts and here you’ll be able to see what other writers such as Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy thought of his work. The costumed guides bring it to life with captivating tales and there are live performances by the resident actors.
A five-minute walk away is Shakespeare’s New Place, where he moved after retiring – it’s also where the famous bard passed away in 1616. The original house was demolished in 1759, but an attractive Jacobean sunken knot garden occupies part of the grounds.
The neighboring Grade-1 listed Elizabethan Nash's House, where Shakespeare's granddaughter Elizabeth Hall lived, has been restored as an exhibition center featuring rare artifacts relating to his life here. Opposite New Place is a reconstruction of Shakespeare’s medieval schoolroom.
Next up on the Shakespeare trail is Hall’s Croft, the beautiful Jacobean home of Shakespeare's eldest daughter Susanna and her husband, the renowned physician Dr John Hall. It’s an impressive building, befitting of a man of such wealth and status.
About a mile west of the town center is the delightful thatched farmhouse where Shakespeare’s wife Anne Hathaway lived before they were married. It’s all laid out as it would have been when she lived here, and the gorgeous gardens are well worth a stroll.
A bit further from town is Mary Arden's Farm, the childhood home of Shakespeare's mother, which offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of a farming family in 16th century England.
Among the other Shakespeare-related sites around town is Holy Trinity Church, the bard’s final resting place, where you can see his grave with its slightly sinister epitaph, which warns ‘cursed be he that moves my bones'.
Find your inner Hamlet or Macbeth
Don’t leave town without experiencing a performance of your favorite Shakespeare play by the world-famous Royal Shakespeare Company at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, or next door on the Swan Theatre’s traditional Elizabethan stage.
Explore historic Warwickshire
Around five miles east of Stratford-upon-Avon is Charlecote Park, a grand 16th-century country house on the River Avon, where a young Shakespeare allegedly poached deer in the extensive grounds.
Highlights include the wonderful Victorian kitchens and an original Tudor gatehouse. Also out of town is Compton Verney, a magnificent 18th century mansion surrounded by 120 glorious acres of parkland landscaped by famous garden designer Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.
Just a 30-minute drive away lies historic Warwick, famous for its huge and impressive 1,000-year-old castle, built by William the Conqueror. Afterwards, make sure you leave enough time to wander around the town’s charming streets.
Car rental in Stratford-upon-Avon allows you to see the sights of this historic town, as well as venture out to discover more of this beautiful and fascinating part of the UK.
