Shakespeare's handsome home town on the River Avon, with riverside gardens, a canal towpath and Tudor streets to wander. Here is how we would spend a day in Stratford-upon-Avon with your dog.
Stratford-upon-Avon is a town that wears its fame gracefully: timber-framed houses, a theatre on the riverbank and swans on the Avon, all tied to the man born here four centuries ago. For a dog it is an easy, pretty day, because the best of it is outdoors and on foot, from the riverside gardens and the chain ferry to the canal towpath and the flowery cottage gardens on the edge of town.
A riverside and garden morning, a Tudor wander, a good lunch and a pint in a proper old inn is the shape of a Stratford day. This is how we would spend it, with the real, well-reviewed places we would actually take our own dog.
1
Morning: river, canal and a cottage garden
Start on the water. Bancroft Gardens, where the canal meets the Avon, is a lovely dog-friendly green by the theatre, busy with narrowboats and swans, and the little hand-pulled Stratford Chain Ferry will carry you and your dog across the river for a few pence. From the basin you can follow the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal towpath out of town, a flat, easy walk with the water alongside. On the edge of town, Anne Hathaway's Cottage welcomes dogs on leads in its beautiful gardens and grounds.
It all adds up to a gentle, water-threaded morning that suits an easygoing dog down to the ground.
The old town is made for a potter, its half-timbered streets running down to the river. For a treat, Avon Boating runs short dog-friendly river cruises from the gardens, a lazy way to see the town from the water. Tudor World, a museum in an atmospheric old building, welcomes dogs on daytime visits if you fancy a dose of history.
Stratford has plenty of spots that welcome a dog. Boston Tea Party is a reliable, roomy dog-friendly cafe, El Greco has a dog-friendly outdoor terrace, and the Vintner, in a fine old building, welcomes dogs in its bar area if you call ahead. Bardias welcomes them too. Grab a table and rest the paws.
The Dirty Duck, the actors' pub by the theatre, welcomes dogs inside and in the beer garden and is the one to tell people about. The Garrick Inn, said to be the oldest pub in town, greets dogs with water and fuss, and the Old Thatch Tavern, a lovely thatched local, keeps treats behind the bar for visiting hounds.
By the theatre, the Arden Hotel has dog rooms with a welcome pack and dogs allowed in the lounges, an elegant riverside base. The Swan's Nest, across the river, welcomes dogs in its bar and lounge, and a little out of town the Clarion at Charlecote has dog-friendly rooms, a dog menu and a five-acre field to run in.
A hand-pulled ferry across the Avon, a flat towpath out of town and the actors' pub by the theatre. Stratford is an easy, handsome day for a dog.
What to pack for a day out
The short list that turns a good day into an easy one. Throw it in the boot before you set off.
Water bottle and collapsible bowl
Towel for the boot
Poo bags, always
Spare lead and a long line
Treats for the pub
ID tag and vaccinations up to date
Questions dog owners ask
Is Stratford-upon-Avon dog friendly?
Yes, very. The best of Stratford is outdoors and on foot: the riverside gardens, the chain ferry, the canal towpath and the cottage gardens all welcome dogs, and most cafes and pubs keep a warm welcome for them too.
Can dogs visit Anne Hathaway's Cottage?
Yes, dogs on leads are welcome in the beautiful gardens and grounds of Anne Hathaway's Cottage on the edge of town, though not inside the historic cottage itself. It makes a lovely garden walk.
What is the best dog walk in Stratford?
The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal towpath gives a flat, easy walk out of town along the water, and Bancroft Gardens and the riverside are lovely for a gentler stroll. Take the hand-pulled chain ferry across the Avon with your dog for a few pence.
Which Stratford pubs take dogs?
The Dirty Duck by the theatre welcomes dogs inside and in the beer garden, the historic Garrick Inn greets them with water and fuss, and the thatched Old Thatch Tavern keeps treats behind the bar.
Where can I stay in Stratford with a dog?
The Arden Hotel by the theatre has dog rooms with a welcome pack, the Swan's Nest across the river welcomes dogs in its bar and lounge, and the Clarion at Charlecote has dog-friendly rooms, a dog menu and a field to run in.
Stratford-upon-Avon through the seasons
Spring
The riverside gardens and the cottage gardens burst into flower and the towpath is at its freshest. A Bancroft Gardens stroll and a river cruise is Stratford in spring at its best.
Summer
The town gets busy with visitors, so walk the towpath early, carry water, and keep dogs cool and leashed by the river where the swans gather. A shady cottage garden makes a fine midday stop.
Autumn
The Avon turns golden and the crowds ease. Crisp riverside and canal walks, quiet Tudor streets and cosy old pubs make for a lovely, mellow autumn day.
Winter
The town is quiet and the historic pubs are at their cosiest. Wrap up for a brisk towpath walk, then thaw out by the fire at the Dirty Duck with a dog at your feet.