Tour Companies and Coach Operators
Groups can now enjoy lesiurely trips from the heart of Shakespeare's England. This is the only tour licensed to operate from Stratford upon Avon's beautiful canal basin which travels through the historic canal lock, down onto the River Avon for a sightseeing tour and back. If you want to find out more you can download our current brochure here.
Stratford Canal Basin is a great place for groups to discover on any visit to the area. It is located between the Visitor Information Centre and The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, a short and easy walk from the Riverside Coach Park. Located on the left hand side just before the town centre. It is surrounded by beautiful canal and riverside gardens. Steeped in history, this area formed the main transport hub in the early Industrial Revolution with 2 canal basins that joined the River Avon. There was even a horse drawn tramway that ran south from here to the Cotswolds. One of the original horse drawn carts has been restored and can be seen by Cox's yard at the approach to Tramway Bridge, the now pedestrian footbridge that crosses the Avon. The original canal basin and lock remain to this day, the 2nd basin was filled in to form Bancroft Gardens and the site where The Royal Shakespeare Theatre was eventually built.
'Jennifer May' has been purpose built and is amongst the safest and most accessible passenger boats operating within the UK. She is licensed to carry up to 60 passengers in a comfortable all weather environment and has hydraulic lift access, a fully accessible WC, baby changing facilities and large glass roof sections for unparalleled passenger viewing. It's also the first boat in the UK to be accredited by Visit England.
Included is a fun audio tour that has been professionally written and narrated by Shakespearian Actors. Passengers will discover unusual and interesting facts concerning Stratford's industrial heritage, town history, river wildlife and William Shakespeare. A multilingual app version is free to download and provides the tour in text format, essential for non English speaking and hearing impaired passengers.
Quality refreshments can be purchased from adjacent barges selling food, freshly ground coffee and ice cream - all good value and can taken on board.
A complimentary refreshment voucher and boat tour will be provided for drivers and tour guides with generous discounts for group bookings.
Stratford Canal Basin is a great place for groups to discover on any visit to the area. It is located between the Visitor Information Centre and The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, a short and easy walk from the Riverside Coach Park. Located on the left hand side just before the town centre. It is surrounded by beautiful canal and riverside gardens. Steeped in history, this area formed the main transport hub in the early Industrial Revolution with 2 canal basins that joined the River Avon. There was even a horse drawn tramway that ran south from here to the Cotswolds. One of the original horse drawn carts has been restored and can be seen by Cox's yard at the approach to Tramway Bridge, the now pedestrian footbridge that crosses the Avon. The original canal basin and lock remain to this day, the 2nd basin was filled in to form Bancroft Gardens and the site where The Royal Shakespeare Theatre was eventually built.
'Jennifer May' has been purpose built and is amongst the safest and most accessible passenger boats operating within the UK. She is licensed to carry up to 60 passengers in a comfortable all weather environment and has hydraulic lift access, a fully accessible WC, baby changing facilities and large glass roof sections for unparalleled passenger viewing. It's also the first boat in the UK to be accredited by Visit England.
Included is a fun audio tour that has been professionally written and narrated by Shakespearian Actors. Passengers will discover unusual and interesting facts concerning Stratford's industrial heritage, town history, river wildlife and William Shakespeare. A multilingual app version is free to download and provides the tour in text format, essential for non English speaking and hearing impaired passengers.
Quality refreshments can be purchased from adjacent barges selling food, freshly ground coffee and ice cream - all good value and can taken on board.
A complimentary refreshment voucher and boat tour will be provided for drivers and tour guides with generous discounts for group bookings.
