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Home to Shakespeare (quite literally — his home and birthplace is in the heart of the town), Stratford-Upon-Avon is a beautiful town with a rich literary history.
It’s appropriate that the home of the Bard is also host to Stratford Literary Festival, an intimate affair featuring some of the biggest names of today.
Crucially, the festival also showcases the writers of tomorrow. I’m told that Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in Chemistry, once appeared in front of an audience of 30ish festival-goers before her book hit bestseller status.
May is already a packed period for book festivals across the UK — including Hay-on-Wye towards the back-end of the month. And so get a better idea of what to expect, I’ve produced a brief guide on what to expect during your time in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
The lineup
I wrote this in my Stratford preview article, but one of the truly impressive things about Stratford Literary Festival is how focused it is, and how much they pack into just four days.
In fact, with Stratford being just four days — and reasonably priced (starting from £8) — you could feasibly make a long weekend of your trip, and attend a bunch of events.
The festival attracts a range of big names, previously hosting household literary names including Sir Michael Morpurgo and Maggie O’Farrell, plus popular broadcasters including Jeremy Paxman and Michael McIntyre.
In 2025, Dame Jacqueline Wilson featured in at least two events, as well as legendary British comedian and author Charlie Higson — famed for the Fast Show and Young Bond book series.
And as a parent of young children, I was also really encouraged to see a packed kids’ schedule, including the always-energetic Maz Evans (who has that delightful knack of getting a young audience going).
Location
Stratford Literary Festival is hosted at the Crowne Plaza Hotel — and it’s actually a great place for the festival.
I’ve done hotel-based events before, and they can sometimes feel impersonal and a little clinical.
But that simply isn’t the case with Stratford. They’ve carefully selected an already spacious venue and transformed it into a bona fide bookish spot.
From the lovely pop-up bookshops — plus a guy called Adam on a typewriter who can write you a personalised short story based on three words, one name, and just five minutes of rattling on a typewriter — it’s all great fun.
The hotel has multiple on-site bars and cafés, plus a lovely green space out back, right next to the River Avon. It’s private, cosy, and a relaxing place to have a drink and a natter between friends. It’s also just a short jaunt from the town centre.
Places to stay in Stratford-Upon-Avon
Stratford-Upon-Avon is not the easiest place to get to by public transport — with a couple of lengthy connections via train — so you may wish to stay the night.
Fortunately, there are plenty of places to stay in Stratford-Upon-Avon, depending on your budget and need.
Crowne Plaza
The venue itself is convenient, though certainly on the pricier side. However, I am reliably informed that they make a mean breakfast.
Premier Inn
Around the corner is also a Premier Inn (probably more my pace). Close to the venue, whilst also central, it’s probably the best spot for cost and convenience.
Travelodge
There’s also a Travelodge a little further out, though only a short drive away, if you’re looking for a stay under £100 in Stratford.
Pen & Parchment
A non-chain, and a bit of a wildcard, is a sweet country pub very near the Crowne Plaza called the Pen & Parchment. It looks to be a cosy spot, plus you can eat there.
Airbnb
And of course, for something completely different, you can always check out the local Airbnbs. I found a handful of interesting spots, including a boutique apartment, a stunning, modern flat, a really smart loft conversion and 3) a quirky cottage. Other places are, of course, available.
Places to eat
- Bodega19 (Tapas)
- The Boat House Restaurant (Bistro and Bar)
- The Barge and Quarterdeck (Wood fired Pizza)
- RSC Rooftop Restaurant (British Classics)
- Deli Cafe (Family-Run Cafe & Brunch)
- Dirty Duck (Gastropub)
In Summary
With a supremely varied guest list, including award-winning writers, broadcasters, comedians, and artists, Stratford Literary Festival is a great place to be.
It’s also excellent value, with talks starting from £8 (which for an hour of anyone’s time is pretty decent value — but a writer you love? Bargain).
Stratford itself is really pretty; it’s part-historic, part modern. There are plenty of old buildings — including Shakespeare’s birthplace — juxtaposed with modern shops and conveniences too. And with it being a small town, you can walk between most places, which is always great.
If you’re into anything bookish, then Stratford’s well worth a stop by.
Find out more at
https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/
