Bancroft Gardens is the green heart of Stratford's waterfront, a free public park on the river bank between the theatres and the old bridge, and it is where most visitors end up at some point without planning to. The gardens run down to the Canal Basin, where the Stratford Canal meets the Avon, and the basin is crowded with narrowboats, river cruisers and ducks and swans waiting for crumbs. At the centre of the park stands the Gower Memorial, a large bronze and stone monument to Shakespeare, surrounded by figures of Hamlet, Lady Macbeth, Falstaff and Prince Hal, representing philosophy, tragedy, comedy and history. There are benches, flower beds and a lawn that fills with picnickers in summer, and the theatres are on the doorstep. It costs nothing, takes as long as you like and gives the best free view of the river in town.
Plan a visit at either end of the day. Early morning is quiet, with mist on the river and few people about, and the gardens are at their most photogenic at golden hour, when the light catches the theatre's brick and the boats. In summer the lawns are busy with picnickers, street performers and families, and the basin can be packed with boats, so come a little earlier if you want a bench.
In winter the gardens are quiet and the water is calm, and the nearby cafes and pubs are good places to warm up afterwards.
Walk the circuit. Start at the Gower Memorial and look at the four characters around the base, then follow the path along the water to the lock and the basin, where you can watch the narrowboats work through. Cross the footbridge to see the view back over the gardens, or continue along the river path to Clopton Bridge, the medieval bridge that has carried traffic into the town for centuries.
From here the spire of Holy Trinity Church can be seen downstream, and a riverside path leads to it in about fifteen minutes, which makes a neat circular walk with the church and the theatres.
The gardens are a good place to wait for a cruise, to eat a takeaway lunch or to rest between sights. The paths are flat and suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, and there are public toilets nearby. Take care with children near the water, particularly around the lock, and avoid feeding the birds with bread, which is bad for them. Combine the gardens with a river cruise, a theatre tour or the walk to Holy Trinity, and keep a bench free at the end of the day for a quiet view of the evening lights.
The gardens also reward a slow second look. Notice how the brick of the theatre, the iron of the bridge and the white of the swans change colour through the day, and listen for the clunk of lock gates as boats pass through. Several benches face the water and make good spots for a sandwich, a flask of tea or a quiet read of the play you are about to see.
If you are travelling with a dog, the paths are usually fine on a lead, though the busiest summer afternoons can be crowded. Because there is no ticket and no timetable, the gardens work as a flexible filler whenever a plan changes or the rain stops.
What to expect
The experience
A free, self-guided stroll through riverside gardens and around the Canal Basin, with benches, a famous Shakespeare monument and constant boat traffic.
Best time
Early morning for calm and mist, or late afternoon for golden light and the evening glow of the theatres.
How long
Half an hour for a quick loop, or an hour if you sit, picnic and watch the boats.
Tips
Keep children away from the lock edge, do not feed the swans bread, and bring a layer because the river air can be cool.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Everyone, but especially visitors on a budget and anyone who wants a quiet moment beside the water.
- Families
- Boats, swans and open lawns keep children busy, and the gardens are flat and pushchair-friendly.
- Couples
- A slow walk at sunset with the theatres lit up behind you is hard to beat, and it costs nothing.
- Pair with
- A river cruise, a theatre tour or the riverside walk to Holy Trinity Church.
- Time needed
- Allow thirty to sixty minutes.
Good questions
Is Bancroft Gardens free?+
Yes, it is a public park and costs nothing to enter or walk around. It is open to visitors throughout the year.
What is the Gower Memorial?+
It is a bronze and stone monument to Shakespeare with statues of Hamlet, Lady Macbeth, Falstaff and Prince Hal at its base, representing philosophy, tragedy, comedy and history.
Where do the river cruises leave from?+
Cruises and boat hire operate from the river banks next to the gardens, so it is easy to combine a walk with a sailing.
Is the park suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs?+
The paths are flat and wide, so most are suitable. Surfaces beside the water can be uneven in places, so take care near the lock.
What is the best time to visit?+
Early morning and late afternoon are the quietest and most scenic, and summer weekends are the busiest.
