The Royal Shakespeare Company is the reason many people come to Stratford, and its theatres on the bank of the Avon are open to visitors even when you are not seeing a play. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the smaller Swan Theatre sit side by side, and the company runs a range of guided tours that take you into the auditorium, the backstage areas and the workshops where costumes and scenery are made. The standard theatre tour lasts about an hour and covers at least one auditorium, while the backstage tour lasts about seventy-five minutes and goes behind the scenes at the main house. Specialist tours cover costume, folklore and the river walk, and a Friday afternoon tea tour combines a visit with a meal. Separately, the Theatre Tower, a thirty-two metre viewing platform, gives a free panorama over the town, the river and the surrounding countryside.
Choose the tour that suits you. The theatre tour is the best all-round introduction for first-timers, with the history of the building, how a production reaches the stage and a look at the auditoriums. The backstage tour is better for people who want to see wings, dressing rooms and technical areas, though it is not suitable for wheelchair users and has a minimum age of five.
The costume tour visits the costume workshop and the Other Place, and the Ghost, Gore and Folklore tour is a lively hour of theatre superstition and gory stage history. Tours are booked online with the RSC.
The Theatre Tower is the best free thing to do in the middle of Stratford. It stands about thirty-two metres high, has lift access and is open daily from noon to 4pm. It closes on matinee days and in poor weather, so check before you climb. The view takes in the river, the rooftops, Holy Trinity's spire and the Warwickshire fields, and it helps you work out the layout of the town before you start walking.
A tour fits neatly into a rainy morning, and it works well with an evening performance, since you will understand the building and the stage when you take your seat. The theatre also has a cafe and a restaurant, and the riverside terrace is pleasant on dry days. For the best experience, book the tour in advance, arrive ten minutes early and wear comfortable shoes, because tours involve stairs and some standing.
What to expect
The experience
A guided walk through the auditorium and parts of the building led by an RSC guide, plus an optional free climb to the Theatre Tower viewing platform.
Best time
A weekday morning, when there are fewer matinee clashes and the Tower is more likely to be open.
How long
A tour lasts about an hour, or about seventy-five minutes for the backstage version, and the Tower takes about twenty minutes.
Tips
Book tours online in advance, check the Tower is open on matinee days, and choose the standard theatre tour if anyone in your group uses a wheelchair.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Theatre fans, first-time visitors and anyone who wants a dry, interesting way to spend a winter morning.
- Families
- The standard tour and the Ghost, Gore and Folklore tour suit children from about five, and the Tower is free.
- Couples
- Take a Friday tour with afternoon tea, then climb the Tower for the view before dusk.
- Pair with
- A river cruise from Bancroft Gardens beside the theatre, or an evening performance.
- Time needed
- Allow about two hours for a tour and the Tower together.
Good questions
Can I visit the Royal Shakespeare Theatre without seeing a play?+
Yes, the RSC runs daily tours and the free Theatre Tower, so you can see the building without a performance ticket. Tours are booked online with the company.
Which tour should I choose?+
The standard theatre tour is the best all-round introduction. Choose the backstage tour for technical areas, or the costume tour if you are interested in design.
Is the Theatre Tower free?+
Yes, the Tower is free and has lift access. It is open from noon to 4pm but closes on matinee days and in bad weather.
Are the tours accessible?+
The standard theatre, costume and riverside tours are wheelchair accessible, but the backstage tour is not. Check the RSC page for the latest access details.
Can I see a play and take a tour on the same day?+
Yes, many visitors do, but note that the Tower closes on matinee days. Book the tour for the morning if you have an afternoon or evening show.
