Stratford: Shakespeare, Parks and Culinary Delights

Stratford offers a variety of reasons to stay: Shakespearean theatre, trails through parks, activities on the water and self-guided discoveries. Those travelling with children will also find specific ideas for days together—from playground equipment in the park to family-friendly performances. When choosing a holiday rental, it may therefore be worth considering whether you would most like to experience Stratford through culture, outdoor activities, seasonal events or culinary themes.

Theatre and Shakespeare

The annual Stratford Festival is a worldwide celebration of Shakespeare. The Festival Theatre stands out for its revolutionary thrust stage and is an iconic example of modern architecture. It was built in 1953. Located in the city centre, the Avon Theatre has been a Stratford landmark since 1900. It features the festival’s only traditional proscenium stage and also offers family-friendly performances. This puts two very different theatrical features in the spotlight: the thrust stage at the Festival Theatre and the traditional stage at the Avon Theatre. The Avon Theatre’s family-friendly performances may be of interest to families choosing cultural experiences.

Shakespeare is celebrated in Stratford beyond its theatres, too. The Shakespearean Gardens feature herbs, flowers and shrubs mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays; the garden is located beneath the Huron Street Bridge. Stratford City Hall is a National Historic Site and a monumental brick building dating from the late 19th century. Those interested in local history can also take a self-guided walking tour in Stratford. These places and activities offer different points of focus: the garden connects Shakespeare with plants from his plays, while City Hall offers a link to the city’s architectural history.

Parks, Trails and Lake Victoria

Stratford’s main park system has more than 15 kilometres of trails for walking, jogging and cycling. The trails offer different ways to spend time outdoors, whether on foot or by bike. Upper Queen’s Park overlooks Lake Victoria and has playground equipment, a covered bandstand, shaded green spaces, picnic areas and on-site washrooms. For a family stay, the playground equipment and picnic areas are especially practical features; the green spaces and shade add to what the park offers.

In the context of the park, the city also refers to Lake Victoria as the Avon River. There are opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and pedal boating, as well as guided boat tours. This means you can choose between exploring the water on your own or taking a guided tour. Art in the Park takes place at Lake Victoria during the summer months; the venue is on Lakeside Drive between North Street and Front Street. If you visit Stratford in summer, you can take this seasonal event into account when planning your trip.

Explore at Your Own Pace

On the Stratford Audio Walking Tours, visitors choose a theme and follow the audio stations from one location to the next. The tours are free and self-guided. This gives you the opportunity to choose a theme and explore at your own pace, rather than joining a guided group. Stratford also offers a self-guided walking tour focused on local history. For travellers who want to combine culture and outdoor activity, these walks can be seen as another way to explore, alongside theatre visits and time in the park.

Culinary Trails and Seasons

Culinary themes can also be explored on self-guided trails. The Stratford Chocolate Trail visits confectioners and bakers year-round. The Stratford Bacon & Ale Trail also runs year-round and explores the history of pork and brewing. The Stratford Savour & Sip Trail is available from May to October and features locally made products offered in Stratford and the surrounding communities. The three trails differ in theme and duration: you can explore chocolate, as well as the history of pork and brewing, year-round; Savour & Sip is limited to May through October.

Each winter, the Stratford Festival of Lights runs through the holiday season. Together with Art in the Park during the summer months and the Savour & Sip Trail, available from May to October, Stratford offers seasonal reasons to consider travelling at different times of year. When looking for a holiday rental, you can base your choice on the focus you want for your stay: theatre and Shakespeare, trails and time in the park, experiences on the water or self-guided culinary routes.

If you’d like to explore more places, you can also find St Marys, Shakespeare and Listowel here.

For the broader travel overview: Perth County.