Trips to Stratford for English, Drama & Performing Arts Students

Located on the bank of the River Avon in Shakespeare’s home town, the Royal Shakespeare Company welcomes school groups to experience world renowned productions every day. Furthermore, as there is a requirement in the curriculum for students to study two Shakespeare plays, this is a perfect opportunity to introduce your group to various Shakespeare texts. 

At the YHA Stratford we can provide popular curriculum-linked workshops such as 'An Introduction to Shakespeare', 'Heroes & Villains' 'Shakespeare’s Magic’, 'An Introduction to Scriptwriting' and 'An Inspector Calls'. Course content can be tailored to meet the needs of your group.

The 36-metre high tower offers an iconic landmark for the RSC theatres whilst providing fantastic views of Shakespeare’s home town. A lift will take you to the 32-metre high viewing platform. As you descend you will find an exhibition installed on the walls and in the alcoves.

During this illustrated, interactive 60-minute session for KS3-4 students will discover the facts about Shakespeare's life and times and explore his schooldays, discuss the nature of play-going in Shakespeare’s London, learn about plays in the First Folio and more. 

Go behind-the-scenes to discover more about the theatre-making process. Starting in the foyer, these guided tours explore the public and private areas of the theatre. Learn about the history of the RSC, the theatres and the recent transformation. Theatre tours last up to one hour.

Step back in time and experience a slice of what it was like to lead a Tudor life. Put your feet up in a four-poster bed, see what it would have been like to sit at an Elizabethan dining table and imagine ruling the land by taking your seat on a throne.

Take an award-winning guided walk around the historic streets and explore Stratford, its history, attractions and fascinating relationship with Shakespeare. Hear informative and interesting stories of fires, flooding, the plague and mediaeval cures!

Take a guided visit of key Shakespeare property sites. Each one offers a unique opportunity to gain an insight into the life and times of William Shakespeare. Your guide will assist your students in forming a picture of Shakespeare's life and introduce them to the influences on his work. 

• Shakespeare’s Birthplace – - where it all began. William Shakespeare was born and grew up in this house. Discover Shakespeare's world with the ‘Famous Beyond Words’ exhibition showcasing treasures from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust's collection. 
• Anne Hathaway’s Cottage – Discover the family home of Shakespeare’s wife with its beautiful cottage gardens.
• Shakespeare's New Place – Walk in the Playwright's footsteps, explore a dramatic landscape and meet the man behind the famous works.
• Shakespeare’s Church – Complete the story in Stratford with a visit to Shakespeare’s grave at Holy Trinity Church to see his memorial.

On an award winning ghost walk, your group will meander around the streets of Stratford and discover terrible tales and sinister stories of ghosts, witches, murder and misery.

Tailored to meet your learning objectives, these half or full day workshops provide students with either a first introduction to, or a deeper study of a chosen plays language, characters and themes. Each workshop is led by RSC Education Associate Practitioners all of whom have first-hand experience of RSC rehearsal room practice, working either as actors, directors or theatre education specialists.

For upper primary groups, our workshops are designed to explore language, character and themes and include the development of written outcomes.

Take a magical journey through 100 years of theatre-making in Stratford-upon-Avon with permanent exhibition "The Play's The Thing". Discover rarely-seen treasures from exquisite costumes and amazing model-boxes, to weird and wonderful props. Get hands-on and celebrate the creativity behind the scenes; discover the inspiration behind some of our most acclaimed shows, play Hamlet alongside actor Ewart James Walters, using state-of-the-art gaming technology, and dress up in the dressing room and take part in the Quick Change Challenge!