12 Things To Do With Teenagers in Stratford Upon Avon

Are you visiting Stratford Upon Avon with a teenager? Do you want some ideas of attractions and things to do to keep your teen engaged and happy?

Look no further. We live not far from Stratford upon Avon and have gone many times over the years with kids. Now my eldest son is 14 years old and we have found out that there are lots of great things to do with teenagers too.

Read on to find the top attractions for your teenager in Stratford Upon Avon.

Enjoy the views from the Big Wheel

The big wheel in Stratford Upon Avon just before we hoped on!

If you go to Stratford in the summer months, teenagers will enjoy the views from the big wheel.

I went with my 14 year old in August 2021. When I suggested thebig wheel, his first reaction was well it doesn’t go very fast!

A ride at Alton Towers it is not. However, it did get a bit scary when we were at the top and the ride stopped to let more people on. My

The views from top are amazing.

Views from the top of the Stratford Big Wheel.

We both thoroughly enjoyed the wheel – it was super fun!!

Hire a row boat

River Avon at Stratford

If you feel confident rowing a boat, why not take your teenager out on the water. From mid March until the end of October, you can hire a row boat to go out on the River Avon at Stratford. Many teens will love to have a go at rowing. If row boats aren’t your thing, you can also hire a motor boat.

Another idea is a big canoe which can fit in a whole family (you have to prebook this through the website in advance).

Check out prices and more information at Avon Boating.

Relax on a River Cruise

Photobombed on a River Cruise from Stratford

Another fun idea on the water which is a little less effort than a row boat is a river cruise. You can hop on a river cruise at Stratford. They leave every 15 to 30 minutes between mid March until the end of October (weather permitting) so you don’t have to wait long.

My teenage son and I enjoyed the river cruise with some family and friends. It’s a good activity for some relaxation time. Just make sure you hide their phone so they look at beautiful scenes of the river banks rather than a screen!

Find out more about River Cruises at Stratford. 

Discover the UK’s largest butterfly farm

Monarch butterly at Stratford Butterfly Farm (Image: Smuge 9000)

The butterfly farm is a fun visit. There are many different butterfly species flying around, many with amazing, bright colours.  Be prepared that they may land on you, but it’s great to get a closer look. If your teenager is interested in butterflies this is a must. It’s also a great attraction if they like taking photos.

It’s warm inside the butterfly farm, so make sure you have a t-shirt underneath any jumpers or coats.

It can get crowded in popular times (for example, during school holiday times), so if you can visit away from those times that’s a bonus. Still worth a visit though.

It takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to go round and as well as butterflies there is a fun mini beast section to explore.

Find our more information and book tickets at Stratford Butterfly Farm. 

Climb the Tower, Have Lunch at the Rooftop Restaurant or Watch a Play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre

If a big wheel isn’t your thing but you would like to get some amazing views of Stratford, for a small charge teenagers will also love to climb the towers at RSC.

If you don’t fancy the stairs, there’s also a lift to the top of the tower.

Once you’ve reached the top there are some amazing views. You can check people’s photos out from the top on trip advisor. 

Another cool idea is to get lunch at the rooftop restaurant and enjoy views from there. It’s always best to book in advance as walk ins aren’t guaranteed a table.

Some teens may be interested in watching a play at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Check out what’s on here.

See Wacky Mechanical Machines at the MAD Museum

My boys at the MAD Museum a few years ago!

The MAD (mechanical, art and design museum) is a small museum that packs a punch!  It has something for all generations from small kids to the grandparents.

It’s full of quirky machines with unique designs and contraptions. Many of them are interactive and you push a button or wave your hand to get it started. It’s a fun place for inspiring creativity.

If your teenager is studying art or engineering in any form, it is highly educational in those areas too.

It’s a good choice of attraction for a rainy day. It takes about an hour to go round and explore it all.

Find out more at the MAD Museum.

Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace

Shakespeare’s Birthplace

Shakespeare’s Birthplace is the perfect educational attraction for teenagers studying Shakespeare at school or who have an interest in history.

Visit the rooms where Shakespeare was born and grew up. The house is furnished as it would have been in 1574. you can see the rooms they lived in including the hall, parlour, main bedroom and boys room. There’s interesting facts and displays to look at.

You can also wander around the gardens. There’s a cafe and a gift shop too.

The best value ticket is  Shakespeare’s story ticket which allows you to access Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Shakespeare’s New Place. However you can purchase a ticket to Shakespeare’s birthplace only if you prefer.

Find out more at Shakespeare’s Birthplace 

Find some Furry Friends at Shakespaw Cat Cafe

Two white cats chilling out at the Shakespaw cat cafe (image: https://www.facebook.com/shakespawcatcafe)

Is your teen a cat lover. Then you need to visit this cafe with a difference.

The Shakespaw cat cafe is situated on Union Street in Stratford Upon Avon. Booking in advance is essential. You will have 90 minutes to relax to enjoy afternoon tea, cocktails or lunches while admiring and interacting with the resident cats.

Find out more at Shakespaw Cat Cafe. 

Challenge friends and family Stratford mini golf

Stratford Mini Golf (image facebook.com/www.stratfordminigolf.co.uk)

Mini Golf is a great game for all ages. If you’re in Stratford on a sunny day, why not partake in an 18 hole round with your teeanger. At the time of writing it’s £3 for kids and seniors or £5 for adults making it one of the best value activities on the list.

You can also enjoy some after golf refreshements post game.

Find out more on their Facebook page.

Perfect your frisbee aim at Woodland disc golf

Gilly’s Disc Golf (image gillysdiscgolf.co.uk/gallery)

Situated just outside Stratford Upon Avon is disc golf. A fun outdoor activity for teens to enjoy. It’s easy to get into and fun to play.

There’s a 12 hole course for beginners and a 12 intermediate hole if you want to progress your skills. Fab family fun for kids older kids and teens.

Check out more information at their website. 

Step back in time at Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall

Venture into the school room where William Shakespeare was educated. Experience Tudor school life of the 1570s with William Shakespeare’s tutor, Master Thomas Jenkins and learn to write in quill and ink.

The schoolroom is a small attraction but it will take you back in time to the 16th century so you can experience what the education was like.

Find out more at Shakespeare’s school room.

Look out for ghosts at Tudor World

The Tudor World museum can be visited during the day where you can take part in many interactive exhibits and entertainment which includes a touchscreen; videos to choose from; a feast to sit out; a thrown perch on and a four poster bed to lie on. You can take part in a written witch trial; go in the stocks as a drunk or try your hand at quill writing in the school room.

But  what will engage many teenagers is the Ghost tour that takes place at Tudor World after hours and when the lights are out. By latern light, a live guide will relate stories and the ghostly occurrences that have taken place within the building and around Stratford upon Avon! It can be spooky and the museum recommends the tour is for people aged 14 and over. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Find out more at Tudor World. 

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