20 posts
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Post by lucyhoneychurch on Nov 24, 2017 15:51:18 GMT
I'm a longtime reader and rare poster, but thank you for helping me keep up with the London theatre scene. I'm traveling to London from the States in early January and part of my trip will be a double-bill of the Cicero plays at the RSC. I hope you might have recommendations of where to stay for an overnight in Stratford, a reasonable walking distance from the train station or the RSC. I'd also welcome any recommendations for places to get a quick lunch and dinner around the RSC. Thanks in advance!
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1,102 posts
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Post by zak97 on Nov 24, 2017 16:08:04 GMT
I'm a longtime reader and rare poster, but thank you for helping me keep up with the London theatre scene. I'm traveling to London from the States in early January and part of my trip will be a double-bill of the Cicero plays at the RSC. I hope you might have recommendations of where to stay for an overnight in Stratford, a reasonable walking distance from the train station or the RSC. I'd also welcome any recommendations for places to get a quick lunch and dinner around the RSC. Thanks in advance! Perhaps a bit expensive, but there is the Arden hotel - be it to stay or eat at, but worth it.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2017 16:15:50 GMT
I've stayed at the Premier Inn and the Best Western, both easy walking distance and respectable enough chains. There's a youth hostel 3 miles out of town. They refurbed it recently, and it's always been a very nice hostel even before then. A nice and straight-forward walk if you're a walker, but you will need a light source, they turn the streetlights out late at night in the winter and it gets pretty dark.
There's a fish and chip shop right by the RSC called Barnaby's. Don't eat there, it's bad. No 37 Cafe on Sheep Street is lovely for lunch, and the Wetherspoon's... well, it's a Wetherspoon's. Cheap and effective if not exactly exciting.
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2,411 posts
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Post by theatreian on Nov 24, 2017 16:41:28 GMT
The dirty duck , a pub very near the RSC is a good place to eat.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2017 16:44:53 GMT
I second the Premier Inns, they are perfectly fine and cheap-ish by Stratford standards. I've always found Stratford a tad unwelcoming to solo diners, but I might be over-sensitive. There are the usual chains (the Wildwood on Sheep St is probably the best) and pubs, plus some slightly more expensive restaurants. It's the sort of place that should be better for eating out than it is.
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1,013 posts
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Post by talkstageytome on Nov 24, 2017 16:46:51 GMT
The Arden is gorgeous if you're looking for somewhere a bit fancy, but recently my grandma stayed in the Premier Inn and she was very comfortable - so that's somewhere a bit more affordable.
Stratford Townhouse is a lovely quiet place to grab a drink. Sometimes there's live piano music which is very nice, and it's really close to the theatre.
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2,411 posts
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Post by theatreian on Nov 24, 2017 16:56:05 GMT
I would second the above posts about Premier Inn. There are 2 in Stratford, either is good.The central one is nearer the train station and the theatre.Their breakfast is good too.
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297 posts
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Post by fossil on Nov 24, 2017 17:03:38 GMT
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20 posts
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Post by lucyhoneychurch on Nov 24, 2017 19:54:14 GMT
Thank you all! This is incredibly helpful and my traveling companion and I are very much looking forward to our trip.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2017 20:23:45 GMT
I adore the Q Hotel (The Stratford) on the way into town, you can often get a good deal on 2 nights and breakfast and/or dinner. If you're in the mood for something a bit 'fancy'
However both Premier Inns are very nice, and do a stonkging good breakfast fit enough for Lenny Henry.
Another vote for don't eat in the the Chippy on the corner by the RSC. The Spoons, is as said a Spoons but is decent. Lots of little shops in the arcade bits, and I always find Stratford Charity shops have excellent book selections.
I'd also recommend tours of the RSC, usually really interesting! And if you have the time, getting the multi-house ticket for the Shakespeare houses is good value, and obviously you get to see all 3 or is it 4? And if it's a nice day a stroll down the river is lovely.
Do you know in all these years I've still never visited Old Bill's Grave...
And while we're Shakespearing, for everyone's entertainment, I patiently explained to a customer yesterday that 'The book Midsummer Night's Dream' is in fact Shakespeare's play. Many times.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2017 21:04:32 GMT
Am so disappointed to hear about the chippy, it always smells mouth-watering!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2017 21:29:01 GMT
My favourite places to eat in Stratford are The Four Teas which is a lovely forties wartime themed tearoom with fantastic tea and cakes and really good breakfasts. And Loxley's on Sheep Street - I adore their fish board sharing starter.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2017 21:30:11 GMT
I'd second the theatre tours, they're excellent. I also recommend the HILARIOUSLY BAD exhibition at Tudor World. I don't think I've ever laughed so much.
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617 posts
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Post by loureviews on Nov 24, 2017 21:56:07 GMT
The chippy used to be brilliant. How times change.
The Dirty Duck can be a bit sniffy to those not in the business, or that's been the experience I have had when not with acting chums.
It's a few years since I regularly stayed over though, and that was in a lovely B 'n B on Arden Street. Basic but friendly.
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Post by QueerTheatre on Nov 24, 2017 22:01:49 GMT
My favourite places to eat in Stratford are The Four Teas which is a lovely forties wartime themed tearoom with fantastic tea and cakes and really good breakfasts. And Loxley's on Sheep Street - I adore their fish board sharing starter. I adore the Fourteas too! Its run my a former RSC Stage Manager (and my mates mum) and is always full of cast members
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5,707 posts
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Post by lynette on Nov 24, 2017 22:38:48 GMT
The restaurant on the top floor of the Theatre serves a good pre theatre menu which comes out at about £35 a head including a glass of wine. If you are doing both plays in one day, then a 5.30 pm booking there will see you through. The view is lovely from up there and it can be restful to be on the spot as it were after a hard morning's sight seeing and a play!
Carluccio, the chain is right by the Theatre , serving Italian inspired food. You have to book at busy times. I agree the Forties s is a nice place for tea... Do try to see Shakespeare's grave in the church. It is five minutes walk from the Theatre. And yes, a theatre tour would be great. The other Shakespeare 'houses' are worth a visit and all nearby except Ann Hathaway's which is a walk of about twenty minutes away. I’m not sure it is worth that if you are pushed for time, except for completeness. I hope you are there for a good couple of days. If you are there for longer, do say and I will give you more recommendations of places to visit nearby.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2017 8:45:39 GMT
Good tips here. I would also recommend the Premier Inn in the centre. Other hotel I like is the Mercure Shakespeare - amazing old building if you can get a room in the main block rather than the annexe. Couple of minutes walk from the theatre. The other big chain hotel in the centre is the Crowne Plaza (formerly the Holiday Inn) - massive charmless place although the rooms are fine. Lunch tip - someone on the old forum recommended Mida - www.mida-restaurant.co.uk/
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1,119 posts
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Post by martin1965 on Nov 25, 2017 16:57:43 GMT
Have stayed in the Falcon Hotel, ask for a room in the old part, lovely views over New Place and wobbly floors!
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1,250 posts
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Post by joem on Nov 28, 2017 0:46:21 GMT
The Shakespeare for a first visit surely??? After that the old part of the Falcon. For convenience in terms of closeness to the RSC, the Holiday Inn.
The theatre serves decent food but my favourite restaurant in Stratford, if you like Indian food, is Hussains on Chapel Street, not your average Indian restaurant. They have some distinctive dishes and it doesn't break the bank. Upon exit turn right to get to Chapel Lane and that gets you down to the RSC. About 100 metres or so.
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471 posts
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Post by mistressjojo on Nov 28, 2017 9:44:21 GMT
I can recommend the Mercure Shakespeare & the Falcon - I lucked out both times and got cheap deals and ended up in the old sections of both hotels. Also just for the convenience, the Premier Inn Central is a flat easy walk to the theatres and I found the staff very friendly.
I also recommend Hobsons Patisseries in Henley street, for the biggest cream filled scones and a good selection of cakes.
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1,127 posts
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Nov 28, 2017 15:53:09 GMT
I always stay at the Premier Inn (£29 in the PM sale, bargain).
An all-day breakfast from the Wetherspoons on Sheep Street has often fortified me against the harsh Midlands winter.
I'm all class, me.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2017 17:12:52 GMT
I once camped on the Racecourse. However this is forbidden during race meetings, for obvious reasons.
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35 posts
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Post by Cleo on Nov 28, 2017 21:06:47 GMT
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35 posts
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Post by Cleo on Nov 28, 2017 21:11:46 GMT
My favourite places to eat in Stratford are The Four Teas which is a lovely forties wartime themed tearoom with fantastic tea and cakes and really good breakfasts. And Loxley's on Sheep Street - I adore their fish board sharing starter. I adore the Fourteas too! Its run my a former RSC Stage Manager (and my mates mum) and is always full of cast members Sad to see Four Teas is for sale as going concern.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2017 19:55:37 GMT
I adore the Fourteas too! Its run my a former RSC Stage Manager (and my mates mum) and is always full of cast members Sad to see Four Teas is for sale as going concern. Whaaaat? NO, booo. I hope they keep it going as it is. Boo though. Someone mentioned Huffkins, they are really nice.
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