Best time to visit Stratford-upon-Avon
Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart on the page recolours live for your heat limit 27°C
Default 27 °C is the upper edge of the Holiday Climate Index "ideal comfort" band (Scott, Rutty, Amelung & Tang, 2016). Above this, most warm-tourism travellers report measurable discomfort.
How is this scored? HCI / Steadman / CCI gate — full methodology and citations below.
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Add as many as you like — stacked below the main strips above. Each row is just the recent-window score strip and (for beach destinations) sea-temperature strip.
Tours in Stratford-upon-Avon
7 top-rated tours via Viator. Booking links earn this site a commission at no cost to you. Map locations are approximate (centred on Stratford-upon-Avon).
- 1
Shakespeare Distillery Tour - 11am Ticket - 2
Cotswolds in a Day Tour from Moreton-in-Marsh / Stratford-on-Avon - 3Shakespeare Distillery Tour - 1pm Ticket
- 4
Bath & South Cotswolds from Stratford-on-Avon / Moreton-in-Marsh - 5
Cotswolds Walking Tour from Stratford-on-Avon or Moreton-in-Marsh - 6
Private Full Day Cotswolds Tour from London Historic Towns - 7
Stratford-upon-Avon to London: Scenic Transfer via The Cotswolds
Last refreshed 2026-06-29.
Similar climatesOxford98% · York96% · Windsor96%
Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to Stratford-upon-Avon (apparent temperature, rain hours, sunshine — matched within the same trip-profile). The ±N chip compares each match's typical score for the current month against Stratford-upon-Avon's. Based on the 2020-2024 climatology, not this year's actual weather.
Month-by-month
| Month | Temp °C | Feels °C | Rain days | Rain h | Rain h/day | Humidity | Wind km/h | Sun h | UV | Interest | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2–8 | 4 | 11 | 111 | 10.1 | 83% | 24 | 96 | 1 | Quiet | 4 |
| Feb | 4–10 | 5 | 12 | 144 | 12.0 | 76% | 28 | 106 | 1 | Quiet | 4 |
| Mar | 4–11 | 7 | 14 | 163 | 11.6 | 70% | 25 | 150 | 2 | Quiet | 5 |
| Apr | 4–13 | 10 | 11 | 125 | 11.4 | 60% | 21 | 208 | 3 | Moderate | 6 |
| May | 8–17 | 14 | 12 | 141 | 11.8 | 62% | 20 | 247 | 4 | Moderate | 7 |
| Jun | 11–20 | 18 | 10 | 118 | 11.8 | 59% | 20 | 250 | 5 | Moderate | 8 |
| Jul | 13–21 | 20 | 14 | 160 | 11.4 | 61% | 21 | 246 | 4 | Busy | 7 |
| Aug | 13–22 | 20 | 10 | 120 | 12.0 | 60% | 22 | 226 | 4 | Peak | 8 |
| Sep | 11–20 | 18 | 11 | 116 | 10.5 | 66% | 21 | 182 | 3 | Busy | 8 |
| Oct | 9–15 | 13 | 15 | 156 | 10.4 | 75% | 24 | 136 | 2 | Moderate | 5 |
| Nov | 5–11 | 8 | 11 | 115 | 10.5 | 83% | 22 | 97 | 1 | Moderate | 5 |
| Dec | 4–8 | 5 | 15 | 152 | 10.1 | 87% | 24 | 63 | — | Quiet | 3 |
UV Index in Stratford-upon-Avon by Month
UV index in Stratford-upon-Avon peaks at 5 (moderate) in June, dropping to 0 (low) in December.
Best months in detail
August
8/1013–22°C (feels 20°C) · 10 rain days (120h) · 226 sun hours · 60% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 4 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 5 (moderate)
June
8/1011–20°C (feels 18°C) · 10 rain days (118h) · 250 sun hours · 59% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 7 (high)
September
8/1011–20°C (feels 18°C) · 11 rain days (116h) · 182 sun hours · 66% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 3 (low) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 4 (moderate)
Every month
Show the other 9 months in detail
January
4/102–8°C (feels 4°C) · 11 rain days (111h) · 96 sun hours · 83% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 1 (low)
February
4/104–10°C (feels 5°C) · 12 rain days (144h) · 106 sun hours · 76% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 1 (low)
March
5/104–11°C (feels 7°C) · 14 rain days (163h) · 150 sun hours · 70% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 2 (low)
April
6/104–13°C (feels 10°C) · 11 rain days (125h) · 208 sun hours · 60% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 3 (moderate)
May
7/108–17°C (feels 14°C) · 12 rain days (141h) · 247 sun hours · 62% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 4 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 6 (moderate)
July
7/1013–21°C (feels 20°C) · 14 rain days (160h) · 246 sun hours · 61% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 4 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 6 (high)
October
5/109–15°C (feels 13°C) · 15 rain days (156h) · 136 sun hours · 75% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 2 (low)
November
5/105–11°C (feels 8°C) · 11 rain days (115h) · 97 sun hours · 83% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 1 (low)
December
3/104–8°C (feels 5°C) · 15 rain days (152h) · 63 sun hours · 87% humidity · Quiet crowd
Two of the five Shakespeare houses are no longer open to visitors
Stratford is still marketed around the Shakespeare family homes, but the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust has withdrawn two of the five from general visiting. Mary Arden's Farm and Hall's Croft now operate as education sites rather than ticketed attractions — the Trust cited demand well below expectation and public opening that was not financially viable.
The three that remain run on a seasonal clock. The Birthplace and Anne Hathaway's Cottage open daily 10:00 to 17:00 from 16 March to 1 November 2026. Shakespeare's New Place gives its full day only between 15 June and 31 August, dropping to 11:00-15:00 from 1 September.
So the window in which the town delivers its complete advertised offer is roughly ten weeks wide, not the whole summer — and that is a fact about opening hours, not about weather.
Sources: Shakespeare Birthplace Trust — opening times , Shakespeare Birthplace Trust — update on access to Mary Arden's Farm
What is the best time to visit Stratford-upon-Avon?
Mid-June to the end of August, when all three open Shakespeare properties run full days simultaneously — outside that, New Place closes at 15:00 and the season ends on 1 November. July is warmest at about 21C. Late April is worth targeting for the Birthday Celebrations, which fall on the Saturday nearest 23 April.
How many days do you need in Stratford-upon-Avon?
One full day covers the Birthplace, Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Holy Trinity Church and the riverside. Add an evening for a Royal Shakespeare Company performance, which is the reason to stay overnight rather than day-trip from London or Birmingham. Two days is generous unless you are also walking the Cotswolds nearby.
Are all five Shakespeare houses open?
No. Mary Arden's Farm and Hall's Croft are closed to general visits and now serve as education sites — the Trust cited demand much lower than expected and public opening that was not financially viable. Shakespeare's Birthplace, Anne Hathaway's Cottage and New Place remain open, on a seasonal calendar.
When is Shakespeare's Birthday celebrated in Stratford?
On the Saturday nearest 23 April, with events across the surrounding days — in 2026 that is Saturday 25 April, with a programme running 23 to 26 April. The parade through the town is the centrepiece. It is the busiest weekend of the spring, so book accommodation well ahead.
Can you visit Shakespeare's grave?
Yes, in the chancel of Holy Trinity Church, for a small donation. Access is unavailable on Sunday mornings during services — the church typically opens to visitors around midday on Sundays, later if baptisms follow. Hours are longer in summer, roughly 09:00-17:00 April to September, shortening to 10:00-16:00 in winter.
What is the rainiest month in Stratford-upon-Avon?
October, at around 65mm, with February driest at about 45mm. This is a mild, evenly-watered English climate with no dry season and no month heavy enough to spoil a visit. The practical seasonal variable is opening hours and daylight, not rainfall.
Is Stratford-upon-Avon worth visiting?
Yes if Shakespeare interests you at all — the Birthplace and the RSC theatres together are the reason the town exists as a destination. It is compact, walkable and easily reached from London in about two hours. Visitors with no interest in the literary side often find a half-day sufficient.
How do you get to Stratford-upon-Avon from London?
Direct trains from London Marylebone take around two hours, and the station is a short walk from the centre. Coaches are cheaper and slower. It is comfortably a day trip, though seeing an RSC evening performance effectively requires staying over, since the last trains back are early relative to curtain-down.
What are the top things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon?
Shakespeare's Birthplace on Henley Street, Anne Hathaway's Cottage a mile out at Shottery, Holy Trinity Church for the grave, and a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Add the riverside walk and the Guild Chapel. Check current opening before building a day around New Place, whose hours shorten from September.
When is Stratford-upon-Avon least crowded?
Midweek outside the school holidays, and any time between November and mid-March, when the seasonal properties are closed or reduced and the town belongs to residents again. August is the crowd peak. The Birthday weekend in late April is the single busiest period of the spring.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Stratford-upon-Avon
When is the best time to visit Stratford-upon-Avon?
August is the highest-scoring month (8/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 13–22°C (10 rainy days). The top three months by score are August, June, September.
What is the worst time to visit Stratford-upon-Avon?
December is the lowest-scoring month (3/10). Typical conditions: 4–8°C (15 rainy days).
When are crowds lowest in Stratford-upon-Avon?
Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in January and peaks in August. Interest tracks both in-trip visitors and lead-time planners, so treat it as a "destination is on people's minds" signal rather than literal arrivals.
What is the UV index in Stratford-upon-Avon by month?
UV peaks at 5 (moderate) in June and is lowest in December at 0 (low). Monthly peak values: Jan 1, Feb 1, Mar 2, Apr 3, May 4, Jun 5, Jul 4, Aug 4, Sep 3, Oct 2, Nov 1, Dec —.
What is the UV index in Stratford-upon-Avon in June?
June is the peak UV month in Stratford-upon-Avon, with a daily-peak UV index of 5 (moderate). Standard sun protection — sunglasses and light SPF — is recommended.
How high can UV get in Stratford-upon-Avon on the sunniest days?
Most days look like the monthly average, but on the sunniest ~1 in 10 days UV climbs higher than the mean suggests. June is the worst case: typical days average UV 5 (moderate), but the top 10% of days reach UV 7 (high) — and even higher. Months where the sunniest days routinely exceed the typical reading: May, June, July, August, September. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.
Is air quality in Stratford-upon-Avon bad for travelers?
PM2.5 (fine-particle pollution) exceeds the WHO sensitive-group guideline (15 µg/m³) in 5 months: January, February, March, April, November. The worst month is March with a typical-day mean of 11 µg/m³ (moderate); on the worst 10% of days PM2.5 reaches 22 µg/m³ (unhealthy for sensitive) and higher. People with asthma, heart conditions, or sensitive children may want to avoid these months or limit outdoor activity. Source: CAMS via Open-Meteo.