Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
At the end of an avenue of limes, beside the River Avon, stands the church where William Shakespeare was baptised in 1564 and buried in 1616. Holy Trinity is Stratford’s parish church and one of the most visited in England, but it is also a fine medieval building in its own right, with a tall spire, a light-filled chancel and a fine set of carved misericords.
Shakespeare’s church
The parish register records the baptism of “Gulielmus filius Johannes Shakspere” on 26 April 1564, and his burial on 25 April 1616. Shakespeare was buried in the chancel, not because he was a famous writer but because he had bought a share in the parish tithes, which gave him the right to lie there. His wife Anne, his daughter Susanna and her husband John Hall lie beside him.
The church is much older than Shakespeare. Its tower and transepts date from the thirteenth century, and the chancel was rebuilt in the late fifteenth century. The wooden spire was replaced by the present stone one in 1763.
The visitor's cheat sheet
| Where | Old Town, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6BG |
|---|---|
| Getting there | About 15 minutes’ walk along the river from the town centre and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre; about 20 minutes from the station |
| Opening hours | Seasonal: longest hours April–August (Mon–Sat 10am–4.45pm, Sun afternoons), much shorter November–March; may close for services |
| Admission | Church free; donation to enter the chancel and Shakespeare’s grave, about £5 adults, £1 under-18s |
| How long | 30 to 45 minutes |
| Best time | A weekday morning in spring or summer, before the coach parties |
| Dress code | No rule; respectful dress in a working church |
| Tours | Self-guided; volunteer stewards in the chancel |
Hours and admission checked against the official site in October 2026. They change; the official site is always the last word.
The curse. Shakespeare’s grave slab carries no name, only a verse: “Good friend for Jesus’ sake forbear / To dig the dust enclosed here”, ending with a curse on anyone who moves his bones. No one has.
What to see, in the order you meet it
The lime avenue and north porch
The path from Old Town runs through the churchyard under an avenue of lime trees to the north porch. On the door is a medieval sanctuary knocker: a fugitive who reached it could claim the protection of the church.
The nave and the Clopton Chapel
The nave is wide and lit by large windows. At the east end of the north aisle is the Clopton Chapel, with the tombs of the family of Sir Hugh Clopton, the Lord Mayor of London who built Stratford’s stone bridge. Look also for the font in which Shakespeare is said to have been baptised.
The chancel
Beyond the crossing, the chancel is full of light from its tall windows. Under the choir stalls are misericords carved with a lively mix of animals, mermaids and scenes of everyday life.
Shakespeare’s grave and monument
Shakespeare’s grave lies in front of the altar rail, with those of his family. On the north wall above is his monument: a painted half-length figure with a quill in his hand, set up by 1623 and attributed to Gerard Johnson. Together with the engraving in the First Folio, it is the most reliable picture we have of him.
Visiting
Free church, donation for the chancel
There is no charge to enter the church. To see Shakespeare’s grave in the chancel, the church asks for a donation of about £5 for an adult and £1 for under-18s. Hours are seasonal and much shorter in winter, so check the church’s website first.
The hotel link goes to Booking.com. This site earns nothing from it at present — it is here because it is the quickest way to check what is actually available.
Don't miss
- Shakespeare’s grave With its verse curse.
- The monument His best-known likeness, on the chancel wall.
- The parish register Copies of his baptism and burial entries.
- The misericords Carved under the choir seats.
- The sanctuary knocker On the north door.
- The riverside The church seen across the Avon.
Insider tips
Walk there by the river. From the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, follow the path south along the Avon through the gardens: the spire comes into view across the water, and you arrive by the quiet side of the churchyard. Go early in the day to have the chancel to yourself.
Common questions
Does it cost anything to visit Holy Trinity Church?
The church itself is free. To go into the chancel, where Shakespeare is buried, the church asks for a donation of about £5 for an adult and £1 for under-18s; pre-school children go free. Check the church’s website for current amounts.
When is the church open?
Hours change with the season. From April to August it is usually open Monday to Saturday from 10am to about 4.45pm and on Sunday afternoons; in spring and autumn on fewer hours; and from November to March mainly on Saturdays and Sunday afternoons. It can close for funerals and special services, so check the church’s website before you go.
Is Shakespeare really buried here?
Yes. He was baptised here in 1564 and buried in the chancel in 1616. His wife, Anne Hathaway, and other members of his family are buried beside him. The verse on his grave slab warns against moving his bones.
Is the bust a true likeness of Shakespeare?
It is one of only two images of him with a good claim to be authentic. It was in place by 1623 and is usually attributed to the workshop of Gerard Johnson. Shakespeare’s family, who knew him, would have seen it.
How do you get to Holy Trinity Church?
The church is at the south end of the old town, beside the River Avon, about 15 minutes’ walk from the town centre and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre along the river. Stratford-upon-Avon station is about 20 minutes’ walk.
Where to stay and eat nearby
Stratford is full of pubs, tea rooms and restaurants, and has hotels and guest houses of every kind, many within a short walk of the church.
More English churches
- Coventry Cathedral — about 20 miles north
- Tewkesbury Abbey — a great Norman abbey to the south-west
- Worcester Cathedral — King John’s tomb
See all the cathedrals and churches worth visiting in England →