THE HEART OF ENGLAND - England 2012 and the Best of Wales - page 459

Also part of the Greene King stable, the Garrick Inn , at 25 High St. ( & 01789/
292186; www.garrick-inn-stratford-upon-avon.co.uk; daily 11am-11pm), is the old-
est pub in Stratford, a handsome black-and-white timbered structure that dates back
to the 14th century. The open fireplace and curry nights (Wed) attract plenty of locals
in addition to tourists.
Stratford's oldest structure (not its oldest pub) is reputed to be the White Swan
on Rother Street ( & 01789/297022; www.pebblehotels.com; daily noon-9pm). It's
a hotel today, but the lounge and bar is an atmospheric place for a drink, with cush-
ioned leather armchairs, oak paneling, and fireplaces.
Where to Stay
EXPENSIVE
The Arden Stratford's best hotel and the most convenient for the RSC
Theatre reopened in 2010 after a comprehensive refurbishment. All the rooms have
been decked out in an elegant, contemporary English style with the latest amenities,
some with views of the river; the main difference between the Deluxe, Superior,
and Classic rooms is size. The excellent location and on-site dining choices—the
Waterside Brasserie and Champagne Bar —means you won't need to stray far
from the hotel.
Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6BA. www.theardenhotelstratford.com. & 01789/
298682. Fax [phone] units. £125-£185. Basic package rates include English breakfast. AE, MC,
V. Free parking. Amenities: 3 restaurants; 2 bars; room service. In room: TV/DVD, hair dryer, Wi-Fi
(free).
Best Western Grosvenor Hotel A pair of Georgian townhouses, built in 1832
and 1843, join to form this hotel, one of the top choices in Stratford. In the center of
town, with lawns and gardens to the rear, it's a short stroll from the Avon River, Ban-
croft Gardens, and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Bedrooms are midsize to spa-
cious, each personally designed with a high standard of tasteful modern furnishings,
a cut above usual chain-hotel fare.
12-14 Warwick Rd., Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6YT. www.bwgh.co.uk. & 01789/269213.
Fax [phone] units. £109-£124 double. Breakfast £10 extra. AE, MC, V. Free parking. Amenities:
Restaurant; bar; babysitting; room service. In room: TV, hair dryer, Wi-Fi (free).
Menzies Welcombe Hotel, Spa & Golf Club For a formal, historic coun-
try house near Stratford, there's nothing better than the Welcombe. Built in 1866 in
a grand Jacobean style, this property is a 10-minute ride from the heart of town. Its
key feature is an 18-hole golf course, but the spa is equally appealing and it makes
for a romantic stay whatever you aim to do in Stratford. Bedrooms are luxuriously
outfitted in traditional Jacobean style, with fine antiques and elegant fabrics. Most
rooms are seemingly big enough for tennis matches, but those in the garden wing,
although comfortable, are small.
Warwick Rd., Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 0NR. www.menzies-hotels.co.uk. & 01789/
295252. Fax [phone] units. £78-£142 double. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking. Take the A439 1 1 ⁄ 4
miles northeast of the town center. Amenities: 2 restaurants; bar; golf course; gym w/aerobics studio;
indoor pool; room service; spa; tennis court. In room: TV, hair dryer, Wi-Fi (free).
Mercure Shakespeare Hotel Filled with historical associations, the original
core of this hotel dates from the 1400s. Quieter and plusher than the Falcon
(see below), it is equaled in the center of Stratford only by the Arden (see above).

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