Explore Shakespeare’s Legacy in England.
Embark on a drama-focused tour of England with stops in Stratford-upon-Avon and London. The journey begins with an overnight flight to London, followed by a transfer to Stratford, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, for a city tour and welcome dinner.
You will explore historic sites including Kenilworth Castle, Mary Arden’s farm and Anne Hathaway’s cottage. The itinerary features guided tours, river walks and visits to Shakespeare’s restored birthplace museum. You will enjoy multiple performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company, including a comedy such as “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” or a tragedy such as “Hamlet”. Pre- and post- performance discussions led by the professor will help guide you through the experience.
In London, the group will tour iconic neighborhoods such as Covent Garden and the Bankside, with scheduled performances including a musical such as “Hamilton,” a drama on the West End, and a show at the Globe Theatre. A backstage tour of the Globe and discussions on Shakespearean and contemporary theater are included.
The final day features free time for sightseeing and shopping, followed by a farewell dinner and a performance at the National Theatre. This itinerary blends cultural immersion with theatrical education, offering theater enthusiasts a unique opportunity to experience England’s dramatic heritage firsthand.
Booking Deadline: November 15, 2025
Airfare not included.
Single occupancy supplement available.
Hosted by University of Tennessee, Knoxville Emeritus Professor Dr. Robert E. Stillman. He is a widely published scholar of early modern literature and culture with a specialization in Shakespeare and his contemporaries. He is the winner of the Alumni Outstanding Teacher Award, the Outstanding Teacher Award in the College of Arts & Sciences, and he has twice served as the Chancellor’s Distinguished Scholar and Teacher. As a particular and enduring pleasure, he has been active for many years in UTK’s off-campus program teaching theater in performance in New York City, Swansea, Edinburgh, Galway, Dublin, and most often in Stratford upon Avon and London.
Price Per Person
Starting at $5,775
Tour Operator
Explorations By Thor
Activity Level
Moderate
Contact Us
865-974-2115
gsnow@utfi.org
Book Now
Itinerary
Walk in Shakespeare’s footsteps and experience the magic of British theatre from Stratford to the West End.
Sunday, September 6 –Arrival in London (prior to 9:00 a.m.) and transfer to Stratford, an historic riverside town most known for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare, for a city tour. Dinner at the hotel for your first night’s stay.
Hotel Accommodations in Stratford-upon-Avon
Monday, September 7 – After breakfast, drive to Kenilworth Castle for a tour and
enjoy free time for lunch on your own at the castle. Then drive to Wilmcote and Mary Arden’s farm, with a tour of the Anne Hathaway house following. This charming farmhouse is where Anne Hathaway, wife of William Shakespeare, lived as a child. Enjoy the views of the thatched roof cottage and lush gardens. Return to Stratford via bus or walk the river trail (2 miles) back to Stratford (weather dependent) for some free time to explore the area.
Tour the famous birthplace of Shakespeare, which has been restored into a small museum, before a talk on a Shakespeare performance. Later in the evening, enjoy a dinner and Shakespeare performance (TBD).
Tuesday, September 8 – Following breakfast at the hotel, have a discussion about the previous day’s Shakespeare performance and a pre discussion about the next performance. Late morning backstage tour of the Royal Shakespeare Company Main Theatre where Shakespeare’s plays are regularly performed. Afterwards, enjoy a traditional English cream tea for lunch. Experience a matinee Shakespeare performance (TBD). Later in the evening, enjoy a group evening performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Wednesday, September 9 – Morning discussion of the previous day’s Shakespeare performance before leaving the hotel for a tour of the Cotswolds. The Cotswolds is known for its rolling hills and stone-built villages. Have lunch on your own in Stow-on-the Wold, known for its large market square, at a locally famous pub common in this area. End the day with an arrival at your London hotel and enjoy dinner at the
hotel or nearby.
Thursday, September 10 – Start the day with a city tour of historic sites such as West End, Covent Garden and the theatre district. This area, located in the heart of London, is home to many professional theaters. Participate in a pre-performance discussion of the musical, West End. Iconic evening performance of Phantom of the Opera or another available show at this time.
Friday, September 11 – Breakfast at the hotel before discussion of the musical and pre-performance talk about the Globe performance. Enjoy a backstage tour of the Globe Theatre, a replica of Shakespeare’s original theater, before a matinee show. Following the matinee performance, visit the famed Borough Market and the south bank of the River Thames with your guide.
Free time in the evening to explore the amazing city of London. There are countless famous attractions and experiences to be had in the city including plays or musicals in any one of the many iconic theaters, dinner theater, evening markets, ghost tours, boat tours on the River Thames, and much more!
Booking additional tours in advance is strongly recommended.
Saturday, September 12 – Morning discussion of the Globe performance and pre-performance talk about the National Theatre production. Take the rest of the morning for free time to explore the city for sightseeing and shopping. For the last day of your tour, experience a farewell dinner and an amazing performance at the National Theatre, renowned for its critically acclaimed productions of contemporary and classic plays
(TBD).
Sunday, September 13 – Morning transfer back to the airport for your return flight home.
Planning Note: There will be one morning airport transfer to Heathrow to accommodate as many travelers as possible. We recommend a late morning or early afternoon departure to avoid a 4 a.m. wake up call to get to Heathrow for an early morning flight.
