S

et in the rural Warwickshire countryside, Stratford-upon-Avon will be forever known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare, the world’s most romantic playwright.

Begin a special Romeo and Juliet evening with a walk along the banks of the River Avon as the sun is setting, towards the newly refurbished Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Everyone who enters the magnificent new foyer is treading the teak boards from the original 1932 stage where Laurence Olivier played Coriolanus, as the old boards have been reused here. Most striking is the revitalised 36m Tower.

Take the lift to the viewing platform for fantastic views over Shakespeare’s hometown and on your descent by stair discover an exhibition installed on the walls and in the alcoves.

As for the new stage itself, the aim is to bring the audience and the players together and the new design halves the distance from what was previously the furthest seat away seat from the stage. Combine this with new cutting-edge technology for special effects and every performance is a magical event.

Before or after the show, head to the Rooftop Restaurant, a spectacular double-height space with floor to ceiling windows and views across the Bancroft Gardens or the River Avon. Modern British food is sourced from seasonal ingredients wherever possible from the nearby Vale of Evesham and the Cotswolds.