Join Nomad Book Club in Stratford-upon-Avon, 17–19 April, for a relaxed literary retreat centred around the life and work of William Shakespeare. Over two days, we’ll visit key sites such as Shakespeare’s birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, and his old schoolroom, as well as enjoy guided theatre experiences and two live performances.

Retreat Date(s)

17–19 April 2026

Itinerary

Meet & Greet: We’ll begin with a warm welcome gathering where you can get to know your fellow travellers over drinks and settle into the spirit of a Shakespeare-inspired getaway. Shakespeare’s Birthplace: We’ll explore Shakespeare’s family home in Stratford-upon-Avon, walking through the rooms and stories that shaped the Bard’s early life. Anne Hathaway’s Cottage: Wander through the charming thatched cottage and gardens where Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway, once lived. It’s a picturesque glimpse into Tudor-era rural life. Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall: Discover where young William studied, performed, and first encountered the theatre. This visit will take you back to the 1570s with hands-on history and atmospheric storytelling. Guided Theatre Tour: Go behind the scenes on a guided theatre tour and explore the creative world that brings Shakespeare’s works to life on stage. Theatre Performances: No Shakespearean journey would be complete without seeing the Bard performed live. We’ll attend 2 theatre performance (at least one Shakespeare play) for an unforgettable night of drama and timeless storytelling. Shakespeare Quiz & Game Night: We’ll wrap up with a fun and lively quiz and game night. Test your Bardic knowledge, enjoy a little friendly competition, and share plenty of laughs with new friends. *The finalised itinerary with timings and full details will be sent in the retreat guide to all attendees a few weeks before the retreat. This is so we can confirm numbers for activities, make reservations, and potentially include additional bookshop events, performances and workshops, which may not be announced yet.

What's Included

- Beautiful accommodation in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon, walking distance to the main attractions - Tickets to two theatre performances (at least one Shakespeare play) - Entrance to Shakespeare's Birthplace, Anne Hathaway's Cottage, and Shakespeare's Schoolroom and Guildhall - Guided theatre tour - Shakespeare quiz and games - Goodie bag

What's Not Included

- Meals and drinks - Transport to and from Stratford-upon-Avon

How to get there (if applicable)

Limited parking is available at the accommodation – please indicate if you need parking when booking. Stratford-upon-Avon is easily accessible by train, making it a convenient option for travellers arriving from major cities. The town’s Stratford-upon-Avon railway station is located about a 10–15 minute walk from the town centre, providing easy access to accommodation and attractions. Stratford-upon-Avon is also well-connected by bus, offering a convenient and cost-effective way to reach the town from nearby cities and airports. The Stratford-upon-Avon bus station is centrally located, just a short walk from the town centre, making it easy to access accommodation and main attractions. The closest airports to Stratford-upon-Avon are: - Birmingham Airport (BHX) – Approx. 25 miles ​/​ 40 km northeast of Stratford; about a 35–45 minute drive. This is the main international airport serving the area, with flights across Europe and beyond. - London Heathrow Airport (LHR) – Approx. 90 miles ​/​ 145 km southeast; roughly a 2–2.5 hour drive. Convenient for international travellers, though farther than Birmingham. - London Gatwick Airport (LGW) – Approx. 110 miles ​/​ 175 km southeast; about a 2.5–3 hour drive. - East Midlands Airport (EMA) – Approx. 55 miles ​/​ 90 km north; around a 1.5–2 hour drive.

Other Cancellation Policy (refer this if "Other" is chosen in Cancellation & Refund Policy section)

Please note that this retreat requires a minimum of 4 attendees to go ahead. If we are still less than 4 people a month before the start date, the retreat will be cancelled and all payments refunded.

Past Reviews (optional)

"Exploring Madrid’s literary scene with the Nomad Book Club was a truly enriching experience, and it couldn’t have been curated better. The weekend was thoughtfully planned, with a wonderful mix of book launches, poetry workshops, visits to historic literary sites, exhibitions and relaxed moments like browsing bookshops. Amy created a welcoming and stress-free environment, giving us the freedom to join activities or choose to explore on our own. I left the weekend feeling inspired, fulfilled, and grateful for the conversations and connections formed along the way. Highly recommended for anyone who loves books, travel , and meaningful cultural experiences." - Sandhya (India​/​Spain), Madrid Retreat attendee "I went on the Madrid Literary Retreat and had a wonderful time. Before the retreat, Amy was super helpful in answering my questions. On arriving, Amy was very welcoming and the accommodation was lovely. The itinerary was brilliant with plenty of activities but also the option to branch off and do your own thing. Overall I had a fantastic time and loved meeting everyone and learning more about Madrid’s literary history." - Amelia (UK), Madrid Retreat attendee "I especially enjoyed the retreat in Madrid, as one of Amy's suggestions was to read a book that included the city we would be visiting. And I ended up wandering around Madrid, marveling at and recognizing places that appeared in the novel I was reading. Visiting amazing bookstores, participating in a poetry workshop, and spending quality time with other literature lovers—experiencing the city in this way—is one of the most enriching experiences I've ever had." - Laura (Argentina​/​Spain), Madrid Retreat attendee "I had a very nice few days in Madrid on the retreat led by Amy. The group was lovely and friendly. The bookshops we visited were really interesting and the poetry workshop was fun and relaxed. Our evening dinners were very relaxed and unstuffy. Overall a really pleasant experience" - Marian (Ireland), Madrid Retreat attendee "I had a great weekend at the Madrid Literary Retreat. I enjoyed seeing the city from a different point of view and I learned a lot about Spain and Madrid’s active literary scene." - Anne (Netherlands​/​Spain), Madrid Retreat attendee "It’s wonderful to connect with others and see things from different perspectives. Sharing my own unique viewpoints has been such a valuable experience. Not only I could remember the book more deeply and longer thanks to that experience, I’ve also enjoyed forming meaningful connections and having deeper conversations that only books can facilitate. I highly recommend joining this nomad book club whenever you can!" - Yeji (South Korea), Bansko Pop-Up Nomad Book Club attendee "I really enjoyed the Bansko Nomad Book Club with Amy! It was such a fun and welcoming space to connect with fellow nomads and book lovers from all over the world. The group felt comfortable and engaging, and I loved being able to share, connect, and hear different perspectives. It’s the perfect way to stay connected with other readers while traveling." - Ashley (USA), Bansko Pop-Up Nomad Book Club attendee "Amy’s book club is a great way to think deeper about the destinations you visit. I really enjoyed sharing my findings with others and seeing how certain themes played out in each place. The discussions are fun and insightful, and amy does great creating a cozy vibe for the group! Check it out if you can!" - Tej (USA), Bansko Pop-Up Nomad Book Club attendee "I really enjoyed to see how passionate you’re about it and the fact you’ve acquired a lot of knowledge of different books that are specific to the place you’ve traveled and know we get to explore and discuss about these. I’d say is very valuable to connect with others and get first-head recommendations on books they’re reading and also benefited their lives." - Fernando (Costa Rica), Bansko Pop-Up Nomad Book Club attendee