Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT? WHERE?</h2>



<p>Right in the centre of Stratford, but away from the hustle and bustle of the town. Yes there is such a place! A two-minute walk over Clopton Bridge and you&#8217;re at <a href="https://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/alveston-manor">Alveston Manor</a>. It&#8217;s a much more sedate side of town, and perfect to escape the hoards during school holidays or weekends while still being close to the action. Alveston Manor is part of the Macdonald hotel group, so expect four star luxury and nods to its Scottish roots. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-125-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="Alveston Manor exterior Stratford" class="wp-image-59124" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-125-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-125-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-125-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-125-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<p>You&#8217;re in the historic hometown of Shakespeare, and of course he stopped by here. Alveston Manor was the first place <em>A Midsummer Night&#8217;s Dream</em> was ever performed, and the Bard&#8217;s first kiss was under a massive tree in its garden. It&#8217;s pretty romantic so props to him for location!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Alveston-Manor-stained-glass-1000x667.jpg" alt="Alveston Manor stained glass Stratford" class="wp-image-59127" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Alveston-Manor-stained-glass-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Alveston-Manor-stained-glass-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Alveston-Manor-stained-glass-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Alveston-Manor-stained-glass.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Inside the gorgeous Tudor-Elizabethan Manor House there&#8217;s period features galore. Think timber beams, wood panelling, beautiful original stained glass windows and impressive fireplaces. Pull up one of the squishy armchairs for a drink next to the roaring fire on a cold day. If the English weather&#8217;s playing ball head outside where there&#8217;s heated seating areas and festoon lighting, giving a nod to the contemporary. Most importantly, it&#8217;s got onsite parking for guests &#8211; a rarity for this town where it can be difficult to come by.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Alveston-Manor-fireplace-1000x667.jpg" alt="Alveston Manor fireplace Stratford" class="wp-image-59126" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Alveston-Manor-fireplace-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Alveston-Manor-fireplace-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Alveston-Manor-fireplace-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Alveston-Manor-fireplace.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-spa">THE SPA</h2>



<p>If you&#8217;re big into swimming then this is the place for you. <a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/alveston-manor-stratford-upon-avon/">Alveston Manor</a> boasts one of the biggest pools in town (second only to the local leisure centre I was reliably informed). There&#8217;s also a sauna and steam room so great for an hour or two break from sightseeing. If the gym is more your thing there&#8217;s a state-of-the-art one here with views over the pool (handy if you&#8217;ve got kids to keep an eye on!)</p>



<p>There&#8217;s also treatment rooms complete with chill-out room so you can relax before and after your treatment. Staff are knowledgeable and my back massage was hands down one of the best I&#8217;ve had. Make sure you book in if you get chance &#8211; you&#8217;ll probably need it if you&#8217;re planning on a day trekking around Stratford!  </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-128-1000x667.jpg" alt="Alveston Manor Stratford spa" class="wp-image-59128" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-128-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-128-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-128-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-128.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<p>Breakfast and dinner are served in the Manor Restaurant, and there&#8217;s a chilled bar area for snacks and afternoon tea. If you&#8217;re into your whiskey this is the place to go too, there&#8217;s some great and fairly-priced options including a 20-year-old single malt. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-129-1000x667.jpg" alt="Alveston Manor Stratford bar area" class="wp-image-59129" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-129-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-129-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-129-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-129.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bar area</figcaption></figure>



<p>Restaurant staff are knowledgeable and attentive, and the menu&#8217;s heavy on Scottish produce and elevated traditional recipes. I started proceedings with plump mussels in a white wine sauce and heaps of bread to mop it up. My date for the night had the Mediterranean vegetable terrine which was a lovely, light veggie option. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-130-1000x667.jpg" alt="Alveston Manor Stratford mussels" class="wp-image-59130" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-130-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-130-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-130-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-130.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>For mains I went with the wild mushroom risotto, and there&#8217;s no messing about here. A huge plate brimming with oozy, moreish risotto which is just what you want on a cold January night. My date had a melt-in-the-mouth blade of beef, but there&#8217;s also options like steak and venison. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-131-1000x667.jpg" alt="Alveston Manor Stratford risotto" class="wp-image-59131" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-131-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-131-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-131-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-131.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Pud was an Irish coffee chocolate mousse which was decadent and delicious. I couldn&#8217;t fault the food, every dish was a triumph. The restaurant does need a bit of a spruce up, but you can easily overlook some slightly traditional decor for the quality of the food and service. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay">STAY</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s deluxe rooms and suites in the original building, and in the newer part of the hotel you&#8217;ll find standard rooms. All come complete with luxury Elemis products, spa and gym access, and most rooms have views over the pretty garden. We stopped in the historic coach house, complete with original windows, wooden beams and a modern bathroom. There was all the essentials &#8211; coffee maker, tv, dressing gowns, slippers, fridge, and we could top up our water from the still and sparkling taps just down the hall. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-132-1000x667.jpg" alt="Alveston Manor Stratford bedrooms" class="wp-image-59133" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-132-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-132-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-132-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-132.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We had a great night&#8217;s sleep, and despite three courses the night before were ready for breakfast. Grab what you want from the continental buffet before staff take your order. Scottish recipes feature heavily here too &#8211; there&#8217;s haggis and vegan haggis options, black pud and potato scones. Fear not traditionalists, you can tuck into a full English or avo on toast instead.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly">DOG-FRIENDLY</h2>



<p>Yep! It&#8217;s £15 extra per dog and Stratford&#8217;s super pet-friendly too (maybe avoid the cat cafe though&#8230;!). Alveston Manor is just a two minute walk from the River Avon &#8211; ask reception about some great local walks.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-126-1000x667.jpg" alt="Alveston Manor exterior Stratford" class="wp-image-59125" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-126-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-126-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-126-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-126.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<p>Theatres are all within walking distance as is Shakespeare’s birthplace and Holy Trinity Church where his grave lies. Visit tourist attractions like Magic Alley or the MAD Museum or jump in a boat and head down the Avon. There’s great shopping with a mix of high street shops like Joules and Fat Face, and a host of independents too like&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gemini-woman.co.uk/">Gemini</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.morbakery.co.uk/">MOR Bakery</a>&nbsp;(make sure you grab a pastry before you head home).</p>



<p>If you fancy venturing out a little further there’s Warwick and Kenilworth castles and loads of shopping in the regency town of Leamington. Bicester Village with some 150 shops is just 45 mins down the road.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-133-1000x667.jpg" alt="Alveston Manor Stratford exterior" class="wp-image-59134" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-133-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-133-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-133-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/01/Untitled-design-133.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Tourists looking for somewhere a little quieter, but still just a stones throw from local attractions. Also if you&#8217;re mixing work with pleasure then there&#8217;s a state-of-the-art business centre here for meetings.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> If you&#8217;re looking for a destination spa then there&#8217;s other options just out of Stratford where you could spend a whole day. However, it&#8217;s one of the only hotels in the town centre with a pool, sauna, steam room and treatment options, so great for whiling away a few hours.</p>



<p><strong>The damage: </strong>Rooms start at a very reasonable £100 per night, going up to the £150 mark for deluxe suites. </p>



<p><strong><em>Alveston Manor, Clopton Bridge, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 7HP</em></strong>. <strong><em>Tel: 01789 205478</em></strong></p>


Review: Alveston Manor, Stratford-upon-Avon

You may also like