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White Sails - Stratford-upon-Avon

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Stylish B&B in Shakespeare country

You might think that a B&B in a B&B mecca such as Stratford-upon-Avon would be a dedicated homage to chintz, curfews and little pots of UHT milk. Well, White Sails has killed the cliché in one fail swoop, offering comfy, contemporary, boutique-y chic in the heart of one of the UK’s most visited towns.

Situated just a few minutes’ walk from the buzzing centre of Stratford, White Sails is an oasis of calm. The four bedrooms are elegantly and stylishly decorated, with huge, squishy beds, crisp linen, airy windows, flat screen tellies, fluffy bathrobes and climate control. The en-suite bathrooms fly in the face of any half-hearted attempt at a power shower you might find in other B&Bs, with beautiful tiling, big baths, great showers and so-good-you’ll-want-to-nick-‘em toiletries.

Downstairs, the stylish theme continues with a comfy, yet vibrant guests’ sitting room (complete with complementary sherry…) and dining room. The beautiful garden is perfect for a pre-theatre drink in the summertime, and the whole building is wi-fi enabled if you’re desperate to keep track of your emails (or update your facebook profile on a daily basis). A fab breakfast made with lots of lovely fresh, organic produce is the icing on the cake.

Where is it?

The town of Stratford-upon-Avon (or ‘Willy’s World’ as it was re-named on one memorable school trip), really needs no introduction. The birthplace of William Shakespeare, the home of British theatre, the site of the biggest American invasion in Europe since… well, ever, the list goes on. But get past those school trip flashbacks and this pretty market town, with 800 years of history under its belt, is there to be rediscovered – perfect for that cultural weekend away.

Of course, you can’t, and shouldn’t, ignore the influence of Mr Shakespeare. His birthplace (www.shakespeare.org.uk Tel: 01789 204 016), a pretty, timbered house in the centre of town, and his resting place, Holy Trinity Church (www.stratford-upon-avon.org) on the banks of the River Avon, together with the chocolate-boxey, thatched Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and gardens (www.shakespeare.org.uk Tel: 01789 292 100), where the young William wooed the love of his life, really are fascinating places to visit and are, essentially, the English version of Graceland. After that, you can take the Shakespeare theme as far as you can handle – it’s all there: The Falstaffs Experience (www.falstaffsexperience.co.uk Tel: 0870 3502770), a haunted museum in the ancient inn supposedly the inspiration for one of Shakespeare’s most famous characters; countless walking tours (try www.stratfordtownwalk.co.uk Tel: 01789 292478 for some of the best) and open-top bus tours, and of course, Shakespearience (www.shakespearience.co.uk Tel: 01789 290111), an hourly show that cleverly recreates the lives of Mr S and some of his best-loved characters.

But the best way to appreciate the impact that Stratford and its most famous son has had on our history (and the phrase “it’s what he would have wanted” suddenly springs to mind), is to watch some of his greatest works performed by the best actors around. The world-famous Royal Shakespeare Company is based at Stratford, and while their Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres are undergoing a transformation until 2010, the new 1000-seater Courtyard Theatre is still a tremendous place to see Shakespeare performed where it belongs (not to mention a vibrant repertoire of more modern works). For a full guide to what’s going on and to book tickets, contact the RSC (www.rsc.org.uk Tel: 01789 403444).

If your forays into Shakespeare have left you needing something a bit lighter in the entertainment department, however, Cox’s Yard (www.coxsyard.co.uk Tel: 01789 404600), on the banks of The Avon offers comedy, live music, theatre and lazy Sunday afternoons on the terrace, for a bit of a cultural breather.

You may notice that Stratford is ever-so-slightly on the tourist trail, and the constant buzz of umbrella-following herds, especially in the summer, may leave you needing some space. Do not fret – you are the midst of all the space you need. Not only does the beautiful River Avon wind its way pleasingly out of the town centre – Avon Boating hires out rowing boats and punts, plus operates regular trips upstream, through tranquil meadows and past beautiful river-side gardens (www.avon-boating.co.uk Tel: 01789 267073) – but Stratford is perfectly placed to venture out into the stunning Cotswolds countryside. Read The Weekenders Guide to The Cotswolds, for a full guide to where to go, what to see and where to eat in the area.

Where can I eat?

As you would expect from a hive of tourist activity, Stratford-upon-Avon isn’t short of a place to eat or two - but the quality varies hugely. One town centre restaurant that guarantees a great meal is The One Elm (www.oneelmstratford.co.uk Tel: 01789 404919), a way-above-average gastro-pub that holds Raymond Blanc amongst its many fans. The menus are full of up-dated and vibrant versions of hearty pub grub, made with uber-fresh, local and seasonal produce. A brilliant deli-board (made up of cheeses, charcuterie, fish and Indian mini-dishes, all at £1.60 an item) makes for a fab platter to share for lunch, or the perfect starter.

For a romantic evening out, try Sorrento (www.sorrentorestaurant.co.uk Tel: 01789 297999), a family-run, silver-service Italian restaurant that has become a real Stratford favourite. Elegant, mouthwatering Italian dishes are lovingly prepared and presented, made with the freshest ingredients. In the summer, the lovely terrace makes for perfect al-fresco dining. Another local favourite is The Malbec (www.malbecrestaurant.co.uk Tel: 01789 269106), a cosy and buzzy bistro, that offers delicious, unpretentious dishes, with puddings to die for.

If you fancy escaping the town, the lovely Howard Arms (www.howardarms.com Tel: 01608 682226) in the pretty village of Ilmington, 8 miles outside Stratford, is a welcome breath of fresh air. Regularly changing menus offer exciting, fresh takes on British classics, plus truly amazing puddings, which have rightly earned The Howard Arms the moniker of UK Dining Pub of the Year.  

For a fantastic picnic, whether on an Avon punt or in the depths of the Cotswolds, visit Paxton & Whitfield (www.paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk Tel: 01789 415544) in the heart of Stratford for a charming, old-school deli experience. A huge array of cheeses and other fine foods will keep your hamper from going hungry.

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White Sails offers comfy, contemporary, boutique-y chic in the heart of one of the UK’s most visited towns.