Discover the secret lives of the Tudors
Tudor World museum is run and owned by husband and wife team, Janet & John Ford – and a dedicated team of part-time actors and enthusiasts. Janet and John took over the museum at the end of 2007.
The museum has no funding or grants and relies completely on you the visitor to help in the upkeep of the historic building. Despite limited resources, this plucky museum tries to put in as much ‘punch’ as possible.
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Admission prices
Museum (Day)
Adult: £7 (16+)
Concs*: £6
Children** (6-15): £4
Family: 2A + 2C £18.50
Shakespeare Tour (Town)
Adults: £7
Concs*: £6
Children**: £3.50
Family ticket (2A+2C): £18
‘Live’ Guide-Led Ghost Tour (Night)
£8.50
*(60 and over / disability / NHS workers / carers / military)
**(children are 6-15) under 5’s are free.
Carers are free.
Please note, the ticket platform charges a percentage on top of the ticket price. Prices may vary for seasonal events (Halloween / Christmas etc. to allow for an extra actor)
Opening Times
Museum (Day)
10.30am until 5.30pm everyday 364 days a year (except Christmas Day) and on the odd day of filming (BBC)
Shakespeare Tour (Town)
2pm on Saturdays
Duration: 90-120 minutes
Ghost Tour (Night)
6pm every evening
6/7/8/9pm on Saturdays
Duration: 50-60 minutes
Finding Us
The museum is situated along Sheep Street in a big Tudor building. Go under the arch and along the cobbled stoned courtyard to find the entrance.
The build is a 2-minute walk from the Royal Shakespeare Company.
By car
Leave the M40 at junction 15 and take the A46 to Stratford upon Avon following onto A439, around the one way system and left onto waterside and take first right onto Sheep Street.
For Sat Nav CV37 6EE.
Parking
There are a number of long and short-stay car parks throughout the town. There is parking on-road (subject to availability) on Sheep Street itself, which is free after 6pm.
There are two Disabled Parking areas at the rear of the building in the service yard behind Wetherspoons.
By Train
The station is 1 mile away and about a 15 minute walk.
We are within walking distance of Stratford-Upon-Avon railway station, and there is a good park-and-ride service which has stops in Bridge Street and Wood Street.
Park-and-Ride
Accessibility
Wheelchair Users
Access to the property
Due to the great age of this grade 2+ listed property, which has uneven floors, steep steps and stairs, some of the property may be difficult for anyone with reduced mobility to access – in particular the stairs and the cobbled courtyard.
However, access to the ground floor is available, for which ramps have been fitted and the upper floor may be accessed if mobility is not too severe but requires some assistance. Similarly assistance up the cobbles is available.
How we can assist you!
Our staff member who has over 20 years experience and a nationally recognised qualification working with people with disabilities as well as a qualified first-aider, will be happy to help you if you have mobility problems. He will assist you up the cobbled carriageway and provide a special one-to-one tour for you alone within the lower floor of the building or assist you up the stairs (please try to advise us in advance, so that we can make sure there is a staff member available for you!).
Museum
Carer free
Guide/Assistance dogs as well as family pets welcome (free of charge).
Shakespeare Walking Tour
The tour is fully accessible and our guides will be happy to make any adjustments to their pace.
Parking
There are four parking bays reserved for Blue Badge holders at the rear of the building in the service area provided by the Council.
Prams / pushchairs
Due to the age of the building and limited space available, it is not practical for prams and pushchairs during visit to the museum. However, we can store the above whilst you visit the museum free of charge.
For further information, please click here for further info on accessible Stratford.
Covid-19
Tudor World re-opened on Monday 17th May 2021 after 6 and 1/2 months of closure.
From Monday 19th July, Step 4 of the Government Road Map begins.
However, we are aware that many people would prefer to continue in a more cautious and safe manner until everyone is vaccinated. The museum will therefore continue to have entry regulated with timed tickets, to ensure social distancing.
Regular and thorough cleaning will continue to take place.
Hand sanitiser is available on entry and we ask each customer to use this before entering the museum. Whilst it is no longer mandatory to wear a face covering, the Government does ‘recommend’ the continuing wearing of a mask (unless exempt or under 11 years age) and we would strongly urge you to keep wearing a mask for the safety.
The ‘live’ evening Ghost Tours of the building will recommence also on Monday 19th July, but with restricted numbers. Again, face covering is not mandatory but we would recommend as it is within an indoor setting.
The Government announced Plan B on the 6/12/21 and from Friday 10th December face masks will be required in the museum as well as the shop area. If you have a disability that prevents you from wearing a mask, we will never ask you what your disability may be. However, it would be advisable to wear a lanyard or show a certificate of exemption (available from the UK Gov website), to prevent any embarrassment or distress to the visitor and the guides who will then not have to ask you to wear a mask, as they will visually see that you are exempt.
Tudor World would like to thank everyone for their support during these unprecedented times and wish everyone to stay safe.
What’s On
Find out the latest exciting upcoming events at Tudor Wrold
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The Museum
The museum is suitable for all ages, but you might wish to warn children there are figures in some of the exhibits to enhance the experience and atmospheric lighting.
There are lots of interactive elements: from a touchscreen; videos to choose from; smells to try; a feast to sit at; a throne to regally perch upon and a four poster bed to lie on. You can take part in a written witch trial; go in the stocks or try your hand at quill writing in the school room.
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Shakespeare Tour
Master Shakespeare has come back through time and will guide you through his beloved town of Stratford upon Avon.
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Ghost Tour
Ghost tours take place after the museum is closed and the lights switched off! The live guide will relate stories and sightings within the building by lantern light.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there a charge to enter the museum?
The museum receives no funding or grants whatsoever. The small entry fee goes towards the maintenance of the history building, overheads and staff costs. Nevertheless, we try to keep our charges lower than the rest of Stratford as we know times are hard!
Why can't we walk further down the courtyard?
The courtyard is part of the museum (not a public road), which we open up to allow access to the museum. It is not a through road. At the end of the courtyard is our theatre area where we entertain school parties, groups and have theatre during peak times. We ask that you respect the courtyard and the 400 year old cobblestones by not leaving litter, smoking or eating on the courtyard or indeed within the building.
Is it suitable for children?
The museum shows different aspects of Tudor life in an exciting and atmospheric way. Children find the proximity of the recreations and the ability to walk into exhibits highly stimulating. However, some sensitive children may find the subject of the plague uncomfortable and the realistic figures throughout the museum.
Is the museum suitable for pushchairs?
Pushchairs would be difficult to navigate through the museum due to its age. However, we are happy to safely store pushchairs in our store room.
Do you store baggage and luggage?
Yes, we store baggage and luggage at £1 per baggage in a locked store room (obviously at owners own risk). However, we do not charge those who are visiting the museum.
Can children visit unaccompanied?
As the exhibits are very close at hand, we do not allow young people to visit unaccompanied.
Can we pick things up?
The museum is very tactile and objects are not glued down. However, we would ask that you treat the objects with care.
How long does it take to visit the museum?
The duration of visitor's dwell time in the museum varies enormously! Whilst it is a small museum, there are many interactive elements to become involved in. Visits can be anything from 10 minutes to 1 hour. We would therefore estimate the average visit as 20-30 minutes.
Is it suitable for wheelchair users?
The museum is accessed via the 400 year old cobbled stone courtyard and the museum itself is within a very old building, with narrow passageways, uneven floors, low beams and a set of steps up to the first floor and narrow set of stair back down. Please call us in advance of your visit and we will try to make sure someone is available to help on the day of your visit.
Smoking, eating and drinking?
We do not allow smoking, eating or drinking in the museum or on the courtyard - which is owned by the museum.
Do you have a cafe?
We do not have a cafe, however Sheep Street (and Stratford) is full of eateries of all sorts!
Do you allow dogs?
Dogs (which are free) and well-behaved owners are welcome!
Can I take pictures?
Yes, we positively encourage pictures and are happy for the pictures to be put on social media.
Can I film in the museum?
We would ask you not to film without first gaining permission.
How long does the tour take?
Please allow 90-120 minutes.
Is the tour suitable for dogs?
Yes (except inside the church).
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, however younger children may find the walk tiring.
Do you go into the Shakespeare house?
No, however we do go inside Trinity Church (as long as there is no service on at the time). Those of our tour are also entitled to a discount entry to the grave.
Is the Shakespeare character just a man dressed in a Tudor costume?
No, Master Shakespeare stays in character and relates the stories of his life and work in the first person.
How long are the ghost tours?
Around an hour (sometimes slightly more).
Is it suitable for children?
We do not advise children younger than 14 (accompanied by an adult) due to the spookiness of the building and adult themes. However, parents are welcome to take in younger children but most take responsibility for them.
Is it suitable for those of a nervous disposition?
The tour can be fun and scary but it is not a 'Disneyland' type ghost tour full of magic tricks but within an historic building that has had many hauntings!
Does anyone jump out at you?
No! (Well, nobody living that is!)
Is it suitable for wheelchair users?
No. However, if the wheelchair user can manage stairs with assistance there are plenty of places on the tour to sit down.
Is it all in the dark?
The tour takes place in the dark by lantern light (held by the tour guide). There may be moments the lantern is turned off for demonstration.
Can I leave if I get scared?
Yes, however this does mean the rest of the group are left alone in the dark while the tour guide escorts you out!
Can I get a refund if I become scared?
Once inside the building there are no refunds (after all, you would not expect a refund at a comedy club for being 'too funny').
Will we see a ghost?
The ghost tour relates stories of ghost sightings, the history of the building and other interesting stories. The ghost tour, it is not a ghost hunt and ghosts and spirits are not asked to make their presence known. However, it is not unheard of for spirit activity to take place and can be unpredictable.