Explore the building on this one-hour tour where you can hear all about the workings of the theatre with engaging stories of our unique history. Our experienced team of tour guides will lead you on a journey through the building’s public and behind-the-scenes areas, sharing the magic of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The tour

Tours will run daily and each tour will include an element of the building that is not otherwise accessible to the public. Where possible*, our tours will include the Royal Shakespeare Theatre auditorium or, for the first time, include access to our newly developed Costume Workshop – the largest in-house costume-making department of any British theatre.

*We will make every effort to include access to the auditorium or costume workshop areas as part of the tour, however please note that as a working theatre company routes may change due to other activity taking place, and so this access cannot always be guaranteed.

Tickets cost £12 per person, or a family ticket is also available, offering half-price tickets for up to four family members under the age of 18 with every full priced adult ticket purchase.

Tours are now available and you can book now online or through our Box Office on 01789 331111. 

Book tours

The Tower

Our theatre tower is now open daily, boasting panoramic views of Stratford-upon-Avon. Standing at 32m above street level - or the equivalent of approximately the height of seven double-decker buses stacked on top each other - you can now take a trip up to the viewing platform for free.

Look out over the town's local historic buildings, the River Avon or even further where on a clear day you can see almost 20 miles of Warwickshire countryside and even into Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Worcestershire.

You can visit from 12 midday to 4pm, except on matinee days or during inclement weather.

Advance booking is required for groups of 10 or more, along with payment of a small administrative fee. Further details can be found on our Groups page. Please contact the Box Office to book your Group Tower visit on 01789 331111.

Schools

Schools can book a Theatre Tour by emailing learning.boxoffice@rsc.org.uk or call the Learning Hotline on 01789 331259 (midday – 6pm, Monday – Friday, excluding Bank Holidays).

Advanced booking is required and is subject to availability. 

TOURS AND TOWER ACCESS 

This is a walking tour but routes are fully accessible and the Tower is fully accessible by lift. Please let one of our Front of House team know if you have any questions or specific requirements during your visit.

If you are coming to one of our BSL interpreted performances, you can book onto one of our signed theatre tours to find out more about the magic of the RSC, from our beginnings in the 1800s all the way to the present day. BSL interpreted tours are also available at other points throughout the year.

Before our audio-described shows, visitors can also join one of our Touch Tours, where you will be escorted to the stage to see, touch and feel the set and costumes, and possibly meet some of the actors from the play. The tour is free but must be booked at the same time as your ticket for the audio-described show.