Hidden in the Midlands is a pretty town with a rich history that's captured the hearts of its visitors. The town is known for its quaint streets, stunning greenery and picturesque river. Stratford-upon-Avon, most famous for being the birthplace of Shakespeare, is a must-visit.

Brits and international tourists flock to the town to admire its streets and learn about its history - it's a place that doesn't tend to disappoint. Every Sunday, its market lines the streets, with residents and tourists alike browsing through the range of stalls on offer.

Waterside Upmarket in Stratford-upon-Avon also won Best Large Outdoor Market award at the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) One Day Conference 2026.

It takes place every weekend and it offers top quality products including: sweets, handcrafted items, designer jewellery, artwork, wooden toys, clothing and street food.

There are also occasional street entertainers and characters for children.

The market has been called a "treasure trove" of expert vendors, local makers, crafters and artists by Stratford's town council.

According to the Stratford Herald, it has around 15,000 visitors each week.

One person who visited on Tripadvisor said: "Today was our first visit and we were very impressed with the variety and individuality of the stalls/vendors.

"Pretty much every market I've been to has been very predictable, too repetitive and fairly uninspiring but there were some real gems here.

"I was so pleased to see some of the beautiful creations of local artists on display.

"We bought quite a few unique pieces of art, jewellery and a handmade unicorn for my daughter among other things.

"Aside from being in a lovely location, this is the best market we've seen and we'll certainly be visiting again!"

Alongside the market, there's plenty more to do in the town.

You can visit the Royal Shakespeare Theatre which produces top quality recreations of the Bard's plays and of works by modern writers.

On Tripadvisor, one person who visited wrote: "I absolutely love the Stratford Theatre.

"There are many good staff on hand to help you, they also find joy in sharing their favourite parts of the theatre.

"I adore Stratford as it is but the theatre is always a warm and lovely environment."

Another must-see spot is Shakespeare's birthplace. Here, you can explore the house where he was born and grew up.

You can learn about Shakespeare's family life, enjoy live theatre on demand and see its world-class collections.

If you're looking for somewhere to visit this spring or summer, Stratford-upon-Avon could be the perfect place to explore.