* Crowds of tourists over run Stratford during the summer. However, the throngs dwindle in autumn and winter, so while we were there on this visit, we discovered you could walk on the streets easily and seek out the places of genuine historic interest without crowds of others doing the same.
* Stratford is England's most popular tourist destination outside of London and even in autumn there are plenty of people around. Arrive early, before the large tour coaches arrive and you will get to the front of the queue at many of the attractions.
* By car, Stratford is, traffic permitting, only a short journey from the M40 motorway. However, parking on the streets is limited to 20 minutes and the multi-storey car parks can be expensive. A good option for those day-trippers arriving by car, is to use the Park and Ride scheme that provides regular bus services into the town. It is easy to find, well signposted, and has lots of parking spaces. The buses are also plentiful - we didn't have to wait long.
* Stratford Upon Avon itself, is very easy to get around since the town is laid out in a grid pattern. There are also plenty of distinctive landmarks. You can walk everywhere in the town, however to get to Anne Hathaway's cottage and Mary Arden's house, you need to use a car, or do as we did and take the open-top bus tour. These buses run frequently. You can hop on and off as you please, but be aware, the buses charge for the ride only and entry to the sites is extra. We bought the tour ticket combined with entry to 3 properties and found it to be good value. The first bus we used had a tour guide, the others had guided commentary which you listened to on ear phones. They even had a kids channel with commentary suited to children - it was very interesting.
* Book Cadbury World in advance on www.cadburyworld.co.uk. They have a limited number of people allowed in at timed intervals throughout the day, so to be sure you can gain entry when you wnat, book in advance on-line.
* Allow yourself time after Cadbury World (or before) to stroll around the suburb of Bournville - beautiful and a fascinating place.
* At Drayton Manor Park, save yourself money by booking tickets on-line in advance. As well as being cheaper, you will save yourself time by not having to queue at the entrance. Tickets for adults cost £19.50 on-line and £23.00 at the gate. Children's ticket price is £19.00 on the gate and £16.20 on-line.
* Do the biggest rides in the first hour the park is open or at lunchtime to beat the queues. Also do the wettest rides at the end of the day in case you don't dry out before you leave - more than likely with the unpredictable British weather.