Last Updated on 10 December 2025 by Vanessa
Travel blogger Hayley Warren is on a mission to visit every cat café in the UK, and she writes about her feline adventures on her travel, food, and lifestyle blog Strangeness & Charm. One of the most remarkable cat cafés she has ever visited is the Shakespaw Cat Café in Stratford-upon-Avon. “It has to be in my top five cat cafés,” Hayley says.
Let’s take a look inside.
Shakespaw Cat Café: A Cat Lover’s Paradise in Stratford-Upon-Avon
This is a guest blog by Hayley Warren from Strangeness & Charm.
If you’re a cat lover, then Shakespaw Cat Cafe in Stratford-Upon-Avon is a must-visit destination for you. As an avid cat enthusiast, I recently had the pleasure of visiting this unique cafe, and it was truly a purr-fect experience.
The decor is quirky and cozy, and the cat café makes you feel like you’re in someone’s living room. I felt so relaxed there, and I loved just sitting at my table and watching the cats.
I had a great chat about the cats with one member of staff, Sam. You could tell that she really loves each and every one of the cats. The same can be said for the rest of the staff who were there on that day.
Meet the Shakespaw cats
Seven friendly and fluffy feline residents—each from a different breed—greeted me as I arrived at Shakespaw.
Viola
First, there’s Viola, a tabby with a very active personality. She’s always wandering around and jumping on tables.
Romeo, Juliet, and Tybalt
The three white cats are called Romeo, Juliet, and Tybalt. Can you tell them apart?
Hermione
Hermione is the Ragdoll. While I was there, she spent most of the time asleep in a suitcase, but she did get up for some play time before I left.
Puck
Puck is the black and white male. He’s also the youngest of this clowder of cats.
Bottom
And then there’s Bottom, a grumpy Persian who rarely grooms himself (that’s a human’s job).
What do you need to know before you go?
Price
To enter the Shakespaw Cat Café, you have to pay a £7.50 entry fee, which goes directly towards the cats’ food, toys, litter, and medical assistance.
For that sum, you can enjoy 80 minutes of pure, unadulterated feline bliss.
It’s much cheaper than many of the other cat cafés in the UK (such as Whiskers & Cream or Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium).
Reservation info
I highly recommend to book your visit in advance because cat cafés can get really crowded, and there is not always enough room for everyone.
However, when I was there on a Thursday afternoon, the café was pretty quiet. Only one other table was occupied. When they left, another couple came in, but only stayed for half an hour. That means I pretty much had the whole cat café to myself.
Children policy
Please note that children under ten are not permitted, and children between ten and twelve must be accompanied by an adult. However, Shakespaw does host workshops for children where they teach them about the correct way to handle cats.
Just like in the Kuro Neko Cat Café in Kortrijk, children and dogs are not allowed inside either, because they can’t guarantee the happiness and safety of the cats.
Food and drinks
In addition to the cat companionship, Shakespaw Cat Café also serves a delicious selection of food and drinks.
On the menu, you’ll find a decent selection of finger sandwiches and cake (with gluten-free and vegan options), hot drinks, soft drinks, and cocktails.
I treated myself to a scrumptious slice of cat-shaped cake and a cup of cat-puccino with a cute cat design on top.
The food was not only visually appealing but also tasty, and it was a delight to enjoy it in the company of the furry residents.
However, I wasn’t allowed to share this food with Shakespaw’s feline residents.
Perfectly located in Stratford-Upon-Avon
Shakespaw Cat Café is conveniently located in the heart of Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace of the legendary playwright William Shakespeare.
After spending some quality time with the cats, I took a guided walking tour around the picturesque town, exploring its historic streets and buildings. It was a perfect day of indulging in both feline and literary delights.
Practical information
Address
Shakespaw Cat Café, 6 Union St, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6QT, United Kingdom.
(This is right in the center of Stratford-Upon-Avon. The Stratford‑upon‑Avon railway station is about a 10–13 minute walk away.)
Opening hours
The cat café is open every day from 10:30 am – 06:00 pm. Closed on Tuesdays.
Final thoughts on Shakespaw Cat Café in Stratford-Upon-Avon
I really enjoyed my visit to Shakespaw Cat Café, and I will definitely be going back. It was such a friendly atmosphere and all of the cats were lovely.
Have you ever been to Shakespaw Cat Café? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Want to visit even more cat cafés? Check out our guides to cat cafés around the world.
Hayley Warren lives in South Staffordshire, near Birmingham. Her blog, Strangeness & Charm, began during her second year of an Archaeology degree as a space to write about fashion and beauty. Over the years, it has evolved to focus primarily on travel, food, and lifestyle. Through her blogging journey, Hayley has achieved numerous milestones, including brand collaborations, travel opportunities, and lasting friendships. While her blog initially started as a personal passion rather than a source of income, it eventually helped her secure a career in digital marketing. Today, Strangeness & Charm remains a dedicated side project, where Hayley continues to create engaging and thoughtful content.
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