Great West Way® Travel Magazine | Issue 01

Dundas Aqueduct
Great West Way Discoverer pass
With just a single train ticket, you can explore the Great West Way’s most iconic destinations, including London,
Bristol and Bath. The best and most relaxing way to explore the route is by rail, and the Great West Way Discoverer
pass allows you unlimited off-peak train and bus travel between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads,
with options to branch off in the Thames Valley, Cotswolds and Wiltshire.
It is an easy and relaxing way to explore some of
England’s most popular destinations, taking you
along an historic route that has been in use since
the early days of rail travel, built by pioneering
Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Great West Way Discoverer pass also includes
unlimited travel on selected bus services along
the route, transporting you to Eton, Henley,
the Cotswolds, Stonehenge and beyond.
East, West or Global routes
There are three Great West Way Discoverer
routes available, giving you the opportunity to
explore the area in one-day instalments or
over the duration of a week.
The East route covers the railway line from
London Paddington and London Waterloo to
Swindon, Pewsey and Salisbury, and costs £69
for a one-day pass and £159 for a seven-day pass.
The West route covers the railway line from
Bristol Temple Meads to Swindon, Pewsey and
Salisbury. The one-day pass costs £24 and the
seven-day pass costs £69.
The Global route includes both the East and
West routes and is available as a seven-day pass,
costing £239 for adults.
There are also the following discounts available:
0 to 5 years old – free of charge; 5 to 15 years
old – 50% discount; Railcard – 10% discount.
How to buy your pass
You can purchase the Great West Way Discoverer
pass online at GWR.com or from your local
station. They come in the form of a standard
orange ticket, clearly showing the route you
have purchased and whether it is valid for
one day or seven.
If you are travelling from overseas, international
passes (similar to a BritRail pass) can be
purchased online at ACPRail.com or via your
travel agent, where discounted international rates
apply and with no off-peak travel time restrictions.
Get inspired
With a Great West Way Discoverer Global
pass, there are plenty of attractions you can visit,
including some of the country’s most treasured
landmarks. Here are some recommended places
to see on your journey:
• Roman Baths, Bath – this ancient thermal
spa is just one of the reasons that the city of
Bath was awarded UNESCO World Heritage
status in 1987. It is one of the best-preserved
attractions of its kind in the world.
• Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol – designed
by Great Western Railway’s chief engineer,
Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the Clifton
Suspension Bridge, spanning the Avon Gorge,
is a masterpiece of British creativity.
• Stonehenge, near Salisbury – this 5,000-year-old
landmark has intrigued and beguiled visitors
for centuries.
• STEAM: Museum of the Great Western
Railway, Swindon – discover the bygone days of
steam-powered locomotion in this beautifullyrestored
railway building.
• Bradford-on-Avon – take time to explore this
picturesque Wiltshire market town and stroll
along the banks of the historic Kennet and
Avon Canal.
• Henley-on-Thames – this archetypal English
town is best known for its regatta in July, but
is a charming location to visit all year round,
full of boutique shops and elegant cafes, where
you can take afternoon tea.
• Windsor – it was here that Prince Harry tied
the knot with Meghan Markle in May 2018,
and for that reason alone you should visit the
beautiful Windsor Castle where the wedding
reception was held.
Buy online at GWR.com or from your local station.