Great West Way® Travel Magazine | Issue 02

Pictured
top left then
clockwise:
Longleat Safari
Park; Bowood
House; Beckford's
Tower and
Museum
Due to the abundance of fresh homegrown produce along
the route, you’ll also find lots of food and drink festivals
to attend too. The Great British Food Festival at Bowood
House in August, Bristol Food Connections in June, and The
Big Feastival in the Cotswolds in August are some of the
biggest but you’ll find lots of smaller ones in villages and
towns too.
Want something really different? Dare to bare all for the
Bristol World Naked Bike Ride in June! Not everyone’s cup
of tea perhaps, but it’s for a good cause: raising awareness
about road safety for cyclists.
If you’re visiting in May, try to get tickets for Pint of
Science. These informal yet informative science events take
place in pubs around London, Reading, Bath, Bristol and
beyond. While you enjoy a pint, scientists will fill you in on
their latest research findings on topics ranging from human
biology to robotics.
Meanwhile the fields are ablaze with colour, wildlife is
abundant and blooms fill the air with wildflower perfume at
Stoke Common Meadows, in Cricklade. Nearby, at Lower
Moor Farm, Oaksey Moor Farm Meadow ruddy darter and
four-spotted chaser dragonflies can be seen hovering above
the pond. And if in Devizes, take a walk in Peppercombe
Wood's picturesque ancient woodland and listen out for
birdsong from chiffchaffs, wrens, black caps, and tits.
AUTUMN HARVEST
From classic pumpkin carving and ghost stories to afterhours
ghost tours, National Trust properties make a fantastic
day out for some Halloween magic. Try the Halloween Trail at
Tyntesfield, near Wraxall, and make the most of the autumn
colour with walks across the estate.
In Wiltshire, Stourhead’s vistas are sure to be highlighted
with burnished leaves, or try Bowood House & Gardens,
halfway between Calne and Chippenham, 100 acres of
beautifully landscaped ‘Capability’ Brown Parkland and enjoy
pumpkin hunts to freaky face painting.
Visit Dyrham Park, near Bristol and Bath, where you might
also witness one of nature's most majestic happenings as
the bucks battle it out for the top spot of master buck in
their annual deer rut. Or you could creep down into the
cellars and meet a coven of witches, and a few wizards, at
Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire's Spooktacular Halloween.
If you’re visiting in October, celebrate Halloween
at Legoland, Windsor and enjoy their annual fireworks
spectacular, or book a ghost train and visit the bat caves
at Longleat Safari Park. You could scare yourself silly
during Fright Night at Bristol Zoo or visit a Halloween
Twilight Tour of Lansdown Cemetery, Beckford’s Tower
and Museum, Bath. Or join in the fun of Windsor’s annual
Halloween Pumpkin Party at Windsor Royal Station
including the Mr Marvel Magic Show - frightful free fun for
all the family!
CHRISTMAS CRACKERS
At the most magical time of the year, nothing feels more
festive than a market, and there are arguably none more
well-known in the UK than Bath Christmas Market, with
its magical Regency backdrop providing the perfect setting
for a mulled wine and a mince pie. This year will be the
20th Bath Christmas Market, and in addition to the usual
festivities, there will be lots of celebratory activities taking
place to mark the occasion. Try also Bristol Christmas
Market, Windsor and Berkshire Christmas Fairs, and the
beautiful Christmas Market in the grounds at Blenheim
Palace, just a short detour off the route. Sip a mulled wine,
pick up unique hand-made gifts, or sample local produce.
Beautifully decorated for the season you might like to
celebrate Christmas in style through the ages at Stonor
Park, Henley-on-Thames, which will be sparkling →
16 GreatWestWay.co.uk