Great West Way® Travel Magazine | Issue 02

2020 Annual Edition
TRAVEL MAGAZINE | ISSUE 02
GreatWestWay.co.uk
£4.75
where sold
Follow the paths taken by generations of travellers through England’s idyllic countryside, quaint
villages and elegant towns on the Great West Way touring route between London and Bristol

DISCOVER BRISTOL
THE GREAT WEST WAY
DISCOVER BRISTOL
BRISTOL
THE THE GREAT GREAT WEST WEST WAY WAY ®
®
®
®
Clifton Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bridge, Bristol Bristol
Advertising based on a £24 Great West Way Discoverer one-day pass for the West zone. Correct as of 1 November 2019. Selected routes only. Visit GWR.com/GreatWestWay for ful
Clifton Clifton Suspension Suspension Bridge, Bridge, Bristol Bristol
Advertising based on a £24 Great West Way Discoverer one-day pass for the West zone. Correct as of 1 November 2019. Selected routes only. Visit GWR.com/GreatWestWay Clifton Clifton Suspension for full Bridge, terms and Bristol conditions. Bristol
Advertising based on a £24 Great West Way Discoverer one-day pass for the West zone. Correct as of 1 November 2019. Selected routes only. Visit GWR.com/GreatWestWay for full terms and conditions.
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Visit Bristol and other picturesque destinations along
the Great West Way, a new touring route between
London and Bristol, with our combined rail and bus ticket.
Buy a Great West Way Discoverer pass from just £24.
Visit Visit Bristol Bristol and and other other picturesque destinations along along
Visit Visit
Visit Bristol Bristol
Bristol and and
and other other
other picturesque picturesque destinations destinations along along
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Clifton Suspensi

Pictured Below: Changing of the Guard at Windsor
Castle and outdoor pool at Beechfield House Hotel
England’s Great West Way is one of the world’s
premier touring routes, bringing together many of
England’s most famous destinations and attractions
along a corridor between London and Bristol.
WELCOME TO ENGLAND’S
GREAT WEST WAY ®
DISCOVER ANCIENT routes through idyllic
countryside on this 125 mile touring route. The
Great West Way is one of the world's premier
touring routes, bringing together many of England's
most famous destinations and attractions along a
corridor between London and Bristol.
There’s no customary direction or time-frame
for exploring the Great West Way. It’s simply the perfect route for
seeing England at its finest, and is a beautiful journey that can be
easily navigated by car, coach and rail, by boat, bicycle or on foot.
You might choose to fly into Bristol Airport and then travel
on a 'Great West Way Discoverer’ pass, GWR's single ticket now
available specifically for travel on the Great West Way.
Take your time to explore the chocolate-box villages, to walk in
the countryside, to find new experiences, discover city culture, and
to enjoy our picturesque riverside locations.
Visit the world-famous sites and the well-kept secrets - and
most importantly of all, find your own story on this essential strand
of England.
This issue is brimming with inspiring features, edited by our
dedicated team of talented journalists, to help you plan your journey
- we look forward to welcoming you to the Great West Way.
Jessica x
Jessica Way
Editor-in-Chief, Great West Way Travel Magazine
Download your Great West Way map:
: GreatWestWay.co.uk/explore/maps
The Chilterns
North Wessex Downs
Brunel’s SS Great Britain
Bradford
on Avon
Trowbridge
Iford Manor
Gardens
Westbury
GreatWestWay.co.uk
3

We’re proud to be the
Official Airport Ambassador
for the Great West Way ® .
Bristol Airport is the perfect place for you to
start your Great West Way journey. We’re just
8 miles from Bristol city centre and 19 miles
from the city of Bath.
We’ve invested £225m in developments that
have transformed the airport experience and
now offer more than 120 destinations to our
8.6 million loyal passengers.
www.bristolairport.co.uk

CONTENTS
2020 Annual | Edition 02
Pictured
left then
clockwise:
Wilton
Windmill;
Bowood
House statue,
and the
Thames Lido
DISCOVER OUR WAY
EXPLORE BY RAIL, BOAT, BIKE AND FOOT
09 27
THE WAY FORWARD
Highlights for 2020 and a look at what’s
new on the Great West Way
14 33
CELEBRATE IN SEASON
From Easter egg hunts, to the fun of the
summer shows, to being immersed by illuminations at
Christmas - whatever it is you choose, there’s always a
perfect season for discovering the Great West Way
21
MY GREAT WEST WAY
Three locals tell us what is special to them,
and what they love best about the Great West Way
THE WATERWAYS
From canoeing, paddleboarding and cycling
along the towpath to a enjoying a traditional cream tea
TRAVEL BY TRAIN
With the GWR Great West Way Discoverer
pass you can hop off at any station along the way
36
EXPLORE THE COUNTRYSIDE
The Great West Way perfectly lends itself to
the outdoors lifestyle, with open spaces of stunning
countryside, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
National Trails, Landscapes and Wildlife Trusts →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
5

Visit the heart of
beautiful Georgian
Bath and step into
history with a visit to
the Roman Baths, one
of the finest spas of
the ancient world.
Book online in advance and save 10%
romanbaths.co.uk
@RomanBathsBath
TheRomanBaths
theromanbaths

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Contista Media Ltd
Mitchell House, Brook Avenue,
Warsash, Southampton,
Hampshire, SO31 9HP
contistamedia.co.uk
In association with the Great West Way.
COVER IMAGE
Bradford on Avon
Curious visitor enjoys Bradford on Avon, home of
The Bridge Tea Rooms where loose-leaf tea is served
in china cups, homemade cakes and light bites served
by staff in Victorian costumes
With a special thanks to:
Bristol Airport, Canal & River Trust,
GWR, and National Trust
Image copyright credits: Throughout ©GreatWestWay.co.uk /
p3 ©VisitEngland/Doug Harding / p9 ©National Trust Images/
Andrew Butler, © Douglas Harding / p11 ©Royal Collection
Trust/©Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II / p11/p21/p28/p67
©nicksmithphotography.com / p12 ©Isabelle Plasschaert /Alamy
Stock Photo / p33/p34/p35/p39 ©Jon Attenborough Photography
Ltd / p42 ©Paul Box, Westonbirt, The National Arboretum / p43-44
© Photographers listed on page 44 / p45 ©Steve Russell Studios Ltd
/ p47 ©2015 WWT. All rights reserved / P51 ©Colin Hawkins / P65/
P69 ©Casper Farrell / p70 ©VisitEngland/Iain Lewis
Follow us on
Twitter @theGreatWestWay
Facebook @GreatWestWay
Instagram.com/GreatWestWay
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
42
CAPTURING THE MOMENT
Photographers are never short of inspiration
for the perfect shot along the Great West Way. Vote
for your favourite capture for your chance to win!
46
HIDDEN GARDENS
From the world famous to the well-kept secrets,
here are some gardens along the Great West Way where
you won’t be able to help but stop and smell the roses
53
FIT FOR ROYALTY
The ancient route that inspired the Great West
Way was one of King Charles I’s Great Roads, with
many castles, hotels and places to visit bringing you
closer to England’s royal family heritage
57
EXPERIENCES AFTER DARK
From stargazing to swimming, spooky city
tours to light shows, there are plenty of experiences to
try even when the sun goes down
YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
60
TIME FOR YOU
From keeping fit to taking it easy at a luxury
spa, there are some excellent ways to add a wellness
element to your Great West Way journey
65
DYNAMIC CITY CULTURE
Take a journey to discover the bright lights
beyond London
68
SHOPPING GEMS
From antique stores and independent
shops to stylish shopping centres and malls
Pictured above:
Visitors on their
bikes stop off at
Three Daggers,
Wiltshire
PLUS DON’T
MISS WHEN
PLANNING
YOUR
JOURNEY
CULINARY
DELIGHTS
WHERE TO
STAY
72
78
86
JOIN THE FUN!
WHAT’S ON
Digital editions
available at:
GreatWestWay.co.uk/
digitaltravelmagazine
Contista Media Ltd cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited
submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken
prices and details are subject to change and Contista Media Ltd take no
responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and
edit any letters. All rights reserved.
GreatWestWay.co.uk
7

GET ON BOARD
TAKE OFF ON A SUPERSONIC
FAMILY DAY OUT
aerospacebristol.org
Bristol Aero Collection Trust: charity no. 1010632
TripAdvisor
CERTIFICATE of
EXCELLENCE

THE WAY FORWARD
Take a look at some of the highlights and what’s
new in 2020 on the Great West Way
125 YEARS FOR THE NATIONAL
TRUST
2020 is the 125th anniversary of the
National Trust and to celebrate this special
birthday year, you might like to visit some
of the properties and gardens along the
Great West Way throughout the Thames
Valley, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Bath and Bristol
including Tyntesfield, Dyrham Park, Prior Park
Landscape Garden, and Lacock.
› GreatWestWay.co.uk/national-trust
Pictured from
top-left clockwise
to far-left:
National Trust's
Runnymede and
Ankerwycke,
near Old Windsor;
Lacock, Wiltshire
Dyrham Park,
near the village of
Dyrham in South
Gloucestershire
and Basildon Park,
Berkshire.
GreatWestWay.co.uk
9

Moments to to
remember
made with the
National Trust
Visit Visit the the National Trust Trust places along the the the
Great West West Way® for for for spaces to to to relax, relax, gardens
and and countryside to to to explore and and and stories stories to to discover. discover.
These are the places that make us.
These These are are the the places places that that make make us. us.
nationaltrust.org.uk/south-west
nationaltrust.org.uk/south-west
© National
© National
Trust
Trust
2019
2019
. Registered
. Registered
charity,
charity,
No.
No.
205846.
205846. ©
National
National
Trust
Trust
Images
Images
\Alana
\Alana
Wright.
Wright.
© National Trust 2019 . Registered charity, No. 205846. © National Trust Images \Alana Wright.

PIONEERING
SIMPLY SUSTAINABLE AT
WHATLEY MANOR
Whatley Manor, Malmesbury a five
star hotel with three AA red rosettes
restaurant is pioneering new ideas
in sustainability within the industry.
In partnership with 'It Must Be
Now' (itmustbenow.com) a portal
for sustainable travel and tourism,
Whatley is the first UK 5* property
to be accredited with a 4-globe
rating by Earthcheck. To discover
more about their Simply Sustainable
package please visit their website.
› whatleymanor.com
Did you know? The new £20 note launched in February features J.M.W. Turner - one of Britain’s
most important artists. Turner designed his house in Twickenham, today a museum, and you can
visit Wednesday-Sunday to enjoy the events planned in support of the new note! turnershouse.org
BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO EXPERIENCE THESE ATTRACTIONS
THE INNER HALL,
WINDSOR CASTLE
Created in the 1820s by King
George IV, Windsor Castle's
Inner Hall, which has been
closed for more than 150
years, is now open again for
visitors to use as an entrance
hall, just as official visitors to
the Castle once did. See the
State Apartments, the world's
most famous dolls' house, or
pause and enjoy refreshments
in the new café.
› rct.uk
THE WAVE BRISTOL
The Wave is now open! An
impressive £25 million project
which took nine years in the
making is welcoming visitors
to explore its 75 acre site and
180m surfing lake. As well as the
surfing lake, there’s a Clubhouse
serving food and drinks and a
surf shop, As the site develops it
will also offer beautiful gardens,
meadowland, woodland and
family-friendly camping,
opening in spring 2020.
› thewave.com
TROWBRIDGE
MUSEUM
Having being closed since July
2019, this brilliant heritage
attraction re-opens in 2020
following a multi-million-pound
‘Onwards and Upwards’ project.
Visit as part of your Great West
Way journey and discover 1000
years of Trowbridge’s history
including the history of its West
of England woollen cloth and
how it became the county town
of Wiltshire.
› trowbridgemuseum
Travel the eco-way
Bradford on Avon is
helping visitors and the
environment. Three new
water fountains have been
installed throughout the
town (Sladesbrook Play
Area, St Margaret’s Car Park
and Culver Close Recreation
Ground) for people to re-fill
and re-use bottles for free,
rather than use unnecessary
resources on single-use
drinks bottles.
› bradfordonavon.co.uk
GreatWestWay.co.uk 11

HOT HOTELS
MONKEY ISLAND
IS NOW OPEN FOR
VISITORS
Monkey Island Estate lies on a
picturesque island in the River
Thames in the historic village of
Bray, Berkshire. The island has a
rich history, centuries old, and
has been the haunt of monarchs,
aristocrats and artists, along with
writers, famous performers and
Berkshire locals and now is home
to one of the finest hotels in Bray
- and the Great West Way.
› monkeyislandestate.co.uk
You might also enjoy: Hotel Indigo Bath: a luxury 166-bedroom boutique hotel located in the centre of Bath opening in August 2020.
The designs of the stylish guest rooms and lounges has been inspired by the area’s rich architectural beauty, ready to delight guests with
a true feeling of this historic neighbourhood. For more information on Bath news and events see visitbath.co.uk
ANNIVERSARIES AND EVENTS TO CELEBRATE ON THE GREAT WEST WAY
HOBBS OF HENLEY
CELEBRATES 150 YEARS!
Enjoy an adventure on the
Thames in 2020 with this family
boating business and celebrate
their 150th anniversary. To mark
the occassion Hobbs of Henley
have also launched their very
own Gin 'Mr Hobbs'- a nod to
their founding father Harry
Hobbs who established their
family business in 1870. So
don't miss a sip or two of their
cherished family tipple too!
› hobbsofhenley.com
SALISBURY CATHEDRAL
CELEBRATES 800 YEARS!
Within easy reach of the
Great West Way celebrations
mark the 800th Anniversary
of the founding of Salisbury
Cathedral, starting with Sarum
Lights (18-22 February).
Granted by the Pope in 1219,
the Cathedral moved from
Old Sarum to its current site,
with the first stone of this
remarkable building being laid
on 28 April 1220.
› salisburycathedral.org.uk
CALNE BIKE MEET
2020 will see the 20th year of
the Calne Bike Meet, bringing
together motorcyclists and the
local community from far and
wide. The small, Wiltshire town
of Calne (where it is free to
park) is taken over for the day by
every variation of two wheeled
machinery imaginable. A free
event, held on the last Saturday
in July, this year falling on the
25th July with a live band taking
to the stage at around 11am.
› calnebikemeet.com
Don't miss! We hope you
will notice our new welcome
town signs on your Great
West Way journey installed
in the historic market town
of Hungerford, famous for
its antique shops. Make
time to visit and take a boat
trip onboard MV Rose of
Hungerford from the Wharf,
stop for coffee and cake at
the Tutti Pole, or join one of
the expert-led walks.
› hungerford.co.uk
12 GreatWestWay.co.uk

O N L I N E | M O B I L E | I N - S T O R E
Celebrating a special occasion
on your jourey? Mark the moment with a
Wylde Flower Diamond
# W Y L D E M O M E N T S
Q E D A
n i c h o l a s w y l d e . c o m

CELEBRATE IN SEASON
From Easter egg hunts, to the fun of the summer shows, to being
immersed by illuminations at Christmas - whatever it is you choose,
there’s always a perfect season for discovering the Great West Way
Words: Samantha Rutherford
YOU CAN CELEBRATE throughout the year while
touring the Great West Way - with special events
for every season. National Trust properties are a
great way to enjoy Easter with the family, while in
the summertime you won’t struggle to find entertainment
with a beautiful view. Autumn is a wonderful time
to enjoy the countryside with golden tree walks and
Halloween train rides, while the festive season is full of
Christmassy days, and evenings, full of magic, fireworks
and joyful laughter.
14 GreatWestWay.co.uk

Pictured
left-right:
Visitor explores
Shaw House;
Lacock Abbey,
Fox Talbot
Museum; Fawn
on the Great
West Way; a
family enjoying
a day out at
Westonbirt,
The National
Arboretum
HAVE AN EGG-CELLENT EASTER
You can’t beat a spring nature walk on Good Friday or
Easter Monday and they don’t get much better at this time
of year than following the Bath Skyline Family Discovery
Trail. A fun-packed two-mile stretch of the Bath Skyline
loaded with activities. Discover magical doors in the Long
Wood elf and fairy foray, hunt for geocaches, complete a
series of '50 things' challenges or just let off some steam
playing in the woodland play area.
Celebrate the arrival of spring as the Lindt Gold Bunny
Hunt returns to Hampton Court Palace in April. Explore
the palace and its stunning gardens through an adventurefilled
treasure hunt. Lindt Gold Bunny is hidden all around
the palace - where monarchs through the ages have
indulged their sweet tooth!
Bounce into spring by decorating a ceramic bunny in
cheerful spring-like colours, or join in the fun of an Easter
wreath workshop and create your own arrangement
using seasonal flowers at Shaw House, on the outskirts
Newbury - one of the best-preserved Elizabethan mansions
in England. Or for a Quirky Easter Quiz Trail and a great day
out, or even an overnight stay (landmarktrust.org.uk) don’t
miss Beckford's Tower and Museum, Bath. Built between
1826 and 1827, Beckford’s Tower is an extraordinary
building that was once home to one of the greatest
collections of books, furniture and art in Georgian England
and now stands as the only surviving example of William
Beckford’s great architectural achievements.
Easter just wouldn’t be Easter without going on an
Easter egg hunt, and the Great West Way’s National Trust
properties are a great place to find them. Explore Prior
Park Landscape Garden in Bath and enjoy your chocolate
in the intimate 18th-century landscape, where one of only
four Palladian bridges of this design in the world can be
crossed. In Berkshire, visit Basildon Park, an 18th-century
house which survived the threat of being demolished after
the Second World War, and today sits proudly in 400 acres
of historic gardens and parkland - or discover the story of
West Berkshire in the museum of the same name.
While in Wiltshire, Harry Potter fans will love the Easter
trail at Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village,
once home to William Henry Fox Talbot, inventor of the
photographic negative. Just make sure you have spotted the
cloisters which doubled as part of Hogwarts in Harry Potter
and the Philosopher’s Stone before you leave! Nearby, pop
into the award-winning Wiltshire Museum or Roves Farm is
bound to be a great family day out come rain or shine!
SUMMER SOCIAL
Whether you’re a royal fan or just want to experience a
traditional English day out, Royal Ascot horse races in
June and Henley Royal Regatta in July should be on your
summer agenda. Going to a music festival in a muddy field
is a rite of passage in the UK - a pair of jazzy (preferably
glittery) wellies are essential! There's Reading Festival in
August, one of the biggest, WOMAD at Charlton Park,
Wiltshire in July, Love Saves the Day at Eastville Park,
Bristol in May, and NASS in Bath - a music festival with
skating, BMX and street art.
If opera and classical music is more to your taste, visit
Iford Arts at Belcombe Court and enjoy listening in 45
acres of Cotswold parkland and gardens. Bookworms will
love the Swindon Festival of Literature in May, and for film,
dance, theatre and more the Devizes Arts Festival in June is
a must. A country show is a great way to learn more about
country life in England. Given the rural nature of much of
the touring route, there’ll be plenty to choose from, but one
of the biggest is the Royal Bath & West Show in May/June. →
GreatWestWay.co.uk 15

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

Make memories
with your loved
ones as you discover
England’s only koalas
Book online and save
up to 15% plus group
discounts are also
available
A day out with all the family exploring seven
attractions above and below ground
Book online and save 15% on Day Tickets
plus group discounts are also available
Follow the paths taken by generations of travellers…
Discover Longleat and Cheddar Gorge & Caves,
both within easy reach of the Great West Way.
GreatWestWay.co.uk

Scale the rigging, clamber
through the cabins and
dive under the glass sea
to marvel at the ship
from below.
For the best ticket
prices, book online:
ssgreatbritain.org

PLUS DON'T MISS!
Travelling the Great West Way is all about
discovering the real England, and alongside
the picturesque sights and seasonal events
there are all sorts of quirky customs and
traditional events that you can discover in
this vibrant swathe of England too!
Pictured:
Enchanted
Christmas at
Westonbirt,
The National
Arboretum
with gorgeous candlelit displays, roaring open fires and a
magnificent 20ft Victorian-decorated Christmas Tree in the
Gothic Hall. Discover an Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt,
The National Arboretum, or at Longleat's Festival of Light,
the UK’s original, biggest lantern festival. Watch hundreds
of breathtaking, illuminated lanterns, set in over 30 acres of
splendid ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds transform the
Estate as darkness falls.
Step back in time into a classic Christmas from England's
past as you explore Victorian Christmas Weekend at SS Great
Britain in Bristol. The iconic ship SS Great Britain is transformed
into a Dickensian winter scene where you can meet Victorian
characters, shop for seasonal gifts and indulge in festive food
and drink.
And Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without a festive
trip to the theatre - Bristol Hippodrome or Theatre Royal Bath
perhaps? A Christmas show or pantomime is an essential part
of any traditional English Christmas, so be sure to pick up a
Christmas programme from the Watermill Theatre, Newbury,
the Barn Theatre in Cirencester, Pound Arts Centre in Corsham or
head to the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon.
For a heartwarming traditional Christmas, why not sing in a
carol service in front of Windsor Castle, or enjoy the seasonal
atmosphere at the Hampton Court Palace ice rink, a wonderful
way to get into the festive spirit, with spectacular views of the
Thames-side Tudor palace.
Discover an enchanted wonderland of light and magic during
Christmas At Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury or discover the
glittering spiral trees, and dynamic laser projections which
illuminate the iconic Temperate House at Christmas at Kew,
Richmond.
Or why not put the sparkle in your family Christmas by
enjoying the annual Christmas Extravaganza and Carol Concert
in Hungerford, or the season of lights and lanterns in Devizes
with their annual Lantern Parade & Christmas Festival.
Wassailing
An ancient pagan celebration performed in
January to encourage fruit trees to give a healthy
harvest. This ancient tradition still takes place
in certain village orchards, particularly in cider
producing country - and there is plenty of cider
country along the Great West Way!
Morris Men
Morris Men are one of the most well known of
England's ancient traditions. Troupes of Morris
Men dress in white with bells and ribbons and
dance traditional dances together, with much
slapping of knees and hitting of sticks! You'll likely
see Morris Men at local fairs and festivals taking
place along the Great West Way - a reminder that
you're undoubtedly in England.
Hocktide
The charming Berkshire market town of
Hungerford is reputed to be the only place in
England where locals still dress up to celebrate
the medieval festival of Hocktide. The residents
of Hungerford throw themselves into the many
customs surrounding Hocktide, which takes
place annually after Easter, including dressing up,
decorating their houses, welcoming the 'Tutti Men'
and exchanging oranges and kisses.
Swan Upping
In Windsor, the ancient custom of 'Swan Upping'
takes place in July each year, with uniformed
'Royal Swan Uppers' travelling in traditional rowing
skiffs on the Thames to assess the health of the
local mute swans, which are by tradition the
property of the British monarch.
Oxford Traditions
Within easy reach of the Great West Way is the
university city of Oxford, which has a whole
host of quirky customs and traditions of its own,
including penny throwing, May day singing, and
boat burning.
Don't forget to tag #GreatWestWay so we
can see your pictures along the route!
GreatWestWay.co.uk
19

MADE OF
ENGLAND
AT THE HEART OF
THE GREAT WEST WAY
Wiltshire is rolling green downs, ancient
woodlands and bustling market towns.
It’s parish churches, grand historic
houses and country inns.
Timeless monuments and contemporary luxury.
Local ales and picnics in the park.
The England you love in one County
Visit Wiltshire, at the heart of the Great West Way.
It’s Time for Wiltshire
www.visitwiltshire.co.uk

MY GREAT WEST WAY
Whether you want to indulge in a splash of Edwardian
opulence, down a chilled glass of Britain’s finest fizz or take a
ride in a Rolls Royce phantom, these three locals hold the keys
Words: Belinda Richardson
TOM NEWEY IS STILL reeling at the success he
has had with his Alder Ridge vineyard, eleven
years on from its launch. “Times are changing,”
he says. “Who would have ever thought they’d
find an internationally recognised vineyard along the
Great West Way?” Critics said it was too hairbrained and
wouldn’t work so Tom set out to prove them wrong and
was rewarded with the cat’s whiskers when he went and
won silver for his Blanc de Noirs at the International Wine
Challenge in 2016 - not bad for his very first vintage. “Of
course we have had our ups and downs and will no doubt
continue to. I certainly watch the weather a lot more than
I used to but for the time being – and I hate to say this –
global warming is working in our favour. The chalky ridge
and the flinty topsoil have many of the key characteristics
of the Champagne region, which not only means strong
grapes but a beautiful place to live.
Tom's best thing about the Great West Way:
It promotes slow travel, which means we get our heads
out of our sat navs and take time to appreciate our
surroundings on our journey”.
Pictured
left then
clockwise:
Tom Newey,
Chief
Executive of
Alder Ridge
Vineyard
and Cobbs
Farm Shops;
the vineyard;
Marlborough
and The
Three Tuns,
Tom's
favourite
place for
lunch
Tom's favourite day out: “A gentle browse – and a spend
- in my favourite town Marlborough while I am waiting for
my electric car to charge, followed by a wander in Great
Bedwyn and lunch at The Three Tuns.” →
GreatWestWay.co.uk 21

Richard Aldhous has been a car enthusiast all his life. Now
a director of Calne’s Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum, he
started working here as a car parking attendant. “Back
then, we were three staff, now we are a grand nine,” he
says. “We will never be as big as Beaulieu or Haynes but
we don’t want to be, we are quite happy being small but
spectacular. We have everything here from the expected
to the unexpected, including all those makes you can
remember from being a kid, like the Trojan, Morris Minor,
Model T Ford, Austin 7s, gleaming Daimlers, a prototype
Mini – you name it.” Refreshingly free from the glitz and
the trailer queens, Atwell-Wilson is packed to the rafters
with a whacky collection of about 100 everyday classic cars
(some available to hire), lorries, motorcycles, mopeds and
push bikes from days gone by, set against the backdrop of
a 1930s garage. Pretty much all the vehicles are in useable
condition rather than being pampered showpieces and
poking round them is like taking a casual, rather fun stroll
through motoring history. “I feel as happy as a sandboy
living and working here in Calne,” says Richard. “There is
so much here to discover. Calne has always been a place
of discovery – first you had Priestley discovering oxygen
in Bowood, which in turn led to discovering the process of
photosynthesis. Not forgetting the good old pigs and the
Wiltshire cure, invented here by the Harris family in the
eighteenth century. When we lost the pigs, it is fair to say
that Calne had a good 15 years of depression but now we
have fallen back in love with ourselves and our community
is as strong as any. →
Richard's best thing about the Great West Way:
“I love that it focuses travellers on a route but then guides
them north and south of it too, which means they do
actually find little gems like us”.
Richard's favourite day out: “Cycling the track from
Avebury to Calne and out to Chippenham with a stop off
at The Lansdowne Arms on the way and dinner back in
Calne at the Italian restaurant (Antica Roma) that’s always
booked up”.
Pictured
top-left then
clockwise:
Richard
Aldhous,
Director
of Calne’s
Atwell-
Wilson Motor
Museum; the
museum;
The Red Lion
Avebury;
Cycling on the
Great West
Way; Calne
High Street
22 GreatWestWay.co.uk

Against the backdrop
of a renowned collection
experience critically acclaimed
exhibitions of historical and
contemporary art, lectures,
concerts, workshops and
events or indulge in our
Garden Café.
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from The Courtauld
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Master of Line
Coming of Age
Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4DB
www.holburne.org
- SHOP - EAT - DRINK -
A warm welcome awaits you in Calne! Look no further and
discover Calne’s Heritage Quarter with two hours free parking
in the Church Street Car Park, and explore what Calne has to
offer with a host of options to eat, drink and stay.
- WALK - DISCOVER - UNWIND -
Calne Town Crier
Mark Wylie
Discover Calne’s
Heritage Quarter
Calne
Town
Council
Discover more at
VisitCalne.co.uk

Mark Thwaites, Director at Thames Lido, has come up
trumps with his restoration of both Bristol and Reading
lidos, leading the charge in the renaissance of some of our
finest Edwardian outdoor pools. “Thankfully our lee-dos
are not what most people remember as lie-dos from
childhood – all floating plasters, empty crisp packets and
wagon wheel wrappers, “he says. “These are much more
grown up – escapist places to be pampered and well-fed.”
With his background in the fitness industry and his half
Finnish heritage, Mark and Swedish developer Arne Ringner,
have created glamorous outdoor oases, delightfully free of
lane ropes, flags and pace clocks, secluded in glass-walled
courtyards, with steam gently rising from the ambient 25
degrees C water. Scandi-style saunas and massage rooms
and a chi-chi restaurant complete the picture.
Pictured
top then
clockwise:
Thames
Lido; Mark
Thwaites,
Director at
Thames Lido;
Bristol Balloon
Fiesta
Mark's best thing about the Great West Way:
“All the beauty and variety and tranquility you find along the
way. Thames Lido has a natural place in this market since
unwinding and being calm is at the heart of what we do.”
Mark's favourite day out: “Much as I like Reading, it would
have to be in Bristol. For a long time Bristol battled against
Bath for tourism but at last Bristol has broken through as
a mecca for great music, culture, arts and restaurants –
namely our very own at the Bristol lido”
GreatWestWay.co.uk
25

Take your
time on the
Kennet &
Avon Canal
The beautiful Kennet & Avon Canal (or K&A as it’s known)
flows along 87 miles of the Great West Way®. From Bath to
Reading, it winds through quintessential rolling Wiltshire hills,
bustling towns and even a World Heritage Site.
Since 1810, narrowboats have drifted along at four miles an hour, plying their trade from Bristol to London.
Today, you’ll find a mixture of holiday and live-aboard boaters, all seeking the calm and tranquillity that
comes from life on or by the water.
In fact, research by the Canal & River Trust, the charity that looks after the K&A, suggests spending time
next to water is good for your wellbeing. So take a wander along the towpath, paddle away on a canoe,
jump aboard a boat trip, or simply stop, stare and take it all in. The K&A is free and open for everyone to
use and enjoy every day.
Great West Way® Waterways Ambassador
Registered Charity Number 1146792
canalrivertrust.org.uk/GreatWestWay

THE WATERWAYS
Relax with a gentle stroll and traditional cream tea, or for the
more active there’s an amazing variety of activities, from canoeing
and kayaking to paddleboarding or cycling along the towpaths
Words: Charlotte White
Pictured: Kennet and Avon
Canal, Bradford on Avon
THE RIVER THAMES, the River Kennet and Kennet
& Avon Canal meander their way through the
heart of the Great West Way route starting from
London all the way to Bath and Bristol, meeting
with each other at Reading. Though they are very different
waterways. Passing through towns and cities, the
waterways offer tranquil spaces in urban areas, as well
as stopping-off points to discover England’s heritage.
The more rural sections offer a wealth of wildlife and
natural beauty and along their lengths is living history.
The waterways have also inspired festivals and regattas
through the ages. →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
27

Pictured
left-right:
Kennet and
Avon Canal,
Bradford
on Avon;
The River
Thames
KENNET & AVON CANAL
The 87 mile long Kennet & Avon Canal is in fact two
rivers, linked by a central canal section built in the
Georgian period. Created originally as a trading link
between London and the west coast, it is a masterpiece
of engineering with 104 wide beam locks, including the
second longest continuous series of locks in the country
at Caen Hill, Devizes. Despite this, the canal fell into
obscurity and disrepair, and was almost lost to the nation
with competition from the newly built railways. It took
a passionate band of dedicated volunteers to restore the
waterway which is now open for everyone to enjoy.
The Kennet & Avon Canal is a great way to travel the
route, with time to take in some magnificent sites (and
sights) from the Crofton Pumping Station to a World
Heritage Site and historic battlefield - not to mention 21
conservation sites, 14 Sites of Special Scientific Interest,
and many spectacular landscapes including Wiltshire and
(just a short detour off the route) the Northern Cotswolds.
The canal has awesome examples of canal engineering
too. The 16 locks of the steepest part of the flight at
Caen Hill are not only a scheduled ancient monument,
they are an Olympic-sized challenge for every boater
– so remember to take a snack with you, as it will take
5-6 hours to pass through the locks. One of the most
impressive structures on Britain's waterways, the Avoncliff
Aqueduct at over 100 metres long and 18 metres wide,
carries the Kennet & Avon Canal over the River Avon.
Cycle just over 2.5 miles (4k) up the towpath and visit
the equally magnificent Dundas Aqueduct, opened in 1805
- both were built by the architect and engineer, John Rennie.
Or you could walk the other way along the towpath,
passing the Barton Farm Country Park and you easily reach
the bigger market town of Bradford on Avon.
THE RIVER THAMES
The Thames is the longest river in England with 45 locks.
It boasts three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and
is the only river in Europe with a national trail, The Thames
Path, along its entire length. Starting as a small trickle in the
Cotswolds, the River Thames travels over 210 miles through
the heart of some of England’s loveliest towns. The Thames
offers an excellent array of riverside locations to stay and
play. It curves past some of the most significant sites in
history including Runnymede where Magna Carta was
sealed, the Royal Palaces at Windsor and Hampton Court,
and the Parliament buildings at Westminster. It carried the
bodies of Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth I to their
final resting places. While a flotilla, led by the Havengore
vessel, carried Winston Churchill’s coffin up the Thames to
Temple Pier, on the first stage of his journey to Bladon near
Blenheim Palace, his final resting place. →
28 GreatWestWay.co.uk

Explore Bristol by Boat!
Hop aboard our daily waterbus service or hire
out any of our boats for educational tours,
boat parties and much more!
bristolferry.com • 0117 927 3416 • @BristolFerry
Majestic Marlborough
visitmarlborough
The ancient market town that
packs a postcard-perfect punch
www.marlborough-tc.gov.uk/visitors

Hungerford
The Heart of the North Wessex Downs
History, culture, scenic walks, antiques,
shopping, pubs and restaurants.
For a wonderful day out, Hungerford has
something for everyone.
www.visithungerford.com

MEET THE LOCALS
Pictured:
Richmond
TOWNS ALONG THE ROUTE
îBradford on Avon
A rare combination of river, canal and architecture from
the Romans, Saxons, Normans, Georgians and Victorians,
who have all left their mark. Don’t miss The Bridge Tea
Rooms, a double winner of the UK Tea Guild's 'Top Tea
Place', stop in to the newly refurbished canal-side pub,
the Canal Tavern, or board the MV Barbara McLellan for a
sightseeing boat trip.
îHenley on Thames
Discover the history of Henley, rowing and the Thames at
the River & Rowing Museum, then join a sightseeing cruise
along the Thames with Hobbs of Henley.
Head out of Henley (5.4miles/8.7kms) to Stonor Park,
dating back to the 12th century and take a tour inside and
walk through the gardens.
îVale of Pewsey
On the banks of the Kennet & Avon canal, this is a tranquil,
mystical sort of place with two Wiltshire White Horses,
Pewsey and Alton Barnes. Stop for a cup of tea and you’re
bound to have some illuminating conversations.
The Little Lunchbox Café is a warm, welcoming place on
the High Street, while The Charlton Cat has a seriously
tasty selection of cakes (try the rhubarb and custard) and
an outdoor courtyard with fabulous countryside views.
Make your way to Honeystreet Mill Café for gateaux style
cakes, with unique flavours that change every week, or pop
into Marshalls Bakery for a slice of their Wiltshire Lardy
Cake, delicious!
îReading
From boat trips along the Thames to its historic Reading
Abbey Quarter which covers the former precinct of one of
Europe's largest royal monasteries. Visit one of the town's
free museums, the Reading Museum or The Museum of
English Rural Life, also known as the MERL, before enjoying
its great shopping area and evening entertainment.
îCAROLINE ROBSON, THE CANAL & RIVER TRUST
The charity that cares for the waterway
Caroline's best thing about the Great West Way:
As a Great West Way traveller, the Kennet & Avon Canal
offers you an abundance of natural beauty, outstanding
canal structures, fabulous vistas and heritage galore.
With so many places to stop off on route, you don’t have
to travel far from the tranquil water to discover little
known corners of quintessential England as well as urban
centres including the architectural masterpiece of Bath.
Caen Hill in Devizes is the second longest flight of locks
in the country and an absolute must to visit!
PlayHungerford
CycleHungerford
YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY
îBristol Packet Boats
Hear about the origins of the Floating Harbour and Brunel's
famous Bridge as you cruise underneath on an Avon Gorge
Cruise in Bristol, along the River Avon.
îFrench Brothers
Celebrate a special occasion with a luxury cream tea cruise
on board a beautiful genuine steamboat.
îHenley Rowing Association
For a unique experience on the Thames in Henley book a
Champagne Rowing Taster Session designed for ladies who
lunch!
îBoat Trips on the Kennet and Avon Canal
Take a trip on the Kenavon Venture, a wide beam boat,
from The Wharf in Devizes, or The Jubilee, a traditional
narrowboat, from the Wharf in Newbury.
îSalter's Steamers
For an unforgettable experience while in Oxford try an
afternoon of punting on the River Thames.
îThames Rivercruise
Sit and relax as beautiful scenery glides by on a cruise along
England’s greatest river.
GreatWestWay.co.uk
31

Roseate Hotels & Resorts, the uber luxury hospitality brand offers a new spectrum
of hospitality with well-appointed luxury rooms & suites, world-class Aheli Spa
and unique dining experiences at the European-cuisine inspired fine dining restaurant
‘The Hyde’ (Roseate House London), the award-winning restaurant ‘Cerise’ & in house
patisserie and boulangerie ‘Roasted by Roseate’(The Roseate Reading), opulent dining
space ‘Henrietta Bar’ (The Roseate Villa Bath).
Image: The Roseate Villa, Bath,
R O S E A T E H O T E L S . C O M | +44 20 7479 6600 | #ROSEAT E H O T E L S | info.rhl@roseatehotels.com

TRAVEL BY TRAIN
With the GWR Great West Way Discoverer Pass you can hop on and
off at any station around the route - Reading, Swindon, Chippenham
and Bath Spa, or London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central
Words: Jane Freeman
AH, THE ROMANCE OF THE RAILWAY. The
sound of the whistle that announces the train’s
departure, the clack-clack rhythm of the rails
as they pass beneath the wheels, and the everchanging
view that passes by the window. Settling in to a
railway carriage is a treat – one that heralds adventure and
can be accompanied by a steaming cup of tea or a cooling
bottle of beer, no driving required.
Seeing the Great West Way by train means becoming a
part of its history. Trains have chugged and steamed along
this route for over 175 years, bringing produce to market
and business to towns, holidaymakers to the countryside
and rural folk to the capital. Join the story of England’s
railways on a journey along the Great West Way with the
GWR Great West Way Discoverer Pass.
The Discoverer pass makes travelling the route easy and hassle
free. It includes unlimited off-peak train travel from London
Paddington/Waterloo along the route to Bristol Temple
Meads via Reading and/or Basingstoke circular routes with
options to branch off towards Oxford and Kemble. It also
includes unlimited travel on the bus services along the route. →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
33

Did you know?
There are 200 bus
routes along the Great
West Way to help you
complete your journey
- Visit your nearest bus
station and/or tourist
information
THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY
One of England’s great long-distance railway lines, the
Great Western Railway runs along the full distance of the
Great West Way – from London’s Paddington station to
Bristol Temple Meads. It’s chief engineer was Isambard
Kingdom Brunel and you’ll travel the course he plotted
back in the 1830s, including his Box Tunnel, infamously
said to be impossible to build. Before he built it.
In one go, the journey takes just 1 hour 40 minutes,
but stopping en route to explore the Great West Way is
far more fun. First stop is Reading, for a cruise on the River
Thames, a stroll through Caversham Court Gardens and the
chance to watch a professional football match at Reading
FC’s Majedski Stadium. Next stop is Swindon, home
to STEAM, the Museum of the Great Western Railway.
Here you’ll see famous locomotives from throughout
the railway’s history, drive a train simulator and work the
signals in the interactive GWR signal box. Right next door
is the McArthurGlen outlet shopping village, where more
than 100 brands are on sale at up to 60% off.
Armed with your new skills – and perhaps a souvenir or
three to take home – head next to Chippenham, a historic
market town in the rural county of Wiltshire. On the banks
of the River Avon, Chippenham is a flourishing small town,
with an enticing market to explore on Fridays and Saturdays
on the High Street and plenty of proper English pubs.
It’s just 15 minutes by bus from here to Lacock, seen on
screen more often than Judi Dench. This picturesque village
has been the backdrop to film and TV titles such as Harry
Potter, Pride and Prejudice and Downton Abbey – see if
you recognise Lacock Abbey and the High Street from your
favourite scenes.
Your final calling point en route to Bristol is the
beautiful city of Bath. You’ll want plenty of time here, for a
stroll past honey-hued Georgian buildings and a dip in the
natural hot springs that bubble up from the ground.
Don’t miss the original Roman Baths, too, not to
mention the Jane Austen Centre, where afternoon tea is
served Regency style.
The Great Western Railway ends in Bristol, a vibrant
city where you can climb aboard the last Concorde ever
made (built right here in Bristol) at Aerospace Bristol, and
clamber up the rigging of one of Brunel’s other famous
creations, the SS Great Britain, the world’s first great ocean
liner. SS Great Britain celebrates two big anniversaries in
2020; 50 years since her epic salvage and homecoming;
and 175 years since arriving in New York City.
Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge is here too, beckoning
you on along the River Avon and out to Avon Gorge.
Set foot atop this world-famous bridge and quietly thank
Brunel for the journey he made possible – along the Great
West Way by rail.
34 GreatWestWay.co.uk

Tickets for the Great Western Railway can be bought
from ticket offices at stations along the route but
for cheaper tickets and no queues we recommend
buying in advance. There are three Great West Way
Discoverer routes available, (East, West or all) giving
you the opportunity to explore your chosen area in
one-day instalments or over the duration of a week.
Book online at gwr.com, prices from just £24.
Visiting from overseas? Three-day or seven-day
international passes can be purchased (costing £98
/£129 respectively for adults) online at ACPRail.com
EXPLORE TOWNS AND VILLAGES AT YOUR LEISURE
The Great Western Railway is far from just one main
line. Take an alternative rail journey and you can get off
the beaten track and out into more rural areas. Consider
returning to London via a different route, taking the train
from Bath to Bradford on Avon for example.
This glorious small town sits on the edge of The
Cotswolds and straddles the River Avon. Cross the waters
in ancient footsteps, on the 13th-century town bridge, and
stand dwarfed in the 14th-century Tithe Barn, its lattice of
timbers soaring for over 50 metres far above your head.
Change at Westbury and head east for Bedwyn, where
you can disembark for a stroll along the water’s edge on
the towpath of the Kennet & Avon Canal, which runs from
Bristol all the way to Reading. After just over two miles you’ll
encounter a surprise – the world’s oldest working steam
engines. The Crofton Beam Engines are fed by a hand-stoked
coal-fired boiler and are still plugging away at the same
job they were designed to do more than 200 years ago –
pumping water up to the highest point of the canal.
Back on the railway there are two other stops worth
making en route to Reading – at Hungerford and Newbury.
You’re travelling through the North Wessex Downs Area
of Outstanding Natural Beauty here so press that nose up
against the window and pick out the perfect place for a
stroll. There are several short loop walks from Hungerford
(an ancient town also known for its antique shops) or you
could walk the nine miles to Newbury along the canal.
Once you’re in Newbury you could stop for a flutter
– there’s a world-class racecourse here. While closer to
London, trains between Reading and London Paddington
call at Twyford, where you can change onto the line to
Henley-on-Thames, home to the famous regatta and
plenty of messing about in boats.
Trains also call at Slough, where you can catch a train
to Windsor to poke your head into the State Rooms of the
Queen’s favourite castle.
RIDE THE RAILS OF THE HERITAGE STEAM RAILWAYS
Savour the unmistakable sights, sounds and smells of steam
at the Didcot Railway Centre, as you relive the golden age
of the famous Great Western Railway. Find the entrance
through the ticket hall and original steam age subway of
Didcot Parkway railway station. Just outside Bristol is the
Avon Valley Railway, where you can ride three miles of
preserved track from the Victorian Bitton station through
the valley, listening to the puff and whistle of the steam
train. Reach Bitton by taking the Great Western Railway
from Bristol to Keynsham and following the brown signs on
foot for 1.5 miles. Near Swindon you’ll see the steam of the
Swindon & Cricklade Railway rising above the Taw Valley.
Ride the rails for more than two miles from Taw Valley Halt
to Blunsdon on a heritage steam train. You’ll need to take a
bus to get here, the number 15 from the centre of Swindon
stops at the Tawny Owl pub, close to Taw Valley Halt.
JOURNEY TIMES BY RAIL
Based on average journey times:
London Paddington to Bristol î1hr 40 mins
London Paddington to Bath Spa î1 hour 11 minutes
London Paddington to Heathrow î35 mins
Reading to London Paddington (via Slough) î30 mins
Bristol to Bath î11mins
Bath to Salisbury î55mins
Salisbury to Stonehenge î33mins (bus)
Salisbury to Swindon (via Melksham) î90mins
Swindon to Reading î30mins
Reading to Windsor (via Slough) î35mins
GreatWestWay.co.uk
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36 GreatWestWay.co.uk

EXPLORE THE
COUNTRYSIDE
The Great West Way
perfectly lends itself to
the outdoors lifestyle,
with open spaces of
stunning countryside,
Areas of Outstanding
Natural Beauty and
links to National Trails
Pictured leftright:
Couple
walking
their dogs in
Avebury;
Cycling in the
North Wessex
Downs
Words: Samantha Colbourne
If walking or cycling in nature,
exploring the roads and paths
less travelled, finding hidden
gems and a host of native
wildlife is your idea of the
perfect short break, then why
not plan a walking road trip
down the Great West Way over
the course of several days?
There are a host of fantastic
accommodation options
along the route, from bed and
breakfasts in quintessential
villages and rental options
in quaint cottages, to luxury
hotels in grand houses. Find
inspiration from our Where to
Stay article p78, or you can
find everything you need at
GreatWestWay.co.uk/stay
THE GREAT WEST WAY OFFERS a curated touring
route comprised of road, rail and water links
between London and Bristol. Direct it runs 125
miles - but if you include all the off-the-beaten
track walking and bike trails and other tempting detours
then there’s over 500 miles to explore. So where to begin?
Pick a starting point - any starting point - and that in
itself may uncover new realms of possibility. This route is all
about finding your own way. Embracing the unknown and
being open to whatever crosses your path.
Enjoy some of England's best national trails, three areas
of outstanding natural beauty, winding waterways, and
beautiful views. Feel inspired to enjoy some of England's
finest landscapes, breathe fresh air, relax and enjoy the
sights along the way.
And exploring the Great West Way by foot or bike, you
will never be far from a pub or café along the route for
lunch, afternoon tea or a refreshing drink at the end of your
day. Find time to explore and unwind without the need of
your car or public transport.
NATIONAL TRAILS
Your adventure might take you through one of the three
National Trails that cross the Great West Way, perfect for
day trips or for longer holidays. You might enjoy a river walk
along some of the 184 miles of Thames Path National Trail
passing Windsor Castle. This trail is mostly flat and
relatively gentle with water meadows, sleepy riverside
villages and nature reserves interspersed with historic
market towns. The Ridgeway National Trail is an 87-mile
National Trail follows Britain’s oldest road, a route that’s
been walked by travellers since prehistoric times. It passes
through the North Wessex Downs and the Chilterns. Along
the way you’ll glimpse remnants of the Iron, Bronze and
Stone Ages, passing stone circles, white horses and ancient
woodlands. If it's picturesque villages you are searching
for then you can't beat The Cotswold Way National
Trail offering just over 100 miles of magical walking, with
long distance views from the Cotswold escarpment, and
journeys past famous ancient sites. →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
37

photo - Ash Mills
connect to The Stonehenge Tour from
Salisbury railway station regularly from London
thestonehengetour.info
Avebury and Stonehenge Private Guided Tours
Wiltshire’s wonderful countryside, full of internationally important monuments, is a very special place to visit
Find out more online or call Laurence
oldburytours.co.uk | +44 (0)7947 488665

NATIONAL TRUST LANDSCAPES
From ancient trees to butterflies and otters, National Trust look
after some wonderful landscapes, that are full of life. Try Bath
Skyline for example - only a short stroll from the city centre.
Explore the skyline hills above Bath and beyond, through six
miles of meadows and ancient woodlands to secluded valleys.
The limestone grassland slopes support a great variety of
plants and attract a number of butterflies, great for some
spring and summer wildlife spotting. This is a circular walk and
will take around three to four hours of moderate walking. For
a more exhilarating walking trail you might prefer Cheddar
Gorge & Caves dramatic 3-mile walk – 450ft above sea level
– with views over the Mendips. And it’s not just the landscape
out to impress. The gorge is a dedicated conservation area,
home to an abundance of rare plants and wildlife – see if
you can spot the Cheddar Pink (dianthus), which isn’t found
anywhere else in the world.
There are a variety of fascinating sites across Wiltshire
too, including parts of the Stonehenge and Avebury World
Heritage Site. At Avebury you’ll find the largest stone circle
in the world, a prehistoric artificial chalk mound, Silbury Hill,
as well as many other Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments,
including Windmill Hill, The Sanctuary and West Kennet
Long Barrow. A bit further afield, discover the Stonehenge
Landscape where there are remarkable prehistoric
monuments such as The Avenue, several Bronze Age barrow
cemeteries and the huge henge monument of Durrington
Walls, which contains the remains of a Neolithic village.
Just outside Marlborough, Lockeridge Dene and Piggledene’s
PEDAL POWER
Discover the Great West Way on two
wheels, whether you choose to take
your own, or hire your bike.
Join a cycle tour with Wild Swim Bike
Run, or find adventure in beautiful
countryside on trails with Active
England and Compass Holidays.
Or why not try cycling on a tandem
around Bristol, the UK’s first Cycling
City, with Bristol Tandem Hire?
Adventure seeker? Then head to the
Swinley Forest stopping in at the
Swinley Bike Hub.
unusual sarsen boulder stream, creates a striking
landscape, from which the standing stones of
Avebury were probably sourced. At Cherhill
there’s the white horse on Calstone and Cherhill
Downs. North of Chippenham discover Sutton
Lane Meadows, an unspoilt natural wildflower
meadow which blooms in May and June. →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
39

40 GreatWestWay.co.uk
Pictured
above:
North
Wessex
Downs, the
third largest
Area of
Outstanding
Natural
Beauty in
Britain
WALKING TOURS
Alison Howell's Foot
Trails
Explore well over 900 miles
of spectacular countryside,
villages and historic sites on
custom-made and crafted
Foot Trails walking holidays
from three days to three
weeks.
Bristol Nordic Walking
The biggest Nordic Walking
club in the UK - offering 35
regular walks each week
ranging in distances in
various locations on the
Great West Way.
A Taste of England
Carefully prepared,
personalised tours for
travellers seeking a local and
authentic experience of the
region’s heritage and culture.
Compass Holidays
Self-led walking and cycling
holidays. You are even
provided with a detailed tour
pack and mobile app full of
local knowledge that helps
you stay on the right path!
Oldbury Tours
Discover ancient castles,
magnificent cathedrals,
pretty villages, hidden
corners and prehistoric sites.
Personalised tours of
Stonehenge and Avebury
include inner circle access.
Tour & Explore with
Anne Bartlett
Anne is an experienced
Cotswold based Blue Badge
Tour Guide who provides a
friendly, professional guiding
service for exploring the
Great West Way.
Sulis Guides
Informative and
entertaining walking tours
of historic towns and cities
to help you discover hidden
corners which you won’t
find in guidebooks!
Tours2order
Blue Badge Tourist Guide,
Graham Horn, listens
to your ideas and then
prepares a tour or visit that
is unique to your needs.
AREAS OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY
The Chilterns, the North Wessex Downs and the Cotswolds offer
exceptional landscapes, and thanks to their legal protection they
are perfect countryside playgrounds for cyclists and ramblers.
If you are starting your journey from London, you will be
close to the southern section of The Chilterns - a section of
the 324 square miles which fall within the Great West Way
corridor. It’s a haven for wildlife. Keep an eye out for red
kites - the bird of prey now thrives in the region, having been
reintroduced in 1989.
It is likely you may have heard of the North Wessex Downs
- it is the third largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in
Britain (there are 46 AONBs in total). The area lies at the heart
of the chalk band that stretches across southern England and
was once under a warm sea. Its landscape is very diverse; as
well as the chalk habitats, there is a rich mosaic of woodland,
pasture, heath and common land.
It is an ancient landscape etched by the impact of humans
for over 5,000 years, including fascinating features such as
the World Heritage Site at Avebury, eight Chalk White Horses,
Savernake Forest, Highclere Castle, historic market towns and
the Kennet & Avon Canal.
Or you might find yourself walking some of the Cotswold
Way which really is England at its prettiest. Here you could
cover more ground with a leisurely Sunday road cycle through
the sleepy Cotswolds villages before stopping for a well-earned
roast dinner in one of the many pretty pubs or award-winning
restaurants.
Whichever direction you take, be it by bike, foot, water, or a
mix of all three remember to slow down to enjoy the journey as
much as you do the destination!
50. Step inside a fourteenth cen
with a staggering timber roof of
stretch for more than 50 metres
Bradford on Avon’s tithe barn is so
that it’s protected by English Herit
51. Travel through the historic c
stand-up paddleboarding safari w
take a lesson in Bristol (A4) with S
52. Play disc golf in the park, at A
Bristol – you’ l be trying to get a f
into each hole. GRID REF: A3
53. See paintings by English maste
Gainsborough and John Constable,
at Bath’s Holburne Museum. GRID R
54. Climb to the top of Roundway H
into the “bloody ditch” – scene of the
victory of the English Civil War, in 164
55. Tune into alien energies on the hu
Wiltshire’s infamous crop circles with
Crop Circle Exhibition & Information C
people think these large and often orn
that appear overnight in the county’s w
are the work of extra-terrestrials… GRID
56. Walk along the River Thames on the Th
stro ling from Kew Gardens to the upscale
of Richmond, home to some great pubs. GR
57. Take a stro l through 45 acres of seren
at Bristol’s Arnos Vale Cemetery, a Victoria
cemetery surrounded by unspoiled woodla
home to numerous fascinating monument
58. Try a hot chocolate seventeenth-centur
Dyrham Park – you might be surprised to le
it has cayenne pepper in it! GRID REF: B3
59. Scan the skies fo red kites in the Chilte
the bes time to see these glorious birds of
is between October and April and the best c
of seeing them is in the far south of the Area
Outstanding Natural Beauty. GRID REF: K1
60. Get a new insight into Shakespeare, at a
contemporary performance of the Bard’s best w
at Bristol Shakespeare Festival (July). GRID REF: A3
61. Find dazzling carpets of bluebe ls in the woo
West Woods just outside Marlborough. April and
are bluebe l season here. GRID REF: E4
1. Sit in the Devil’s Chair – a natural seat sculpted
in stone at Europe’s largest stone circle, Avebury.
GRID REF: E4
2. Soak in the UK’s only natural hot springs at Thermae
Bath Spa – home to a rooftop al fresco pool with views
over the city’s ancient rooftops. GRID REF: B4
3. Fly down mountain biking trails that weave through
ancient woodland in Swinley Forest. The 13km Red
route is not for the faint-hearted – expect jumps,
drops and twists a l the way. GRID REF: J4
4. Count the deer in Richmond Park
(hint: there are hundreds!). GRID REF: L3
5. Wave to the Queen as she rides in the daily
Royal Procession at world-famous horseracing
event Royal Ascot (four days every June). GRID REF: J4
6. Feast in one of the world’s best restaurants, the
three Michelin star Fat Duck in Bray, where chef
Heston Blumenthal takes guests on a sensory
journey – a l the way to the seaside. GRID REF: J3
7. See where the earliest surviving photographic
negative was taken, by Henry Fox Talbot in 1835
at Lacock Abbey. GRID REF: C4
8. Climb the rigging of a Victorian ship, the SS Great
Britain and reach heights of more than 25 metres above
Bristol Harbour! If you’re feeling really brave you can
even walk out along the main yard. GRID REF: A4
9. Check out the world’s oldest pot plant, a prickly
cycad that lives at Kew Gardens and was planted
in 1775. GRID REF: L3
10. Run a bath with natura ly hot thermal waters at
The Gainsborough Bath Spa hotel, where selected
rooms are plumbed directly into Bath’s thermal waters.
GRID REF: B4
11. Poke your nose into the world’s oldest and largest
inhabited castle at Windsor Castle, the home of the
Queen – and said to be her favourite castle.
GRID REF: K3
12. Learn the ropes on a rock-climbing lesson at
the high limestone cli fs of Avon Gorge. There are
750 climbing routes here, some of them so physica ly
and menta ly cha lenging tha they’ve only been
climbed once. GRID REF: A4
13. Test your muscle power on a narrow boating
journey up one of the longest continuous flights of
locks in England. You’ l rise 72 metres (237ft) in just
two miles at Caen Hi lock flight en route to the
marke town of Devizes. GRID REF: D4
14. Soar like a bird above the Wiltshire Downs on a
paragliding lesson. GRID REF: E4
15. Stand on the site of the sealing of the Magna Carta,
on the banks of the Thames at Runnymede. GRID REF: K4
16. Waterski on a private lake at Cotswold Water Park.
GRID REF: D2
17. Escape to an English country garden at The Bath Priory
hotel, where dinner is taken overlooking the kitchen garden
and your bedroom is named after a flower. GRID REF: B4
18. Swim in the pool that plunged the UK into chaos
at Cliveden – backdrop to the infamous Profumo A fair.
GRID REF: J3
19. Mount your steed and thwack a polo ball across the
lawn on a half-day polo masterclass at Coworth Park.
GRID REF: K4
20. Have a “meet and greet” with a red panda, one of
several behind the scenes experiences at Bristol Zoo.
GRID REF: A4
21. Dress like Jane Austen, bonnet and a l, and dance
the night away a the Regency Costumed Masked
Ba l in Bath, part of the annual Jane Austen Festival
(September). GRID REF: B4
22. Ride the rails of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s
(arguably) greatest achievement, the Great Western
Railway from London to Bristol. GRID REF: A4
23. Settle in for a traditional afternoon tea, served on a
tiered stand in the restaurant of one of England’s finest
country hotels. The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa (B4),
Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa (C3) and Cricklade House
Hotel (E2) are a l much-loved for their afternoon teas –
which can be served with Champagne.
24. Sail up into the sky in a hot air ba loon at
Europe’s largest annual meeting of hot air balloons,
the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta every August.
You needn’t wait for the fiesta though, Bailey
Ba loons offer flights a l year round above both
Bristol and Bath. GRID REF: A4
Discover an essential strand of England on the
Great West Way. Based on one of the first Great
Roads commissioned by the Kings of England,
the Great West Way winds for 125 miles through
the very soul of England, from the capital city of
London to the vibrant western gateway of Bristol.
The Great West Way brings you to world-famous sites such as Stonehenge,
Roman Bath and Windsor Castle, but the real joy is in discovering somewhere
different, a real slice of England that you can take back home with you – as
memories, as photographs, or even as a bottle of craft ale or piece of local art.
You can explore by road, by rail or by water. Slow right down to the pace of
two feet or two bike wheels, base yourself in one place for a while and find
your own story on the Great West Way.
25. Gawp a the super-elite school that educated
Princes William and Harry – as well as 19 British
Prime Ministers. The tour of Eton Co lege includes
the School Yard and College Chapel. GRID REF: K3
26. Take the wheel of a Formula Ford 1600 or Lotus Elise
on a lap of Castle Combe Motor Racing Circuit. GRID REF: C3
27. Find out just what you can build with 42 million
LEGO bricks at LEGOLAND. GRID REF: K3
28. Get confetti in your hair at the utterly unique Devizes
Confetti Battle (August). GRID REF: D4
29. Visi the Wiltshire white horses, carved by local
people into chalky hi lsides around the county. There
are eigh that can be seen today including two in the
unspoiled countryside of beautiful Pewsey Vale, and
some are as old as 300 years! GRID REF: E4
30. Go organic with food from the farm at Helen
Browning’s Royal Oak (E3), where portions are
generous and as much as possible is home-grown.
You can visi the farm too, and buy delicious bacon
and sausages to take away. Also in Wiltshire you’ l
find Buttle Farm (D4), where you can buy pork
and charcuterie, and Roves Farm (E3), home to an
extensive farm shop.
31. Ride a steam train kept alive and running by
volunteers, at Avon Valley Railway. GRID REF: B4
32. Lose yourself in the UK’s oldest surviving hedge
maze at Hampton Court Palace. GRID REF: L4
33. Taste local brew Good Old Boy in the Taproom
of the brewery that crafted it, West Berkshire Brewery.
GRID REF: G3
34. Sniff ou the best cheeses at Winston Churchi l’s
favourite cheesemonger Paxton & Whitfield in Bath.
GRID REF: B4
35. Watch the Changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle.
GRID REF: K3
36. Join the party at one of England’s biggest and
best-loved music festivals, Reading Festival (August).
GRID REF: H3
37. Shop while walking on water at Pulteney Bridge
in Bath. This gorgeous Georgian bridge is one of only
four worldwide to have shops lining both sides and
is a classical masterpiece. GRID REF: B4
38. Step aboard the last Concorde ever built at
Aerospace Bristol, on the site that built every
British Concorde ever made. GRID REF: B3
39. Climb a 120-foot Neoclassical tower built for
Europe’s wealthiest man at Beckford’s Tower just
outside Bath. GRID REF: B4
40. Shop for a bargain at McArthurGlen Designer
Outlet Swindon, where more than 100 designer
stores offer discounts of up to 60%. GRID REF: E3
41. Discover Nordic walking on an introductory
session with Bristol Nordic Walking. GRID REF: A3
42. Mess about in boats on the Thames surrounded
by hundreds of others doing the same, at Henley
Royal Regatta (July). GRID REF: J3
43. Watch stately Shire horses deliver local beer to
the pubs of Devizes, fresh from Wadworth Brewery,
based in the town. GRID REF: D4
44. Stand in Harry Potter’s footsteps in the very room
he first saw his parents, reflected in the Mirror of
Erised (the Chapter House in Lacock Abbey).
GRID REF: C4
45. Come face to face – safely – with 33 different
native shark species a the Bristol Aquarium.
GRID REF: A4
46. Peer down from steep cliffs into England’s
largest gorge before descending beneath this
dramatic landscape on a caving adventure at
Cheddar Gorge & Caves. GRID REF: A5
47. Discover Bath’s food scene on a tasty tour
with Savouring Bath – the “naughty but nice”
tour is especia ly indulgent, focusing on treats
and temptations. GRID REF: B4
48. Fo low in Poldark’s footsteps on a stroll along
Corsham’s gorgeous honey-stoned High Street
– it appeared on screen as eighteenth century
Truro in the BBC drama. GRID REF: C4
49. Discover the gardens of legendary landscape
gardener ‘Capability’ Brown at Elizabethan mansion
house Corsham Court. There’s a glorious one-mile
Great Walk planted with cedars and planes,
a Gothic bath house and a ha ha to keep
the deer out without spoiling the view.
GRID REF: C4
START HERE.
Great things to do along the
Great West Way.
125
31
13
29
66
2. Sme l the rhododendrons at Bowood’s Woodland
ardens, open every spring during flowering season.
Two miles of paths wind their way between the vibrantly
coloured plants, many of which have been putting on
this display every year since 1854. GRID REF: D4
73. Spot a Banksy – an artwork by the anonymous
street artist – in the city he hails from, Bristol. You can
also watch other street artists at work, painting the wa ls
as part of Europe’s largest street art and gra fiti festival,
every July. GRID REF: A3
74. Get eyeba l to eyeba l with some very cheeky
monkeys at Longleat Safari Park – as you drive through
their habitat expect them to clamber onto your car, and
possibly to take some of it with them! GRID REF: C5
75. Attend the weekly mass at Stonor Chapel, built in the
late thirteenth century on the site of a prehistoric stone
circle and resolutely Catholic ever since. GRID REF: H3
76. Seek out ghosts on a creepy walk around the market
town of Devizes with local historian John Girvan. The
Devizes Ghost Walk has been terrifying children and adults
alike for more than 20 years and includes a trip to the site
of the town’s old ga lows. GRID REF: D4
77. Step into the 1930s a the Atwe l-Wilson Motor
Museum in Calne, where a 1930s garage has been
reconstructed and fi led with classic cars. GRID REF: D4
78. Drink English wine direct from the vineyard at the
award winning Alder Ridge Vineyard (F4) or Aldwick Estate
in Bristol (A4). English sparkling wine is getting especia ly
popular so be sure to give it a try.
79. Stro l through a “living work of art” at Stourhead, one
of England’s greatest landscape gardens. The best time
to visit is the autumn, when the trees turn golden, but
at any time of the year you can seek out the classical
temple above the lake – a great shot for your Instagram.
GRID REF: B6
80. Discover the history of the shoe at the Fashion
Museum in Bath, where you’ l find a co lection that
runs from Georgian silk shoes to Nike trainers.
GRID REF: B4
81. Eat international street food in the heart of Bristol.
The street food market runs year-round on Tuesdays
and Fridays on Wine Street and has everything from
Indonesian street food and vegan Thai snacks to freshly
cooked doughnuts and Tibetan dumplings. GRID REF: A4
82. Bet on the horses at Newbury Racecourse, which has
race days year-round. GRID REF: G4
83. Check ou the largest co lection of Americana
outside the US, including some fascinating ancient maps
and more than 200 quilts, a the American Museum and
Gardens in Bath. GRID REF: C4
84. Get geeky about local ales with the helpful bar sta f at
the Beer Emporium, in the heart of Old Bristol and se ling
beers from local craft breweries. The bottle shop upstairs
has loads to take away too. GRID REF: A4
85. Shop for local goodies at the twice-weekly market
in Marlborough, set along the second widest high street
in the UK. GRID REF: E4
86. Wait for Corsham’s free-roaming peacocks to fan out
their bright coloured tails – then take the perfect picture.
You might even spot them admiring themselves in the
shop windows of the High Street. GRID REF: C4
87. Join the debate over Silbury Hi l, part of the prehistoric
complex at Avebury. Just why did ancient man build a
mound as large as a contemporary Egyptian pyramid?
GRID REF: E4
88. Take your seats for a performance of local
talent a the Barn Theatre in Cirencester (D2), one
of England’s best regional theatres and home to
state-of-the-art facilities. Or settle in for a jazz
concert a the Wiltshire Music Centre (C4) in
Bradford on Avon.
89. Haggle for a bargain at Hungerford Arcade Antiques,
home to more than 100 antique dealers – and plenty of
weird and wonderful finds. GRID REF: F4
90. Settle in for some pub grub with a difference at The
Hand and Flowers in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, the first
UK pub to be awarded two Michelin stars. GRID REF: J3
91. Saddle up for a trek along the Ridgeway, riding through
the North Wessex Downs to reach the River Thames in the
Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. GRID REF: H2
92. Spot bri liant blue poison dart frogs, one of the
world’s most brightly coloured animals, in the Lowlands
glasshouse at the Living Rainforest in Berkshire.
GRID REF: G3
93. Work the signals in the interactive GWR signal box
and drive a train simulator at STEAM, the Museum of
the Great Western Railway, in Swindon. GRID REF: E3
94. Take a guided tour of the picture-postcard
fifteenth-century Great Chalfield Manor and check
out its beautiful Arts and Craft style garden, complete
with some very we l-manicured topiary. GRID REF: C4
95. Settle in for an authentic English pub experience. There are
hundreds of traditional pubs along the Great West Way, where
you can play pub games in the beer garden in summer, or cosy
up by the open fire in winter. We love the Three Tuns Freehouse
in Great Bedwyn (F4), The Old Be l in Malmesbury (C3), the
Royal Oak in Yattendon (C3), The Red Lion Freehouse in East
Chisenbury (E4) and The Newbury Pub in Newbury (G4).
96. Pootle along the Kennet & Avon Canal on your
very own narrowboat, mooring up at pub gardens
and in marke towns along the route and feeling the
pace of life slow. Boats can be hired just for the day
from Devizes Marina (D4) or for a longer holiday from
Honeystreet Boats (E4). Don’t fancy driving yourself?
Take a narrowboa tour instead, on the Jubilee from
Newbury Wharf (G4), The Rose of Hungerford from
Hungerford (F4), the Kenavon Venture from Devizes
Wharf (D4) or the Barbara McLe lan from Bradford on
Avon (C4).
97. Check in to England’s oldest hotel, The Old Be l
Hotel in Malmesbury. It’s Grade I listed and stands
right nex to the twelfth century Abbey. Fu ly restored,
it offers elegant modern accommodation and relaxed
dinners.GRID REF: C3
98. Take a horse-riding lesson with Rein and Shine in
Swindon. There are horse riding experience packages
of two and three hours, including the chance to learn
about stable management. GRID REF: E3
99. Marvel a the world’s oldest working steam
engines, the Crofton Beam Engines. Fed by a
hand-stoked coal-fired boiler, they’re sti l plugging
away a the job they were designed to do more than
200 years ago – pumping water up to the highest
point of the Kennet & Avon Canal. GRID REF: E4
100. Bring the binoculars for some winter
birdwatching at Cotswold Water Park. Look out
for great crested grebes, tufted ducks, coots and
pochards. GRID REF: D2
101. Check ou the work of English twentieth century
painter Sir Stanley Spencer in the eponymous ga lery on
the high street in Cookham, the Thameside vi lage he
lived and worked in for many years. GRID REF: J3
102. Go orchid spotting in Hartslock Nature Reserve,
home to the rare monkey orchid which flowers here in
May or early June. There is also a hybrid of the monkey
and lady orchids here, the only place in Britain tha this
has been recorded. GRID REF: H3
103. Pose for the perfect postcard-worthy shot on
the arched stone bridge in the heart of Castle Combe.
This protected vi lage is like a time capsule, with not a
modern building in sight. No surprise then that it has
appeared on screen numerous times – in Spielberg’s
War Horse and the original Dr Doolittle film to name
jus two. GRID REF: C3
104. Canoe the Kennet & Avon Canal, pushing off in
a Canadian canoe at Bradford on Avon and paddling
eastwards to Seend Cleeve and the canalside Barge
Inn, where you can moor up for a pub lunch before
the return journey. GRID REF: D4
105. Bring a blanket and settle in for an al fresco
performance of a Shakespearean play at Dyrham
Park (August). GRID REF: B3
106. Take a turn around the organic gardens at
Highgrove, home to the Prince of Wales. Book a
champagne tea tour and you’ l finish with afternoon
tea and a glass of Highgrove Champagne. GRID REF: C3
107. Lace up your skates for a spin around the rink at
one of the Great West Way’s winter ice rinks. There are
rinks at Millennium Square in Bristol (A4), Royal Victoria
Park in Bath (B4), Alexandra Gardens in Windsor (K3) and
Hampton Court Palace (L4) (November-January).
108. Get the stones (almost) to yourself by booking
the Inner Circle tour at Stonehenge and rising early to
be inside the stone circle before it opens to the public.
You sti l can’ touch the stones, but you wi l get some
great pictures of them. GRID REF: E6
109. Stoop to enter West Kennet Long Barrow, a
Neolithic tomb built around 5,650 years ago. You can
walk along inside for about 13 metres before reaching
the final chamber. Bring a torch! GRID REF: E4
110. Set out on foot through the Cotswolds on the
102-mile Cotswold Way, one of England’s national trails.
You’ l start at Bath Abbey (B4) and head north along the
Cotswold escarpment, stro ling through idy lic vi lages
and passing ancient churches, abbeys and mansions set
in some of the country’s most celebrated – and best
protected – countryside.
111. Eat a traditional ploughman’s lunch – a platter of
local cheese, pickle and onions accompanied by bread and
(usua ly) a salad. Try it at the twelfth century Castle Inn
in Castle Combe (C3) or at Beese’s in Bristol (A4).
112. Have a proper English cup of tea – served strong
with milk of course – in a traditional tearoom. There
are hundreds of tearooms along the Great West Way
but some of our favourites are St Peter’s Co fee Shop in
Marlborough (E4), The To lgate in Dyrham (B3), the Teapot
in Cookham (J3) and The Tutti Pole in Hungerford (F4).
113. See a 2,000-year-old lime tree, sti l going strong
in Silk Wood at Westonbirt Arboretum. GRID REF: C3
114. Test your navigational ski ls on the orienteering
trails at Ashton Court in Bristol. There are three to try
– pick up a map from the golf kiosk. GRID REF: A4
115. Cycle along an old railway track, fo lowing the
13-mile Bristol & Bath Railway Path between the
two cities. This was once the route of the Midland
Railway and some evidence of its life as a railway
i sti l visible. The route is tarmac, traffic-free and
almost entirely level – making it a breeze for
a l levels of ability. You could even try it on a
tandem, hiring a two-seater bike from Bristol
Tandem Hire. GRID REF: B4
116. See the cave where two giants, Goram and
Ghyston, are said to have once made their home.
You can walk to this sma l cave overlooking Avon
Gorge in Bristol from the Observatory above it,
through a tunnel carved in the nineteenth century
by artist Wi liam West. GRID REF: A4
117. Go butterfly spotting in the rare chalk grasslands
of the Chilterns, the perfect habitat for a wide variety
of wildflowers – and the butterflies that love them.
GRID REF: H3
118. Play a round of golf on one of England’s best
parkland courses. Try Richmond Park Golf Course in
West London, North Wilts Golf Club in Wiltshire or
Bristol & Clifton Golf Club.
GRID REF: L3
119. See what’s biting in the Kennet & Avon Canal
– home to some of England’s most bankable angling
spots. Fishing is permitted along much of the towpath
here, bu two of the best places for a bumper catch
are Bathampton near Bath (C4) and Hungerford in
Berkshire (F4). Contac the local angling association
for a permit.
120. Discover the area’s military might with a visit
to REME, the museum of the Royal Electrical and
Mechanical Engineers, at MoD Lyneham. See large
armoured vehicles, listen to soldiers’ stories and get
hands-on with the recovery task simulator. GRID REF: D3
121. Indulge yourself by booking a mind-melting
in-water massage – or watsu. Bath’s Thermae Spa
offers these dreamy treatments in the natural thermal
waters of the Hot Bath. Just don’t plan anything too
strenuous for afterwards! GRID REF: B4
122. Wild swim in the Thames at Cock Marsh near
Cookham, where you’ l find sandy beaches to paddle
out from and clear, clean waters. GRID REF: J3
123. Go behind the scenes at Downton Abbey with a
visi to Highclere Castle, the building Julian Fe lowes
i said to have had in mind when he wrote the TV
drama. The Victorian castle remains the family home
of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, and visitors
can see the Great Ha l, backdrop to much of Mary and
Matthew’s romance, and the Dining Room, scene of
many a family drama and plenty of acerbic comments
from the Dowager Countess. GRID REF: G5
124. Have a crack at clay pigeon shooting in the
grounds of Donnington Grove in Berkshire. GRID REF: G4
125. Learn how stop animation works in Bristol, home
to Aardman Animations, the Academy Award winning
studio who brough the world Wa lace and Gromit.
We the Curiou science centre hosts model making
workshops with experts from the studio – you’ l even
ge to take home a plasticine Gromit. GRID REF: A4
GreatWestWay.co.uk
START HERE.
England
for the Curious
2
In partnership with:
Great West Way and England’s Great West Way are registered
trade marks. A l rights reserved.
Recommended accommodation
Abbey Hotel, Bath
abbeyhotelbath.co.uk GRID REF: B4
Apex City of Bath Hotel, Bath
apexhotels.co.uk GRID REF: B4
Avalon Lodge Bed & Breakfast, Devizes
bed-breakfast-devizes.co.uk GRID REF: D4
Bath Apartment Breaks
bathapartmentbreaks.co.uk GRID REF: B4
Bath Self Catering
bathselfcatering.com GRID REF: B4
Beanhi l Farm B&B, Chippenham
beanhi lfarm.net GRID REF: D3
Best Western Plus Angel Hotel, Wiltshire
bestwestern.co.uk GRID REF: C4
Brooks Guest House, Bath
brooksguesthouse.com GRID REF: B4
Buttle Farm, Wiltshire
buttlefarm.co.uk GRID REF: D4
Church Farm Country Cottages, Wiltshire
churchfarmcottages.com GRID REF: C4
Cricklade Hotel, Wiltshire
crickladehotel.co.uk GRID REF: E2
Cumberwe l Country Cottages, Wiltshire
cumberwe lcountrycottages.com GRID REF: E2
Devizes Marina Vi lage, Wiltshire
devizesmarina.com GRID REF: D4
Donnington Grove, Newbury
donnington-grove.com GRID REF: G4
DoubleTree by Hilton, Swindon, Wiltshire
doubletree3.hilton.com GRID REF: E3
The Farm Camp, Wiltshire
thefarmcamp.co.uk GRID REF: C4
Great Northern Hotel, London
gnhlondon.com GRID REF: M3
Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport, Bristol
hamptoninn3.hilton.com GRID REF: A4
Helen Browning’s Royal Oak, Wiltshire
helenbrowningsorganic.co.uk GRID REF: E3
Heritage Bed & Breakfast, Wiltshire
heritagebandb.co.uk GRID REF: D4
Holiday Inn Salisbury–Stonehenge, Wiltshire
hisalisbury-stonehenge.co.uk GRID REF: E6
The Langley, Buckinghamshire
marriott.com GRID REF: K3
MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel
macdonaldhotels.co.uk GRID REF: B4
Manor Farm B&B, Wiltshire
manorfm.co.uk GRID REF: E5
Meadowbank House Bed & Breakfast, Wiltshire
meadowbankhouse.com GRID REF: E3
The Old Be l Hotel, Malmesbury, Wiltshire
oldbe lhotel.co.uk GRID REF: C3
The Old Chapel, Wiltshire
airbnb.co.uk/rooms/29073443 GRID REF: E4
Queens Arms, East Garston, Berkshire
queensarmseastgarston.co.uk GRID REF: F4
The Red Lion and Troutbeck, East Chisenbury
redlionfreehouse.com GRID REF: E5
The Roseate Vi la, Bath
roseatehotels.com/bath/theroseatevi la GRID REF: B4
Roseate House, London
roseatehotels.com/london/roseatehouse GRID REF: L3
The Roseate, Reading
roseatehotels.com/reading/theroseate GRID REF: H4
The Royal Oak, Yattendon, Berkshire
royaloakyattendon.co.uk GRID REF: C3
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath
royalcrescent.co.uk GRID REF: B4
The Swan, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire
theswanbradford.co.uk GRID REF: C4
Totteridge Farm, Pewsey, Wiltshire
totteridge-farm.website GRID REF: E4
Tucking Mi l, Bath Apartments & Cottages
bathselfcatering.net GRID REF: B4
Whatley Manor, Wiltshire
whatleymanor.com GRID REF: C3
Woo ley Grange Hotel, Wiltshire
woo leygrangehotel.co.uk GRID REF: C4
GreatWestWay.co.uk
There's 125 miles of twists and turns and new
discoveries along the Great West Way route.
To help you plan your journey be sure to pick up a map -
which will not only help you to navigate your jouney,
it also includes 125 great things to do!
GreatWestWay.co.uk/explore/maps
For a range of walking and cycling holidays these
experts are on hand to offer you a helping hand!

CAPTURING
THE MOMENT
Photographers are never short of inspiration for the perfect shot along
the Great West Way. Vote for your favourite capture from our ten
finalists for your chance to win a luxury short break for two to Bristol!
THANK YOU to all the wonderful For the opportunity to
photographers out there who have make the finalists of our
been helping build our Great West Capturing the Moment 2021
Way Instagram page. With so Competition follow our
many wonderful shots it has been difficult
Instagram page
to narrow down the photos to a top 10
instagram.com/GreatWestWay
of finalists. Readers - I hope these images
and tag @GreatWestWay
inspire you and thank you for helping us to
choose our Capturing the Moment
or use the hashtag
Photography Competition 2020 winner!
#GreatWestWay
42 GreatWestWay.co.uk

1
2
3
4
5
6
43

7
8
9
10
WINNERS PRIZE
Our Capturing the
Moment Photography
Competition 2020 winner
will not only be featured
in our next issue, on our
website, and across our
social media platforms but
will win a hamper of tickets
to visit five of the best Great
West Way attractions!
PICTURE CREDITS
îKew Gardens
1 @angelacoomey 6
îClifton Suspension Bridge
2 @tobypickardphotography 7
îBradford on Avon
3 @wordyelaine 8
îWilton Windmill
4 @declan.spreadbury 9
îPulteney Bridge, Bath
5 @ellisreed 10
îRoyal Crescent
@balazsromsics
îRichmond, Surrey
@veevs
îAlton Barnes White Horse
@declan.spreadbury
îWindsor Castle
@alfs_ig
îCaen Hill Locks
@esined636
44 GreatWestWay.co.uk

WIN!
The talented winner of our
Capturing the Moment
Photography Competition
2020 will be spoilt for choice of
places to visit on the Great West Way -
hopefully still with their camera in hand!
We will be providing them with free
family tickets to visit Westonbirt, The
National Arboretum in Gloucestershire,
English stately home Longleat in
Wiltshire, Cheddar Gorge & Caves,
Britain’s highest, inland limestone
cliffs rising up 450ft, in Somerset, and
Berkeley Castle, with origins dating back
to the 11th century, in Gloucestershire.
Plus, they will also be treated to a
Bombay Sapphire Cocktail Masterclass
experience, for themselves and up to
three guests!
And that's not all. As a thank you for
voting we are offering you the chance to
win an overnight stay for two, staying
in the stylishly boutique, Brooks Guest
House, situated in the heart of Bristol's
old town (next to St Nicholas Market)
within easy walking distance of Bristol's
city centre.
The lucky winners will also receive
tickets to visit Brunel's SS Great Britain,
the world’s first great ocean liner, as
well as enjoying a private guided tour,
discovering Bristol's famous street art,
with Graft! To find out more about
Bristol please visit visitbristol.co.uk
HOW TO ENTER
îVote for your favourite finalist
for your chance to win
Help us to choose our Capturing the
Moment Photography Competition 2020
winner and you will be automatically
entered into our competition! Simply
visit our website to submit your entry:
îGreatWestWay.co.uk/competition
Closing date for all entries is 31 December
2020. The winner will be announced in
January 2021. Terms and conditions apply,
please see website page for details.
GreatWestWay.co.uk
45

HIDDEN GARDENS
From the world famous to the well-kept secrets, here
are some gardens along the Great West Way where you
won’t be able to help but stop and smell the roses
Words: Samantha Rutherford
46 GreatWestWay.co.uk

Pictured
left then
clockwise:
Stourhead;
Strawberry
Hill House;
Cliveden
House;
London
Wetland
Centre.
ENGLAND IS RENOWNED for its stately homes
and gardens and many of the finest lie along the
Great West Way. Here's our pick of some of the
best from East to West!
CLIVEDEN HOUSE
The gardens of 300-year-old Cliveden House hold
just as much interest as the house - itself known for
exuberant high society parties, political scandals
and, most recently, its connection to a certain royal
wedding. Meander through the six acre Parterre,
with its distinctive triangular beds, be uplifted by the
fragrant intermingling of fresh spring flowers and
classical statues in the Long Garden and come over
all romantic amid 900 roses in the heavenly-scented
Rose Garden.
LONDON WETLAND CENTRE
London Wetland Centre, an award winning nature reserve,
brings the countryside to London. Although close to the
heart of the capital it is a haven of tranquility for both
wildlife and people.
The lakes, pools and gardens are home to kingfishers
nesting in a bank, sand martins zipping over the ponds,
wading birds searching for food at the lake edges and
ducklings waddling after their mother in the spring. For
keen bird watchers there are bitterns in the winter and
yellow wagtails on the grazing marsh in summer. It’s a
wonderful place for a relaxing walk through the scenic
paths that meander among the lakes and gardens.
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW
For an unforgettable horticultural experience, make a
beeline for Kew Gardens - a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Hop aboard the Kew Explorer Land Train, which
will wizz you round the main sites in around 40
minutes. Current highlights of any tour include the
Palm House, built with a rainforest climate to nurture
the plant life brought back by Victorian botanists;
The Hive, an immersive experience that echoes the
life going on inside a real beehive; and The Princess of
Wales Conservatory, which is packed with all sorts of
prickly curiosities from cacti to carnivorous plants.
HAMPTON COURT PALACE
As host of the prestigious RHS Hampton Court Palace
Flower Show, with 500 years of royal gardening
experience, Hampton Court Palace is certainly no
amateur. The gardens you see now are all a product
of its rich history - the Baroque-style Great Fountain
Garden for instance was executed by King William III and
Queen Mary II’s gardener, in the shape of a goose foot
as was fashionable then. Elsewhere you can navigate The
Maze, which featured in Jerome K. Jerome’s novel, Three
Men in a Boat, and tour the immaculate Royal Kitchen
Garden with its heritage vegetables.
STRAWBERRY HILL HOUSE
Strawberry Hill House, the former summer residence
of Horace Walpole, author of ‘The Castle of Ontranto’,
is famous for being Britain’s finest example of Georgian
Gothic Revival architecture.. →
GreatWestWay.co.uk 47

Pictured
left then
clockwise:
The Savill
Garden;
Bowood
House &
Gardens;
Stonor
Park
You can visit the house and gardens in Twickenham - it
has been open to visitors for over 250 years! Inspired by
William Kent and the ideas behind the English Landscape
Movement, Horace Walpole created a romantic garden to
complement his Gothic castle. Formal borders mixed with
groves of trees and shrubs crossed by winding paths, and
flowers and fragrance, a fine lawn, an open terrace and
meadows that led straight to the River Thames.
The five-acre garden has been, as far as possible, restored
to its original appearance using Eighteenth-Century
maps and paintings as well as Walpole’s own writing. It is
Grade II listed and of national importance as a reminder
of a fascinating period in garden history. It is a charming,
compact garden full of a variety of beds, borders, walks,
groves, lawns and woodland.
Learn more about its history by joining one of the
experienced guides on a garden tour at 1pm every
Wednesday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from March
until October.
THE SAVILL GARDEN
Starting life in the 1930s, these 35-acres of gardens are
home to a whole spectrum of flora and fauna, from glades,
woodlands and winter beds to spring bulb meadows and a
Mediterranean garden. See flaming stars shine bright orange
along the herbaceous border, spot purple globes of alliums in
the dry garden and watch as the Summer Gardens become
a circus of life and colour in season. But that’s not all - other
gardens, also part of Windsor Great Park, include The Valley
Gardens, Virginia Water and The Long Walk and Deer Park.
48 GreatWestWay.co.uk
STONOR PARK
Set in a valley in the Chiltern Hills, Stonor Park offers a lush
mix of ponds, fountains and pleasure gardens. Stroll amid the
neat box hedges, and see if you can find the hidden Japanese
retreat. Or head to the Old Kitchen Garden, laden with
bounty in summer, and be inspired to grow-your-own back
home. The estate even has its own arboretum, which is a
treat to visit during spring when the cherry blossoms fall - the
ideal scene for budding photographers.
BOWOOD HOUSE & GARDENS
Fashionable 18th-century gardener ‘Capability’ Brown has
become synonymous with manicured English landscapes.
He worked his magic on 100 acres of parkland at Bowood
House, and it is now widely held to be the best preserved of
his masterpieces. Sit for a while by the mile-long lake, behold
the sweeping lawns from the terrace and learn more about
the highly skilled designer, and his work, on a themed tour.
Other highlights include an arboretum, woodland gardens
and Lord and Lady Lansdowne’s secret walled garden - best
in early summer when it blossoms with fragrant swathes of
lavender, honeysuckle and peonies.
WESTONBIRT, THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM
Home to 2,500 different species from the far corners of the
globe and five national tree collections and the STIHL Tree
Top Walkway. Enrich your visit to Westonbirt, The National
Arboretum by pre-booking a seasonal guided walk with
an experienced guide for only £50 (plus admission fees).
A guided walk of the Arboretum (up to an hour and a half)
unpicks all the myths and stories behind the trees and
the Arboretum’s history, as well as capturing the garden's
magical seasonal highlights along the way. →

Westonbirt The
National Arboretum
Explore the world’s finest
woodland garden, and
discover trees and plants
from all over the globe at
the National Arboretum.
forestryengland.uk/westonbirt
Make memories in Marlow
Situated along the new 125 mile
touring route Great West Way, the
charming and characterful town
of Marlow awaits you. Welcomed
by the iconic suspension bridge
spanning the River Thames,
soak up the idyllic riverside by
boat or on foot, mooch about
the boutique high street shops,
enjoy impressive, award-winning
food and drink or explore the
quintessential English villages that
lie on the doorstep…
www.GreatWestWay.co.uk
www.VisitThames.co.uk
Explore the Marlow
Midsomer Murders Locations Trail
Follow the local discovery trail based on
locations used in the popular TV detective
series Midsomer Murders in and around Marlow
and the picturesque Hambleden Valley.
The 17-mile trail starts in the historic market town
of Marlow and you will very quickly find yourself
immersed in scenes from Midsomer Murders.
Following the trail you can sample local beer and
wine, taste fine food, spend the night in a filming
location and walk the Chiltern Hills of Midsomer.
Download a copy from:
www.visitbuckinghamshire.org/midsomer
Group enquiries: info@visitbuckinghamshire.org

Bradford on Avon
is perfectly set in the
dramatic Avon valley
in Wiltshire and only
a few miles from the
World Heritage City of Bath; it is
a combination of river, canal and
architecture of true character.
From small weavers’ cottage to
grand clothiers’ houses; handsome
public buildings, medieval barns,
ancient places of worship and
meandering alleyways making it
the perfect place to explore!
Explore BoA visitor centre: 01225 865797
www.bradfordonavon.co.uk
eboa ad 091219.indd 1 09/12/2019 12:45
www.corsham.gov.uk/visit
Come
and
discover
Wiltshire’s
hidden treasure
History, heritage, arts and crafts, great places to
eat and drink and lots of independent shops –
plus Poldark was filmed here too.
Just 8 miles from Bath on the A4, 4 miles from the
M4 (J17), or 3 miles from Chippenham Station.
IMAGE CREDIT: MAMMOTH MEDIA

PLUS DON'T MISS!
Pictured
above then
clockwise:
Visitor to
The Courts
Garden;
Hidden
Gardens of
Bath
The National Garden Scheme
There are hundreds of private gardens
to explore on the Great West Way not
usually open to the public, hosting
special open days, thanks to The National
Garden Scheme. Visit unique gardens
during special open days and as a paying
visitor, along with the generosity of
garden owners and volunteers, you
will also be contributing to charity - an
impressive £3 million contribution was
donated by the scheme last year! Simply
go to their website (ngs.org.uk) and
search for your perfect garden to visit in
the town or village of your choice.
The Hidden Gardens of Bath
Behind the honey-coloured stone facades
of Bath’s houses and hotels lie beautiful
private gardens, rarely seen. With The
Hidden Gardens of Bath guided tours,
you can explore these hidden gems
meeting their creative, passionate and
hard-working owners before then sitting
down to enjoy a quintessentially English
afternoon tea!
THE COURTS GARDEN
This garden, near Bradford on Avon, offers an
enchanting glimpse of the quintessential English
country garden. Less well known than some of the
others on this list, it’s a lovely place to spend a summer
afternoon. The formal garden, with its topiary and jolly,
tulip-lined borders juxtaposes beautifully with the
wilder arboretum and quiet lily pond. Keep your eyes
peeled for benches, placed in perfectly peaceful spots
around the garden. Alternatively, treat yourself to a
sugary something in The Rose Garden Tea Room.
AMERICAN MUSEUM & GARDENS
This is the only museum of American decorative and folk
art outside the US. Take a journey through the history of
America, from its early settlers to the twentieth century,
and delve into the museum’s remarkable collections.
Located in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the
hilltop site of the Museum’s home, Claverton Manor,
takes full advantage of the spectacular views over the
Limpley Stoke Valley and River Avon. Remnants of the old
Italianate style manorial pleasure gardens and parkland,
dating from the 1820s, can be seen within the grounds,
including period features such as the balustrade and
curtain walling, as well as ornamental stone work.
THE PETO GARDEN
At Iford Manor Estate’s remarkable gardens you will find
Cypress trees, sweet-smelling lilies and draping branches
of wisteria. Set on a steep hillside, the garden offers
inspiring views of the Wiltshire countryside. For a unique
way to enjoy this special place, join one of their guided
tours, or attend a health and well-being workshop.
PRIOR PARK
At this elegant 18th-century garden in Regency Bath,
it’s easy to imagine parasolled ladies walking over the
Palladian bridge in their flowing gowns. But there’s much
more to see in real life, silky white snowdrops and bright
yellow daffodils, swans floating around together in the
lakes, and tiny wild raspberries emerging in the woods.
STOURHEAD
A little way off the Great West Way in south Wiltshire, but
a must-visit if you’re in the area, Stourhead is one of the
most famous gardens on the list. Its classical architecture
includes a grotto, used to escape the summer heat, a
gothic cottage and its own Temple of Apollo - built in 1765
to rival the Temple of the Sun at Kew Gardens, which was
then destroyed by a storm in 1916. It’s also known for its
colourful rhododendrons.
GreatWestWay.co.uk 51

LOOK WHO’s
PLaying
tHe fieLd
again
Add drama to your itineraries in a year of Tudor entertainment and
diplomacy. Visitors will be transported back to 1520 as they explore
a spectacular meeting of two monarchs. Henry VIII vs. François I.
10 April-31 August 2020: The Exhibition
23-31 May 2020: The Festival
August 2020: Tudor Sports and Entertainment
To discover more contact
+44 (0)20 3166 6311
groupsandtraveltrade@hrp.org.uk
www.hrp.org.uk/travel-trade

FIT FOR ROYALTY
The ancient route that inspired the Great West Way was one of
King Charles I’s Great Roads, with many castles, hotels and places
to visit bringing you closer to England’s royal family heritage
Words: Dominic Parkes
Pictured: Her Majesty the
Queen at Windsor Castle
ALONG THE GREAT WEST WAY you can trace the
history of the nation, from neolithic times to the
present day, riding The Great Western Railway,
a marvel of Victorian ingenuity, to walking the
ancient Ridgeway National Trail - or why not head out on
an ancient road trip of your own along the A4 Great West
Road, with a plethora of royal attractions to visit along
the way? We hope you enjoy our pick of the best...
CASTLES, COUNTRY HOUSES AND GARDENS
îSet in the heart of royal London, Wellington Arch was
built as an original entrance to Buckingham Palace, later
becoming a victory arch proclaiming Wellington's defeat of
Napoleon. Visit this spectacular landmark and feast on the
glorious panoramas over London from its balconies.
Next, visit Hampton Court Palace, a short journey
upstream from central London. It’s a towering testament
to King Henry VIII’s power complete with a complex of
Tudor kitchens, a Great Hall and jousting tournaments in
the gardens. Or head to Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and
Kew Palace - King George III’s summerhouse.
In Bath, a city famed for its Georgian-era architecture and
Royal Crescent, you can visit the Victoria Art Gallery →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
53

Pictured
left-right:
The Great
Park by
horse
drawn
carriages
with
Windsor
Carriages;
The Royal
Crescent,
Bath
opened in 1900 for Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee. While
in Bristol you can head back further in time to the reign of
Queen Elizabeth I, who found St Mary Redcliffe ‘the fairest,
goodliest, and most famous parish church in England.’ Inside
the church there is a colourfully-painted wooden sculpture
of her, believed to be painted by a contemporary.
Head 30 minutes north of Bristol and visit Berkeley
Castle. Considered by many as a hidden gem, it was built in
1153 by the Berkeley family, who still live there today! Over
the centuries it has changed from a forebidding fortress to
a welcoming family home. Henry II gave the Castle to the
family in 1153 and it has received royal guests ever since:
Edward II, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, the Countess of Wessex
and the late Queen Mother have all visited Berkeley Castle.
Travel throughout time and history, from the Keep with its
dungeon, the room where Edward II is said to have been
murdered, to the Drawing Rooms with their fine upholstery,
chandeliers and silver lamps. Finally, if you have time to
explore more of the Cotswolds, the Prince of Wales and
The Duchess of Cornwall live at Highgrove, near Tetbury,
Gloucestershire. You can visit their impressive gardens on
selected dates, and also pop into the Highgrove Shop in
Tetbury which sells luxurious souvenirs and organic treats
inspired by the gardens.
EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS
îWhile kings and queens of England were traditionally
educated by a personal tutor at home, times have changed.
Both Prince Harry and Prince William went to Eton College,
which you can visit on a guided tour between May and
September. While the Duchess of Cambridge went to
Marlborough College - stop for afternoon tea at the café
she used to visit with friends, The Polly Tea Rooms. A
little off the Great West Way, there’s the esteemed Oxford
Colleges. King Edward VII and King Edward VIII are both
alumni. As one of the best universities in the world, it also
attracts royals from other countries. Both HM King Abdullah
II of Jordan and Harald V, King of Norway studied there.
SOVEREIGN PLACES
îMalmesbury is England’s oldest borough with its stunning
12th Century Abbey still very much in use today. There’s so
much to discover in this charming market town. Visit the
original Market Cross, the Norman Abbey with its tomb of
King Athelstan and the free Athelstan Museum.
And have you noticed that some place names in England
have ‘royal’ in the title? Although the prime minister and
organisations can request the addition, for either their royal
heritage or current royal connections, it is ultimately a gift
bestowed by the queen. Along the Great West Way you
can visit the Royal Borough of Windsor and the Royal
County of Berkshire - thanks to the location of Windsor
Castle, one of the Queen’s three official residencies. Take
some time out here to experience Great Park by horse
drawn carriages with Windsor Carriages - The only
carriages licensed to operate tours throughout the Great Park
There’s also the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon
Thames, as well as Royal Wootton Bassett, near RAF
Lyneham - the most recent place to receive the Queen’s
blessing. Be sure to visit Jubilee Lake when you’re there.
A BED FIT FOR A KING OR QUEEN
îSometimes nothing but a 4-poster bed and some
medieval tapestries on the wall will do. See what it’s like to
live like a royal by staying at a hotel with royal connections.
There’s the effortlessly elegant Cliveden House Hotel,
where Meghan Markle - now the Duchess of Sussex -
got ready for her wedding to Prince Harry. There’s The
Georgian House, which although built as humble kitchens
for George, Prince of Wales in 1719, occupies a privileged
position in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace.
In Bath, The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa has often
found its opulent interiors and prime setting in the World
Heritage City attractive to visiting royals. And a short
journey from Bristol you’ll find Gloucestershire’s Thornbury
Castle - where Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn stayed when
they visited in 1535 (ask for the Duke’s Bed Chamber).
54 GreatWestWay.co.uk

The stunning film location of...
The stunning film location of...
Poldark Wolf Hall The White Princess Johnny English Strikes Again
Poldark · Wolf Hall · The White Princess · Johnny English Strikes Again
Berkeley Castle
A Family home for almost 900 years!
Berkeley Castle
The stunning film location of...
Poldark · Wolf Hall · The White Princess · Johnny English Strikes Again
A
Family
Family
home
home
for
for
almost
almost
900
900
years!
years!
Berkeley Castle
A Family home for almost 900 years!
The oldest Castle in England still lived in by the family that built
The oldest Castle in England still lived in by the family that built it!
The
The Free oldest
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Castle Guided in
in
England
England Tours still
still • 8 Acres lived
lived
in
in of by
by landscaped the
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built & it!
it! Ground
Free Castle Guided Tours • 8 Acres of landscaped Gardens & Grounds
Free Fabulous Castle paintings 16th Century Tapestries • Historical artefacts
Fabulous Guided paintings Tours • 16th Century Acres of Tapestries landscaped • Historical Gardens artefacts
Grounds
Free
Wire
Castle
Wire Guided Tours
Sculpture Trail •
• Family •
8
Fabulous paintings 16th Century Family
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friendly Tapestries friendly
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Events throughout Events
Gardens Historical the throughout
& Grounds
Year artefactsthe Year
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01453 810303 • INFOBERKELEY-CASTLE.COM
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30
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north Dursley S
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•
miles from •
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• SatNav GL13 • 9PJ
SatNav GL13 9PJ
10 mins from M5
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30 mins north
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6 miles from Cam &
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SatNav GL13 9PJ
Wire Sculpture Trail • Family friendly Events throughout the Year
Tropical Butterfly House Yurt Tearoom Gift Shop Plant Sale
Tropical Butterfly House • Yurt Tearoom • Gift Shop • Plant Sale
Th

Start your adventure at the Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport
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EXPERIENCES AFTER DARK
From stargazing to swimming, spooky city tours to light shows,
there's plenty of experiences to try even when the sun goes down
Words: Samantha Rutherford
PLANETARIUM NIGHTS
WE THE CURIOUS
1
Wander into the giant silver ball at We The Curious, Bristol
for your very own evening tour of the known universe. Enjoy
stories of ancient stargazers as you fly to far away galaxies and
admire the views from distant and newly discovered planets.
Whether you are an amateur astronomer or completely new
to stargazing, you'll be able to escape the everyday and leave
inspired to discover the night sky for yourself. Please check the
website for shows and times. →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
57

FESTIVAL OF LIGHT
TORCHLIGHT VISIT
THE ROMAN BATHS
Visit Bath's iconic Roman bathing place in the evening and walk on the
22000 year-old pavements. Take in the magical atmosphere of the
graceful columns and intricate stonework lit by torchlight. 10-13 April 9am-
8pm (last entry 7pm) or 20 June – 31 August 9am-10pm (last entry 9pm).
LONGLEAT SAFARI PARK
As part of this festive event, you can
4 enjoy all of the astonishing animal and
adventure attractions, including the Safari
Park, Koala Creek, Jungle Kingdom, Jungle
Cruise and the iconic Longleat Hedge Maze
- and the light trail. On New Year’s Eve and
New Year’s Day a spectacular fireworks
display lights up the evening sky too.
STARGAZING
WILTSHIRE COUNTRYSIDE
On a clear evening, there’s nothing better than a spot of stargazing.
3 Wiltshire being a predominantly rural county lends itself to stargazing
with the advantage of less light pollution than more urban areas.
Try Stonehenge, described by the National Trust one of their top
stargazing spots in the south west of England, or with minimal street
lighting and being surrounded by countryside, the village of Lacock.
Cranborne Chase is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with plans
to achieve ‘Dark Sky Status’, and there are plenty of other places that are
perfect for enjoying the night skies including Tollard Royal (and the area
near to the Larmer Tree Gardens), Broad Chalke and Dinton.
ARTISAN FOOD TOUR
SAVOURING BATH
Take an artisanal food and drink tour of
5 the UNESCO City of Bath with Savouring
Bath. Uncover local flavours, foods that have
been of historical significance for centuries
past, guilty pleasures for all things naughty
but nice and food heroes, for those who have
made their mark on the city for the culinary
delights they have produced. It’s a great way
to explore the city whilst getting a chance to
see the sites.
58 GreatWestWay.co.uk

MUSIC VENUES
NIGHT SWIMMING
THAMES LIDO
Book a Late Swim & Dine package at the Thames Lido and use the pool
6 and spa facilities (outdoor hot tub and saunas) followed by a 2 course a la
carte dinner in the poolside restaurant. Swim from 7.30pm, and dine at 9pm.
READING
Visit one (or both!) of Reading’s two
9 legendary late night music venues. The
After Dark Club is Reading's longest running
night club, with parts of the building dating
back to 1850 when it was a Tinning Factory,
and The Purple Turtle Bar, one of the craziest
bars in folklore, are both open late-late,
playing host to famous DJs and bands.
TWILIGHT SPA
THERMAE BATH SPA
As late afternoon turns
8 into evening, Thermae Bath
Spa's Twilight Package provides
the opportunity to make use of
the spa facilities and experience
the gradual change in the light
and atmosphere. The package
includes a relaxing spa session
and delicious meal and drink in
their Springs Restaurant.
FEEL SPOOKED
TAKE A GHOST TOUR
As featured in TV's 'Most
7 Haunted' Bristol's Haunted and
Hidden Friday night walk combines
haunted buildings, TV and film
locations, celebrity tales, and
Bristol trivia. Or you could discover
the many grim haunts of Bristol's
nearby neighbour Bath with Bath
Ghost Tours bringing chills and
thrills to horror hungry visitors of
old Bath town.
EVENING TOUR
WINDSOR CASTLE
Exclusive Evening Tours at this
10 special royal residence in Windsor
offers a 'behind-the-ropes' experience in
the State Apartments. Discover the history
of the Castle, including how William the
Conqueror’s wooden Castle was rebuilt
by Edward III as a stone fortress with
magnificent apartments, how Charles II
set out to rival the Versailles of his cousin
Louis XIV, while George IV filled the rooms
with outstanding works of art and gave the
Castle its famous skyline. The tour includes
a glass of champagne, a copy of the official
guidebook and 20% discount in the shop.
GreatWestWay.co.uk
59

TIME FOR YOU
Whether you’re keen on keeping fit or prefer taking it easy in
a luxury spa, there are some excellent ways to add a wellness
element to your Great West Way journey. So remember to
take some time out for yourself along the route.
Words: Sarah Caswell
THE ULTIMATE BATH SPA DAY
At the atmospheric Roman Baths you’ll get to see the
steamy Great Bath, the cold plunge pool and even have
a nosy in the crumbling old changing rooms! You might
also bump into a few Romans. The costumed characters
who roam the complex, including a soldier and a travelling
merchant, are based on real characters who frequented the
Roman Baths around 2,000 years ago. Enjoy an elegant
lunch (or afternoon tea) at The Pump Room, followed by a
shot of mineral-rich water from the spa fountain. It may well
be good for you, but as you’ll soon discover - it definitely
has a distinct taste! There are lots more lovely cafés and
60 GreatWestWay.co.uk

Did you know? Although we’ve discovered a lot about
what is in Bath’s famous spring water 42 different
minerals including sodium and magnesium to this day
no one is quite sure where exactly it originates from.
restaurants around the city too, with some excellent vegan
and vegetarian-friendly places such as The Green Rocket
and Acorn. Take a daytime or twilight dip at Thermae Bath
Spa, followed by one of their indulgent treatments. Watsu,
perhaps, where a therapist stretches and guides your body
through flowing movements in the warm water. Or the
Roman Trilogy, which includes a salty body scrub, a soothing
body massage and an invigorating facial.
Continue your pampering with an overnight stay at a
luxury spa hotel. You might enjoy The Gainsborough Bath
Spa, just a short stroll from Thermae Bath Spa, where
you can experience the original thermal springs in natural
thermal pools at their award-winning Spa Village, or try
No.15 Great Pulteney Street and relax in their luxurious
cedar wood hot tub and sauna.
FINDING WELLNESS IN BRISTOL
Bristol is a city that normally makes waves for its edgy art
scene, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a wellnessthemed
break in the city. You might even find yourself
embracing a totally new approach to exercise.
Try for example a stand-up paddleboard lesson with SUP
Bristol on Bristol’s Floating Harbour or a swim at Clifton’s
Victorian Lido. Later on, once you’ve refuelled at one of the
many health-conscious, flexitarian-focused restaurants - No
1 Harbourside, Watershed Café & Bar, Thali Café to name a
few - try something totally different.
There’s a class for just about everything, from circus skills
workshops to Beyoncé-inspired jazz dance. Not to mention
all the yoga and holistic therapies that are hugely popular in
Bristol. Wild Wolf’s Yoga, Bristol City Yoga and Bristol Yoga
Space are all fairly central.
A SPIRITUAL TRAIL
If the wellness you seek is spiritual, you’ll find plenty of
absorbing sacred spaces along the Great West Way. Early
travellers between London and Bristol would surely have
found comfort in these places, as every journey was a leap
of faith that came with the threat of highwaymen and
unforeseen hazards.
Some suggest Stonehenge was constructed as a place of
healing, and that the smaller bluestones used were dragged
all the way from south Wales because they were imbued
with healing powers from nearby hot springs.
Or visit one of the almighty cathedrals on or near the Great
West Way. There’s the inimitable Bath Abbey, perfect for →
Pictured
left then
clockwise:
Aheli Spa
at The
Roseate
Reading;
Spa Village
at The
Gainsborough
Bath
Spa; spa at
No.15 Great
Pulteney
Hotel &
Spa
GreatWestWay.co.uk 61

Pictured leftright:
Stonehenge;
Koala at
Longleat
Safari Park
YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY
pondering higher spiritual planes, as well as Bristol, Wells,
Salisbury and Gloucester Cathedrals. Amid those, you’ll also
find churches, temples and mosques.
Or why not feel the power of England’s pagan past with a
lesser-known wellbeing experience at Stanton Drew? Pagan
rituals are held on the four Fire Festivals usually on Saturday
11am for an hour. Park at the Druid's Arms, upper level, (by kind
permission). You don't need to be a pagan to attend, and ritual
dress is optional.
HEALTH RETREATS
Find balance in body and mind at a Casterley Barn Wellness
Retreat, Pewsey with their series of retreats focusing on selfcare
and mindful living.
Danesfield House Hotel & Spa, Marlow-On-Thames offers
three, five or seven-day retreats based around healthy eating,
conscious movement, bodyweight exercises, personal training,
relaxation and yoga.
In Hungerford you could buy a day pass to the Herongate
Club and take part in an aerobics class before enjoying a fresh
juice from their first-floor lounge café.
LUXURY SPA STAYS
If lounging about in a robe at a nice hotel, with a glass of
bubbles in one hand and a magazine in the other sounds like
just what you need then try an overnight stay (or three!) at one
of the spa hotels along the Great West Way (see p78 for more).
You might enjoy breaking up your journey with a stay at The
Roseate Reading where they have recently unveilled a new spa.
If you really want to splash out, make like a princess (or
prince) for a spa retreat at Cliveden House Hotel. As well as
various enticing pools, flotation experiences and treatments,
they offer a Garden Oasis Purifying Experience - a combination
of body brushing, massage and reflexology that promises to
tease you back to tip top condition.
Moored on the banks of Monkey Island in the historic village
of Bray this first-of-its-kind floating luxury spa is the ultimate
escape, while on the edge of the Cotswolds, a short detour
from the route, both Cricklade House and Woolley Grange
Hotel offer spa hotels in scenic locations too.
62 GreatWestWay.co.uk
The Great West Way boasts an exciting
abundance of new experiences assured to leave
you feeling inspirited and rejuvenated...
Winter Solstice at Stonehenge
Each year in December visitors from around the world
gather at Stonehenge early in the morning to mark the
Winter solstice and to see the sunrise above the stones.
We hope to see you there for sunrise!
A Hot Air Balloon Ride
Fancy an adventure? Why not watch the world go by
from a different perspective for a while and take flight
with Bristol Balloons and fly high above Bristol and
Bath, Gloucester, Wells and Westonbirt
Wild Swimming in The Thames
Take a dip in fresh waters at Cock Marsh near
Cookham, where you'll find sandy beaches to paddle
out from and clear, clean waters
Exclusive use of The Cross Baths
You might want to upgrade your Thermae Bath
Spa experience for a more intimate open-air thermal
bath, located just across the street
A Tandem 1300ft Skydive
From the thrill of your first jump, right through to
the exhiliration for those who take it to the extreme
with Wingsuit flying, this sport has it all!
Climbing an 120-foot Neoclassical Tower
Built for Europe's wealthiest manclimbing
Beckford Tower, just outside Bath is an
experience you won't forget!
Yoga on a Stand Up Paddleboard
Take to the water for a yoga session! Experts SUP
Bristol and Original Wild will show you the ropes
Meeting some animals
Visit the big cats, giraffes, zebras, curious monkeys,
rhinos and more at Cotswold Wildlife Park, Bristol Zoo
Gardens, Noah's Ark Zoo Farm or Longleat Safari Park
Taking a road and river adventure
Take a trip through scenic Windsor and enjoy
fantastic views of Windsor Castle from the
water with Amazing Duck Tours

From quintessential cottages and country houses
to quirky windmills and lighthouses…
Find your special place
along the Great West Way
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BY DAY OR NIGHT
COME RAIN OR SHINE...
Relax in the warm, mineral-rich waters of Bath’s
natural thermal Spa. Bathe in the open-air rooftop
pool and indoor Minerva Bath, refresh your senses
in the multi-sensory Wellness Suite and choose from
over 40 spa treatments and packages.
Open daily from 09.00 – 21.30
(pools & Wellness Suite close at 21.00)
01225 33 1234
www.ThermaeBathSpa.com
COME AND SEE

DYNAMIC CITY CULTURE
If you’re an urban adventurer, exploring the cities of the South West,
out of England’s buzzing capital, couldn’t be easier via the Great West
Way... take a journey to discover the bright lights beyond London
Words: Katherine Holt
Pictured:
Stall
Street,
centre of
Bath
V
ISITORS HAVE BEEN travelling the Great West
Way, visiting cities and embracing the varied
culture at each place, for hundreds of years. Take
your time to enjoy the diversity of each city,
with its own artisan produce, independent shops, artists,
museums, bars and restaurants.
A twin-city break Bristol to Bath (or Bath to Bristol)
is just 12 minutes by train. Your Great West Way City
Culture journey could begin simply by hopping on a train
at London Paddington to Bath, (1 hour 11 minutes), or you
might prefer to fly directly to Bristol airport, with direct
services from over 100 destinations across Europe.
From here you could take the Airport Flyer Express Link
to Bristol City Centre, Bristol Harbourside, Bristol Temple
Meads Station, Bristol Bus Station, or Clifton.
Unlike many a metropolis, in Bath the pace of life is
gentle. Or should that be genteel. For Bath is a dignified,
fashionable sort of place. It has been since its most
famous former resident, Jane Austen’s day. Given that so
much of the handsome golden architecture from the →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
65

Regency period remains, you might wonder if anything
has changed. But spend a day here and you’ll realise it’s as
contemporary as it is classic.
Given the compact layout of the city, and its UNESCO
World Heritage status, a self-guided walking tour is highly
recommended. So grab a flat white and a croissant at one
of the hip cafés in the centre - Colonna & Small’s perhaps
- and take a leisurely stroll to get your bearings. Without
too much ado you should pass sights including The Circus,
Pulteney Bridge, Bath Abbey, Bath Assembly Rooms and
the arc of golden homes synonymous with the city: the
Royal Crescent. The latter was specifically designed to
give city residents the feeling of living in the countryside.
Treat yourself to a leisurely lunch at one of Bath’s cafés
or a tour of Bath’s culinary delights with Savouring Bath.
There’s a buoyant foodie scene in the city so you won’t
be short on options. Amid the selection of vegan Indian
wraps, Filipino chicken boxes and modern British salads,
you’re bound to find a favourite.
Fully energised, it’s time for some culture. Bath is
blessed with some amazing museums. Highlights include
the Fashion Museum (where you can dress up), the Jane
Austen Centre (where you can meet Mr Darcy) and some
very respectable art, design and history museums in the
form of The Holburne Museum, Victoria Gallery and No 1
Royal Crescent - a time capsule back to the 1770s.
Some more niche options include Bath Museum of
Architecture, the Museum of East Asian Art and the
American Museum in Britain - the only American folk art
museum outside the US is in an elevated position on the
outskirts of the city.
If you’re here in the summer, have a torchlit dinner at
the Roman Baths. Then, tired and happy, relax back at
your hotel.
There are some really interesting places to stay in Bath,
ranging from the University of Bath campus in summer,
just a short bus ride from the centre, to the literarythemed
Tasburgh House where Jane Austen once slept.
As the ‘capital of the Southwest’, Bristol has a very
different feel to Bath. In some ways it more closely
resembles London, with its distinct, characterful
neighbourhoods to explore - from the leafy avenues of
Clifton Village to the graffiti-splashed streets of Stokes
Croft. Since one of Bristol’s most famous sons is Banksy,
start your day with a Bristol Street Art Tour.
Or, better yet, arrive early enough for brunch at one of
the Harbourside cafes, and then go on one of the weekend
walking tours. Choose between a heritage tour, where
you explore the history of the city, or a street art tour,
where you are taken to see a mix of brand new and wellpreserved
artworks - including some Banksy originals.
If your legs are in need of a bit of a rest Bristol Insight
will show you around their wonderful city from a seat on
one of their lovely bright red buses!
You could then take a leisurely stroll around the
Regency streets of Clifton Village and visit its stylish
boutiques. Or head to Bristol Shopping Quarter and
flit between High Street staples and one-off wonders.
If retro and vintage tickle your fancy then leave some
time for exploring the alternative shops of Stokes Croft
and Gloucester Road – the latter boasts Europe’s longest
street of independent shops!
Bristol does street food lunches very well. So,
depending on what day you’re visiting, some options to
try include St Nick’s Market, The Harbourside Market
and the Tobacco Factory Market. Vendors inevitably
change, but there’ll always be a great mix of global
cuisine to try, from Jamaican curried goat to Nepalese
momos. You could also check out Cargo, a cool new
container development at Wapping Wharf where you
can get delicious bites to grab and go, like chip-stuffed
Greek wraps, fresh Indian curry boxes and melty cider
and cheese toasties. When you’re suitably stuffed,
discover Bristol’s other famous son: Isambard Kingdom
Brunel. Although the Victorian engineer may not seem
to have much in common with Banksy, he too was a
66 GreatWestWay.co.uk

ave pioneer. You can visit one of his most remarkable
achievements, the SS Great Britain - the world’s first great
ocean liner - and get a feel for how the passengers from
steerage to first class experienced long voyages across the
Atlantic. Included with your ticket price is the new Being
Brunel exhibition, an immersive experience which takes
you inside the brain of the man himself.
If you have time, venture up to Clifton Suspension Bridge
- another of his projects that, sadly, he didn’t live to see
finished. The arts are alive in all their guises in this creative,
cutting-edge city. After dinner at one of Bristol’s many
independent restaurants, seek some of it out. Depending
on your tastes, you could catch some theatre at the Bristol
Old Vic - the oldest continuously open theatre in the
English-speaking world, even throughout its exciting recent
renovations. You could also enjoy live music, see stand-up
comedy or do something thoroughly subversive like go an
immersive dining experience in a mystery location. Local
go-tos for experimental entertainment include Old Market
Assembly and Tobacco Factory Theatres.
If you have time, venture a little off the Great West
Way to find Salisbury, a city that embraces everything
arts and culture. Visit Mompesson House, the 18thcentury
property featured in the all-star film version of
Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility (1995). There’s also
Salisbury Playhouse, Salisbury Museum and Salisbury
Cathedral - or pop into the Old Sarum Airfield Museum
where you can sit in more aircraft cockpits than anywhere
else in the UK! And of course those sacred stones aren’t
too far away… If you’re heading north, don’t miss the
learned university city of Oxford. Of course, it’s not all
lounging around in the the Bodleian Library, pretending
to study. Discover some of the city’s more unexpected
attractions, like the Pitt Rivers Museum, full of alarming
anthropomorphic artefacts, or The Eagle and Child pub,
where C.S. Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien used to meet and swap
stories. There’s also bikes, board game cafés and strange
sculptures to find - including a curious headless shark.
Did you know? Bristol has its own currency, the
Bristol Pound, which helps boost local businesses.
You can buy the colourful notes at the Tourist
Information Centre on the Harbourside...
Pictured top left
then clockwise:
UNESCO World
Heritage status,
Bath; The Mild
Mild West Mural
by graffiti artist
Banksy; Clifton
Suspension
Bridge; Bristol
Harbourside;
Brunel’s SS Great
Britain Mast; The
Oracle, Reading
Or that Reading is the UK’s largest town much thought of
as a defacto city? Soak up the energetic atmosphere at
The Oracle Shopping Centre, or visit the independent
and craft stores in the nearby streets or Harris Arcade
GreatWestWay.co.uk
67

SHOPPING
GEMS
From antique stores and
independent shops to stylish
shopping centres and malls
SOUVENIR HUNTING
Shop like the Victorians and go in search of the ultimate
memento of your travels. Books by local authors,
artworks, traditional crafts and handmade memorabilia.
You’ll find independent bookshops, such as the
award-winning Hungerford Bookshop at the heart of the
historic town, stores and pop-up boutiques such as We
Make Bristol in Westbury-on-Trym, which only stocks
products by local artists and designers, hidden in all
corners of the Great West Way.
Bath is a fantastic shopping destination for
independents - whether you’re into antique jewellery,
antiquarian books, bohemian interiors or fine cheeses,
you can take home some really unique finds. Head to
Milsom Place to discover a fantastic mix of both famous
names and breakthrough brands.
Don’t dismiss the gift shops at top tourist attractions
or tourist information offices either. Stonehenge gift
shop, for instance, sells striking lino prints of the stones
by local artist Caroline Day. Or pop into The Mill Shop
following your visit to Whitchurch Silk Mill for exclusive
silk gifts that have been woven right there at the Mill.
Look for shops in unexpected locations, too. St Peter’s
Church in Marlborough is now home to a craft shop
selling all sorts of cute, colourful gifts. Or visit for their
twice-weekly market, located on the High Street - one
of the widest in the UK and lined on both sides with
characterful old buildings housing an array of chic cafés
and independent shops.
In Bristol, the Christmas Steps Arts Quarter is a
hidden-away haven for one-offs including musical
instruments, herbal remedies and fine spirits. There’s also
some marvellous markets selling everything from local
crafts to artisan delicacies. Check out the Charter Market
in Salisbury on Tuesdays and Saturdays or St Nick’s Market
in Bristol, every day except Sunday.
Did you know? Bath has its own Gift Card that is
accepted across the city in shops and restaurants,
hotels and bars, museums and manicurists. The
best of Bath in one little card! To find out more visit
bathgiftcard.com
DESIGNER FASHION
The Great West Way is proud to be home to one
of the largest covered designer outlets in Europe -
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon, or a short
detour from the route, Clarks Village, Somerset are
great places to pick up discounted top name brands like
Hobbs, Jack Wills, Molton Brown, North Face and Osprey.
Then there’s Kilver Court Designer Village, a short
distance south of Bath, where as well as fashion there are
luxurious lifestyle brands like Liberty London, known for
its iconic floral prints, plus a gorgeous garden to explore.
For a truly personalised service, and exclusive couture
clothing, visit one of the posh boutiques along the
touring route. Fluidity in Henley-on-Thames attracts
high flyers near and far and is rumoured to be former
Prime Minister Theresa May’s favourite.
For jewellery, consider getting a bespoke piece
made by a local jeweller. Goldsmith Paul Newton in
Malmesbury crafts exquisite pendants, earrings and
rings set with dazzling jewels (good to know if you’re
thinking of making a proposal while you’re away!). Or
for sensational silver jewellery, go to Tundra Jewellers in
Devizes, or visit Deacons Jewellers in Swindon.
68 GreatWestWay.co.uk

Pictured top
left then
clockwise:
The Oracle,
Reading;
visitors
to Bath;
Marlborough
High Street;
Henley on
Thames
VINTAGE, ART & ANTIQUES
There’s no better way to buy a piece of art than direct
from the artist - and at Reading’s art events, including
Whiteknights Studio Trail, Caversham Arts Trail, and
Artline art market, you can do just that.
Or why not head to Previous, a wildly eclectic vintage
shop (and café) located on Corsham High Street, for
one-off homewares and quirky retro items. Then wander
across the road to explore Paul Martin from BBC’s Flog
It! antiques shop - The Table Gallery.
If you’re mainly in the market for antiques, you’re
sure to stumble upon more rare finds in Marlborough,
Chippenham, Bradford on Avon, Marlow and Tetbury.
Head to Pewsey and call in at Crystal Clear – a
gemstone of a shop, located on the High Street, and be
charmed by unique natural crystal jewellery, crop circle
artwork, crystals and minerals, and hand made gifts.
There’s also the delightful Woodborough Yard, full of
independent shops, workshops and cafés.
For original artworks you can’t beat Turville Studios
located in the picturesque village of Turville, the filming
locations for Midsomer Murders, Vicar of Dibley, Chitty
Chitty Bang Bang and most recently Killing Eve.
If you’re happy to travel a short distance north of the
Great West Way, you should definitely have a rummage
at Antiques on High, an Oxford institution where you’ll
find original oil paintings to adorable writing desks. →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
69

Back in the beautiful city of Bath, their Vintage & Antiques
Market, held on the last Sunday of every month at Green
Park Station, has a good mix of everything - mid-century
furnishings, jazzy retro frocks and one-of-a-kind antiques.
While Vintage to Vogue can style you in top quality
fashion, from the 1900s onwards, then have it tailored
specifically to your shape. Very dapper! And there are
exceptional restaurants to stop and refuel wherever the need
takes you - keep an eye out for The Circus, Acorn and The
Olive Tree at The Queensberry Hotel.
Nearby Bristol is known for its alternative outlook,
making it a go-to place for vintage and offbeat fashion finds.
Established in 1743 St Nicholas Market is the oldest and best
loved market in Bristol, famous for some of the best food in
the city, or head to Stokes Croft and adjoining Gloucester
Road - the longest street of independent shops in the UK.
There you’ll discover artfully-curated charity shops
alongside intriguing second-hand stores (with lots of hip
cafes in between for when you need a coffee break).
Love tea? Learn all about the art of tea blending and tea
tasting at a Bird & Blend Tea Masterclass.
Good to know: If you’re a guy or gal who likes Americana,
Uncle Sam’s on Park Street is the best place to find a pair of
cowboy boots or classic Levis you can cherish forever.
SUSTAINABLE FASHION
Try and catch one of the Duck Pond markets, which take
place regularly in various scenic locations not far from
London such as Henley-on-Thames and Chalfont St Giles.
Their ethos is local, ethical and sustainable, so you can
feel good about supporting the planet as well as local
businesses when you buy.
Pictured top
left then
clockwise:
Parkway
Shopping
Centre,
Newbury;
McArthurGlen
Designer
Outlet
Swindon;
St Nicholas
Market,
Bristol;
Shopping at
The Oracle,
Reading
70

A SEASON OF
SURPRISES
Somerset Outlet Shopping; discover
up to 60% off gifts, fashion and more.

CULINARY
DELIGHTS
The Great West Way is home to some
of England’s best foodie experiences
THERE’S A TANTALISING buffet of food and drink
experiences along the Great West Way. Discover
award-winning high-end restaurants and cosy,
traditional pubs, with a galaxy of Michelin stars
and plenty of local food heroes serving up everything
from vegetables hand grown in the kitchen garden to
just-baked homemade cakes.
7 OF THE FINEST RESTAURANTS
HAND AND FLOWERS, MARLOW
The first pub to achieve two Michelin stars, a relaxed
place to settle in for some proper English dishes,
including a fabulous Sunday roast. Chef Tom Kerridge
serves up sophisticated yet familiar dishes – think half
roast chicken with oak gravy and pork belly with roasted
pineapple and chorizo mayonnaise.
thehandandflowers.co.uk
SINDHU RESTAURANT BY ATUL KOCHHAR,
MARLOW
Overlooking the banks of the River Thames in beautiful
Marlow, Sindhu restaurant by twice Michelin-starred
chef Atul Kochhar offers contemporary Indian cuisine
featuring vibrant flavours, subtle blends of spices and
incredible aromas. Located in The Compleat Angler
Hotel, a stone’s throw from Marlow station.
› sindhurestaurant.co.uk
CLAYTON’S KITCHEN, BATH
Clayton’s Kitchen is a perennial favourite for local foodies
and discerning travellers. Robert Clayton, the restaurant’s
Chef Patron, creates uncomplicated dishes that explore
and showcase the freshest and very best ingredients. He
is inspired by Mediterranean and modern French cuisine.
Robert ensures that every dish is prepared, cooked and
presented to perfection.
› claytonskitchen.com
72 GreatWestWay.co.uk

Crown I n, To ldown, Dyrham, Somerset
Try beers brewed with pa sion
Bird in Hand, Knowl Hi l, Reading, Berkshire
EAT, DRINK & STAY WITH
ALONG THE GREAT WEST WAY ®
To discover more, visit GreatWestWay.co.uk
Wadworth Brewery, Devizes, Wiltshire
Bear Hotel, Devizes, Wiltshire
Black Swan, Devizes, Wiltshire
GGW advert.qxp_Layout 1 19/11/2019 15:26 Page 1
A proper English afternoon tea is far more than just
a hot beverage. In fact, it can be a whole meal in
itself, no to mention a thoroughly pleasant way to
jam and cream, and cakes. Most people ea them
in that order, but since many of the most upmarket
places will keep replenishing each level, you could
switch back and forth for hours.
Afternoon tea was invented in England, in the 19th
century when the fashion for having dinner later
(around 8pm) took hold among the upper classes
lon
M et our working shire horses
George I n, Norton St Philip, Bath, Somerset
Enjoy great food from pub cla sics to a special treat
W W W.WA D W O R T H.C O.U K
WHATLEY MANOR
days and includes plenty of child-friendly activities.
HUNGERFORD FOOD FESTIVAL (F4)
EAT READING (H4)
Broad St and Market Place, Reading, June
livingreading.co.uk
Two-day festival showcasing Reading’s best foodie
businesses, featuring live cookery demonstrations,
street food tastings, cocktail mixology and a popup
street café.
Hungerford Town Ha l and High St, October
hungerfordfoodfestival.com
Fu l-day event featuring street food sta ls, talks
and live cooking demos. Sustainability is a key
GREAT BRITISH FOOD FESTIVAL
Englefield, Reading (H4), June and
Westonbirt House (C3), August
greatbritishfoodfestival.com
This touring festival brings artisan producers and
street food vendors together over two or three
that includes tastings, chef demonstrations, film
screenings and the finale Riverside Fiesta with
street food and a floating gin bar.
A fortnight o feasting, with a line-up of events
ABBEY HOTEL (B4)
abbeyhotelbath.co.uk
APEX HOTEL (B4)
apexhotels.co.uk
BAILBROOK HOUSE HOTEL (B4)
handpickedhotels.co.uk/bailbrookhouse
THE PUMP ROOM RESTAURANT (B4)
Roman Baths, Bath BA1 1LZ 01225 444477
ROSEATE HOUSE (L3)
roseatehotels.com/london/roseatehouse
THE ROSEATE VILLA BATH (B4)
roseatehotels.com/bath/theroseatevi la
THE ROYAL CRESCENT HOTEL & SPA (B4)
16 Royal Crescent, Bath BA1 2LS
THE FAT DUCK (J3)
High St, Bray SL6 2AQ
THE HAND AND FLOWERS (J3)
126 West St, Marlow SL7 2BP
Great West Way and England’s Great West Way are registered trade marks. A l rights reserved.
If you can, time your visit for one of the food and
drink-focused events along the Great West Way.
Some of the bigger ones include the Great Bath
Feast, Bristol Food Connections, Longleat Food and
Music Festival and the Great British Food Festival.
There are also hundreds of sma ler events, alongside
weekly produce and street food markets in market
towns throughou the touring route. You might even
stumble upon Chippenham’s Pancake Races!
Enjoy dining while trave ling the route by train
with our Great West Way Discoverer pass.
Great Western Railway serve delicious produce
from their at-sea tro ley service, from classic
CULINARY DELIGHTS
IN MICHELIN STARRED
RESTAURANTS
BRADFORD ON AVON FOOD FESTIVAL (C4)
Victory Field, Bradford on Avon, 30 May
scrumptiousfoodfestivals.co.uk
snacks and swee treats, to tasty sandwiches
and wraps. Plus, a great range of soft drinks,
beers, and wines to accompany your journey.
LONGLEAT FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL (C5)
Longleat, Warminster 4 and 5 July
longleat.co.uk
Join Longleat on the 4th and 5th July 2020 for a
harmonious festival sure to tantalise your taste
buds. You’ l enjoy diverse food and drink stalls,
demonstrations by celebrity chefs, plus live music
from an a ray of artists taking to the stage with
Longleat House as the backdrop; each day’s line-up
wi l be announced closer to the event.
FOOD ON THE MOVE
FABULOUS FOOD &
DRINK FESTIVALS
ale along the Great West Way.
TEA ROOMS & CAFÉS
NATIONAL TRUST SEASONAL EATING,
DRINKING AND SHOPPING
Did you know that 187 of National Trust’s cafés,
DYRHAM PARK, GLOUCESTERSHIRE (B3)
The Tea-room and Tea Garden
PRIOR PARK, BATH (C4)
Kennet and Avon Canal Trust work in partnership
with cafés along the canal at Bradford on Avon,
Devizes, Crofton Beam Engines and Newbury,
so you can be sure of some tasty refreshments
whenever you visit. For more information on their
cafés see katrust.org.uk/attractions
ALDERMASTON TEA ROOMS (H4)
katrust.org.uk/attractions
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
p
glorious views of the estate from its windows and
hearty dishes such as guinea fowl and lamb loin on
its menu. There’s also a fu l vegetarian and vegan
menu and exce len traditional Sunday roasts.
Malmesbury, SN16 0BW,
01666 822344 • oldbe lhotel.co.uk
The Old Be l Hotel & Restaurant is reputed to
be the oldest purpose-built hotel in England and
Grade 1 listed. The Refectory and Bar uses fresh,
local and seasonal produce accompanied by a
wide selection of drinks.
THE NEWBURY
SHELBURNE RESTAURANT, BOWOOD
HOTEL, SPA & GOLF RESORT (D4)
Derry Hi l, Calne SN11 9PQ, 01249 822228
bowood.org/bowood-hotel-resort
The classy restaurant a this luxury hotel has
THE WHITE HORSE INN (D4)
whitehorse-comptonbassett.co.uk
AEROSPACE BRISTOL CAFÉ (B3)
Hayes Way, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5BZ
aerospacebristol.org/cafe
Whilst enjoying a relaxing Spa, be sure to add extra
time to your spa session so you can enjoy afternoon
tea or a tasty meal at your leisure.
THE SWAN BRADFORD ON AVON (C4)
ALDWICK ESTATE VINEYARD
PLUM + SPILT MILK, GREAT NORTHERN
HOTEL (M3)
gnhlondon.com
prepared hot and cold refreshments. Food is
prepared and cooked onsite, whils the fresh bread
is from Hobbs House Bakery and made using local
Shipton Mi l flour from nearby Long Newnton.
WINDSOR CASTLE UNDERCROFT CAFÉ –
OPENING 2020 (K3)
rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle
RICK STEIN, MARLBOROUGH (E4)
rickstein.com/eat-with-us/marlborough
COBBS FARM SHOP
theswanbradford.co.uk
WOOLLEY GRANGE HOTEL (C4)
woo leygrangehotel.co.uk
ALDWICK ESTATE VINEYARD (A4)
01934 864404 • aldwickestate.co.uk
COBBS FARM SHOP & KITCHEN,
ENGLEFIELD (H4)
cobbsfarmshops.co.uk
ALDER RIDGE VINEYARD (F4)
01488 686770 • alderridge.co.uk
A’BECKETT’S VINEYARD (D5)
01380 816669 • abecketts.co.uk
THE OLD BELL HOTEL (C3)
ROVES FARM SHOP (E3)
Rovesfarm.co.uk/farmshop
The chalk soils and temperate climate of the south
are pretty perfect for crisp, white, bubbly varieties,
and English wines are winning international awards.
Take a vineyard tour with one of the wine producers
on the Great West Way.
DINING RESTAURANTS
while autumn means squash and pumpkin.
The café uses the same produce where possible
and serves breakfasts and lunches including
Wiltshire cured ham and homemade quiche.
Down the road in Englefield, Reading you wi l
find another Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen with
a whole host of local produce.
COBBS FARM SHOP & KITCHEN,
HUNGERFORD (F4)
Cobbs Farm, Bath Rd, Hungerford RG17 0SP,
CHOLDERTON CHARLIE’S FARM SHOP
(E5)
Choldertoncharliesfarm.com/farm-shop
One of the greatest pleasures of a drive
through the English countryside is stopping
at a farm shop café for a cup of tea and some
tasty local produce. You’ l happen upon them
Corsham Farmers’ Market 3rd Sat of month
Harbourside Street Food Market Broad Quay,
Bristol, every Wed & Thur
Newbury Farmers’ Market 1st Sun of month
01488 686770 • cobbsfarmshops.co.uk
This exce lent farm shop se ls produce from
the su rounding farm. Expect asparagus and
rhubarb in spring and soft fruits in summer,
as you travel along the Great West Way.
ENGLISH WINE
FARM SHOPS
BUTTLE FARM (D4)
buttlefarm.co.uk
Salisbury 1st & 3rd Wed of month
BATH ARTISANS MARKET
BRISTOL BEER FACTORY
MOOR BEER
WEST BERKSHIRE BREWERY
BATH ARTISANS MARKET
FOOD & DRINK TOURS & TASTINGS
MARVELLOUS FOOD MARKETS
(E5)
BEAU’S BAR AND RESTAURANT AT
DONNINGTON GROVE HOTEL &
COUNTRY CLUB (G4)
donnington-grove.com
CLAYTON’S KITCHEN (B4)
claytonskitchen.com
CLOISTERS RESTAURANT,
BAILBROOK HOUSE HOTEL (C4)
handpickedhotels.co.uk
DAN MOON AT THE GAINSBOROUGH
RESTAURANT (B4)
GEORGE INN, NORTON ST PHILIP (C5)
georgeinnnsp.co.uk
city and su rounding countryside. Quench
your thirst in tap rooms, fantastic beer
shops and traditional pubs, or fo low the
lead of the local tour guides at Bristol
Brewery Tours or Bristol Hoppers.
visitbristol.co.uk/beer
Bristol is one of the UK’s leading craft beer
destinations and is brimming with bri liant
breweries – there are more than 20 in the
BEAR, DEVIZES (D4)
thebearhoteldevizes.co.uk
BIRD IN HAND, KNOWL HILL (J3)
birdinhand.co.uk
WADWORTH EAT,
DRINK AND STAY
ON THE GREAT
WEST WAY
BLACK SWAN, DEVIZES (D4)
blackswandevizes.co.uk
CROWN, TOLLDOWN (B3)
thecrownto ldown.co.uk
BRISTOL
KOFFMANN & MR WHITE
FRENCH BRASSERIE (B4)
castlehotelwindsor.com
monkeyislandestate.co.uk
THE MOONRAKER HOTEL (C
moonrakerhotel.com
THE OLD BELL HOTEL (C3)
Malmesbury, SN16 0BW,
THE FAT DUCK, BRAY
A simply superlative restaurant from highly regarded English
chef Heston Blumenthal. Awarded three Michelin stars for its
creative menu, which takes guests on a sensory journey to
the seaside and begins before you even arrive, with a phone
consultation. Expect to be dazzled – and to be talking about it
for years. Bookings essential, and well in advance.
› thefatduck.co.uk
Pictured
left then
clockwise:
Koffmann &
Mr. White’s
English
and French
Brasserie,
Bath; Whatley
Manor Hotel &
Spa, Wiltshire;
Dessert at
The Fat Duck,
Bray; Hand
and Flowers,
Wycombe;
Dessert at
Hand and
Flowers,
Wycombe
THE DINING ROOM, WHATLEY MANOR
HOTEL & SPA, MALMESBURY
The Dining Room at Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa has recently
been awarded their second Michelin star, just two years after
earning their first. Executive Chef, Niall Keating, who previously
worked around the world at some of the finest Michelin starred
restaurants was awarded a coveted Michelin star in less than
a year of joining Whatley Manor. Niall draws inspiration from
many different cuisines, including Korean, Japanese and classic
French. Niall’s cuisine is very much ‘of the moment’.
› whatleymanor.com
CASAMIA, BRISTOL
An impressive Grade II listed former Victorian hospital on
the harbour-side, overlooking Bathurst Basin, at Casamia
the menu of seasonal dishes, from Wiltshire rainbow trout
to Spanish winter truffle, are regularly changing, and are
presented to you at your table by the chefs themselves.
Vaulted arches give this innovative restaurant a light, airy feel
and the state-of-the-art open kitchen acts as the focal point.
› casamiarestaurant.co.uk
KOFFMANN & MR. WHITE’S ENGLISH AND
FRENCH BRASSERIE, BATH
A delightful English and French all day dining city centre
brasserie created by culinary legends Pierre Koffmann and
Marco Pierre White. The menu is homage to their 36 yearold
friendship; a culinary combination of the chefs’ personal
favourites, careers and homelands. Set within Bath's historic
Abbey Hotel, the restaurant boasts an idyllic and classic setting.
› mpwrestaurants.co.uk →
Bristol Airport’s cafes, bars and restaurants
stay open until the final flight of the day,
so you can fuel up before you take off, with
anything from a tasty snack to a sit down meal.
Our pick is Cabin Bar - premium bar with rooftop
te race. The Cabin, o fers fine wine, craft beers
and loca ly sourced food in a relaxing environment
– and includes a stylish outdoor te race with
retractable roof.
If its award-winning you’re looking for then you’re
in for a treat. There are numerous celebrity chefs
along the route and top-notch country pubs such as
The Red Lion Freehouse. Listed are some of the best
restaurants.
RED LION FREEHOUSE (E5)
East Chisenbury, Pewsey SN9 6AQ,
01980 671124 • redlionfreehouse.com
Thatched country pub with food so good it holds a
Michelin star. There’s pub grub such as ham, egg and
chips as we l as the more refined main menu which
changes daily and focuses on what’s in season.
THE DINING ROOM, WHATLEY MANOR
HOTEL & SPA (C3)
Easton Grey, Malmesbury SN16 0RB,
01666 822888 • whatleymanor.com
A Michelin-sta red tasting menu from the kitchen of
executive chef Nia l Keating is served in this friendly
but formal dining room. There’s often charcuterie
from the manor to start, fo lowed by a creative lineup
of modern British dishes.
KOFFMANN & MR WHITE’S ENGLISH AND
FRENCH BRASSERIE (B4)
mpwrestaurants.co.uk
THE MARCO PIERRE WHITE RESTAURANT
AT THE CASTLE HOTEL (K3)
castlehotelwindsor.com
THE MONKEY ISLAND BRASSERIE AT THE
MONKEY ISLAND ESTATE (J3)
monkeyislandestate.co.uk
THE MOONRAKER HOTEL (C4)
moonrakerhotel.com
THE DOWER HOUSE RESTAURANT, THE
ROYAL CRESCENT HOTEL & SPA (B4)
16 Royal Crescent, Bath BA1 2LS,
01225 823333, royalcrescent.co.uk
This formal but friendly restaurant serves both
tasting menus (one is vegetarian) and á la carte
dishes, with a focus on seasonal British cuisine.
The dining room overlooks the hotel’s gardens,
where you can dine al fresco in summer.
You’ l find many of the restaurants along the
Great West Way are dining rooms within our
Ambassador hotels, many of which source their
ingredients from sma local producers. You’ll also
find several celebrity chefs including Rick Stein,
Pierre Ko fmann and Marco Pie re White. There’s
also plenty of di ferent cuisines to tempt you.
BEAU’S BAR AND RESTAURANT AT
DONNINGTON GROVE HOTEL &
COUNTRY CLUB (G4)
donnington-grove.com
THE BRASSERIE AT SIR CHRISTOPHER
WREN HOTEL (K3)
sirchristopherwren.co.uk
CEDAR AT THE LANGLEY (K3)
thelangley.com
CLAYTON’S KITCHEN (B4)
claytonskitchen.com
CLOISTERS RESTAURANT,
BAILBROOK HOUSE HOTEL (C4)
handpickedhotels.co.uk
DAN MOON AT THE GAINSBOROUGH
RESTAURANT (B4)
thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk
THE DISPENSARY, NO 15 GREAT
PULTENEY (B4)
no15greatpulteney.co.uk
GUYERS HOUSE HOTEL
& RESTAURANT (C4)
guyershouse.com
THE HARROW AT LITTLE BEDWYN (F4)
theharrowatlittlebedwyn.com
HEYWORTH RESTAURANT, HENLEY
GREENLAND’S HOTEL (H3)
hospitalityuor.co.uk
Richmond Duck Pond Markets every Sat & Sun
Swindon Farmers’ Market Swindon Designer
Outlet, every Sun
Thames Va ley Farmers’ Market Ascot, 3rd Sun
of month; Newbury, 1st Sun of month; Reading 1st
& 3rd Sat of month; Windsor, 1st Sat of month
Trowbridge Weaver’s Market 2nd Saturday of
the month (not winter)
Wiltshire Farmers’ Market Devizes, 1st Sat of
month; Royal Wootton Bassett 4th Sat of month;
Salisbury 1st & 3rd Wed of month
SAVOURING BATH (B4)
savouringbath.com
THAMES LIDO (H4)
thameslido.com
THAMES RIVERCRUISE (H4)
thamesrivercruise.co.uk
VAUGHAN’S KITCHEN (D4)
vaughanskitchen.co.uk
WILTON WINDMILL (F4)
wiltonwindmi l.co.uk
Join one of the Great West Way’s best food
experiences to rea ly ge to grips with the local
cuisine. There are plenty of places to try homegrown
tipples. Beer, wine and gin are a l made along the
Great West Way. You can take a brewery, vineyard or
disti lery tour, try a hands-on foodie experience like a
cookery school, or take a city food tour.
AROUND AND ABOUT BATH (B4)
aroundandaboutbath.com
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE DISTILLERY (G5)
disti lery.bombaysapphire.com
BRISTOL PACKET BOAT TRIPS (A4)
bristolpacket.co.uk
FRENCH BROTHERS (K3)
frenchbrothers.co.uk
HOBBS OF HENLEY (H3)
hobbsofhenley.com
LIDO BRISTOL (A4)
lidobristol.com
The Great West Way runs through some of
England’s most fertile agricultura land, so it’s no
surprise that you’ l find regular farmers’ markets
along the route. Check ou these markets for fresh
local food and drink, direct from the producers.
Bath Farmers’ Market Green Park Station,
every Sat
Bristol Farmers’ Market St Nicholas Market,
every Wed
Bristol Street Food Market St Nicholas Market,
every Tue & Fri
Corsham Farmers’ Market 3rd Sat of month
Harbourside Street Food Market Broad Quay,
Bristol, every Wed & Thur
Henley Farmers’ Market 2nd Sat, 4th Thur &
5th Sun of month
Maidenhead Farmers’ Market 2nd Sun of month
Malmesbury Artisan and Farmers’ Market
every Fri
Newbury Farmers’ Market 1st Sun of month
One-day event featuring food sta ls from local artisan
producers, cookery demonstrations by professional
chefs and a children’s activity area.
BRISTOL FOOD CONNECTIONS (A4)
Bristol, June • bristolfoodconnections.com
A citywide line-up of events over almos two weeks,
including talks on food and health, lunchtime boat
trips and cooking demonstrations.
THE COFFEE HOUSE PROJECT (A4)
The Passenger Shed, Bristol, September
thecoffeehouseproject.co.uk
Bristol’s first co fee festival celebrates local, artisan
roasters and independent food and drink retailers over
two days.
DEVIZES BEER FESTIVAL (D4)
The Wharf, Devizes, July • camra.org.uk
Long-running one-day beer festival with more than
100 real ales and ciders served up canalside. Live
music too.
theme.
PUB IN THE PARK (BATH B4 / MARLOW J3)
Marlow, May and Royal Victoria Park, Bath,
June • pubintheparkuk.com
Celebrity chef Tom Ke ridge combines tastings,
chef demonstrations, masterclasses and music
from top live acts in his ‘ultimate pub garden’ over
three lively days.
THE SURREY FOOD FESTIVAL (L3)
Old Deer Park, Richmond, April
surreyfoodfestival.com
A weekend o foodie fun, with talks, tastings and
demos in the marquee and an extensive line-up
o food and drink sta ls, plus live music and a kids’
zone.
TASTE OF CORSHAM (C4)
Corsham, June • corsham.gov.uk
Fu l-day celebration of Corsham’s local food
producers, with food and drink sta ls lining the
High Street, live music and a silent disco.
TASTE HERE.
GreatWestWay.co.uk/food-and-drink
FOOD &
DRINK
Great places to savour along the
Great West Way.
The Great West Way roams between London and
Bristol, passing through some of England’s most
idyllic countryside and weaving a pathway from
ancient market town to quaint village, thatched pub
to beamed tearoom.
This slice of quintessential England is home to some of the country’s best
agricultura land, and with that comes exce lent local produce, from fresh
fruits and vegetables to fine wines. Farms rear animals and nurture crops,
breweries experiment with craft beers, and kitchen gardens cultivate seasonal
veggies. While pubs and restaurants selec the best of it all for their menus,
and family-run tea rooms whip up fresh cakes daily.
A l of this adds up to one very tasty journey along the Great West Way. From
farm shops, international cuisine, Michelin starred restaurants, tours, tastings,
cookery schools and more take a look at our pick of the best places to visit.
START HERE.
DEVIZES FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL (D4)
Devizes, September-October
devizesfoodanddrinkfestival.info
Week-long celebration of local food and drink
products, including a food market in the Market
Place and visits to producers including a goat farm
and vineyard.
EAT! FOOD FESTIVAL HENLEY (H3)
Henley on Thames, June • eatfoodfest.co.uk
With so many great places to
savour along the Great West
Way, from thatched pubs to
beamed tearooms in ancient
market towns to quaint villages,
you might find you first need
one of our food maps
GreatWestWay.co.uk/
explore/maps
THE NEWBURY
137 BARTHOLOMEW ST, NEWBURY RG14
5HB, 01635 49000 • thenewburypub.co.uk
The Newbury offers an exciting British à la carte
menu and fantastic atmosphere. It is also the
home of 137 Gin, where multi-award winning
Lumber’s Bartholomew Gin is disti led.
Landlord Pete’s vision is at the heart of The
Newbury and 137, from the distinctive branding
to the stunning décor.
BEER & BREWERIES
Beer has been brewed in England for thousands
of years – a fermented mixture of water, hops,
malt and yeast. Although beer itself wasn’t
invented here, the English have developed their
own unique style which is quite unlike what
you’ l find in other countries.
This is called ‘real ale’, a name first coined in the
1970s by CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale)
to describe traditional draught cask beers that
contain live yeast. Real ale is a living product,
the yeast continuing to ferment until the beer is
served – generally from a traditional hand-pu l
pump mounted on the bar. This gives real ale
bags o flavour and a natural light carbonation
that is very di ferent from the more ubiquitous
lagers and highly carbonated beers produced by
the large international brewers.
You’ll find real ale in almost a l pubs along
the Great West Way. It comes in numerous
varieties including IPA (India Pale Ale), bi ter,
mild, stout, porter and golden. Flavours can
vary significantly within varieties, so don’t be
afraid to request a taste first – and always ask
for what’s local.
These are some of the best places to drink real
BREWERIES
THE BATH BREW HOUSE (B4)
thebathbrewhouse.com
WADWORTH BREWERY (D4)
Northgate Brewery, Devizes SN10 1JW,
01380 723361 • wadworth.co.uk
Stately red-brick brewery in Devizes town centre,
producing a range of real ales including the widely
distributed 6X. Ca l in to the Harness Room Bar
for a taste and don’t leave without checking out
the Brewseum.
WEST BERKSHIRE BREWERY (G3)
The Old Dairy, Frilsham Farm, Yattendon RG18
0XT, 01635 767090 • wbbrew.com
A menu of homemade pizzas, burgers and salads
soak up the beers in the Taproom of this modern
brewhouse. You’ll have views into the brewery on
one side and out over the Berkshire countryside
on the other.
BARS AND PUBS SERVING
REAL ALES
HELEN BROWNING’S ROYAL OAK (E3)
helenbrowningsorganic.co.uk/royal-oak/
THE NEWBURY (G4)
thenewburypub.co.uk
THE PRINCE STREET SOCIAL (B4)
princestreetsocial.com
QUEENS ARMS, EAST GARSTON (F4)
queensarmseastgarston.co.uk
THE ROYAL OAK YATTENDON (G3)
royaloakyattendon.co.uk
THE ROYAL WINDSOR PUB (K3)
theroyalwindsor.co.uk
THE SWAN BRADFORD ON AVON (C4)
theswanbradford.co.uk
THREE TUNS FREEHOUSE (F4)
tunsfreehouse.com
WADWORTH EAT,
DRINK AND STAY
ON THE GREAT
WEST WAY
BEAR, DEVIZES (D4)
thebearhoteldevizes.co.uk
BIRD IN HAND, KNOWL HILL (J3)
birdinhand.co.uk
BLACK SWAN, DEVIZES (D4)
blackswandevizes.co.uk
CROWN, TOLLDOWN (B3)
thecrowntolldown.co.uk
GEORGE INN, NORTON ST PHILIP (C5)
georgeinnnsp.co.uk
BRISTOL
visitbristol.co.uk/beer
Bristol is one of the UK’s leading craft beer
destinations and is brimming with brilliant
breweries – there are more than 20 in the
city and surrounding countryside. Quench
your thirst in tap rooms, fantastic beer
shops and traditional pubs, or fo low the
lead of the local tour guides at Bristol
Brewery Tours or Bristol Hoppers.
MOOR BEER
BRISTOL BEER FACTORY
ENGLISH WINE
The chalk soils and temperate climate of the south
are pre ty perfect for crisp, white, bubbly varieties,
and English wines are winning international awards.
Take a vineyard tour with one of the wine producers
on the Great West Way.
FARM SHOPS
One of the greatest pleasures of a drive
through the English countryside is stopping
at a farm shop café for a cup of tea and some
tasty local produce. You’ l happen upon them
as you travel along the Great West Way.
COBBS FARM SHOP & KITCHEN,
HUNGERFORD (F4)
Cobbs Farm, Bath Rd, Hungerford RG17 0SP,
01488 686770 • cobbsfarmshops.co.uk
This exce lent farm shop se ls produce from
the su rounding farm. Expect asparagus and
rhubarb in spring and soft fruits in summer,
while autumn means squash and pumpkin.
The café uses the same produce where possible
and serves breakfasts and lunches including
Wiltshire cured ham and homemade quiche.
Down the road in Englefield, Reading you will
find another Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen with
a whole host of local produce.
BUTTLE FARM (D4)
buttlefarm.co.uk
CHOLDERTON CHARLIE’S FARM SHOP
Choldertoncharliesfarm.com/farm-shop
COBBS FAR
ENGLEFIELD
cobbsfarmsho
ROVES FARM
Rovesfarm.co.
A’BECKETT’S V
01380 816669 •
ALDER RIDGE V
01488 686770 •
ALDWICK ESTAT
01934 864404 •
THE LANGLEY (K3)
thelangley.com
Experience an authentic Afternoon Tea in the
classic decor of the Drawing Room. Appointed
with historic features, original artwork and
contemporary furnishings, this is the perfect
spo to view our landscaped gardens and lake
while enjoying our contemporary afternoon tea.
AFTERNOON TEA
BOWOOD HOTEL, SPA & GOLF RESORT (D4)
Calne, Wiltshire SN11 9PQ 01249 822228
bowood.org/bowood-hotel-resort
Finger sandwiches, scones and colourful cakes
served in the Shelburne Restaurant, Bar and
Library. Fire in winter.
CRICKLADE HOUSE HOTEL (E2)
crickladehotel.co.uk
THE BRIDGE TEA ROOMS (C4)
thebridgetearooms.co.uk
NO 15 GREAT PULTENEY (B4)
no15greatpulteney.co.uk
restaurants and tea-rooms have received the
Food for Life Served Here Award? The award
recognises tha they serve fresh, local food that
is ethica ly and sustainable produced. There
are seven National Trust places you can find on
the Great West Way and eight more which are
within easy reach of it, so if you’re looking for an
afternoon tea, a picnic or a food hamper to take
back there should be something to tempt your
tastebuds.
AVEBURY, MARLBOROUGH (E4)
The New Circles Restaurant
Avebury Manor Tearoom
Coach House Café
Refuel in the café whilst on a visi to Aerospace
Bristol. This light and airy café serves a delicious
range of light meals, snacks and drinks. Produce is
loca ly sourced where possible.
THE BRIDGE TEA ROOMS (C4)
thebridgetearooms.co.uk
GARDEN CAFÉ AT THE HOLBURNE MUSEUM (C4)
holburne.org
HONEYSTREET BOATS AND CAFÉ (E4)
honeystreetmi lcafe.co.uk
SPRING’S CAFÉ AND RESTAURANT (B4)
Thermae Bath Spa, Bath, BA1 1SJ
01225 331234 • thermaebathspa.com
MARVELLOUS FOOD MARKETS
The Great West Way runs through some of
England’s most fertile agricultura land, so it’s no
surprise that you’ll find regular farmers’ markets
along the route. Check ou these markets for fresh
local food and drink, direct from the producers.
Bath Farmers’ Market Green Park Station,
every Sat
Bristol Farmers’ Market St Nicholas Market,
every Wed
Bristol Street Food Market St Nicholas Market,
every Tue & Fri
Richmond Duck Pond Markets every Sat & Sun
Swindon Farmers’ Market Swindon Designer
Outlet, every Sun
Thames Va ley Farmers’ Market Ascot, 3rd Sun
of month; Newbury, 1st Sun of month; Reading 1st
& 3rd Sat of month; Windsor, 1st Sat of month
Trowbridge Weaver’s Market 2nd Saturday of
the month (not winter)
Wiltshire Farmers’ Market Devizes, 1st Sat of
month; Royal Woo ton Basse t 4th Sat of month;
73
DINING RESTAURANTS
You’ll find many of the restaurants along the
Great West Way are dining rooms within our
Ambassador hotels, many of which source their
ingredients from sma local producers. You’ l also
find several celebrity chefs including Rick Stein,
Pie re Ko fmann and Marco Pie re White. There’s
also plenty of di ferent cuisines to tempt you.
while away an afternoon.
romanbaths.co.uk/pump-room-restaurant
An elegant space at the Roman Baths where a
range of teas is served, from the smaller cream tea
The Tea Shed
THE TUTTI POLE (F4)
thetuttipole.co.uk
Henley Farmers’ Market 2nd Sat, 4th Thur &
5th Sun of month
THE BRASSERIE AT SIR CHRISTOPHER
WREN HOTEL (K3)
mpwrestaurants.co.uk
There is always tea, of course. Usua ly this is served
to the fu l tiered stand of treats.
TYNTESFIELD, BRISTOL (A4)
Cow Barn Restaurant
WESTONBIRT, THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM (C3)
sirchristopherwren.co.uk
THE MARCO PIERRE WHIT
AT THE CASTLE HOTEL (K3
by the pot and made from tea leaves, poured
through a strainer into a bone china cup. A tiered
cake stand is the mos traditional way to serve the
accompanying food: sandwiches, scones served with
THE ROSEATE (H4)
roseatehotels.com/reading/theroseate
Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8QS
0300 067 4890 • Forestryengland.uk/Westonbirt
The Westonbirt Restaurant o fers tasty, freshly
Maidenhead Farmers’ Market 2nd Sun of month
Malmesbury Artisan and Farmers’ Market
every Fri
CEDAR AT THE LANGLEY (K3)
thelangley.com
THE MONKEY ISLAND BRA
MONKEY ISLAND ESTATE (J
and made the gap between
01225 823333 • royalcrescent.
Take a se
CAN
Royal Co lection Trust is in
FOOD & DRINK TOURS &
Join one of t
thegainsboroug
01666 822344 • oldb

FEELING THIRSTY? OKTOBERFEST
SWINDON IN OCTOBER AND BRISTOL
CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL IN SEPTEMBER
ARE BOTH GREAT FUN.
PUBS, BREWERIES AND DISTILLERY TOURS
Village pubs along the route are a great place to head for
tasting British food traditions passed down generations, such
as Sunday roasts and Friday fish and chips, or simply bread,
cheese and pickles, known as the ‘ploughman’s lunch’.
Gastropubs offer newer cuisines and often their
restaurants are recognised with a Michelin star or two. And
there are also plenty of homegrown tipples to try too. Beer,
wine and gin are all made along the Great West Way. Take a
brewery, vineyard or distillery tour or just pull up a stool at
the village pub and see what’s on tap.
The Three Tuns Freehouse, Great Bedwyn is Sawdays
“Most Authentic Pub” 2018/19. The Michelin starred
Red Lion Freehouse, Pewsey offers private dining with a
window into the kitchen to watch the team prep. Pigs,
pies, pints and pillows is supplied by Helen Browning's
Royal Oak, Bishopstone, set in the middle of an organic
farm. Take lunch on a Friday and sample the fish menu at
award-winning The Queen’s Arms, East Garston. The Swan,
Bradford on Avon offers both Pub Classics or its Thai Chilli
Restaurant. The Crown & Anchor, set at the foot of the
North Wessex Downs has recently reopened following a
three year refurbishment. Serving Royals and residents alike,
be sure to pop into the Royal Windsor pub with spectacular
views of Windsor Castle, specialising in handmade liquor
and premium craft beers, including a house-brewed Royal
Windsor Pint. You could plan your visit with a stay at The
Royal Oak, Yattendon, a country inn with traditional British
food, to coincide with a drinks festival, and taste their very
own gin distilled on the premises in ‘Harry’ their still.
There's also a'Beckett's Vineyard making english sparkling
and still wines along with cider and apple juice from
their vineyard near Devizes in Wiltshire. Or try The West
Berkshire Brewery at Yattendon and Wadworth Brewery at
Devizes, offering tours and tasting of their award-winning
ales. You might also enjoy Wadworth's 'Eat, Drink, Stay' trail
from their Brewery in Devizes, to their four pubs along the
route - The Bear and The Black Swan in Devizes, The Crown
in Tolldown, and The George Inn in Bath.
The Bombay Sapphire Distillery at Whitchurch is at the
forefront of the English gin resurgence while the Newbury
pub is host to Newbury’s first ever gin distillery thanks to
a working micro distillery and private dining room open all
year for tastings. →
74
Pictured
top-left then
clockwise:
Red Lion
Freehouse;
The West
Berkshire
Brewery at
Yattendon;
Crown &
Anchor, Ham,
Wiltshire; The
Royal Oak,
Yattendon

GIN MAKING
Explore the magic of gin-making. We are reinstalling
an appreciation for gin-making through a fun,
hands-on experience. Enjoy tasting, distilling, and
creating your very own bespoke gin blend.
The Newbury is an imposing grade II listed gastro
pub in the centre of Newbury. It is a multi-award
winning venue which prides itself on its exciting
British a la carte menu, a great selection of ales,
extensive wine list & fabulous service.

UNEXPECTED READING

CAFÉS, LUNCH AND AFTERNOON TEAS
While travelling the Great West Way you are never too far away from
a café or farm shop for lunches, afternoon tea or a drink at the end of
the day. Drive through the North Wessex Downs AONB to Cobbs Farm
Shop for lunch and enjoy a glass of wine from their vineyard, Alder Ridge,
Hungerford.
For those heading to Bath, stop off at the Bridge Tea Rooms in
Bradford on Avon. Double winner of the UK Tea Guild's 'Top Tea Place',
and one of the UK's finest spots for afternoon tea with a list of regal
afternoon teas including the Queen Victoria. A Hansel and Gretel-style
exterior leads onto the cosiest of dining rooms, filled with homely
trinkets, hefty wooden beams and the soft chink of fine bone china.
Clayton’s Kitchen in Bath serves seasonal British fine dining in a
traditionally appointed 4-storey Georgian townhouse.
In Bristol visit Prince Street Social, a welcoming modern-style
British Brasserie located in the centre, or stop for lunch alongside the
picturesque harbourside at Spoke & Stringer for a delicious home-made
Shakshuka, or at Stokes Croft Restaurant for a quirky Pieminister Pie;
everyone from Kate Moss to the Queen has tried one. The Tutti Pole,
Hungerford is a tea shop and family restaurant and was originally the
place where ‘Tutti Poles’ were made for an historic local ceremony, still
continued today.
At Whatley Manor, Nr Malmesbury traditional afternoon tea is served
with a glass of Champagne Deutz. Other places for indulgent afternoon
teas include The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa and The Abbey Hotel,
Bath, The Old Bell Hotel, Malmesbury, Monkey Island Estate, Bray or
The Langley, Near Windsor. Or why not take tea by the Kennet & Avon
Canal, there’s plenty of choice including the Aldermaston Tea Room, Canal
Trust Café, Honeystreet Mill Café, The Engineman’s Rest Café, The Tea
Shop by the Canal and the Wharf Tea Rooms.
Or for a unique culinary experience in Devizes, book yourself a place on
one of Vaughan's Kitchen Cookery School Masterclasses.
Pictured
top-left then
clockwise:
Afternoon Tea
at Whatley
Manor Hotel
& Spa; Bridge
Tea Rooms in
Bradford on
Avon; Cobbs
Farm shop
& Kitchen,
Hungerford;
hot chocolates
being served
at Wharf
Tea Rooms,
Devizes
GreatWestWay.co.uk
77

WHERE
TO STAY
The Great West Way offers plenty of
choice when it comes to places to stay
WHETHER YOU PREFER the excitement of
a buzzing city or a more rural countryside
retreat, from a stylish boutique hotel, to
a cool gastro pub – there’s always a great
place to stay along the Great West Way. From 5-star
city hotels, country house hotels, to boutique bed and
breakfasts, to camping and glamping retreats, we hope
you will find what is right for you.
IN THE CITY
Starting your Great West Way journey from London?
You might enjoy a stay at Roseate House London just a
short walk from Hyde Park.
Roseate Hotels has two further luxury boutique
hotels along the Great West Way; The Roseate Reading,
described by the Evening Standard as ‘UK’s Sexiest
Townhouse Hotel’; and located in the centre of Bath
The Roseate Villa Bath. Stopping at Reading? The Bird
In Hand Hotel, at Knowl Hill, recently acquired by
Wiltshire brewer Wadworth, is a delightful 14th Century
Inn with a history that spans 600 years.
In Bath you are spoiled for choice of luxury hotels, but
it could be claimed, none quite as grand and spectacular
as The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa. Built between 1767
and 1775 this is a fine example of Georgian architecture,
located in the most famous crescent in the world.
Effortlessly combining AA Five Red Star service, an
award-winning Spa and beautiful gardens.
In the heart of Bath, Abbey Hotel Bath is an
experiential art-driven hotel, for people seeking true
Bathonian encounters - inspired by the city’s most
celebrated icons - it blends the new with the old,
the refined with the comfortable and the local with
the worldly. Guests are immersed in rich history,
architectural beauty, regional artistry and craftsmanship.
Built in 1739, the building composed part of John Wood’s
vision for Bath - essentially the playground for the
pleasure-loving visitors of the Georgian haute monde.
The Gainsborough Bath Spa occupies two Grade II Listed
buildings, centred around the natural thermal, mineralrich
waters. Dukes Hotel, occupies two magnificent
Georgian Townhouses on Great Pulteney Street, or try the
Apex Hotel, Bath’s largest hotel, close to Thermae Bath
Spa. Bailbrook House Hotel is a Grade II listed hotel,
also in the city, set in 20 acres - here you can enjoy the
historic Cloisters restaurant or contemporary dining in
The Conservatory.
Desire your own holiday home? The Apartment
Bath is an award-winning two-bedroom luxury property
in a fantastic central location, or try Bath Apartment
Breaks. For a selection of independently owned holiday
properties search online with the help of Stay in Bath,
Tucking Mill Holidays in Bath and Bath Area Self
Catering. For an elegant and vivacious new boutique
townhouse hotel located on the grandest street in Bath
head to No. 15 Great Pulteney.
78 GreatWestWay.co.uk

Accommodation in Bristol is as colourful and varied as the
city itself. From a city centre hostel attached to a vintage
bowling alley to a luxurious lodge in the grounds of a
zoo, you’ll find somewhere special to suit you. The city’s
distinct neighbourhoods each offer different experiences,
so it depends what type of trip you’re hoping for…
For something unconventional, check into one of
Brooks Guesthouse’s rooftop airstreams for a spot of
urban glamping in the Old City. Right next to St Nicholas’
Market, you’ll be in prime position for perusing local
craft stalls and tucking into the delicious street food it’s
renowned for, from sausage baps to falafel wraps.
If it’s dining, drinking and nightlife you’re after, check
out Rock & Bowl Motel right in the city centre, The
Bristol Wing, a boutique hostel in the Grade II listed old
Police Headquarters, or The Full Moon - a backpacker
hostel adjoining the lively Attic Bar in arty, alternative
Stokes Croft.
If you would prefer somewhere more serene,
close to University of Bristol Botanic Garden, opt for
somewhere in Clifton. Although it has a village feel,
independent shops, cosmopolitan restaurants and the
iconic Suspension Bridge are all within walking distance.
Number Thirty Eight, a boutique hotel in a refurbished
Georgian merchant’s house, is in prime position. Relax
in a room with a roll top bath or soak up panoramic park
views. Alternatively, go for a really wild stay at Bristol
Zoo Gardens. The Lodge is a super stylish apartment
with safari-themed rooms and a private terrace looking
onto the zoo’s glorious gardens.
And if you’re just in Bristol for a flying visit - where
could be more convenient than Hampton By Hilton
Bristol Airport?
IN THE COUNTRYSIDE
Sitting proudly next to the 12th Century Abbey in the
centre of the historic, vibrant and charming Wiltshire
market town of Malmesbury, England’s oldest hotel The
Old Bell Hotel has recently been restored to the height of
elegance, glamour and English charm. Beechfield House
also in Wiltshire, is a stunning 4 AA red star, 2 AA rosette,
relaxed country house hotel offering a truly opulent
place to stay. Or try The Manor House, a 14th Century
luxury hotel and golf club in Castle Combe, part of the
Exclusive Collection along with Pennyhill Park, surrey and
Royal Berkshire, on the outskirts of Ascot. Or for a lovely,
secluded and unique cottage on a working farm head to
Cliffe Farm Dairy with beautiful views of the steep chalk
escarpment leading up to Salisbury Plain.
Another gorgeous countryside retreat is the five-star
Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa, in the Southern Cotswolds
set in 12 acres of gardens. If you are travelling with
children Woolley Grange Hotel in Bradford on Avon →
Pictured
top-left then
clockwise:
The Roseate
Reading; Brooks
Guesthouse,
Bristol, rooftop
airstreams;
Whatley Manor
Hotel & Spa,
Cotswolds;
Beechfield
House; The
Abbey Hotel
79

is a beautiful Jacobean manor house on the edge of the
Cotswolds offering a very warm welcome to families.
Or try The Langley, Buckinghamshire - the former country
estate of the third Duke of Marlborough has a wonderful spa,
exceptional dining and Capability Brown designed gardens.
Guyers House Hotel & Restaurant, Corsham is a traditional
country house with an award-winning restaurant.
If you’re looking to stay somewhere quieter, away from the
hustle and bustle, with farm-fresh produce on the table, and a
‘home from home’ feel, then a cosy countryside B&B or selfcatering
cottage make a great option.
The Coachmans Self-Catering Holiday Cottage is an
idyllic retreat in the heart of Steeple Ashton - a delightful
quintessential village, with award-winning village shop,
magnificent church, and beautiful historic architecture
spanning 700 years, set amidst beautiful Wiltshire
countryside. For an opulent and elegant stay close to the
North Wessex Downs, Heritage Luxury B&B is perfectly
placed on the Great West Way in Calne.
Kingsbury @ No 8 is a boutique-hotel style B&B close
to the centre of Marlborough’s historic high street. Stay
here and dine at Rick Stein’s restaurant in Lloran House
and enjoy a menu that features some of Rick’s most iconic
seafood dishes like Indonesian seafood curry, Dover sole a la
meunière and turbot hollandaise.
Or you could try The White Horse Inn, Calne, a
traditional country pub in the Wiltshire countryside with
two AA Rosette restaurant and Gold award Bed & Breakfast
accommodation.
Donnington Grove Hotel & Country Club, Newbury
is set in 500 acres of countryside and offers countryside
pursuits such as fishing and clay pigeon shooting, while just
a short drive away, in the picturesque farming village of
Hampstead Norreys, are Manor Farm Courtyard Holiday
Cottages luxuriously-appointed self-catering cottages.
Church Farm Country Cottages offer self-catering
cottages on a working sheep farm between Bath and
Bradford on Avon with an indoor heated pool.
Cumberwell Country Cottages, Bradford on Avon, have
converted an old Tythe Barn into luxurious self-catering
cottages. Or try Beanhill Farm B&B, Chippenham - located
on a farm with prize-winning cattle and sheep. Lorne
House, near Corsham, the childhood home of Thomas the
Tank Engine author, Reverend W.V. Awdry, is today a large
Victorian villa with elegant charm. Stay as a B&B guest, or
hire the entire house.
You might enjoy having your own private Manor House
wing? Try Sheephouse Manor Cottages, situated between
Maidenhead and Cookham. →
Pictured
top-left then
clockwise:
The Langley;
Guyers House
Hotel &
Restaurant;
Lorne House
B&B
80

Experience Wiltshire at its Best!
Adult-only Glamping in a glorious part of rural England
Totteridge Farm Camping Pods
Pewsey +44 (0)7917 573407 Wiltshire
www.totteridge-farm.website
- BOUTIQUE BED & BREAKFAST -
- WHAT OUR GUESTS SAY -
“Loved everything about this Guest House B & B.
Rooms were excellent. Breakfast excellent. Hosts
were spot on. Showers awesome. The homemade
gold marmalade 5 star. What else can I say!”
Judith, New Zealand
“Lovely location, lovely guest house, lovely people”
Sean, UK
“Everything relating to Lorne House I can mark
11/10! Staff, facilities, cleanliness, food, local
information given on request...quite honestly,
everything! I do, can and will recommend Lorne
House to everybody that wants to know.”
Holly, UK
“Loved everything! Clean, comfy and quiet. Room
Lorne House is a large Vict
villa in the lovely Wiltshire
London village Rd of Box, just six mile
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Avalon Lodge Bed & Breakfast, Devizes has countryside
views and south facing balconies, free ranging hens and
ducks and two rescue donkeys.
There are also many pubs offering B&B in great locations,
such as Troutbeck Guesthouse, East Chisenbury for boutique
accommodation by the River Avon and the nearby Red Lion
for food. The Royal Oak, Yattendon is a traditional English
country pub with Michelin rated food, luxurious bedrooms,
award-winning real ales, log fires and a walled garden.
The Queens Arms, East Garston, is an award-winning pub,
restaurant and hotel with large bar and log fire, dining room
and covered terrace and garden.
Or try Helen Browning’s Royal Oak, Bishopstone, a dining
pub with rooms in the middle of an organic farm on the edge
of the Wiltshire Downs.
CAMPING & GLAMPING
For those who really want to get in touch with their
surroundings The Camping and Caravanning Club with sites
in Salisbury, Walton on Thames, Cheddar Mendip Heights,
Devizes and Chertsey is a great option - as is The Chilterns
View, Wallingford's Luxury lodge accommodation in the
village of Ewelme, South Oxfordshire, overlooking the
beautiful Chilterns Hills. Mill Farm takes luxury camping to a
whole new level with their high end luxury accommodation,
set on their organic farm in the heart of the glorious
Wiltshire countryside.
Or head to The Farm Camp, an off grid, eco-friendly,
luxury campsite near Bath offering plenty of activities.
Totteridge Farm in the heart of the Vale of Pewsey, is an
adult-only campsite with five glamping pods and spectacular
views from the hills on either side of the Vale. Buttle Farm,
Compton Bassett, has stunning barn conversions on a rare
breed pig farm and runs charcuterie experiences. While
Shillingridge offer Luxury Glamping Safari Lodges, nestled in
the Chiltern Hills by the stunning riverside town of Marlow
on Thames in Buckinghamshire. →
Pictured
top-left then
clockwise:
Avalon
Lodge Bed &
Breakfast; Mill
Farm; Helen
Browning’s
Royal Oak
83

Pictured
top-left then
clockwise:
Canal boats
on the river;
Henley
Greenlands
Hotel;
Honeystreet
Boats
ON OR BY THE WATER
On the River Thames, Henley Greenlands Hotel, once home
to the WH Smith family, is set within the 30 acre Henley
Business School estate in the Oxfordshire countryside, while
Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa is a 4-star comprising
several characterful buildings clustered around a historic
cobbled street by Eton Bridge and Windsor Castle, with a
gym, spa treatments, outdoor whirlpool and sauna.
The stunning hotel is located right on the River Thames,
within easy walking distance of Windsor’s restaurants, shops
and attractions including Windsor Castle. The world-famous
Eton College is a seven-minute walk from the hotel, just over
Eton Bridge and down the High Street. Also in Windsor, both
Castle Hotel MGallery and Sir Christopher Wren Hotel & Spa
offer spectacular views of the Thames and Windsor Castle.
Thought boats were just for day trips? Well, along the
Great West Way you can sleep on them too. You’ll never
forget waking up on the water, peering through portholes at
passing ducks as you prepare to rise and shine.
Canal boat hire in England is easy to organise and
incredibly rewarding, enabling you to fully experience the
pleasures of the wildlife-rich waterways, including such
delights as Caen Hill Locks and Bathampton. The Canal and
River Trust can give you all the information you need about
how to take to the waters. Along the River Thames and the
Kennet & Avon Canal you can hire your own boldly painted
boat and take the journey at your own pace.
Consider a boating holiday on a self-drive barge or
motor cruiser, or for a more relaxing break a river cruise on a
hotel boat. Honeystreet Boats provides friendly canal boat
holidays on the Kennet & Avon Canal. Sally Narrowboats, in
the Bradford on Avon Marina, is great to cruise to Bath in a
westerly direction and Reading in the east. Hobbs of Henley
has 2 luxury Linnsen motor cruisers to cruise from Henley
to Oxford or Henley to Reading. While Bruce Boats at Great
Bedwyn Wharf, Kennet & Avon Canal, offers canal holidays
for older people and Devizes Marina Village offer selfcatering
lodges with hot tubs and fantastic views.
Or for somewhere where there’s quite literally water,
water everywhere, visit the Cotswold Water Park, just a short
detour off the route, and enjoy 40 square miles, with more
than 150 lakes set in beautiful countryside.
Fun fact:
People who
like observing
England’s canal
life from the
sidelines are
affectionately
called
‘gongoozlers’.
84

Visit
Chippenham
Visit and stay in Chippenham as part of your Great West Way® journey of discovery.
Find out more at GreatWestWay.co.uk
www.chippenham.gov.uk
Open all day for
breakfast, afternoon tea,
freeze shakes and dinner.
Bite Me Burger, No 7 Kingsbury Street, Marlborough.
Tel: 01672 514776
www.bitemeburger.com

JOIN THE FUN!
From confetti battles to music festivals, canoe races
to country shows and big-ticket exhibitions
Words: Samantha Rutherford
Pictured
left-right: Pub
in the Park,
Marlow and
The Bradford
on Avon annual
Duck Race
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JANUARY / FEBRUARY / MARCH
Celebration of light, Bristol
FEBRUARY-MARCH
This illuminating new annual event will
celebrate the creative talents of local,
national and international designers
and collaborators in a playful outdoor
gallery of light installations that will
bring vivid colour to Bristol city centre's
public spaces at a traditionally quiet and
dark time of the year. îvisitbristol.co.uk
Parties, Portraits and Politics
UNTIL EARLY APRIL
A new temporary exhibition will give
visitors a glimpse of what it was like
to be entertained in Blenheim Palace
during the 1920s, from the menus and
wine to the fashion, music, politics
and art. The 9th Duke of Marlborough
and his second wife ‘Gladys Deacon’,
entertained lavishly throughout
the roaring twenties during their
glamourous house parties.
îblenheimpalace.com
Wonder FEBRUARY
A new year-round programme
and festival of children’s book events
in Bath and beyond that will capture
imaginations and inspire future
storytellers. îvisitbath.co.uk
Bath Comedy Festival
31 MARCH–19 APRIL
Bath Comedy Festival presents
household names in the world of
comedy and promotes the big names
of tomorrow. îvisitbath.co.uk
86 GreatWestWay.co.uk

APRIL / MAY / JUNE
Devizes to Westminster
International Canoe Race
10-13 APRIL
This is the world’s longest non-stop canoe
race, which starts in Devizes, following
the Kennet & Avon Canal and joining
The Thames, finishing just downstream
of Westminster Bridge, opposite the
Houses of Parliament, a total distance of
125 miles, 77 portages. îdwrace.co.uk
Howard’s Day at Castle Combe
Circuit 13 APRIL
Easter Monday is the traditional start
to the motor racing season at Castle
Combe Circuit and is marked by this
popular race day.
îcastlecombecircuit.co.uk
The Bradford on Avon Duck
Race, 13 APRIL
At this the famous annual
Duck Race over a 1000 ducks are
launched into the river from the Town
Bridge, where Rowing Club kayakers
wait at the finish line to retrieve the
lucky winners of many amazing prizes
to be won!
îbradfordonavontowncouncil.gov.uk
The Bath Festival
15-24 MAY
Having recently celebrated its 70th
birthday, this 10-day festival celebrates
music and literature, bringing
prominent writers, musicians and
cultural figures to the city.
îbathfestivals.org.uk
Pub in the Park Marlow
15-17 MAY
Set in the beautiful town of Marlow
this is a glorious three day feast of
the best food the country has to offer
created by some of the world’s best
chefs, pop-up pubs and great live music.
îpubintheparkuk.com
Highclere Country Show
24-25 MAY
The estate better known as Downton
Abbey, Highclere hosts one of
England’s best country shows, with
falconry, gundog displays and the
chance to have a go at clay shooting.
îhighclerecountryshow.co.uk
Calne Summer Carnival
27 JUNE
The Calne Summer Carnival draws in
over 5000 visitors to its historic town
centre, with activities from live music to
street entertainers, food stalls to local
crafters, and the marvellous carnival
procession. îcalne.gov.uk
The Little Welly Obstacle
Course & Festival,
Henley on Thames 6-7 JUNE
Let your kids Go Wild, Get Muddy and
enjoy tackling the 3km landscaped
course with over 30 big obstacles –
involving water, foam and of course
plenty of MUD! îthelittlewelly.co.uk
Royal Ascot 16-20 JUNE
Arguably England’s most famous
– and grandest – horse racing event,
with five days of races each kicked off
by a royal carriage parade.
This is your chance to wave at the
Queen and to wear a fabulous hat!
îascot.co.uk →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
87

JULY / AUGUST / SEPTEMBER
Henley Royal Regatta
1-5 JULY
Established in 1839, this annual regatta attracts rowing
crews from around the world to its five days of head to head
knockout competitions and is regarded as an integral part of
the English social season. îhrr.co.uk
Kew the Music
8-12 JULY
Kew Gardens hosts five nights of laidback picnic concerts,
from big names in every genre of music from pop and
rock to classical and jazz. Headliners include Craig David,
Beverley Knight and Jools Holland. îkewthemusic.org
Bristol Harbour Festival
17-19 JULY
Bristol’s largest annual event fills the harbour from the
SS Great Britain to the city centre with tall ships, music
stages, dance areas and food markets. Expect water
displays and circus acts too. îbristolharbourfestival.co.uk
Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford
17-19 JULY
Few events can rival the intensity, drama, and spectacle
on offer at one of the world's greatest airshows. Over
300 aircraft typically take part in the flypasts and aerial
acrobatics. îairtattoo.com
WOMAD, Malmesbury
23-26 JULY
Global fiesta of music, dance, art and food that started in
Charlton Park, Malmesbury and has since taken the party
to more than 27 countries worldwide including Australia,
Chile and Spain. îwomad.co.uk
Marlborough College Summer School
12 JULY-18 AUGUST
Established in 1974, this annual event is one of Europe’s
largest multi-generational learning experiences; its
popularity underpinned by the phrase “something for
everyone”. The College’s historic grounds are conveniently
located to enjoy Marlborough’s famous High Street and
host over 500 courses encompassing the creative arts,
history, science, body and mind, life skills, sport and
country pursuits..! îsummerschool.co.uk
Bath Carnival
11 JULY
Bath’s biggest party features a procession of more than
1,000 dancers and musicians through the city plus plenty
of world music on the sound systems and at Party in the
Park in Sydney Gardens. îbathcarnival.co.uk
Bristol Pride
11 JULY
Bristol Pride is an annual celebration of the LGBT+
community. A series of events that take place across Bristol
ranging from theatre, comedy, dance and their award
winning film festival, Queer Vision. An incredible 40,000
took part in their 10th-anniversary celebrations last year!
îbristolpride.co.uk
Malmesbury Carnival & Festival
20 JULY-1 SEPTEMBER
Malmesbury Carnival been going for over 100 years! The
Carnival is now a whole month of events. It changes every
year, with events ranging from open gardens to open mic,
bands to beer festivals, high jinks to history talks, wine
tasting to wine bluffing and of course the Carnival Parade!
îmalmesburycarnival.co.uk
88 GreatWestWay.co.uk

Pictured
left-right:
Marlborough
High Street;
fun at Devizes
Festival; and
celebrations at
Bristol Pride
Festival of British Eventing, Gatcombe Park
7-9 AUGUST
Held at the spectacular home of the Princess Royal
and her family, incorporating the British Open,
Intermediate and Novice Championships, as well
as the Amateur Championship, The Corinthian Cup.
îfestivalofbritisheventing.com
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
6-9 AUGUST
Europe’s largest annual meeting of hot air balloons brings
colour to the sky above Bristol with twice-daily mass balloon
launches and the chance to take a ride yourself.
îbristolballoonfiesta.co.uk
Reading Festival
28-30 AUGUST
One of England’s biggest and best-loved music festivals,
featuring big-name acts from around the world – think
Kings of Leon and Foo Fighters. îreadingfestival.com
The Colour Rush and Confetti Battle, Devizes
5 SEPTEMBER
Nobody knows why it started but Devizes’ Confetti Battle
is surely the most fun you can have with torn up bits of
coloured paper. Get stuck into the battle in the marketplace
and stay for the fireworks! îdocadevizes.org.uk
Jane Austen Festival, Bath
11-20 SEPTEMBER
2020 marks the 20th anniversary of The Jane Austen
Festival. Get your top hats, bonnets and lace out for
this 10-day celebration of all things Austen to include a
costumed Promenade through the city, and the Regency
Costumed Masked Ball, with dancing in the Pump Room of
the Roman Baths. îjaneaustenfestivalbath.co.uk
Heritage Open Days
11-20 SEPTEMBER
This national event sees normally hidden and closed
places throw their doors open to the public. Highlights
along the Great West Way include Reading Synagogue,
Sevington Victorian School in Wiltshire and the Rolls-
Royce Heritage Trust in Bristol - with many more besides!
îheritageopendays.org.uk
Mini Action Day, Castle Combe Circuit
12 SEPTEMBER
Things go pocket-sized for Mini Action Day – the UK’s
oldest, best and only track-based Mini event.
Prepare to marvel at the hundreds of both old and new
examples of this iconic car that make the venue their
home for the day.
îminiactionday.co.uk
Henley Literary Festival
26 SEPTEMBER – 4 OCTOBER
Bringing together punters and pundits from far and wide,
last year’s line-up included Theresa May, Sir Alastair
Cook, Kate Atkinson and Mary Berry, so expect an equally
diverse and stellar line up for 2020.
îhenleyliteraryfestival.co.uk
Cliveden Literary Festival
14-15 SEPTEMBER
Cliveden House has been at the centre of British political,
royal and literary life since it was first built, and in the
1960s became notorious as the setting for the Profumo
Affair that brought down a government and changed
Britain forever. Today Cliveden’s annual literary festival
attracts writers from the world.
îclivedenliteraryfestival.org →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
89

Only 6 Miles From Bristol
REME MUSEUM
PRINCE PHILIP BARRACKS, LYNEHAM,
CHIPPENHAM, SN15 4XX
ENJOY A FASCINATING DAY EXPLORING THE HISTORY OF THE BRITISH ARMY’S
ROYAL ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS (REME)
▶ the award winning museum has 8 modern, interactive galleries
▶ displays include huge armoured vehicles, medals, uniforms and weapons
▶ discover incredible stories; how reme saved volkswagen, why the museum has the brass boots
from mussolini’s statue and so many more.
▶ there is a large free car park and the excellent crowns café for refreshments.
WITH EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR FURTHER DETAILS
WWW.REMEMUSEUM.ORG.UK | ENQUIRIES@REMEMUSEUM.ORG.UK | 01249894869

Pictured: Windsor high street
at Christmas
OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER
LEGOLAND Fireworks Spectacular
1-2 NOVEMBER
Make your visit to Legoland even more magical by timing it
to coincide with the annual fireworks spectacular, part of the
theme park’s spooky Halloween season.
îlegoland.co.uk
Cary Grant Comes Home Festival
20-22 NOVEMBER
Bristol puts on a weekend of events celebrating the life and
work of one of the city’s most famous sons: the Hollywood
actor and style icon Cary Grant.
Cary Comes Home for the Weekend Festival is a
celebration of Cary Grant’s Bristol roots, with the aim to
develop new audiences for his films and recreate the much
loved golden age of cinema-going.
îcarycomeshome.co.uk
Hobbs of Henley Christmas Party Nights
10-19 DECEMBER
Celebrate the start of the festive season in style by setting
sail with Hobbs of Henley on a Thames Christmas Party
Cruise. Guests are handed a welcome drink on arrival, enjoy
a 3 course meal and spend the rest of the night dancing
away to their resident DJ.
îhobbsofhenley.com/christmas-party-nights
Christmas at Kew
LATE NOVEMBER-EARLY JANUARY
A show-stopping trail of festive light installations. More
than a million teeny glittering lights are installed along the
route with a fantastic light show grand finale at the iconic
Temperate House, plus enjoy festive treats such as spiced
cider and toasted marshmallows. îkew.org
Windsor On Ice
DATES TO BE CONFIRMED
Alexandra Gardens plays host to two ice rinks – one indoor
and one outdoor. You’ll also find the UK’s biggest dodgem,
Bungees, Twister, Race-o-Rama, the Waltzer, the Toy ride,
Mini planes, Helicopters and Santa's Sleigh roller coaster!
îwindsoronice.com
Bath Christmas Market
DECEMBER
One of the country’s biggest Christmas markets, consisting
of 180 stalls, set amongst Bath’s Georgian streets, the
market sells hand-made ceramics, glassware, jewellery and
local produce and is a must visit for winter.
îbathchristmasmarket.co.uk
To discover more events on the
Great West Way visit GreatWestWay.co.uk
/see-and-do/festivals-and-events
GreatWestWay.co.uk
91

Luxury for
the curious
bathgiftcard.com
Enjoy your gift card across Bath
Food & Drink • Health & Beauty
Museums & Galleries • Hotels & Shops
The best of Bath in one little card
An elegant and
vivacious boutique
townhouse hotel
and spa on the very
grandest street in
Bath, No.15 Great
Pulteney is well
known for its
curious collections,
warm hosting and
unique personality.
15 Great Pulteney Street,
Bath BA2 4BR
01225 807015
no15greatpulteney.co.uk
SCHEDULED WEEKLY TOURS INCLUDE:
‘GUILTY PLEASURES’
A naughty but nice
tour of the city!
Explore the UNESCO
World Heritage City of
Bath using your taste buds
on artisanal food & drink
sampling experiences
4_Doc_Fix_120x96mm_v1.1.indd 1 11/02/2019 16:36
‘FOOD HEROES’
The people & foods who have put
Bath on the culinary map of the UK
What our customers say...
“If you’re a foodie there isn’t a better way
to spend an afternoon…”
BOOK ONLINE AT SAVOURINGBATH.COM
Stay in a Jacobean
manor on your Great
West Way journey!
HOTEL | SPA | RESTAURANT
01225 864705 | woolleygrangehotel.co.uk
Woolley Green, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1TX

Family Days
at Stonor
House • Play Park • Park & Gardens
Stonor Park
Henley-on-Thames
RG9 6HF
www.stonor.com
THE ONLY MOTOR MUSEUM IN WILTSHIRE!
EXPLORE THE GREAT WEST WAY ® WITH AN EXPERT GUIDE
Chauffeur driven tours with a Blue Badge Guide
■ A small, friendly museum just off the A4 in Calne
■ 100+ exhibits - many are vehicles from the 1920s onwards
■ Apr-Oct (Tues-Sun11-5) Nov, Feb-March (Thurs-Sun 11-4) Dec-Jan (Sat-Sun 11-4)
www.atwellwilson.org.uk
www.southwestdriverguide.co.uk
southwestguide@gmail.com

AWARD WINNING SMALL GROUP DAY TOURS FROM BATH
STONEHENGE * COTSWOLDS * GLASTONBURY
Tel +44(0)7990 505970 | www.madmaxtours.co.uk
THE BRIDGE TEA ROOMS
ONE OF THE FINEST SPOTS
FOR AFTERNOON TEA
Step back in time to the glorious Victorian era,
double winner UK’s ‘Top Tea Place’, and one of the
finest spots for afternoon tea. Based in a former
blacksmith’s cottage the Hansel & Gretel-style
exterior leads onto the cosiest of dining rooms.
A wonderful and atmospheric venue for groups.
From morning tea or coffee, mini Cream Tea to an
extended visit for Empire Full Afternoon Teas.
24a Bridge Street, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1BY
+44 (0)1225 865537
www.thebridgetearooms.co.uk
Honeystreet Mill Café
THE FRIENDLY CANALSIDE CAFÉ
Homemade · Freshly Made · Locally Sourced
Breakfast · Light lunch · Afternoon Tea
Snacks · Drinks · Wine, Beer and Cider
OPEN Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm
Sunday 10am-5pm
www.honeystreetmillcafe.co.uk
01672 851155
Honeystreet Mill, Honeystreet Village, Pewsey Vale, Wiltshire, SN9 5PS
Self Drive Classic Car Hire
Based in Wiltshire
with
Vintage
Classics
Where? Windsor, Henley, Reading, Kennet and Avon Canal,
River Thames, Chiltern Hills, North Wessex Downs
How? Waterways trips, town and countryside walking tours,
coach tours, themed tours
Who? Graham Horn, GREAT WEST WAY® Ambassador,
experienced Blue Badge Guide, local knowledge
Contact me to enhance your GREAT WEST WAY® tour
• www.tours2order.com
• graham@tours2order.com
■ Classic Car Rental
■ Classic Car Tours
SEE WILTSHIRE, THE COTSWOLDS & WEST COUNTRY
WHILST DRIVING AN ICONIC CLASSIC CAR!
BOOKINGS MUST BE MADE AT LEAST 7 DAYS IN ADVANCE OF HIRE
BOOKING LINE: 01225 703377
View our fine range of classics online: www.vintage-classics.co.uk
Q
ueens
HOTEL • PUB • RESTAURANT • PRIVATE ROOMS • GARDEN
Perfect place for
long, lazy weekends!
Daily Telegraph
East Garston • Berkshire • RG17 7ET
Tel: 01488 648 757
info@queensarmseastgarston.co.uk
www.queensarmseastgarston.co.uk
3 miles off J14 of M4 (Hungerford & Lambourn)
TOUR & EXPLORE
with Anne Bartlett
Anne is an experienced
Cotswold based Blue Badge
Tourist Guide and Tour
Director who provides a
friendly, professional guiding
service for groups exploring
the Great West Way.
Email: anne@tourandexplore.com
tourandexplore.com
Ambassador for The Great West Way

0617006 A5 1pp.indd 1 27/06/2017 14:13
STAY MEET DINE CELEBRATE
HENLEY GREENLANDS HOTEL
100 bed hotel afternoon tea
riverside restaurant fine dining
weddings meeting & conference rooms
private jetty
www.hospitalityuor.co.uk/henley-greenlands-hotel
Greenlands
Greenlands
Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
RG9
RG9
3AU
3AU
Over 147 years of River and Boating Service
Over Over Over 147 150 147 years of of River and Boating Service
Over 147 years of River and Boating Service
A great family
day out come
rain or shine!
Luxury Passenger Boat Charter
Luxury Passenger Boat Charter
Self Self Drive Adventure
Luxury Passenger Boating Boat Holidays
Charter
Luxury Passenger
Self Drive Adventure
Boat Charter
River Trips
Self Luxury Drive Boating Adventure
Holidays
Moorings and Storage
River Trips
Edwardian Luxury Chauffeured Boating Holidays Launches
Edwardian
Moorings
Chauffeured
and StorageLaunches
Edwardian River Chauffeured TripsLaunches
For bookings and enquiries please contact Hobbs of Henley
For bookings For on bookings 01491 and Moorings 572035 and enquiries or boats@hobbsofhenley.co.uk
please
and
contact
Storage
Hobbs Hobbs of Henley of Henley
on Edwardian 01491
on
572035
01491 572035
Chauffeured or
or boats@hobbsofhenley.co.uk
Launches
For bookings and enquiries please contact Hobbs of Henley
on 01491 572035 or boats@hobbsofhenley.co.uk
0617006 A5 0617006 1pp.indd A5 1pp.indd 1 1 27/06/2017 27/06/2017 14:13 14:13
www.rovesfarm.co.uk
Sevenhampton, Swindon, Wilts, SN6 7QG 01793 763939

The Tutti Pole Tea Shop
Hungerford
DIDCOT RAILWAY CENTRE
Explore the Living Museum of the Great Western Railway
Breakfasts, Morning Coffee,
Sunday Roasts, Luncheons, Snacks
Cream Teas & Afternoon teas.
RG170DN Tel: 01488 682515
Traditional Family Run Tea Shop
A Delicious Stop Along the Great West Way
GET OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
VISIT THE VALE OF PEWSEY IN WILTSHIRE
TRANQUIL SPIRITUAL ANCIENT
WWW.VISITPEWSEYVALE.CO.UK
• 20 former GWR steam locomotives,
including 2 replica broad gauge (7 ft)
locomotives, 40+ GWR coaches, 50+
GWR wagons, a working turntable,
with demonstrations on steam days, a
railway-themed playpark and a small
relics museum.
• Original (working) GWR locomotive
shed, & many other original GWR
buildings and infrastructure.
• Special events include Day Out With
Thomas (and to meet Father Christmas),
special gala events and also non-railway
related themed events.
PHONE OR SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS OF STEAMDAYS AND OTHER EVENTS
OPEN EVERY WEEKEND
DIDCOT, Oxfordshire, England, OX11 7NJ TEL: 01235 817200
E-MAIL: info@didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
Entrance at Didcot Parkway rail station signed from M4 (junction 13) & A34
LEARN TO SKYDIVE
TANDEM SKYDIVE,
ACCELERATED FREE FALL & FIRST JUMP
COURSES
FLY FROM BATH, BRISTOL, GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND SOMERSET!
WWW.BRISTOLBALLOONS.CO.UK
Skydiving vouchers — from Tandem to Solo
Simply the best gift for every occasion!
Near Hungerford Real Ale & and Craft Marlborough
Beers
Real Ale & Craft Beers
Restaurant Real Ale & Craft Private Beers Dining
Restaurant & Private Dining
Delicious Food Locally Sourced
Restaurant Delicious & & Private Freshly Food Locally Prepared Dining Sourced
& Freshly Prepared
8 Luxurious en-suite Bedrooms
Delicious Food 8 Luxurious Locally en-suite Sourced
Bedrooms
Walker, Cyclist and Dog Friendly
& Freshly Walker, Prepared
Cyclist and Dog Friendly
info@crownandanchorham.co.uk
8 Luxurious en-suite Bedrooms
01488 50 30 40
Walker, Cyclist www.crownandanchorham.co.uk
Dog Friendly
01488 01488 50 3050 4030 40
OPENING HOURS
OPENING HOURS Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Saturday:
Monday: Closed
11am—11pm
Tuesday - Saturday:
11am—11pm Food served
ONE OPENING DAY, ONE HOURS JUMP, ONE AMAZING ADVENTURE!
Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Saturday:
11am—11pm
12 noon— 2.30pm Food served
&
12 Home noon— of the 2.30pm ARMY PARACHUTE ASSOCIATION
& 6pm — 9.30pm
6pm — 9.30pm Home of the Red Devils & with some of the best Military Instructors anywhere
Sunday:
Sunday:
6pm — 9.30pm
12 noon—6pm
12 noon—6pm
Military discount on Tandems & Courses on request
Food served 12 noon—3pm
Learn with the best!
crownandanchorham.co.uk Sunday:
T: 01980 670734 12 noon—6pm
www.netheravon.com E: coursesmanager@netheravon.com
Food served Airfield 12 Camp, noon—3pm Netheravon, Wiltshire, SP4 9SF
Food served
12 noon— 2.30pm
Food served 12 noon—3pm
crownandanchorham.co.uk
SKYDIVE NETHERAVON
nfo@crownandanchorham.co.uk
01488 50 30 40
crownandanchorham.co.uk

WITHIN EASY REACH OF THE GREAT WEST WAY
Inspiring a passion for
traditional weaving in Britain’s
oldest working silk mill, in
beautiful, rural Hampshire
Explore the home of Bombay Sapphire
in the heart of Hampshire
BOOK YOUR GIN EXPERIENCE TODAY: DISTILLERY.BOMBAYSAPPHIRE.COM
www.whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk
Accessible by train and shuttle bus from Overton and Micheldever Stations.
Bombay Sapphire Distillery | Whitchurch | Hampshire
HELLO@BOMBAYSAPPHIRE.COM | 01256 890090
THE BISHOP'S PALACE
FIND
YOUR
HAPPY
PLACE
THE BISHOP'S PALACE
& GARDENS, WELLS
SOMERSET
FIND
YOUR
HAPPY
PLACE
01749 01749
988 988
111
111
WWW.BISHOPSPALACE.ORG.UK
WWW.BISHOPSPALACE.ORG.UK
Tarr Farm Inn
Tarr Steps, Dulverton, Exmoor, TA22 9PY
Telephone: +44 (0)1643 851507
Email: enquiries@tarrfarm.co.uk
www.tarrfarm.co.uk

THANK YOU TO
THANK YOU THOSE TO OUR WHO AMBASSADORS
HELPED
US ALONG THE WAY
Title Ambassadors
Bristol Airport
Canal & River Trust
Great Western Railway
National Trust
Destination Ambassadors
Bath Business Improvement District
Bradford on Avon Town
Calne Town
Chippenham Town
Corsham Town
Cotswolds Tourism
Devizes Town
Henley on Thames Town
Hungerford Town
Malmesbury Town
Marlborough Town
Marlow Town
North Wessex Downs AONB
Reading UK
Royal Borough of
Windsor & Maidenhead
Steeple Ashton Village
Stonehenge & Avebury World
Heritage Site
Swindon Town
Tourism South East
Trowbridge Town
Vale of Pewsey
Visit Bath
Visit Bristol
Visit Thames
VisitNewbury
VisitRichmond
VisitWiltshire
Designated Attraction
& Hotel Ambassadors
Aerospace Bristol
Bowood House & Garden, Calne
Cheddar Gorge & Caves
Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen,
Hungerford
Longleat, Warminster
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet,
Swindon
The Old Bell Hotel, Malmesbury
The Roman Baths, Bath
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa,
Bath
Stonehenge
Thermae Bath Spa, Bath
Wadworth Brewery & Tours, Devizes
West Berkshire Brewery, Yattendon
Westonbirt, The National
Arboretum, Tetbury
Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa,
Malmesbury
Windsor Castle
Discover more about
our Ambassadors at:
GreatWestWay.co.uk
Gateway Ambassadors
Devizes Marina Day Boat Hire
Rick Stein, Marlborough
A Taste of England
Devizes Wharf Tea room
River & Rowing Museum, Henley on Thames
Title Ambassadors
a’Beckett’s Vineyard, Devizes Gateway Ambassadors Didcot Railway Centre Devizes Marina
Roman Prior Bath Park Private Landscape Hire Garden
Abbey Hotel, Bath
Donnington Grove, Newbury Devizes Marina Day Boat Hire The Rose Queens of Hungerford Arms, East Garston
Bristol The Airport Abbey Quarter, Reading Abbey Hotel DoubleTree by Hilton, Devizes Swindon Wharf Tea room Roseate Reading House Museum London, Tyburnia
Canal & Active River Trust England
The Abbey Quarter Dukes Hotel, Bath Didcot Railway Centre
The Roseate The Red Reading Lion East, Chisenbury
Great Western Alder Ridge Railway Vineyard, Hungerforda’Beckett’s Vineyard Dyrham Park, Chippenham Donnington Grove
The Roseate REME Museum Villa Bath
National Trust
Active England
DoubleTree by Hilton, Swindon
River & Rowing Museum
Aldermaston Tea Rooms, Reading
The Engineman’s Rest Café, Crofton
Roves Farm, Sevenhampton
Aldermaston Tea Rooms,
Dyrham Park
Roseate House London
Aldwick Estate, Bristol
Destination Ambassadors
Visitor Centre, & ShopFashion Museum, Bath The Engineman’s Rest Café Royal Berkshire, The Roseate Sunninghill Villa, Bath
Alison Howell’s Foottrails Aldwick Estate French Brothers, Windsor The Farm Camp
The Royal The Oak, Roseate Yattendon Reading
Bath Business All Saints Improvement Church, Alton District Priors Alison Howell’s Foottrails The Gainsborough Bath French Spa Brothers
The Royal Rose Windsor of Hungerford Pub
Bradford The on Apartment Avon Town Bath
Alton Priors Church The George Inn, Glenside Hospital Museum Salisbury Roves Camping Farm and Caravanning Club Site
Calne Town Apex Hotel, Bath
Apex Hotel, Bath Norton St Philip Great Northern Hotel
Salisbury Royal Cathedral Oak, Yattendon
Chippenham Town
Arnos Vale Cemetery
Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport Salisbury Cathedral
Apsley House, London
Glenside Hospital Museum, Bristol
Salisbury, Stonehenge and Sarum Tours
Corsham
Around and About Bath
Hampton Court Palace
Salisbury, Stonehenge and Sarum Tours
Cotswolds Arnos Tourism Vale Cemetery, Bristol Aspley House Guyers House Hotel, Harrow Corsham at Little Bedwyn Sally Narrowboats, Salters Steamers Bradford on Avon
Destination Around Bristol and About Bath Atwell-Wilson Motor Hampton Museum by Hilton Helen Bristol Browning’s Airport Royal Oak Salters Savouring Steamers, Bath Reading
Devizes Atwell-Wilson Town Motor Museum, Calne Avalon Lodge Bed and Hampton Breakfast Court Palace, Henley East Greenlands MoleseyHotel
Henley Avalon Thames Lodge Bed and Breakfast, Avebury DevizesLandscape Wiltshire Helen Browning’s Royal Heritage Oak, Bed Bishopstone & Breakfast
Savouring Shaw Bath House
Shaw House Skydive Netheravon
Hungerford
Avebury
Town
Landscape
Avon Valley Adventure
Henley
& Wildlife
Greenlands
Park
Hotel
Hobbs of Henley
Sheephouse
Stonor
Manor
Park
Cottages, Maidenhead
Malmesbury Town
Bailey Balloons
The Holburne Museum
South West Heritage Tours
Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park, Bristol Henley Rowing Association
Sir Christopher Wren Hotel & Spa, Windsor
Marlborough Town
Bainton Bikes
Holiday Inn, Salisbury - Stonehenge South Western Railway
Marlow Bailbrook House Hotel, Bath Barbara McLellan Heritage Bed & Breakfast, Honey Street Calne Boats & Café Skydive Stourhead Netheravon
North Wessex Bailey Balloons, Downs AONB Bristol
Reading The UKBarn Theatre, Cirencester
The Barn Theatre
Barrington Court
Herongate Fitness & Hungerford Wellbeing, Wharf Hungerford and Kintbury
The Hidden Gardens Iford of Bath Manor Gardens
South West SUP Bristol Heritage Tours
South Western The Swan, Railway Bradford on Avon
Royal Borough Barrington of Windsor Court, & Ilminster Bath Apartment Breaks Hobbs of Henley Inspirock
Stay in Swinley Bath Bike Hub
Maidenhead
Bath Apartment Breaks
The Bath Brew House
The Holburne Museum,
Jane
Bath
Austen Centre
Stonehenge
Thames
and
Lido
Avebury World Heritage Site
Stonehenge & Avebury WHS
Bath Bus Company
Kenavon Venture
Thames Rivercruise
Bath Area Self Catering
Holiday Inn, Salisbury – Stonehenge
Stonehenge Landscape
Swindon Town
Bath Self Catering
Koffmann & Mr. Whites
Three Tuns Freehouse
Tourism Beanhill South East Farm B&B, Chippenham Beanhill Farm B&B Honey Street Mill Café English and French Brasserie Stonor Tintinhull Park, Henley Garden on Thames
Trowbridge The Bear Town Hotel, Devizes Berkeley Castle Hotel Novotel Reading Lacock Centre Abbey, Fox Talbot Stourhead, Totteridge Stourton Farm
Vale of Berkeley Pewsey Castle
Best Western Plus Angel Hungerford Hotel, Wharf Museum and village
Strawberry Tour and Hill Explore House & Garden, Twickenham
Visit Bath Best Western Plus Angel Hotel, Chippenham
Iford Manor Gardens, The Bradford Langley on Avon
Sulis Guides Tours 2 Order
Visit Thames
The Bird in Hand, Knowl Hill
Bombay Sapphire
The Jane Austen Centre,
Lido Bristol
Bath
The Swan
TransWilts
Hotel,
Community
Bradford on
Rail
Avon
Partnership
Visit Newbury
Bozedown Alpacas
Lytes Cary Manor
Troutbeck
Visit Richmond
The Black Swan Hotel, Devizes
Bristol Blue Glass
The Kingsbury @ No.8,
Macdonald
Marlborough
Hotel & Spa Bath
Swinley
Tucking
Bike Hub
Mill
Swinley
Self catering
Forest’s Trail Centre,
VisitWiltshire Blenheim Palace, Woodstock Bristol Cathedral Koffmann & Mr White’s Maidenhead English Heritage French Centre Bracknell Tutti Pole
Bombay Sapphire, Whitchurch Bristol Community Ferry Brasserie, Boats Bath Manor Farm B&B
Teashop Tyntesfield By The Canal, Newbury
Designated Boscombe Attraction Down Aviation Collection, Bristol Salisbury Packet Boats Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Marlborough Museum College and Village Summer School Thames University Lido, Reading of Bristol Botanic Garden
& Hotel Bozedown Ambassadors Alpacas, Reading Bristol Tandem Hire The Langley, Slough The Matthew Of Bristol Thames Vaughan’s Rivercruise, Kitchen Reading
Bristol Zoo Gardens
Meadowbank House
Vintage Classics
The Bridge Tea Rooms, Bradford on Avon Liberty Car Tours, Bath
Three Tuns Freehouse, Great Bedwyn
Aerospace Bristol
Brooks Guest House B&B, Bath
Merchants House
The Watermill Theatre
Alder Ridge
Bristol
Vineyard
Blue Glass
Bruce Branch Boats
Lido Spa & Restaurant,
Mompesson
Bristol
House
Tintinhull
Wellington
Garden
Arch
Bowood Bristol House Cathedral & Gardens
Brunel’s SS Great Britain Lorne House, Corsham Montacute House
Totteridge West Farm Berkshire Camping Museum Pods, Pewsey
Cheddar Bristol Gorge Community & Caves Ferry Boats Buttle Farm Lytes Cary Manor The Museum of English Rural Life Tour and We Explore The Curious
McArthurGlen Bristol Insight Designer Outlet, Swindon Canal Trust Café Maidenhead Heritage MV Centre Jubilee
Tours 2 Whitchurch Order Silk Mill
Fashion Bristol Museum Nordic Bath Walking
Castle Combe Circuit Manor Farm Courtyard Newark Cottages, Park Thatcham TransWilts Wiltshire Community landscape, Rail Stonehenge Partner
Longleat
Cheddar Gorge
The Newbury Pub
Wiltshire Museum
Bristol Packet Boats
The Manor House, Castle Combe
Troutbeck Guest House, East Chisenbury
The Roman Baths
The Chilterns View
Newbury Racecourse
Wiltshire Music Centre
Royal Crescent
Bristol Tandem
Hotel & Spa
Hire
Chippenham Museum
Marlborough College
No.
Summer
1 Royal Crescent
School
Tucking
Wiltshire
Mill View,
Wildlife
Midford
Trust, Blakehill Farm
Stonehenge The Bristol Wing
and Heritage Centre The Matthew of Bristol Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
Turner’s Wiltshire House, Wildlife Twickenham Trust, Lower Moor
Thermae Bristol Bath Zoo Spa Gardens
Church Farm Country The Cottages Merchant’s House, The Marlborough
Old Bell, Malmesbury The Tutti Wiltshire Pole, Hungerford
Wildlife Trust, Jones’s Mill
Wadworth Brooks Brewery Guest & House Tours B&B, Bath Clifton Suspension Bridge Mill Farm Glamping, The Poulshot Old Chapel
Tyntesfield, Woolley Wraxall Grange Hotel
West Berkshire Brooks Guest Brewery House B&B, Bristol& Visitor Centre Mompesson House, Old Salisbury Sarum
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum Cobbs Farm Shop
Oldbury Tours
Bruce Branch Boats, Marlborough
Monkey Island Estate, Bray
Whatley Manor
Compass Holidays
Parkway Shopping, Newbury
Windsor Brunel’s Castle SS Great Britain, Bristol The Courts Garden Montacute House Pound Arts
Buttle Farm, Compton Bassett Cricklade Hotel Museum of East Asian Practical Art, Bath Car and Motorhome
Canal Trust Café,
Bradford on Avon
Crofton Beam Engines The Museum of English hire, Rural Chippenham Life, Reading
Cumberwell Country MV Cottages Barbara McLellan, Prince Bradford Street on Social Avon
Castle Combe Circuit, Chippenham
MV Jubilee, Newbury
Castle Hotel, Windsor
MV Kenavon Venture, Devizes
Cheddar Camping and Caravanning Club Site National Garden Scheme
Cheddar Gorge
Newark Park, Ozleworth
Discover more about our Ambassadors at: GreatWestWay.co.uk
Chertsey Camping and Caravanning Club Site
The Chilterns View, Wallingford
Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre
Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm, Salisbury
Church Farm Country Cottages, Bradford on Avon
Clayton’s Kitchen, Bath
Cliffe Farm Dairy, West Lavington
Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol
Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen, Englefield
Compass Holidays, Cheltenham
Cotswold Water Park, South Cerney
The Courts Garden, Trowbridge
Cricklade House Hotel, Swindon
Crofton Beam Engines, Crofton
The Crown & Anchor, Ham
The Crown, Tolldown
Cumberwell Country Cottages, Bradford on Avon
Devizes Camping and Caravanning Club Site
Devizes Marina
The Newbury Pub
Newbury Racecourse
No. 1 Royal Crescent, Bath
No.15 Great Pulteney, Bath
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, Wraxall
Old Sarum, Salisbury
Oldbury Tours
Original Wild, Bath
Parkway Shopping Centre, Newbury
Pennyhill Park, Bagshot
Postern Hill Campsite, Marlborough
The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham
Practical Car & Van Hire, Chippenham
The Prince Street Social, Bristol
Prior Park Landscape Garden, Bath
The Queens Arms Hotel, East Garston
Reading Museum
Red Lion Freehouse, East Chisenbury
REME Museum, Lyneham
University of Bristol Botanic Garden
Vaughan’s Kitchen, Devizes
Vintage Classics, Melksham
Visit Hillbrush, Mere
Waddesdon Manor
Walton on Thames Camping and
Caravanning Club Site
The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor
The Wave, Bristol
We The Curious, Bristol
Wellington Arch, London
West Berkshire Museum, Newbury
Whitchurch Silk Mill
White Horse Inn, Compton Bassett
Wild Swim Bike Run
Wilton Windmill
Wiltshire Museum, Devizes
Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon
Windsor Carriages
Windsor Duck Tours
Woolley Grange Hotel, Bradford on Avon
WWT Blakehill Farm Nature Reserve,
Swindon
WWT Jones’s Mill at the Vera Jeans Reserve,
Pewsey
WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes
WWT Lower Moor Farm
Wyvern Theatre, Swindon
YMCA, Bath

Begin your next adventure at
GreatWestWay.co.uk
WHICH WAY NEXT?