Great West Way® Travel Magazine | Issue 04

The joy of the
Great West Way is
that every traveller’s
experience is
different.
Every journey is
exceptional in its
own way.
Are you a city, town or country person?
Alex: Definitely a city person. Having said that, as a
family we walk in the nearby lovely Chiltern Hills just
north of Reading whenever we can, and we enjoy a
ramble round the walls of the abandoned Roman city
of Silchester, south of Reading. But I never tire of the
buzz of people so it’s a city life for me.
Can you pick a place along the Great West Way that
best represents you and what you do?
Alex: I have lived and worked in London, Wiltshire
and Reading along the Great West Way so I know the
territory well. I’ve travelled much further afield too
but London remains for me the greatest city I have
ever explored. If the scale of London might be a bit
overwhelming, Reading offers many of the advantages
of big city life without the drawbacks. If I were to
choose a weekend away on the trail, I’d head to Bristol.
A great maritime history, University city and urban grit,
Bristol wears its green credentials proudly and is a great
cultural destination as well.
Are there any English stereotypes or traditions
you’d like to set straight?
Alex: I think visitors sometime have an outdated
concept of what England and the English are like. Like
every country, our history and culture has evolved
in recent decades, but we have done a good job
in protecting the best of our countryside and built
heritage. On the Great West Way, you’ll be able to find
a traditional view of England often depicted in films,
but you will also find a vibrant, cosmopolitan place
that celebrates the best of the world in a harmonious
co-existence.
If you could choose one must-visit attraction along
the Great West Way, what would it be and why?
Alex: Perhaps not strictly an attraction, but the
River Thames from London to Reading is a majestic
waterway and its many twists and turns tell the story
of this part of the world. Take some time to walk, cycle,
take a cruise, hire a boat, row or even swim!
What do you think will surprise first-time visitors
about the Great West Way?
Alex: The Great West Way is dense with things to
do and places to visit. You might think you are going
to ‘skate’ through it in no time, but you could easily
spend several weeks! The route is particularly rich in
great specialist museums. In Reading, try the museum
of food and the countryside - the Museum of English
Rural Life, or seek out the Huntley Palmer biscuit tin
collection at the Reading Museum.
What’s your preferred mode of transport: train, car,
bus or boat? Why?
Alex: I would choose bike – you can set your own pace,
stop where you like, get off the beaten track and you
just see so much more than you do through a window.
Oh, and it’s good for you!
Read more interviews with
the people who make the
Great West Way so special
- chefs, gardeners, tour
guides and more.
CLICK
HERE
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