Great West Way® Travel Magazine | Issue 05

2021 Annual Edition
TRAVEL MAGAZINE | ISSUE 05
GreatWestWay.co.uk
SUSTAINABLE
TOURISM
Lose yourself
in an authentic
car-free journey
JOIN THE FUN!
From confetti battles
to canoe races and
country shows
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 WILTSHIRE ON
THE GREAT WEST WAY ®
Explore picturesque Pewsey Vale and historic Bradford
on Avon along the Great West Way touring route.
Find out more at GWR.com/GreatWestWay

Pictured Below: Bowood in the Autumn; Couple at Windsor
Royal Station planning their journey.
WELCOME TO ENGLAND'S
GREAT WEST WAY
All legal lockdown restrictions have now been lifted
in England. However, some venues may choose to
keep requirements around social distancing or mask
wearing to keep visitors and staff safe; please check
with individual venues for more information.
IT HAS BEEN A YEAR since we launched our
special virtual edition of the Great West Way
Travel Magazine, following the changes
brought about by covid, and yet, despite the
challenges faced since, businesses along the
route have achieved so much.
From award-winning restoration projects,
new paddle boarding tours along the Bradford on
Avon river to the launch of Bridgerton-themed holiday itineraries.
There’s even a new Banksy - unexpectedly unveiled on the walls
of the disused Reading jail - along with yet many more new
immersive, and self-guided, experiences.
In the autumn, trees along the Kennet & Avon canal turn
spectacular hues of red, brown and gold. We hope you will enjoy
our new Kennet & Avon Canal map, with 87 miles of magnificent
sites and spectacular landscapes to explore by water, or take an
Autumn Colours Canal Trip on the Barbara McLellan and enjoy a
delicious Ploughman's Lunch. We have new branded signage along
the route, and have just launched a new video campaign travelling
the entire length from London to Bristol virtually.
Our 2021-2022 edition is full of yet more inspiration, from
Unforgettable Experiences (p54) to Striking Architecture (p78),
Gourmet Guide (p112), Museum Gems (p118) and so much more.
Now that travel restrictions have been lifted, we hope that
planning your next journey will have never been easier - we look
forward to offering you the warmest of welcomes.
Jessica x
Jessica Way
Editor-in-Chief, Great West Way Travel Magazine
Download your Great West Way map:
: GreatWestWay.co.uk/explore/maps
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
2021 Annual | Edition 05
Pictured
left then
clockwise:
Sculling in
Marlow;
Tea Shop by
the Canal,
Newbury; and
Reading Town
Hall, Reading
DISCOVER OUR WAY
EXPLORE THE ROUTE
09 44
THE WAY FORWARD
A look at some of the highlights and
what’s new on the Great West Way for 2021.
17
AERIAL VISTAS
Enjoy the Great West Way from a
bird's-eye view with our selection of scenic
virtual tours and captivating drone footage.
32
MY GREAT WEST WAY
Discover the Great West Way through the
eyes of a local, Communications Manager in
charge of the UK's largest town, Alex Brannen.
38
GREAT WEST WAY MEMENTOS
For something unique and special that
reminds you of your trip, we take a look in the gift
shops in museums, galleries and other attractions.
ENJOYING THE RIVER
The Great West Way flows along with
wonderful waterways, offering plenty of opportunities
to splash about in the water.
51
SMART PHONE TOURS
Discover the Great West Way at your own
pace with these easy-to-follow smartphone apps.
54
10 UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES
Packed with hidden gems and unexpected
treasures, there’s something for everyone to
experience along the Great West Way.
64
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Take time to explore the Great West Way
evoking all your senses, losing yourself in an
authentic car-free journey.
GreatWestWay.co.uk
5

PUBLISHED BY
Contista Media Ltd
Mitchell House, Brook Avenue,
Warsash, Southampton,
Hampshire, SO31 9HP
contistamedia.co.uk
Brought to you by the Great West Way
GreatWestWay.co.uk/digitaltravelmagazine
With a special thanks to:
Bristol Airport, Canal & River Trust,
GWR, and National Trust
Image copyright credits: Throughout ©GreatWestWay.co.uk /
Marlborough College p5: Pete Davies Photography. Windsor, p14,
Bath, p47, STEAM, p92: @nicksmithphotography.com. SS Great
Britain, p94: © Adam Gasson, p120. Stonor p23: Paul Upward
Photography. Bath, p53: ©VisitBritain/Simon Winnall, p62.
Architecture p61: Great Pagoda Jeff Eden © RBG Kew. Playing
croquet on the lawn at Tyntesfield, Somerset, p74: ©English Heritage
Trust, p96: ©National Trust Images/Trevor Ray Hart, p100. Bristol
Science Centre: P95 ©VisitBritain / Pawel Libera p121. Wellness
p100: Getty Images/iStockphoto p130. Thermae Bath Spa, p103:
©jon@attenborough.net. Hotel Stays, p1110: ©VisitBritain / Joanna
Henderson p141. Monkey Island Estate, p115: Credit: Isabelle
Plasschaert / Alamy Stock Photo p145. Architecture, p97 ©SueBarr
Follow us on
Twitter @theGreatWestWay
Facebook @GreatWestWay
Instagram.com/GreatWestWay
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.
6 GreatWestWay.co.uk
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
74
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!
78
STRIKING ARCHITECTURE ON THE GREAT WEST WAY
There are many impressive styles of architecture to see on the Great
West Way. How many in our list have you visited?
100
GARDENS THROUGH THE SEASONS
The gardens of the Great West Way are beautiful whatever the
season, but here are the must-sees throughout the year.
106
HISTORIC STOPS: TRAIN TRAVEL
Making tracks on the Great West Way can point you at endless
amounts of history and fun facts to be discovered
YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
112
GOURMET GUIDE: FOOD & DRINK
Discover a wealth of hidden culinary delights and epicurean
experiences on the Great West Way.
118
MUSEUM GEMS
The Great West Way is home to some of England’s most fascinating
heritage sites and unmissable museums to visit on your journey.
124
WHAT ITEM WOULD YOU SAVE FROM A FIRE
Curators of some of the best museums along the Great West Way
reveal what single item in their collections they would choose to save.
128
MIND, BODY AND SOUL
Take some time out for yourself and re-energise by adding
some wellness to your trip.
140
151
POST-COVID HOTEL STAYS
From the city, riverside, to the countryside - a warm welcome awaits.
CALENDAR EVENTS
From confetti battles to music festivals, to canoe races and
country shows.
Pictured: Henley
Festival; Henley
on Thames

Wonders await
those who venture off the beaten path...
Royal patronage, rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture and beautiful natural
scenery along a 20 mile stretch of the River Thames. Add to this an abundance
of places to stay from 5 star resorts to riverside camping, quaint villages, one-ofa-kind
shops and a culinary scene headed by the likes of Heston Blumenthal and
you’ll have a reasonable idea of the treats in store for you in and around Windsor.
#RoyalBoroughUnlocked
www.windsor.gov.uk

Take your
time on the
Kennet &
Avon Canal

THE WAY FORWARD
A look at some of the highlights and
what’s new on the Great West Way
ACCOMMODATION NEWS
THE FARM AT AVEBURY
The Farm at Avebury, in the heart of Wiltshire,
has been under the stewardship of the Hues
family for four generations as a family-run
working farm - and they are delighted to
announce the next chapter in their long
and successful story, launching brand new
accommodation for guests. There are six, newly
converted, self-catering holiday apartments
inside the former stables, with exposed timbers
and the original staddle stones, clustered
around a landscaped courtyard - think wild
flowers and grasses in corten steel planters.
The Farm is situated inside the UNESCOprotected
Avebury World Heritage site. Nearby
attractions include Avebury Henge and Stone
Circle and The Red Lion, the only pub in the
world to be surrounded by ancient stones.
thefarmatavebury.co.uk
GreatWestWay.co.uk
9

FAIRMONT WINDSOR PARK
In need of a luxury spa break in a remarkable location for the
mind, body and spirit? Perfectly sited adjacent to Windsor
Great Park and The Savill Garden, this regal country estate is
destined to be the UK’s leading wellness retreat comprising
a sprawling world-class spa spanning 2,500 square metres
with indoor and outdoor pools, 18 treatments rooms, a salt
room, Hamman and Japanese foot spa. Set in beautifully
landscaped gardens, the new hotel resembles an English
countryside sanctuary following a multi-million-pound
redevelopment of the former Savill Court Hotel. A home
away from home, with 200 spacious guestrooms and suites
with modern interiors using natural stone and soft textures,
and with many offering sweeping views of the surrounding
gardens. There’s also a Library club and even a barbershop
under license from the iconic St. James’s based Truefitt &
Hill – the oldest Barbershop in the world.
fairmont-windsorpark.com
ARTIST RESIDENCE, BRISTOL
Fancy an urban adventure to one of the country's hippest
cities, staying in a boutique hotel with a difference?
Housed in a former boot factory, adjoined to a Grade I
listed townhouse in Portland Square, this new city-centre
hotel is a continuum of the bohemian Artist Residence
style – an eclectic fusion of art and vintage chic. There's
also a café, bar, and a beautiful garden and outdoor space.
artistresidence.co.uk/our-hotels/bristol
GAINSBOROUGH BATH SPA HOTEL
The TV series Bridgerton had us swooning over the
ravishing city of Bath, used as a location. Offering the best
of both worlds – ultra luxurious self-catering for up to five
people, plus the hotel next door for dining out or using the
spa. The real wow factor facility here, however, is private
access to the Cross Bath. This sacred open-air bath taps in
to the city’s thermal waters and beats a hot tub any day.
thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk
10 GreatWestWay.co.uk

WINDSOR CARRIAGES PARTNERS
WITH CASTLE HOTEL WINDSOR
As part of the new Memorable Moments package, guests
at Castle Hotel Windsor will be treated to a 30 minute
carriage ride with Windsor Carriages followed by Captain Sir
Tom Moore Tea. Windsor Carriages is the only company to
operate carriages on The Long Walk at Windsor Castle and
throughout The Great Park, making it the first and only hotel
in Windsor to offer this unique and bespoke experience.
Perfect for those special and memorable occasions, guests
will witness the stunning views of Windsor Castle, meet
with the resident deer and encounter historical monuments,
ancient forests and stunning horticultural displays.
The afternoon tea collaboration follows a visit to the hotel
by Captain Sir Tom Moore and his family after he received
his knighthood from Her Majesty The Queen at Windsor
Castle, celebrating over afternoon tea.
castlehotelwindsor.com
THE YARD IN BATH
This new luxury boutique hotel in Bath is set around a
historic courtyard close to The Circus, Roman Baths and
a short walk to the Royal Crescent. Once a coaching inn,
there are now fourteen beautifully restored characterfilled
bedrooms. Think comfy king-size beds, rainfall
showers, REN toiletries, Netflix, Roberts Radios, fully
stocked mini-bars and Nespresso coffee machines.
theyardinbath.co.uk
THORNBURY CASTLE HOTEL
Once owned by King Henry VIII and Queen Mary I,
Thornbury Castle Hotel in South Gloucestershire has
re-opened following a multi-million-pound refurbishment.
Many of the bedchambers have been renamed to recognise
the key historical figures from the castle’s Tudor history,
including Henry VIII Suite (the bedchamber where the
King and Anne Boleyn stayed for 10 nights in 1535).
thornburycastle.co.uk
GreatWestWay.co.uk 11

GLAMPING SUITES AT WOOLLEY GRANGE
There is an exciting new option nestled in the Luxury
Family Hotel grounds of Woolley Grange, a beautiful
Jacobean manor house on the edge of the Cotswolds.
These luxurious bespoke glamping suites offer both luxury
and adventure, bringing a brand new meaning to spending
a night under canvas. Each glamping suite comes with a
large master bedroom, twin bedroom and bathroom (with
an all-important flushing toilet and shower), lounge, and
private terrace with outdoor seating. As a guest of Woolley
Grange you have access to the historic hotel and its facilities
too, including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, spa,
childcare, pop-up café and bar (also new). Even better,
you’ll be able to wake up each morning to a pre-ordered
continental breakfast hamper, delivered direct to your suite –
including homemade treats such as muffins, overnight oats,
fruit and granola pots, and freshly made tea and coffee.
woolleygrangehotel.co.uk/family-hotel/glamping-suites
THE GUILD
Formerly Wilton Shopping Village, The Guild in Wiltshire
is a riverside, industrial vibe outdoor-indoor space home
to a distinctive mix of independent and national brands
ranging from homeware, interiors, lifestyle, gifting and
wellbeing. There's also Herbs & Wild, a superb eatery
using locally sourced produce and annual events are held
in the pretty courtyard under a spacious boho-style tipi tent.
theguildwiltshire.co.uk
BANKSY ARTWORK ON READING PRISON WALL
Reading’s former Grade II-listed prison, where Wilde was
held between 1895 and 1897, has been causing a bit of
a media stir. It is yet to be decided if the site is going to
be knocked down for a housing or redeveloped into an
exciting new cultural hub for the town. We are hopeful
for the latter, and it seems both Banksy, whose prisoner
artwork appeared on the side of the prison wall, is too.
livingreading.co.uk
12 GreatWestWay.co.uk

FISHERTON MILL IN SALISBURY
The largest independent art gallery in the South West is just
a short detour off the route close to Salisbury train station.
The gift shop is full of delightful displays of arts and crafts
from over 200 local and British artists. The Gallery and Gift
shop are Salisbury’s perfect places to find unusual, stylish
and memorable gifts and original artworks. Meet the artisan
makers during Makers Markets or take part in one of their
creative workshops from learning to knit, creating your own
Christmas decorations to fusing glass. Their award-winning
café has plenty of seating inside or dine alfresco in the pretty
garden terrace. The food is so good they have been voted
best café in Wiltshire, and this year have launched their first
‘Recipe Calendar’ available to buy in the shop with £2.50 from
each sale going to support local charity the Salisbury Pantry, a
food support project launched during the Pandemic based to
provide affordable and nutritious food to local residents.
fishertonmill.co.uk
NO.15 GREAT PULTENEY BY GUESTHOUSE
Three brothers behind the new independent hospitality
group, GuestHouse, have snapped up their first property
on one of the UK’s grandest streets, No.15 Great Pulteney.
The hotel has all of the original charms of its previous
owner, with acclaimed British designer, Martin Hulbert,
being contracted to reboot the interiors he originally
conceived - but with new fun-loving stylish twists.
guesthousehotels.co.uk
LEONARDO HOTEL BRISTOL GLASSFIELDS
This brand new low energy sustainability-conscious
197-bedroom hotel is situated near Temple Meads train
station. Highly convenient as an overnight stop for visitors
travelling the Great West Way route by train on the
GWR (see more on p96). Based close to the centre of
the city, within walking distance of the famous Clifton
Suspension Bridge and the Clifton Observatory.
jurysinns.com/hotels/bristol/leonardo-glassfields
GreatWestWay.co.uk
13

SECOND WORLD HERITAGE AWARD FOR BATH
It has been an exciting year for Bath, not only being named
as one of the World’s Greatest Places in TIME’s annual list,
Bath was also recently awarded a second prestigious World
Heritage inscription by UNESCO. The committee has inscribed
the ‘Great Spas of Europe’ on to the World Heritage list -
with Bath being the only one out of the 11 towns on the list
to already have World Heritage Status. It means that the City
of Bath, will have an exceptional second inscription.
The Great Spa Towns of Europe project focuses on historic
spa towns, based around mineral springs, which formed
fashionable resorts of health, leisure and recreational
‘diversions’ such as gambling and dancing from the eighteenth
to the early twentieth centuries. The towns were built in
harmony with their natural therapeutic landscape settings
to create unique urban forms. Historic and influential spa
destinations they were the pioneers of modern tourism.
visitbath.co.uk/blog
GIFFORDS CIRCUS LAUNCHES IN THE COTSWOLDS
The famous travelling restaurant, Circus Sauce, that
accompanies Giffords Circus on its summer tours is launching
a brand-new winter restaurant in Gloucestershire, offering
hearty British dishes inspired by local, seasonal produce.
Taking up residence at The Old Gore Barn in Cirencester,
serving dinner on selected evenings, as well as Sunday
lunches, throughout November and December 2021.
soglos.com
MARY SHELLEY’S HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN
Located in Bath's Gay Street, Mary Shelley’s House of
Frankenstein is the world's-first truly immersive visitor
experience to commemorate the life of the female novelist,
who wrote much of Frankenstein in Bath. The attraction
extends over four atmospheric floors, including a dank
foreboding basement - and, new for Halloween, the
Victor’s Lair Escape Room, and After Dark experiences.
houseoffrankenstein.com
14 GreatWestWay.co.uk

PICTURE PALACE: BLENHEIM’S STARRING ROLE IN
NEW CINDERELLA BLOCKBUSTER
Blenheim Palace has a leading role in Amazon Prime Video’s
new film, Cinderella which launched exclusively around the
world in over 240 countries and territories in September.
Both the interior and exterior of Britain’s ‘greatest palace’ are
featured extensively in the musical. Written and directed by
Kay Cannon, the star-studded production is musically-driven,
with Camila Cabello as the titular character, in addition to
Idina Menzel, Minnie Driver, Nicholas Galitzine, Billy Porter,
and Pierce Brosnan. It’s the second time the Baroque palace
has been used as a setting for the Cinderella story. As well as
Cinderella, Blenheim has had a starring role in a host of other
movie blockbusters – from Harry Potter and The BFG to James
Bond, Gulliver’s Travels and Mission Impossible. Most recently,
the Palace stood in for Buckingham Palace in ‘Dolittle’ (2020)
starring Robert Downey Jr and Emma Thompson.
blenheimpalace.com
TROWBRIDGE MUSEUM
After a period of refurbishment and renovation generously
financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Trowbridge Museum
has reopened, marking its return and reaffirming its status
as one of Wiltshire’s leading historical visitor attractions.
Visitors can explore 1000 years of the town’s history, and
discover its incredibly rare Spinning Jenny (one of only five
surviving in the world) and new state-of-the-art facilities.
trowbridgemuseum.co.uk
THE TUTTI POLE
The much loved family-run tea shop and restaurant
in Hungerford, The Tutti Pole, celebrated 40 years in
business on the 29 August. The 40th customer of the
day (and her family) won their meal and drinks as a prize
gifted to them by The Tutti Pole team. Pictured above
are the lucky winners, the Ghost's from Swindon, along
with Stephen, owner of The Tutti Pole, pictured far right.
thetuttipole.co.uk
GreatWestWay.co.uk 15

Booking online
essential
Explore ancient chambers
and sacred springs in the
heart of Bath.
Book your slot online at:
romanbaths.co.uk

VIRTUAL SPECIAL
AERIAL VISTAS
Enjoy the Great West Way from a bird's-eye view
with our selection of stunning panoramic virtual
tours and captivating drone footage!
Words: Samantha Rutherford
→
GreatWestWay.co.uk 17

CLICK
HERE
WINDSOR
18 GreatWestWay.co.uk

→
GreatWestWay.co.uk
19

20 GreatWestWay.co.uk

CLICK
HERE
OLD SARUM
→
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CLICK
HERE
READING
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CLICK
HERE
BATH
→
GreatWestWay.co.uk 23

24
GreatWestWay.co.uk

CLICK
HERE
VISIT
WILTSHIRE
GreatWestWay.co.uk
25

CLICK
HERE
BAILEY BALLOONS
26
GreatWestWay.co.uk

CLICK
HERE
STONOR
→
GreatWestWay.co.uk 27

28

CLICK
HERE
BRISTOL
→
29

CLICK
HERE
BLENHEIM
PALACE
30 GreatWestWay.co.uk

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32

MY GREAT WEST WAY:
ALEX
BRANNEN
Discover the Great West Way
through the eyes of a local, the
Communications Manager in
charge of the UK's largest town
So, we hear it is an exciting year for Reading with plans for a potential new cultural
hub and an anniversary to celebrate – tell us more?
Alex: Yes, Reading’s disused Victorian prison, where Oscar Wilde was convicted after his
affair with Lord Alfred Douglas was exposed, is hopefully going to be given approval for
an exciting redevelopment plan of the area into a new diverse cultural and arts hub. We
are still waiting to hear how Reading Gaol’s great cultural heritage will underpin future
redevelopment of the site. However, there has been plenty of support from passionate
locals and artists too. The prison has been used for cultural events for a number of years
now, with many celebrities performing in 2016 including Ralph Fiennes and Patti Smith,
as well as our ArtAngel exhibition which features the work of people such as Steve
McQueen. Professional theatre company Rabble have some exciting ideas to bring to the
redevelopment too.
The prison is also part of the Abbey Quarter area, which celebrates 900 years this year
and it is possible that King Henry I of England is buried under what is the car park of the
Prison. The Abbey Ruins are separated from the Prison by one high wall, so this is part of a
huge cultural area's potential regeneration.
You must be busy then?!
Alex: Always! 2021 has been an exciting year for Reading Abbey and its 900th anniversary
celebrations took place in June, albeit within COVID manageable →restrictions, but we still
welcomed thousands of people to the site for a magnificent day of arts, re-enactments,
music and history. A hugely successful run of a new play by Rabble Theatre about the
Abbey’s Last Abbot (executed by Henry VIIII for his beliefs) was performed in the Abbey’s
Chapter House to great reviews in June/July and was a real highlight of the year. We are
also about to open a new theatre in Reading in October – Reading Rep Theatre – so the
performing arts are alive and kicking in Reading!. →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
33

Pictured left-right: Maiwand Lion - - one of the biggest cast iron statues in the world. Reading's Abbey Quarter;
The Oracle Shopping Centre, Reading's Riverside; Reading Prison: the restored Edwardian Thames Lido.
What’s a typical day like for you?
Alex: I work with hotels, museums, river boat
companies, shops and other tourism businesses to
make sure Reading puts on its best face for visitors.
Reading is a bit of an undiscovered gem, but through
the Great West Way, visitors are beginning to see
the breadth of what we have to offer. We are blessed
with the rivers Thames and Kennet and surrounding
lakes used for boating, swimming, SUP, jet ski-ing and
inflatable fun. Reading is a great outdoor destination as
well as a historic urban stopover.
What do you love most about your job?
Alex: I love taking people around Reading and telling
them the story of this fascinating place. Many people
don’t know that Oscar Wilde and Jane Austen have
strong links with Reading or that England’s last
undiscovered King, Henry I, was buried here. The
UK’s most famous biscuit manufacturer, Huntley and
Palmers, owned half the town in Victorian times and
we have glorious stretches of the River Thames and
Kennet flowing through the heart of the town. And
there’s loads more…not least a vibrant cultural scene.
How did you get started?
Alex: I started off my working life in tourism in London
in the 1990s, which was such an exciting time for the
Capital. After doing a variety of other jobs, I am really
enjoying sharing my enthusiasm again for the place in
which I live. Living and working in one place means you
really get the measure of what makes it tick.
What achievements are you most proud of?
Alex: I am running the Reading Half Marathon this
November, having been thwarted by the weather in
2018! Reading Half Marathon is a race that attracts
14,000 people to run through the streets of the
town every spring. I had never been a runner but the
whole of Reading turns out to support the runners on
Marathon Day – there’s a great atmosphere - and you
get the chance to run round many of Reading’s main
streets closed to traffic and finish in the Madejski
Stadium, home of the Royals, Reading Football
Club. Sadly, freak snow led to the cancellation of the
race and I had to use my training to run the 22 km
elsewhere, but I managed it!
What do you find inspiring day-to-day? What keeps
the enthusiasm going?
Alex: There is a real sense of pride in Reading about
our town – our heritage - both the buildings and
the people, our cultural scene, dynamic business
environment and neighbourliness. We are a welcoming
place that wants to share what we have with people
more widely. We think visitors will agree.
Any interesting or funny anecdotes related to your
role or your experiences with visitors you can share?
Alex: Not funny but maybe useful when you get here.
The pronunciation of Reading is like the colour Red in
‘Redding’ not like ‘reading’ a book. Locals sometimes
refer to the town as ‘the Ding’ and if you are looking for
Reading on twitter, search #rdguk.
34 GreatWestWay.co.uk

What does slow travel mean to you?
Alex: I cycle to work in Reading town centre every
day – Reading is a good scale for cycling. We also have
lovely footpaths along the Thames and Kennet, river
boat companies, the UK’s best bus company and a
£900 million train station in the heart of the town. For
me, slow travel is any journey where you don’t have to
take the car. Any of those would be THE BEST way to
visit Reading.
What do you think makes the Great West Way
special?
Alex: I know when I travel on holiday that a trail type
itinerary that brings together a diverse experience
and range of places really helps me explore under my
own steam. I think the Great West Way will provide
great ideas for exploring a special part of England and
allow visitors to see a number of different sides of our
country, from charming countryside and villages to
gritty multicultural urban landscapes – all within really
easy travelling distance of each other.
Do you have any insider tips or advice for travellers
who want to experience the touring route ‘like a
local’?
Alex: Chat to people when you are visiting/travelling.
Diffident British people probably won’t make the first
move to talk to you but if you ask their opinion or
start the ball rolling they’ll be delighted to share their
knowledge and experience with you. My best holiday
memories have always involved local people so treat
every pub, train journey or shopping trip as a chance to
make a new friend.
Describe your perfect adventure on the Great West
Way:
Alex: I think it is the diversity of any one day on the
Great West Way that makes it special. If you were in
Reading, that could involve a guided tour of the Abbey
Ruins, open air swimming at the restored Edwardian
Thames Lido, watching Reading FC in action at the
‘Mad Stad’, afternoon tea at The Roseate or a great live
band at one of Reading’s many live music venues.
What’s your favourite thing to eat or drink along the
touring route, a meal, a local delicacy or a favourite
tipple perhaps? And any cafes, restaurants or pubs
you can recommend?
Alex: Many first time visitors to the UK are surprised
by how multicultural our country is. 150 languages
are spoken in Reading schools, for example. For food
and drink fans, one of the benefits of our multicultural
society is the amazing choice of food on offer. In
Reading, you could try the Spanish/North African
influence at Thames Lido, the new Ethiopean café in
Palmer Park, Modern Indian at Clays Hyderabadi or
the non-licensed Lebanese Bakery House or take your
pick on the Wednesday/Friday street food markets.
Fans of ‘bitter’ (British ale/beer) should head for one
of the best pubs in the south of England, the Nags
Head or one of the new taprooms springing up around
Reading. →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
35

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
36 GreatWestWay.co.uk

DISCOVER
FISHERTON
SALISBURY
MILL
5 MINUTE
WALK FROM
THE CITY
CENTRE
AWARD-WINNING CAFE
GALLERY
&
STUDIOS
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
fab fresh food
boutique studios art craft
gifts homewares exhibitions workshops
108 Fisherton St, Salisbury, SP2 7QY Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm
w w w . f i s h e r t o n m i l l . c o . u k

GREAT WEST WAY
MEMENTOS
For one-of-a-kind souvenirs, gift shops in museums, galleries and other
attractions often come up with the goods. From a glass bauble at Bristol Blue
Glass to stylish sarsen necklaces at Stonehenge, you’ll come away with
something unique and special that reminds you of your trip
WHITCHURCH SILK
TIE, MADE USING
THE SILK WOVEN ON
VICTORIAN LOOMS
AT WHITCHURCH SILK
MILL, £40
MALLARD INSPIRED
KEYRING MADE WITH
WHITCHURCH SILK
MILL HERRINGBONE
SILK, £9.50
SILK SCARVES MADE
WITH LIMITED EDITION
NEON SILK WOVEN AT
WHITCHURCH
SILK MILL ON THEIR
VICTORIAN LOOMS, £70
whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk
38 GreatWestWay.co.uk

FRAMED PRINT OF A PEN
OF THEAVES FROM MUSEUM
OF ENGLISH RURAL LIFE, £15.95
FOR THE PRINT, FRAMED
PRICES FROM AROUND £80
artuk.org
The Great West Way
is Brunel Country. The
great engineer, Isambard
Kingdom Brunel, built
bridges, tunnels, ships and
the Great Western Railway
- all taking centre stage
throughout the region.
Isambear is a perfect
reminder of the hero
engineer's impact on the
world, £17
shop.ssgreatbritain.org
shop.ssgreatbritain.org
A recreation of a Victorian souvenir, these
Thames Tunnels peepshows capture the
magic of the Thames Tunnel in London,
designed and built by Sir Marc Brunel and
Isambard Kingdom Brunel, £15
GreatWestWay.co.uk
39

ENGLISH SPARKLING
WINE OF WILTSHIRE
CLASSIC CUVEE, £35
bluestonevineyards.co.uk
40 GreatWestWay.co.uk

Hobbs of Henley's new
clothing line 'Henley
1870', a design that
encapsulated Henley,
the River and Hobbs,
and appeals not just
to locals but visitors
too. Environmentally
friendly Hoodies and
T Shirts are made from
recycled materials
and with 100% organic
cotton. £1 from every
garment sold is
donated to the River
Thames Society a
charity whose aim is
to protect the natural
beauty of the River
Thames. Unisex Organic
Cotton Hoodie £55,
Unisex Organic Cotton
T Shirt, £25
hobbsofhenley.com
/merchandise
STONEHENGE TRILITHONS
Celebrate and commemorate
the magic of Stonehenge with
Trilithon Drop Earrings, £22
english-heritageshop.org.uk
BRISTOL BLUE GLASS
Uniquely handmade in Bristol,
Aurora Blue Glass Vase, priced
£32 and Lily Vase, £86
bristol-glass.co.uk
RING OF STONES GAME
Beautifully hand crafted in resin
and made in England exclusively
for English Heritage, £12.
english-heritageshop.org.uk
GreatWestWay.co.uk
41

BOMBAY GIN COLLECTION, £120
bombaysapphire.com
CLIFTON SUSPENSION BRIDGE
Add this unique silver charm to your
bracelet as a memory of your adventures
along the Great West Way, £35
Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre
SUPERSONIC HARDBACK
This beautiful book from Aerospace
Bristol explores the look and feel
of flying on Concorde, £27.50
shop.aerospacebristol.org
TEA INFUSED GIN
Somerset Spirit Co Gin, infused
with Bristol's Cox and Baloney
Berry Sundae Fruit Tea.
coxandbaloney.co.uk
42 GreatWestWay.co.uk

GREAT WEST WAY
STAINLESS STEEL
TRAVEL BOTTLES,
(500ML) £14.99
GreatWestWay.co.uk/shop
Want to find
more gifts for
friends or take
back home?
The Great West
Way delivers all
sorts of shopping
opportunities.
CLICK
HERE
GreatWestWay.co.uk
43

44 GreatWestWay.co.uk

ENJOYING THE RIVER
Since the Great West Way flows along
with wonderful waterways, opportunities
to splash about in the water abound
Words: Samantha Rutherford
ALONG THE GREAT WEST WAY there are plentiful
opportunities to mess about in boats – or in
canoes, or on a paddle board perhaps. And,
with the Kennet & Avon Canal linking the River
Thames in the east with the River Avon in the west, the
Great West Way can even be travelled without setting foot
on dry land!
For a sedate sort of water sport, try one of the many
types of boating trips. You could hire a rowing boat at
Henley-on-Thames and gently row downstream, past rafts
of fluffy ducklings. Or kayak carefully down the Thames,
past the Houses of Parliament and other equally big sites,
on an alternative tour of London. Or even go stand-up
paddle boarding on Bristol's Floating Harbour.
Water sports aren’t just for lakes or oceans, the rivers
and harbours along the way are ideal waterways to cool
down in and try something new. Paddle past Brunel’s SS
Great Britain whilst on a tour of Bristol Harbour - or tackle
the Giant SUP from Original Wild which fits up to 9 people,
as well as kayaking, canoeing and raft building. It’s a great
bonding experience and totally hilarious, there’s nothing
like a bit of laughter therapy! You can also swim in the river
at designated places such as Warleigh Weir near Bath and
north of Dundas Aqueduct.
The Great West Way’s scenic waterways support various
water sports too. Canoeing, kayaking, canal boat riding,
stand-up paddle boarding… Viewing the touring route
from the water will give you a whole different perspective
on the landscape and its natural inhabitants. Just watch out
for the blue flash of a kingfisher as it dips down to catch a
fish. (Speaking of which, there are many places in the Great
West Way to go fishing too.)
There are some more heart-pumping options as well,
such as Cotswolds Water Park, comprised of 150 lakes,
ideal for people who like being by - or more specifically on
or in - the water. You can kayak, canoe, windsurf, waterski,
wakeboard, sail or brave the chilly waters and go for a
refreshing open water swim. Or you can just hire a great
big inflatable and have a laugh in the water with family and
friends.
The Thames might be London’s river, but it is away
from the city, further west on the Great West Way, that
the waterway is at its most beautiful. The River Thames
flows through Windsor, Henley-on-Thames, Reading and
Oxford (where it is called the Isis). Did you know that at
215 miles, it is the longest river entirely in England and the
second-longest in the UK, after the River Severn? Climb
aboard one of the Thames River Boat’s vessels at Kew to →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
45

“Cruise upsteam through Boveney Lock passing
The Willows, Bray Film Studios and Monkey Island
enjoying the wonderful views of Windsor Castle.”
Richmond and Hampton Court and
spot wildlife while cruising down the
river. On this relaxed journey you’ll
pass Kew Gardens and Richmond
Park before sailing on through the
locks at Richmond, past the imposing
Palladian villa of Marble Hill House
and the splendid 17th-century Ham
House, to reach the historic royal
palace at Hampton Court.
Further upriver, there are boat trips
with French Brothers departing
from Windsor Promenade. You’ll
cruise upsteam through Boveney
Lock passing The Willows, Bray Film
Studios and Monkey Island enjoying
the wonderful views of Windsor
Castle during the return journey.
Or, you might enjoy hiring a boat in
Henley or join Salters Steamers along
the Thames from Reading to Henley,
Wind in the Willows style. Or why not
head along the Kennet & Avon Canal
on a Canadian canoe from Towpath
Canoe Hire, Bradford on Avon?
The Kennet & Avon Canal is 87 miles
of beautiful waterway from Reading
to Bristol. No matter where you are
along the stretch, there are plenty of
chances to get out on the water. Hop
on Jubilee, The Rose of Hungerford,
Kenavon Venture or Barbara Mclellan
for a relaxing boat trip. If you want
to have a go at being captain and
explore the canal for longer, you
can hire you own canal boat at
Honeystreet Mill Boats and Café,
Bruce Accessible Boats and Sally
Narrowboats.
Cyclists might prefer flowing
along the Kennet & Avon Canal on
two wheels along the cycle paths

from Bath to Reading. The 85-
mile cycle route is packed with
amazing attractions, incredible
countryside and an abundance of
wildlife. Highlights along the way
include Bradford on Avon’s Tithe
Barn, the Pewsey White Horse
and the dramatic flight of locks at
Caen Hill. For a day ride that’s not
overly challenging, the Bath to
Devizes section (22 miles) is almost
completely traffic-free. Why not
start your bike ride in Reading and
finish in the spa city of Bath where
you can treat yourself to a hot soak
at Thermae Bath Spa!
If you don’t want to travel the Great
West Way entirely by canal and river,
there are numerous places along the
route for getting out on the water
for the day or even just for an hour
or two. South Oxfordshire is an area
full of natural beauty, picturesque
villages, shops to browse and places
to stay and to eat. Book a stay in
Henley-on-Thames, home to the
world’s most famous rowing event,
the annual Henley Royal Regatta.
The regatta first took place in 1839
and now every July the stretch of →
→

the river that runs through this attractive town on
the Berkshire-Oxfordshire border hosts races that
attract the very best international crews. A channel
of the river stays open to spectators throughout the
event – this is a great time to take to the water and
see world-class rowing up close.
The rest of the year there are cruises with Hobbs
of Henley on the same stretch of water, including
short sightseeing cruises, wildlife spotting trips, gin
and jazz nights and even Christmas cruises to meet
Santa.
The other side of the North Wessex Downs you
will come to the Caen Hill Lock Flight, known in
narrowboating circles as one of the biggest and best
challenges in English canal cruising. This flight of
locks on the Kennet & Avon Canal runs for just over
two miles up the eponymous hill into the market
town of Devizes. On this stretch the canal rises 237
feet (72 metres), using 29 locks to manoeuvre boats
up and down the hill. Tackling the lock flight – in
either direction – takes at least half a day. Each lock
must be manually opened and closed using heavy
wooden gates, each time allowing the water to
either fill the lock or drain away from it to change the
water level and keep you climbing up or down.
Standing atop your boat and feeling the water
rise or fall around you is one of any narrowboating
holiday’s most memorable moments – that and
mooring up at the pub afterwards, of course. You
can visit or stay at the nearby Devizes Marina
Village, where you hire a canal boat to tackle the
locks yourself. If you don’t fancy doing the grunt
work yourself, you can leave your narrowboat at
Foxhangers at the bottom of the hill and walk up to
the town along the towpath, watching others hard at
work as you go.
The Kennet & Avon Canal continues to travel
along the Great West Way from Newbury in the east
to Bath in the west. One of the prettiest sections
of this historic waterway is the section between
the delightful Wiltshire town of Bradford on Avon
and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath. Bath
Narrowboats have electric boat and canoe hire from
Brassknocker Basin, five miles outside Bath, and one
day is ample time for exploring this quiet stretch of
water with its canalside pubs and tea gardens. Allow
some time in Bradford on Avon itself too, this pretty
town has Medieval and Georgian buildings tumbling
down the hillside to the water’s edge, many of them
now excellent delis, cafés and boutiques.
48 GreatWestWay.co.uk

In the south of The Cotswolds and just north of
Swindon is an extensive area of watery playground.
Over some 40 square miles, more than 150 lakes
pool across the landscape, offering myriad ways to
get out on the water. This is the best place on the
Great West Way to try your hand at waterskiing,
wakeboarding or windsurfing or to have a go at the
latest watersports craze, stand up paddleboarding.
You can learn to sail here too, and there are canoes,
kayaks and rowing boats for hire, as well as thrilling
rides atop massive inflatables that are sure to put a
smile on your face.
Rather just have a swim? Head to Cotswold
Country Park and Beach where the South Lake has
an extensive beach and a paddling area for children,
plus pedalos and rowing boats for hire.
In Bath, Original Wild has stand up paddle
boarding tours leaving from Pulteney Bridge, which
will introduce the city from a very different angle,
standing on a board afloat in the Avon.
Along the river at Forester Road, Bath Boating
Station hire out canoes, kayaks, skiffs and punts so
that you can explore at your own pace.
Or, you could cruise along the River Avon to
Bathampton, a pretty village just two miles east
of Bath, or into the city as far as Pulteney Bridge. If
you’d rather stick to easier waters, the more placid
Kennet & Avon Canal meets the Avon in Bath and
there are narrowboats for hire by the day from Bath
Narrowboats.
At the end of the route Bristol’s Floating Harbour
offers not only one of the best ways to get around
the city by ferry, with boats running from Temple
Meads train station into and around the city centre
and Floating Harbour, but there are also cream
tea cruises on the River Avon with Bristol Packet.
Bristol Ferries run cruises out to Beese’s Tea Garden
for lunch, dinner or afternoon tea, and you can also
paddle board around with SUP Bristol.
Bristol Packet and Bristol Ferries also offer cruises
from the Floating Harbour to Avon Gorge and
Wapping Wharf, where you’ll sail along the River
Avon beside Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s SS Great
Britain, and beneath the Clifton Suspension Bridge,
another of the great engineer’s imposing and
unmissable designs.
Have you a copy of our new Kennet & Avon Canal map?
Slow down and enjoy 87 miles of the Kennet & Avon Canal
with our Great West Way map to include places to visit,
recommended accommodation, waterside restaurants and more.
GreatWestWay.co.uk/explore/maps
GreatWestWay.co.uk
49

This Way for
a Journey
Through Time
The Great West Way weaves through
the timeless county of Wiltshire.
The Ancient Briton, Romans, Normans and
Saxons have all left their mark.
Now it’s time for you to follow in
their footsteps.
It’s Time for Wiltshire
www.visitwiltshire.co.uk

FIVE OF THE BEST
SMART PHONE
TOURS
Discover the Great West Way at your own pace
with these easy-to-follow smartphone apps
1BANKSY BRISTOL TRAIL
Fans of street art will love this new
self-guided smart phone tour in Bristol
dedicated to the famous pseudonymous
street artist, Banksy. The tour takes
you to see his works of art around the
Floating Harbour, Park Street, Stokes
Croft and Montpelier, and includes
Valentine, the new artwork that only
appeared in Bristol last year.
CLICK
HERE
TO DOWNLOAD ON THE
APP STORE OR GET IT ON
GOOGLE PLAY
→
GreatWestWay.co.uk 51

CLICK
HERE
TO FIND OUT MORE
AND TO BOOK THE BATH
AND WILTSHIRE TOUR
2WALKING TOURS, BATH
Lose yourself without getting lost with
the must-have app when visiting Bath.
Available from the iTunes App Store or
Google Play to your mobile phone or
tablet this app offers a large choice of
themed sightseeing walks to include Bath’s
museums, coffee shops and shopping
gems, to where to find Jane Austen.
3BRUNEL TOUR, BRISTOL
When in Bristol, The Boat and the Bridge:
an audio tour about the creations and
genius of Brunel, offers a fantastic selfguided
insight into the creations and
genius of Brunel. Wind your way along the
river Avon, on a route that’s almost entirely
pedestrianised, and end at the Clifton
Suspension Bridge’s official viewpoint.
CLICK
HERE
TO DOWNLOAD
GPSMYCITY
CLICK
HERE
TO DOWNLOAD THE
BOAT AND THE BRIDGE
52 GreatWestWay.co.uk

4 5
SELF-GUIDED WALKS
Take your self-guided exploration to the
next level with an organised walking
holiday. Socially distancing yourself from
others is made easy when you are going
solo, and with the experts taking care of
your itinerary, maps and downloadable
tours all you need to worry about is
enjoying the journey. Try Cotswolds Walks
self-guided five night Bath and Wiltshire
tour, visit the World Heritage Site of Bath
with Roman Baths and Spa, and see the
iconic villages of Castle Combe and Lacock
with its magnificent Abbey.
NATIONAL TRUST APP
If you plan to visit one of the beautiful
National Trust properties on the Great
West Way, Basildon Park, The Courts
Garden or Tyntesfield perhaps, then be sure
to download the free National Trust - Days
Out App. Plan and enhance your visit by
staying up to date with events throughout
the year, download maps, keep a record of
the places you’ve visited, and make a wish
list for where to go next. Plus, everything
you need is available offline, so you can
use the app even in the most remote and
off-grid locations!
CLICK
HERE
TO DOWNLOAD THE
NATIONAL TRUST APP
ON THE APP STORE OR
GET IT ON GOOGLE PLAY
GreatWestWay.co.uk
53

TEN OF THE BEST
UNFORGETTABLE
EXPERIENCES
The Great West Way is packed with hidden
gems and unexpected treasures. There’s
something for everyone, and we hope you
enjoy our top ten unmissable adventures
1
FOR THE CYCLIST
Did you know the National Cycle Network route
can take you the entire length of the Great West
Way, and beyond? In total, from Greenwich,
London to Fishguard, Wales it’s an epic 432 miles.
Whether you choose to challenge yourself to a
week-long tour of the entire route from London
to Bristol (Route 4) or prefer to explore sections
of the Great West Way at a more leisurely pace,
you will be sure to find your perfect ride. The rural
charm of the touring route, including three Areas
of Outstanding Natural Beauty, makes it a dreamy
destination for any bike tour. There are plenty of
family-friendly woodland paths, long distance
cycle routes and exhilarating downhill mountain
bike trails. There are even lots of cute bike-friendly
B&Bs to stay in on your way. Experiencing the
route on a bike or e-bike is a fabulous option for a
charity challenge, a rewarding solo adventure or
an unforgettable family day out.
54 GreatWestWay.co.uk

VISIT SAFELY
Protect yourself and others
Businesses have been working
hard to make sure everything is
safe for both staff and visitors.
Things may look slightly different,
so please be patient as we all get
used to new ways of doing things.
Websites and businesses will
be displaying new certification,
including the nationallyrecognised
"We're Good to
Go" mark to demonstrate the
measures they have in place to
protect us all from COVID-19.
→
55

Did you know?
The Great West Way
route passes through
three Areas of
Outstanding Natural
Beauty. In London,
the southern section
of The Chilterns’
324-miles makes a
great start to the
route, The Wiltshire
White Horses and
the White Horse at
Uffington will be a
joy to spot ambling
in the North Wessex
Downs, or start your
tour from Bath and
follow The Cotswold
Way north, for 102
more, glorious miles.
2
FOR THE WALKER
Why not try the Great West Way six-day walking
and sightseeing tour? If you love nothing more
than exploring by foot then this fabulous themed
itinerary, taking you to some of the very best
locations along the route, will be sure not to
disappoint. Highlights include walking to Ancient
Avebury and Jones’s Mill Nature Reserve, through
pretty villages including Calne and Devizes, and
visiting attractions to include Westonbirt, The
National Arboretum, The Roman Baths’ Great
Bath by the light of flickering torches and Brunel’s
SS Great Britain. Worried you won’t keep up?
The walks are mainly flat and vary in length from
a reasonable four-nine miles. There are plenty
of pubs and cafés along the route for lunches,
afternoon tea or a drink at the end of the day. You
can book this tour with Great West Way Official
Tour Operators, Active England, Alison Howell’s
Foot Trails or Compass Holidays.
56 GreatWestWay.co.uk

3FOR THE BOOKWORM
Fancy stepping into the scene from one of your
favourite classic novels by getting dressed up and
joining in the fun of the Jane Austen Festival? This
annual celebration of everything Austen lures
Janeites from all over to the beautiful city of Bath
each September. It’s definitely one of the more
eccentric things to do in Bath, but don’t be shy -
come with your frilliest frock, reticule and parasol
and prepare to be thrilled (in a most elegant
way, naturally). The programme is different each
year, but past events have included costumed
promenades, etiquette talks, book readings, dance
workshops and masked balls. Surrounded by Bath’s
historic golden architecture you’ll feel totally
immersed in the era
→
GreatWestWay.co.uk
57

4FOR THE MOTORIST
Car enthusiasts will love the experience of going
behind the wheel of a Formula Ford 1600 or
Lotus Elise and driving laps of the Castle Combe
circuit racetrack, or for something extra special,
consider hiring a classic car. Some much-adored,
iconic choices include the Jaguar E-Type, the
nippy MGB Convertible and the Austin-Healey.
You can choose and hire your special wheels
from Vintage Classics and spend your day driving
stylishly through some of the prettiest villages
in England. Take your time as you cruise past the
quaint limestone cottages of Castle Combe, play
spot the chalky White Horse as you head to the
characterful village of Pewsey, and pass through
Tiddleywink, an adorable Wiltshire hamlet
consisting of just eight cottages - one of which is
historically known to serve beer to passing cattle
drovers. Don’t forget your camera, this will be a
day to remember.
58 GreatWestWay.co.uk

5
FOR THE
HORTICULTURALIST
For an unforgettable horticultural experience,
make a beeline for Kew Gardens. For a quick and
easy way to see the vast 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.
Did you know?
At Kew you can travel
the world with ‘The
Huntress of Flowers’,
Marianne North? The
boundary-breaking
Victorian botanist
who travelled solo
around the world
faithfully recording
the exotics plants
she encountered
has an exhibition
showing displaying
extraordinary oil
paintings - 833 of
them, in geographical
order - at her
eponymous gallery.
→
GreatWestWay.co.uk
59

6
FOR THE FOODIE
Bons vivants will love the Great West Way for its
superior gourmet offering – especially given it is
the only place where you can experience all five of
the UK's Three Michelin Starred restaurants. Now
there’s a tasty challenge to add to the bucket list!
This incredible gastronomic journey will take you
on a special and indulgent tour sampling signature
dishes from some of the world’s finest chefs, with
equally impressive hospitality, at their British
restaurants. If you are starting your journey in
West London, your first stop should be Restaurant
Gordon Ramsay, followed by Alain Ducasse at the
Dorchester, and Sketch Lecture Room and Library.
Next head to Berkshire for an incredible fine dining
experience at The Waterside Inn. Then last, but by
no means least, Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck will
be unforgettable too – although this depends on
if you have been fortunate enough to book a table
reservation. Be sure to book in advance.
For the ultimate epicurean
experience, book a stay at
Bray Cottages Lavender
House, and enjoy Heston
Blumenthal’s son, Jack
Blumenthal and Scott
Perkins as your own private
chefs! Yes, that’s right, the
talented pair launched
their delicious private
dining experiences at Bray
Cottages in the heart of the
village, during lockdown.
You might wish to stay
for a few extra nights, as
there are seven Michelin
starred restaurants within
walking distance of the
cottage, to include, Heston
Blumenthal’s Fat Duck and
The Waterside Inn, Alain
Roux’s The Waterside Inn
and Roux at Skindles, plus
The Crown at Bray and
Caldesi in Campagna.
braycottages.com and
jackandscott.com
60 GreatWestWay.co.uk

7FOR THE ZOOPHILIST
For the ultimate overnight wildlife experience,
the recently opened Camp Baboon at Wild Place
Project is an absolute must. Think behind-thescenes
animal encounters, twilight tours of the
park and fully heated cosy wood cabins. Head into
the woods for a range of fun and exciting bush
craft activities, spot the native wildlife, and when
the gates close and you’re the only guests on-site,
toast marshmallows round a crackling fire before
settling down for sleep surrounded by amazing
animals from all around the world, including the
flamboyantly-furred Gelada Baboons! Wake up to
a special sunrise tour of the enclosures, and enjoy
feeding animals breakfast - just watch out for
those cheeky ring-tailed lemurs! Then enjoy free
entry to Camp Baboon’s sister property Bristol
Zoo Gardens, home to over 400 species set within
12 acres of beautiful gardens, including undercover
animal houses and wonderful picnic spots.
GreatWestWay.co.uk 61

8
FOR THE STYLIST
The fashion-conscious won’t want to miss a
trip to one of the designer shopping outlets,
McArthur Glen, Swindon, The Oracle Shopping
Centre in Reading, The Guild, Wiltshire, or a short
detour off the route, Clarks Village. While lovers
of homeware, book worms and art collectors
should keep their eyes open for one-of-a-kind
pieces in the many independent boutiques,
gift shops and museums along the route. From
a glass bauble at Bristol Blue Glass, a stylish
sarsen necklaces at Stonehenge to Rose Nisbet
handmade ceramics in Bristol, it is very easy to
come away with something unique and special
as a momentum of your Great West Way holiday.
For an all-encompassing super special stylist
shopping treat however Bath is the place to be.
The high street is made for fashion gurus, while
the smaller independent shops offer an eclectic
selection of unique finds. Mark the moment with
a unique piece of jewellery from Nicholas Wylde,
stop off at the Roman Baths to pick up a souvenir
or admire fashion through the ages at the Fashion
Museum Bath.
62 GreatWestWay.co.uk

9
FOR THE CHILDREN
Little ones will love the experience of getting lost
(and found) in the world’s largest hedge maze!
Longleat’s epic hedge maze is a short journey south
of the Great West Way (so parents please try not
to get lost before you get there). It was created
with 16,000 English yew trees, and more than two
miles of pathways, so it’s no easy feat reaching the
central observation tower. It’s a strangely satisfying
challenge to set yourself, but don’t take too long
- there’s a whole safari park to explore, not to
mention a glorious Elizabethan stately home.
10
FOR THE COMPETITOR
If you love a challenge then why not try your hand
at playing a game of Aunt Sally?! The Cotswolds
remains a stronghold for this traditional English
game that can be traced back to the 17th century.
The skittle-like lark is popular in country pubs,
especially in Oxfordshire, and involves teams
aiming wooden batons at a ‘doll’, which used
to resemble an old aunt. It can get competitive,
there’s even a world championship (singles knock
out) competition for it which takes place annually
(although not in 2020) a little north of the Great
West Way at Charlbury Beer Festival. Just don’t try
this one at home folks.
GreatWestWay.co.uk
63

64 GreatWestWay.co.uk

SLOW TRAVEL
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Take time to explore the Great West Way
evoking all your senses, losing yourself
in an authentic car-free journey
Words: Samantha Rutherford
THERE ARE MANY WAYS to discover your
Great West Way, the best approach is to take
it slowly. Enjoy a trip of a lifetime by fully
immersing yourself in the variety of culture,
food, attractions and natural beauty along the route.
From riverside walks and cycle routes through tranquil
English countryside, horse-riding, wildlife-watching
and visiting pretty villages by train to feeling lost in
the city.
Explore at your own pace, take time to uncover
local gems, and savour the journey. There are
many beautiful hotels to choose from, world-class
restaurants to dine in and spas to pamper yourself in.
You can float downstream on a narrowboat, fly high in
the sky in a hot air balloon, or lose yourself floating in
hot natural spring water in a rooftop pool.
No matter how you choose to travel the Great West
Way remember to stop and admire the views, pause
for a moment as you experience new places, delight
in delicacies from producers who have followed secret
recipes for generations - and most importantly, give
yourself the holiday time you deserve. Here is just one
idea of a journey that we hope will help inspire you
to travel at your own speed, for a holiday full of many
unforgettable and special moments.
One of the reasons the Great West Way is a worldclass
touring route is its variety of responsible modes
of transport. In a time of being socially responsible
and watching our carbon footprint, sustainable travel
is vitally important. Thanks to the A4 Great West
Road, the Great Western Railway, the River Thames,
the Kennet and Avon Canal, and multiple foot and
cycle paths, you can choose how you get around.
This trip takes you on a combination of boat, bike,
walking and train - leaving the car behind. By doing
so, you will get to see more, hear more, and find
yourself living in the present moment, while also
remaining kinder to the environment. Plus, you can
always hire out a classic for the day, an Aston Martin
or Morris Minor Convertible perhaps?
Planning the route from east to west (west to east
would also be an option), the journey begins with
an Afternoon Tea at a mid-19th century Victorian
boutique townhouse hotel, Roseate House, one →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
65

of Hyde Park’s most exclusive destinations. There’s
no better way to get you into the mindset of ‘slow
travel’ than delighting in finger sandwiches, handmade
pastries and traditional scones while enjoying
the delicate taste of hand-crafted tea blends.
The River Thames flows from London all the way
to the Cotswolds offering idyllic exploration and
navigation for the curious traveller. The paths and
waterways shape the first part of our ‘slow travel’
route abundant with wildlife and lots of riverbased
fun. It’s just a short journey upstream from
central London before you reach Royal Botanic
Gardens, Kew. This UNESCO World Heritage Site
is the perfect stop for the mindful environmentally
enriched adventurer.
Take a tour of Palm House, built with a rainforest
climate to nurture the plant life brought back
by Victorian botanists, head to The Hive for an
immersive experience that echoes the life going
on inside a real beehive and visit The Princess of
Wales Conservatory, packed with all sorts of prickly
curiosities from cacti to carnivorous plants.
From Kew, it is a short walk to Richmond, one of
London’s most attractive boroughs with a timeless
charm more akin to a village than a town. The
riverside around Richmond Bridge contains many
bars and restaurants. The stretch of the Thames
below Richmond Hill is known as Horse Reach, and
includes Glover's Island.
There’s no better way to appreciate its beauty
than by boat. Take a restful river cruise and soak it
all in. Thames Rivercruise offers various experiences,
allowing you to spot kingfishers, sing along to live
music or watch the sun go down with a drink on the
foredeck.
From Richmond there are good cycling routes to
Strawberry Hill House, equipped with bike racks
in the carpark. Strawberry Hill House was Horace
Walpole’s summer residence and is famous for
being Britain’s finest example of Georgian Gothic
Revival architecture.
Continue meandering your way along the Thames
path passing Bushy Park until you reach a palace
like no other, Hampton Court, one of Britain’s
most famous buildings. It is a picturesque sight,
located on the river bank, surrounded by swathes
of stunning gardens and parkland. The Tudor palace
was at the centre of the court and political life for
two centuries, so it was highly fitting that it was
used in the filming of Netflix's Bridgerton.
As the journey heads further west, the Great
West Way Discoverer pass and train travel is in
66 GreatWestWay.co.uk

Did you know? In 2013,
Laverstoke Mill became the first
distillery and first refurbishment
to achieve an ‘Outstanding’
design-stage BREEAM
accreditation for its distillery
process buildings.
itself part of the adventure. This pass offers unlimited
off-peak train travel with Great Western Railway from
London Paddington or London Waterloo to Bristol
Temple Meads, via the Reading and/or Basingstoke
routes, with options to branch off towards Oxford and
Kemble, in the Cotswolds, as well as to Salisbury on
the Wiltshire line through Westbury. Also included is
unlimited travel on bus services along the route. (Oneday,
three-day and week-long options are available,
with prices from just £24 per person).
This journey takes the route to Basingstoke. Hop on
a 76 bus and step off again right outside the Bombay
Sapphire Distillery, Laverstoke Mill, a conservation
area with over 1000 years of history. The Victorian and
Georgian buildings set astride the crystal-clear River
Test produced bank note paper for the Bank of England
and the British Empire for over 225 years.
Now, Laverstoke Mill is a state-of-the-art sustainable
distillery, which produces every drop of Bombay
Sapphire gin. This October the distillery launched a
brand new Turbine bar and Cinema Room adding to the
immersive experience offered to visitors.
Having been awarded the highly prestigious BREEAM
Award for Industrial Design accreditation for its
distillery process buildings the distillery is an impressive
example of sustainable tourism.
Learn about the distillery, its efficient processes and
behind-the-scenes production. Discover the flavours of
the botanicals identifying your personal taste profile,
then use it to order a complimentary cocktail from the
Mill Bar suited to your tastes.
A 76 bus towards Whitchurch will take you door-door
from the distillery to Whitchurch Silk Mill in around 10
minutes. One of the best parts about ‘slow travel’ is
learning from local craftsmen and seeing their artisan
skills in action - Whitchurch Silk Mill is 200-years-old
and still uses historic equipment and processes to →
Pictured previous
page: River Kennet
and Lock Newbury.
Pictured left-right;
Afternoon Tea
being served
at boutique
townhouse hotel,
Roseate House;
Botanicals being
grown at Bombay
Sapphire Distillery,
Laverstoke Mill
GreatWestWay.co.uk
67

“Whitchurch is on the south of the North Wessex Downs, an Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty where you could easily spend a couple more days exploring.”
produce its beautiful silks. It is the oldest silk mill still
weaving silk in its original building - a gem of Britain’s
industrial heritage. See the original mill wheel and
Victorian machinery and fabulous fabrics on the looms
before enjoying a light lunch or delicious cake from the
riverside café. It is a beautifully tranquil setting.
Whitchurch is on the south of the North Wessex
Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty where
you could easily spend a couple more days exploring. Stay
overnight at Helen Browning’s Royal Oak or Meadowbank
House and enjoy the countryside walks and Kennet and
Avon Canal. The canal is the area’s lifeblood, linking
attractions such as Wilton Windmill, the only operating
windmill in Wessex and Crofton Beam Engines, home to
the oldest working steam engines in the world, as well as
many picturesque market towns and villages.
From Whitchurch to Hungerford you pass Highclere
Castle, or ‘The Real Downton Abbey’, as it’s known, being
the location for most of the Downton Abbey filming
(both the TV series and movie). It is one of England's most
beautiful Victorian castles, set amidst 1,000 acres of
spectacular parkland.
A little further north, Hungerford is in the middle of
the North Wessex Downs, a historic market town famous
for its antique shops. There are plenty of warm and
friendly pubs, tea shops and restaurants - it is easy to lose
yourself for a delightful few hours. Stop at The Tutti Pole
next to the canal before going on a private charter along
the Kennet and Avon Canal on The Rose of Hungerford,
owned by the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust and run
entirely by volunteers.
Take the route from Hungerford to Marlborough
stopping at the award-winning Alder Ridge Vineyard and
Cobbs Farm Shop and the Three Tuns Freehouse at Great
Bedwyn. Explore the magnificently restored 17th century
The Merchant’s House with its acclaimed wall paintings
and reconstructed gardens. From here, there’s a four-mile
circular walk to visit Marlborough’s White Horse, cut in
1804 by a group of schoolboys.
Head to the quaint village of Pewsey with its wharf, and
own White Horse carvings. Immerse yourself in history
with charming thatched cottages, quirky local landmarks,
and village churches dating from Saxon times. Ideal for
a ‘slow traveller’ with time to ponder, Pewsey is also a
hotspot for crop circle enthusiasts!
With a mainline railway station at Pewsey you can
jump back on the GWR via Westbury towards Salisbury,
famous for its World Heritage Site, Stonehenge, perhaps
stopping in for a night or two at the nearest hotel to
Stonehenge, Holiday Inn Salisbury. Get the most out of
your visit to this must-visit attraction by joining a tour
with entertaining and informative commentary from
an experienced guide. Many tours will take you from
Stonehenge to Old Sarum, a mighty Iron Age hill fort
where the first cathedral once stood and the Romans,
Normans and Saxons have all left their mark.
68 GreatWestWay.co.uk

Standing beside the ancient stone, looking up at a block
of rock upended from the earth and placed upright on
end by prehistoric man is a mesmerising experience.
Even better, though, would be if you can touch it. Hug
it even - and slow travel is all about connection. At
Stonehenge, you can’t get that close to the stones,
however, at Avebury, Wiltshire’s other prehistoric stone
circle, touching the stones is positively encouraged.
Here people have been living right inside the circle
for millennia – and there is even a pub, the Red Lion,
surrounded by the stones. The circle here is far larger, the
complex of stones far more sprawling. →
Pictured left-right:
Whitchurch
Silk Mill; views
of Whitchurch
riverside; Alton
White Horse; North
Wessex Downs
GreatWestWay.co.uk
69

Pictured:
Avebury,
Europe’s
largest
neolithic
stone
circle
“There isn’t the neatly stacked circle you’ll see at Stonehenge but Avebury is
Europe’s largest neolithic stone circle and there is much to see and explore.”
There isn’t the neatly stacked circle you’ll see at
Stonehenge but Avebury is Europe’s largest neolithic stone
circle and there is much to see and explore - and to touch.
No visit to Wiltshire is complete without spending
time in Calne. This friendly historic town is the place
where the traditional English technique of curing ham
and bacon – the Wiltshire Cure - was invented by the
Harris family. The factory is no longer here but Calne is
proud of this part of its history.
Remember what I said about hiring a car for the day?
Well now is the time to do it. Vintage Classics have
launched The Wiltshire White Horse Trail - its latest
tour for Great West Way visitors.
The circular route will take you to visit each of the
legendary eight White horses carved into the beautiful
Wiltshire landscape, and with some fabulous picnic
spots recommended, notably at Cherhill on the A4
near Calne and the historic site of the Westbury White
Horse, both affording spectacular views across the
county. Vintage Classics will even loan a picnic set
or basket and rug free of charge and can recommend
picnic providers where clients can pick up a gourmet
picnic to enjoy afternoon tea en-route.
The next stop on the GWR is Westbury Station. Hop
off the train and it’s under an hour's walk and gentle
incline to the Westbury White Horse - a key landmark
on the Great West Way. Take a look at Bratton Camp,
the iron age hillfort at the top - one of the best in
the country. The site is also an SSSI (Site of Special
Scientific Interest). There are woodlands as you go
down the slope and fantastic chalk grasslands with all
sorts of rare species.
For the more adventurous travelling with a bicycle
there is a beautifully picturesque circular bike trail from
here which will take you through the pretty villages of
Coulston, Marston, Bulkington, Steeple Ashton and more.
From Westbury, you might want to take a taxi (15
minutes drive and approximately £20) to Longleat,
the UK’s number one Safari Park with England’s only
koalas. Discover various species of animal from around
the world here including lions, tigers, wolves, koalas,
red panda and sea lions. Much like the Great West Way,
once inside the attraction, you have the option to travel
by road, rail, waterway and foot. You could book a VIP
experience or even stay overnight on the estate in one
of their new luxury cottages.
70 GreatWestWay.co.uk

It's official! #TheGreatWestWay
with 157,415,253 hashtags is No.1 in the
Tempcover's Top 50 most Instagrammable
Road Trips in the UK - so don't forget to
share your photos with us
instagram.com/GreatWestWay
YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY
One of the most enjoyable ways to embrace
Slow Travel is on foot so why not try one of
these great self-guided walking routes along
the Great West Way - offering you the perfect
opportunity to fasten up those laces and step
outside into the great British countryside.
NEW TRAILS FOR MALMESBURY
It takes just 28 minutes on the GWR from Westbury to
Bath or 50 minutes to Bristol. You could spend a few
more days in both of these fabulous cities. A blessing
for the urban adventurer since these cities are so close
together geographically - just 15 minutes by train - yet
miles apart in character. Perhaps treat yourself to a soak
in Britain’s only naturally warm, mineral-rich waters
as the Celts and Romans did over 2,000 years ago at
Thermae Bath Spa. Or in Bristol, you might enjoy a
dockside walk or river ferry trip. The historic harbourside is
lined with cafés and bars offering delicious locally sourced
food and drink.
The journey has now reached the western end of the
Great West Way. You could of course travel back the same
way, but there is so much more to discover. In our next
issue, we will take an alternative route from west to east,
which you could combine with this one for the ultimate
unhurried Great West Way experience.
› The White Walls Way is a brand new 20-mile
marked footpath trail, one of a handful of new
routes launched by Malmesbury Area Pathfinders.
Other routes include the Saxon Trail combining
physical remains with virtual reimagining and the
350 year anniversary of the Trial of the Malmesbury
Witches, with a new multimedia trail telling this
true story of turmoil, allegations and hangings.
exploremalmesbury.com
WALKERS ARE WELCOME IN PEWSEY
› Discover Pewsey Vale is a brand new online
planner for your trip to the Vale of Pewsey offering
a selection of walking and cycling itineraries. The
timing has come just as the partnership have
achieved a Walkers are Welcome accreditation
demonstrating the quality of walking in the area.
There is a map showing all the available walking
routes that are also downloadable from their
website. The Pewsey Vale Circular Way is one of
the itineraries launching later this year
malmesburyareapathfinders.org.uk
GreatWestWay.co.uk 71

oseatehotels.com/london/roseatehouse GRID REF: L3
roseatehotels.com/reading/theroseate GRID REF: H4
roseatehotels.com/bath/theroseatevi la GRID REF: B4
Meadowbank House Bed & Breakfast, Wiltshire
Tucking Mill, Bath Apartments & Cottages
The Red Lion and Troutbeck, East Chisenbury
Holiday Inn Salisbury–Stonehenge, Wiltshire
The Old Bell Hotel, Malmesbury, Wiltshire
The Swan, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath
airbnb.co.uk/rooms/29073443 GRID REF: E4
woo leygrangehotel.co.uk GRID REF: C4
queensarmseastgarston.co.uk GRID REF: F4
The Royal Oak, Yattendon, Berkshire
Queens Arms, East Garston, Berkshire
Totteridge Farm, Pewsey, Wiltshire
Woolley Grange Hotel, Wiltshire
totteridge-farm.website GRID REF: E4
royaloakyattendon.co.uk GRID REF: C3
hisalisbury-stonehenge.co.uk GRID REF: E6
theswanbradford.co.uk GRID REF: C4
bathselfcatering.net GRID REF: B4
whatleymanor.com GRID REF: C3
meadowbankhouse.com GRID REF: E3
redlionfreehouse.com GRID REF: E5
royalcrescent.co.uk GRID REF: B4
macdonaldhotels.co.uk GRID REF: B4
Whatley Manor, Wiltshire
The Langley, Buckinghamshire
oldbe lhotel.co.uk GRID REF: C3
Manor Farm B&B, Wiltshire
The Old Chapel, Wiltshire
MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel
Roseate House, London
manorfm.co.uk GRID REF: E5
The Roseate Villa, Bath
The Roseate, Reading
marriott.com GRID REF: K3
Recommended accommodation
GreatWestWay.co.uk
Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport, Bristol
DoubleTree by Hilton, Swindon, Wiltshire
cumberwe lcountrycottages.com GRID REF: E2
Cumberwell Country Cottages, Wiltshire
Helen Browning’s Royal Oak, Wiltshire
Church Farm Country Cottages, Wiltshire
helenbrowningsorganic.co.uk GRID REF: E3
Best Western Plus Angel Hotel, Wiltshire
Heritage Bed & Breakfast, Wiltshire
hamptoninn3.hilton.com GRID REF: A4
Avalon Lodge Bed & Breakfast, Devizes
bed-breakfast-devizes.co.uk GRID REF: D4
doubletree3.hilton.com GRID REF: E3
churchfarmcottages.com GRID REF: C4
bathapartmentbreaks.co.uk GRID REF: B4
donnington-grove.com GRID REF: G4
Devizes Marina Village, Wiltshire
heritagebandb.co.uk GRID REF: D4
Great Northern Hotel, London
brooksguesthouse.com GRID REF: B4
thefarmcamp.co.uk GRID REF: C4
Beanhill Farm B&B, Chippenham
Donnington Grove, Newbury
devizesmarina.com GRID REF: D4
crickladehotel.co.uk GRID REF: E2
bathselfcatering.com GRID REF: B4
gnhlondon.com GRID REF: M3
abbeyhotelbath.co.uk GRID REF: B4
The Farm Camp, Wiltshire
bestwestern.co.uk GRID REF: C4
Apex City of Bath Hotel, Bath
buttlefarm.co.uk GRID REF: D4
Cricklade Hotel, Wiltshire
beanhi lfarm.net GRID REF: D3
Brooks Guest House, Bath
apexhotels.co.uk GRID REF: B4
Buttle Farm, Wiltshire
Bath Apartment Breaks
Bath Self Catering
1. Sit in the Devil’s Chair – a natural seat sculpted
in stone at Europe’s largest stone circle, Avebury.
GRID REF: E4
Abbey Hotel, Bath
(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 – all the way to the seaside. GRID REF: J3
7. See where the earliest surviving photographic
Great West Way and England’s Great West Way are registered
trade marks. A l rights reserved.
120. Discover the area’s military might with a visit
to REME, the museum of the Royal Electrical and
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.
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.
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 Coffee Shop in
Marlborough (E4), The To lgate in Dyrham (B3), the Teapot
in Cookham (J3) and The Tutti Pole in Hungerford (F4).
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).
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
is sti l visible. The route is tarmac, traffic-free and
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
through a tunnel carved in the nineteenth century
by artist Wi liam West. GRID REF: A4
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,
113. See a 2,000-year-old lime tree, sti l going strong
in Silk Wood at Westonbirt Arboretum. GRID REF: C3
116. See the cave where two giants, Goram 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
13. Test your muscle power on a narrow boating
journey up one of the longest continuous flights of
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 Affair.
GRID REF: J3
In partnership with:
19. Mount your steed and thwack a polo ba l across the
GRID REF: L3
GRID REF: H3
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
94. Take a guided tour of the picture-postcard
fifteenth-century Great Chalfield Manor and check
out its beautiful Arts and Crafts style garden, complete
with some very we l-manicured topiary. GRID REF: C4
28. Get confetti in your hair at the utterly unique Devizes
Confetti Battle (August). GRID REF: D4
29. Visit the Wiltshire white horses, carved by local
people into chalky hi lsides around the county. There
are eight 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
dinners.GRID REF: C3
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
2
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
GRID REF: G3
GRID REF: E4
story of the shoe at the Fashion
here you’ l find a co lection that
n silk shoes to Nike trainers.
60. Get a new insight
contemporary perform
at Bristol Shakespeare
61. Find dazzling carpet
West Woods just outsid
are bluebe l season here
Active England Tours
Active England Tours showcase
the real England and include
cycling and walking tours, family
adventures and multisport tours,
through beautiful Cotswolds,
Bath and Wiltshire countryside
and visiting a host of iconic
places from Downton Abbey to
Stonehenge and beyond.
From paddling and cycling
the canals into Bath on our
Adventure Weekends, to Walking
the Cotswolds Way. Hike the
Ridgeway on a week-long
walking adventure or visit the
highlights of the Cotswolds
including Windsor Castle,
Stonehenge, Avebury, Blenheim
Palace and Bath on our Classic
Cotswolds Cycling Tour. Travelling
like a local, on our guided or
self-guided trips, our routes will
lead you off the beaten track to
discover the best of the English
countryside.
Britain’s Best Heritage Tours
Specialists in expert-led bespoke
driver-guided tours, town and
city walks, country walks and
special interest heritage tourism
across the South West. Owned
by Ian Newman MITG and his
daughter Heather Newman
MITG, with guiding also provided
by Sandrine Maubeche MITG - all
registered Blue Badge Guides.
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 GUIDES
For a range of walking and cycling holidays these
experts are on hand to offer you a helping hand!
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!
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.
Tours2order
Blue Badge Tourist Guide,
Graham Horn, listens to your
ideas and then prepares a tour
or visit that is unique to your
needs. His specialisms are history
and historic towns, places,
waterways, geography, transport
and the countryside.
Uncover Britain Road Trips
Uncover Britain's curated
road trips tour guides will
fuel your sense of adventure.
We’ve gone the extra mile to
encompass travel essentials
with the inspirational – so you
can explore and discover more.
Self-drive road trip tour guides
include adventure, tops tips and
inspiration. Enjoy the freedom
to choose your own route at
your pace. Designed to be fully
adaptable, your perfect road
trip starts here. hoose from
Encounter England – showcasing
quintessential England, History
& Heritage – taking you on a
journey through time and Houses
& Gardens – grand estates on
screen and with Royal links.
Ready to book your Great West Way adventure?
You might like to know about our Great West
Way Package Trips...
Choose one of these perfectly packaged options, from a
6 Day Guided Cycling Trip, Literary and Culture Adventure
to a 4 Day Best of the Great West Way, our packaged
trips take the hassle out of planning for you and include
accommodation, tours and tickets, provided for you by
our Official Tour Operator partners.
Click here to find out more
CLICK
HERE
START HERE.
GreatWestWay.co.uk
TO DOWNLOAD OUR MAP
OF THE GREAT WEST WAY
Great things to do along the
Great West Way.
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.
START HERE.
125. Learn how stop animation works in Bristol, home
to Aardman Animations, the Academy Award winning
studio who brought the world Wa lace and Gromit.
We the Curious science centre hosts model making
workshops with experts from the studio – you’ l even
get to take home a plasticine Gromit. GRID REF: A4
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
123. Go behind the scenes at Downton Abbey with a
visit to Highclere Castle, the building Julian Fe lowes
is 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
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
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
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, but two of the best places for a bumper catch
are Bathampton near Bath (C4) and Hungerford in
Berkshire (F4). Contact the local angling association
for a permit.
125
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
just 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 Mi lennium Square in Bristol (A4), Royal Victoria
Park in Bath (B4), Alexandra Gardens in Windsor (K3) and
Hampton Court Palace (L4) (November-January).
108. Ge 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.
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 at 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 at 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
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 market 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 narrowboat 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 next to the twelfth century Abbey. Fu ly restored,
it offers elegant modern accommodation and relaxed
CLICK
HERE
To help you plan your journey be sure to
have a map which will not only help you
to navigate your jouney, it also includes
125 great things to do!
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.
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 staff at
the Beer Emporium, in the heart of Old Bristol and selling
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?
Another handy
map is the new
Great West Way
guide to walking in
the North Wessex
Downs. Click here
29
to download.
England
for the Curious
al street food in the heart of Bristol.
arket runs year-round on Tuesdays
ne Street and has everything from
food and vegan Thai snacks to freshly
s and Tibetan dumplings. GRID REF: A4
a l with some very cheeky
fari Park – as you drive through
m to clamber onto your car, and
f it with them! GRID REF: C5
mass at Stonor Chapel, built in the
on the site of a prehistoric stone
tholic ever since. GRID REF: H3
a creepy walk around the market
local historian John Girvan. The
as been terrifying children and adults
years and includes a trip to the site
ws. GRID REF: D4
30s at the Atwell-Wilson Motor
here a 1930s garage has been
lled with classic cars. GRID REF: D4
e direct from the vineyard at the
Ridge Vineyard (F4) or Aldwick Estate
sparkling wine is getting especia ly
give it a try.
“living work of art” at Stourhead, one
t landscape gardens. The best time
n, when the trees turn golden, but
ear you can seek out the classical
ake – a great shot for your Instagram.
rons at Bowood’s Woodland
ng during flowering season.
their way between the vibrantly
f which have been putting on
ince 1854. GRID REF: D4
artwork by the anonymous
he hails from, Bristol. You can
artists at work, painting the wa ls
st street art and graffiti festival,
66
31
50. St
with a
stretch
Bradfor
that it’s
51. Trav
stand-up
take a le
52. Play d
Bristol – y
into each
53. See pa
Gainsborou
at Bath’s H
54. Climb to
into the “blo
victory of th
55. Tune into
Wiltshire’s in
Crop Circle Ex
people think t
that appear ov
are the work o
56. Walk along t
stro ling from Ke
of Richmond, hom
57. Take a stro l t
at Bristol’s Arnos
cemetery surroun
home to numerou
58. Try a hot choc
Dyrham Park – you
it has cayenne pepp
59. Scan the skies f
the best time to see
is between October
of seeing them is in
Outstanding Natural
72 GreatWestWay.co.uk
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. Coun the deer in Richmond Park
locks in England. You’ll rise 72 metres (237ft) in just
two miles at Caen Hill 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
25. Gawp at the super-elite school that educated
Princes William and Harry – as we l as 19 British
Prime Ministers. The tour of Eton College includes
the School Yard and Co lege 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 mi lion
LEGO bricks at LEGOLAND. GRID REF: K3
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
negative was taken, by Henry Fox Talbot in 1835
at Lacock Abbey. GRID REF
lawn on a half-day polo masterclass at Coworth Park.
GRID REF: K4
Browning’s Royal Oak (E3), where portions are
generous and as much as possible is h
You can vis
43. Watch stately Shire horses deliver local beer to
the pubs of Devizes, fresh from Wadworth Br
based in the town

TOUR & EXPLORE
with Anne Bartlett
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
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
visit: www.tourandexplore.com
Ambassador for The Great West Way
EXPLORE THE GREAT WEST WAY ®
WITH AN EXPERT GUIDE
Chauffeur driven tours with a Blue Badge Guide
www.bbhtours.co.uk | hello@bbhtours.co.uk | 01985 840049

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 prize to go here!
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 2022
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 2021 winner!
#GreatWestWay
74 GreatWestWay.co.uk

1
2
3
4
5
6
GreatWestWay.co.uk 75

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
îThe Roman Bath
1 @ni.co.let.ta 6
îBath
2 @daragh_cuthbert 7
îThe Circus, Bath
3 @her.grand.tour 8
îWiltshire
4 @dansramblings 9
îSunflowers
5 @casperfarrellphoto 10
îMarlborough
@pixiemarmalade
îPulteney Bridge
@emilymckay90
îVale of Pewsey
@stephen_davis_photos
îBristol
@matthewpriceartist
îAvebury Stones
@eagleeyeaerialphotography
76 GreatWestWay.co.uk

CAST YOUR VOTE FOR A
CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE!
îVote for your favourite finalist
and you will be automatically entered
into our competition to win a luxury
weekend in Bath for two staying
overnight with breakfast in a Superior
Room at Apex City of Bath Hotel!
SIMPLY VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY:
îGreatWestWay.co.uk/competition
Closing date for all entries is 31 December
2021. The winner will be announced in
January 2022. Terms and conditions apply,
please see website page for details.
CAPTURING
THE MOMENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
WINNER
2020
WIN!
Bradford on Avon @wordyelaine
OUR 2020 WINNER!
îCongratulations to Elaine Abbott,
(@wordyelaine on Instagram) the
talented winner of our Capturing the
Moment Photography Competition
2020! Elaine has won free family tickets
to a host of iconic attractions along the
Great West Way, plus a Bombay Sapphire
Cocktail Masterclass experience!
The winner of our 2021 competition
will win free tickets to include Noah’s Ark
Zoo Farm and an afternoon tea for two at
The Reading Room, situated within The
Roseate Reading hotel.
GreatWestWay.co.uk 77

78

STRIKING
ARCHITECTURE
TO SEE ON THE ROUTE
There are many impressive styles of architecture to see on the
Great West Way. How many in our list here have you visited?
Words: Samantha Rutherford
79

CLIFTON
SUSPENSION
BRIDGE
BRISTOL
Be sure to stroll across
Bristol's famous Clifton
Suspension Bridge. One of
Victorian engineer Isambard
Kingdom Brunel’s most
striking works, it straddles
the dramatic Avon Gorge.
Pop into the Visitor Centre in
Leigh Woods to find out more
about the people who built,
maintain and treasure it.
Entrance to the Visitor Centre
is free, although donations
are appreciated.
80
GreatWestWay.co.uk

GREAT
PAGODA
KEW
Kew’s Pagoda was completed
in 1762 as a gift for Princess
Augusta, the founder of
the Gardens. It was one of
several Chinese buildings
designed for Kew by Sir
William Chambers, who had
spent time travelling and
studying the architecture of
East Asia. A popular ‘folly’ of
the age, it offered one of the
earliest and finest bird’s eye
views of London – which you
can enjoy today, thanks to a
major restoration project. The
Great Pagoda will re-open
for pre-booked guided tours
from 5 June 2021 - so enjoy
climbing up the Great Pagoda
and seeing those spectacular
views across the capital.
→
GreatWestWay.co.uk 81

82 GreatWestWay.co.uk

THAMES LIDO
READING
Thames Lido is the result of a
painstaking and sensitive 3-year
restoration of the disused King’s
Meadow swimming pool located by
the river Thames on King’s Meadow
in Reading, Berkshire.
The original pool was designed
and built by John Bowen, Borough
Engineer and Surveyor, at a cost of
£4890. It first opened to the public
in 1902 as the Ladies Swimming
Bath and is believed to be the oldest
surviving outdoor municipal pool
of the early Edwardian era. With
no windows giving onto the pool
itself, it was built to allow Edwardian
women to bathe in privacy and
was originally fed from the Thames
though it was converted to mains
water supply in the 1950s.
The pool was closed to the public
in 1974. In August 2004, as a result
of a public campaign, the building
was awarded Grade II listed building
status. The Thames Lido is an
urban retreat open all year round
offering spa days and swimming
memberships along with a strong
Spanish and Mediterranean feel
restaurant and tapas bar.
→
GreatWestWay.co.uk
83

BOMBAY
SAPPHIRE
DISTILLERY
HAMPSHIRE
Based at Laverstoke Mill
in rural Hampshire, just 15
miles from Winchester, the
Bombay Sapphire Distillery
is in a conservation area
with over 1000 years
of history. For over 225
years, the Victorian and
Georgian buildings set
astride the crystal-clear
River Test produced bank
note paper for the Bank
of England and the British
Empire. Now, Laverstoke
Mill is a state-of-the-art
sustainable distillery,
which produces every drop
of Bombay Sapphire gin.
Chart hundreds of years of
Laverstoke Mill’s illustrious
history, married with the
fascinating heritage of gin
and Bombay Sapphire.
Watch the production of
gin behind the scenes in
the Dakin Still House, and
uncover the secrets of
Bombay Sapphire’s unique
vapour-infusion distillation
process. Discover your
personal taste profile in
the Dry Room, then use
your profile to order a
complimentary cocktail
from the Mill Bar suited to
your tastes.
84 GreatWestWay.co.uk

BRISTOL
CATHEDRAL
BRISTOL
Bristol’s beautiful and
historic Cathedral is located
on College Green in the
West End of the city. A
church has almost certainly
stood on the site for over a
thousand years, but it came
to prominence in 1140 when
Robert Fitzhardinge founded
the Abbey of St Augustine.
The Chapter House and
Abbey Gatehouse remain
clear to see, and the other
remains are to be found
within Bristol Cathedral
School. The eastern end of
the Cathedral, especially
in the choir, gives Bristol
Cathedral a unique place in
the development of British
and European architecture.
The nave, choir and aisles are
all the same height, making
Bristol Cathedral the major
example of a hall church in
Great Britain and one of the
finest to be found anywhere
in the world.
→
GreatWestWay.co.uk
85

THE CIRCUS
BATH
Designated by UNESCO as a
World Heritage Site, Bath is
home to some of the most
impressive architectural
sights in the world including
the Royal Crescent, the Circus
and Pulteney Bridge. It is no
wonder then that this golden
city has been welcoming
visitors for over 2,000 years
86
GreatWestWay.co.uk

CABOT TOWER
BRISTOL
If you’d like to experience
a slightly less well-known
architectural experience, take
a trek up Brandon Hill to the
105ft Cabot Tower - then
climb up the tower’s spiral
staircase, where you’ll be
rewarded with panoramic
views of the city and further
architectural delights, to
include Clifton Suspension
Bridge and Bristol Cathedral.
Cabot Tower was built to
commemorate John Cabot’s
voyage from Bristol to the
continent of North America
over four hundred years ago.
→
GreatWestWay.co.uk 87

WILTON
WINDMILL
WILTSHIRE
Enjoy a guided tour and find
out about how a Victorian
miller would have lived and
how the windmill works.
Built in 1821 and set high in
the North Wessex Downs
Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty, Wilton Windmill is
the only working windmill
in the Wessex region. Picnic
area and site accessible all
year round. Guided tours,
refreshments and stone
ground flour available during
opening times. Fabulous
walking and great views – a
very special place.
88
GreatWestWay.co.uk

→
GreatWestWay.co.uk 89

THE BRIDGE
TEAROOMS
BRADFORD
ON AVON
The afternoon ritual of
serving tea has been
developed to a fine art here,
and is so accomplished that
the Bridge Tea Rooms has
been recognized as excellent
by the prestigious UK Tea
Guild for many years. Delicate
bone china, the finest leaf
teas, and friendly staff in
Victorian costumes serving
home-made cakes, pastries
and sandwiches. Housed in a
former blacksmith's cottage
dating from 1502, the Bridge
Tea Rooms positively oozes
atmosphere, and the classical
music playing gently in the
background sets a tranquil
tone.
90 GreatWestWay.co.uk

THE PUMPKIN
TOWER
TROWBRIDGE
The Pumpkin Tower is in
the heart of Trowbridge, the
county town of Wiltshire,
with a rich industrial heritage.
As well as visiting the intriguing
Pumpkin Tower, said to be the
creation of local business owner
Thomas Rothschild, named
after the nickname he had
for his daughter, pop into the
Information Centre and pick up
a copy of the Trowbridge Ted’s
Terrible Town Trail. The team can
offer advice on how to get the
most out of your stay, and the
map will take you around the
town, exploring the more gory
side of Trowbridge’s history!
→
GreatWestWay.co.uk
91

BRISTOL
OLD VIC
BRISTOL
The oldest continuallyrunning
theatre in the
English-speaking world
can be found, perhaps
unsurprisingly, down
the cobbled King Street
of Bristol. Yet despite
its storied, tiered
interior, the shows here
are as contemporary
as they come. Be
challenged by modernday
interpretations of
Shakespeare classics, hear
top thinkers talk and see
fresh ideas expressed
through dance. A whole
cast of famous actors
learnt to walk the boards
at the Old Vic Theatre
School, including Daniel
Day-Lewis and Peter
O’Toole. Did you know?
Since autumn 2018 you’ve
been able to enjoy a pretheatre
meal in front of the
theatre’s original facade
at the on-site bar and
kitchen.
92
GreatWestWay.co.uk

STRAWBERRY
HILL HOUSE
TWICKENHAM
Strawberry Hill House &
Garden has been open to
visitors for over 250 years.
Created by Horace Walpole in
the 18th century, Strawberry
Hill is internationally famous
as Britain's finest example
of Georgian Gothic revival
architecture.
→
GreatWestWay.co.uk
93

94

DONNINGTON
CASTLE
NEAR NEWBURY
Overlooking the market town of
Newbury, and located bang in the
middle of the Great West Way
are the remains of Donnington
Castle. The 14th-century castle was
severely damaged in the English
Civil War. Although only earthworks
and a gatehouse remain, it was
once considered very luxurious
- so luxurious that on separate
occasions it hosted both King Henry
VIII and Queen Elizabeth. Thomas
Chaucer, son of famous poet
Geoffrey Chaucer, once lived here.
This picturesque ruin with wide
open views across the Berkshire
countryside makes for a very
pleasant picnic spot - there's a
lovely 3-4 mile walking loop via
Snelsmore Common for a gentle
hour-long stroll, or from Highclere
Castle you could take a walk up
Beacon Hill where you can admire
Donnington Castle from a distance.
It’s a strenuous but short hike up
to the hill fort, but the fantastic
views are well worth it and you
may even be joined by red kites
and skylarks. Plus you’ll get to see
Lord Carnarvon’s burial place - the
former Highclere Castle resident
is legendary for his role in the
discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.
→
95

WELLINGTON
ARCH
LONDON
At the far East of the Great West
Way route, in bustling central
London, is Wellington Arch.
Originally built as an entrance
to Buckingham Palace, the
structure later became a victory
arch proclaiming Wellington's
defeat of Napoleon. Climb up to
the arch's balconies for glorious
panoramas over London.
96 GreatWestWay.co.uk

THE COSMIC
HOUSE
HOLLAND
PARK
The Cosmic House is an
impressive, idiosyncratic
private house, turned museum
(just opened) - and one of
the world’s most important
examples of Post-Modern
architecture. The Cosmic
House became the UK’s first
Grade I listed Post-Modern
house. Begun in 1978, the
conversion of the house was
a collaboration between
Charles and Maggie Jencks
and the architect Terry Farrell
with contributions from Piers
Gough, Eduardo Paolozzi,
Michael Graves, Allen Jones
and others. As the spiritual
home of Post-Modern design,
it hosted conversations
with the leading architects
and thinkers of the day. Its
symbolic architecture, complex
iconography and cosmic
references are all imbued with
Charles’ characteristic learning
and wit.
→
GreatWestWay.co.uk
97

THE ROMAN
BATHS
BATH
Bath was founded upon
natural hot springs with
the steaming water playing
a key role throughout its
history. Lying in the heart
of the city the Roman Baths
were constructed around 70
AD as a grand bathing and
socialising complex. It is now
one of the best preserved
Roman remains in the world.
1,170,000 litres of steaming
spring water reaching 46°C
still fill the bathing site every
single day. The Romans
believed that this was the
mystical work of the Gods but
we now know that the water
source, which comes from
the King’s Spring, fell as rain
water around 10,000 BC.
Visit The Great Bath, the
magnificent epicentre to
the complex and walk on
the ancient pavements as
the Romans did 2,000 years
ago. The Great Bath that lies
below street level can also
be viewed from the Terrace,
which is adorned with statues
and shadowed by the great
Abbey. Other chambers to
explore include the remains
of the ancient heated rooms
and changing rooms as well
as tepid and plunge pools.
98 GreatWestWay.co.uk

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY
CASTLES ON THE GREAT WEST WAY
› Highclere Castle, or ‘The Real Downton
Abbey’ as it is now known, is where most of
Downton Abbey the TV series and movie were
filmed. Highclere Castle is currently home to
the eighth Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.
Throughout the year, Highclere Castle holds
tours and events open to the public where you
can explore the Estate and the various filming
locations that have appeared on our screens.
› Berkeley Castle is considered by many as a
hidden gem; it was built in 1153 by the Berkeley
family, who still live there. Over the centuries
it has changed from a foreboding fortress to
a welcoming family home. 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. Featured in The White Princess, Wolf
Hall, Poldark, The Hollow Crown, The Spanish
Princess and Johnny English Strikes Again.
› Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest
inhabited castle in the world. It has been the
family home of British kings and queens for
almost 1,000 years and is today one of the
official residences of Her Majesty The Queen.
In 2018, the Castle provided a spectacular
backdrop to two royal weddings, which took
place in St George’s Chapel.
Find more inspiration from our website:
GreatWestWay.co.uk/see-and-do/
attractions
GreatWestWay.co.uk 99

Pictured above: The Savill Building, Savill Garden, Windsor Pictured below left-right: Stonor Park, Wonder Woods;
Playing croquet on the lawn at National Trust's Tyntesfield, Somerset
100

GARDENS THROUGH
THE SEASONS
The gardens of the Great West Way are
beautiful whatever the season, but here are
the must-sees throughout the year
Words: Adrienne Wyper
SPRING SPLENDOURS
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!
• SAVILL GARDEN
This 35-acre garden in Windsor Great Park’s
grounds is home to a glorious spring display
of award-winning rhododendrons, in the
sunken woodland garden. Trumpet-like
flowers appear in every shade: pure white,
pale cream, lemon, apricot, shocking pink,
purple and flaming scarlet – many of them
scented.
• BLENHEIM PALACE
Formal gardens include Water Terraces,
an Italian Garden, and the Rose Garden.
Gardens manager Hilary Wood says:
‘The Secret Garden bursts with fresh life
and colour, from narcissus, snowdrops,
hellebores and magnolias. Vastly different
from the main formal gardens, the
tranquillity of this garden, with its winding
pathways and waterways, is a lovely place
to sit, listen to the birds singing and take
time to just relax.’
• TYNTESFIELD
Cocooned in the Somerset countryside,
Tyntesfield is a Victorian Gothic country
house and estate. Spring is special: in the
naturalistic orchard, apple, pear and plum
blossom appears, and tulips brighten
urns and beds along the terraces. And in
the kitchen garden, says Senior Gardener
Marianne Closius, ‘a spring highlight for me
is the blossom covering the wall-trained
fruit.’
• STONOR PARK
Set in a valley in the Chilterns, described
by Lord Gibson, former National Trust
Chairman, as: ‘Possibly the most beautiful
setting for any house in England’, there’s a
lush mix of ponds, fountains and pleasure
gardens. Stroll amid neat box hedges, and
seek out the hidden Japanese retreat. The
estate’s arboretum is a treat during spring
when the cherry blossom appears. →
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101

Pictured left-right: Bowood House and Gardens roses and fountain on The Terrace; Flowers at Bowood;
Bowood House, The Courts Gardens, National Trust; Stourhead; and Westonbirt Arboretum
SUMMER SENSATIONS
• CLIVEDEN HOUSE
The gardens of 300-year-old Cliveden House
hold as much interest as the house – 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 flowers and classical statues in the Long
Garden and come over all romantic amid 900
roses in the heavenly scented Rose Garden.
• BOWOOD HOUSE
Fashionable 18th-century gardener
‘Capability’ Brown worked his magic on 100
acres of parkland here, widely hailed as his
best-preserved masterpiece. Sit by the
mile-long lake, admire sweeping lawns
from the terrace and learn more about
the designer on a summer tour with head
gardener David Glass. Other highlights
include an arboretum, woodland gardens
and Lord and Lady Lansdowne’s secret walled
garden – swathed in early summer with
fragrant lavender, honeysuckle and peonies.
• BERKELEY CASTLE
Henry II gave the Castle to the Berkeley
family in 1153. Below the gatehouse is a
bowling green, where Queen Elizabeth I
is believed to have played. In the terraced
gardens the focus is on fragrance, and
June’s roses are a delight. Seize the rare
opportunity to walk among free-flying
butterflies in the Tropical Butterfly House.
• HAMPTON COURT PALACE
Beside the Thames, at Henry VIII’s
residence, the Royal Horticultural Society's
Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
(5-11 July 2021) is the world’s largest
annual horticultural show. This year’s
design themes include Scandinavian and
sustainable.
Make time for the rose marquee, where
the rose of the year is revealed.
The setting for the Festival is a product
of the Palace’s rich history - the Baroquestyle
Great Fountain Garden, The Maze,
and Royal Kitchen Garden with its heritage
vegetables.
102 GreatWestWay.co.uk

AUTUMN GLOWS
• WESTONBIRT
ARBORETUM
With 15,000 trees from around
the world, including five national
collections, autumn is spectacular
here. Dendrologist Michal Dvorak
says: ‘With our world-renowned
maples taking centre stage, it’s
easy to miss lesser-known gems.
The smoke bush is a feast of
colour, including fiery yellows, reds,
peaches and purples. The Persian
ironwood is another one not to
miss in autumn as its leaves turn
crimson and gold.’ Don’t miss the
step-free STIHL Treetop Walkway,
and download a fun kids’ activity
booklet, including creating leaf
crowns and hunting acorns.
• STOURHEAD
In south Wiltshire, Stourhead
is one of the Great West Way’s
most famous gardens. Described
as ‘a living work of art’ when it
opened in the 1740s, its classical
architecture includes a grotto, a
gothic cottage and its own Temple
of Apollo. For Alan Power, head
gardener, his favourite time of year
here is autumn: ‘the garden, the
architecture, the plants and the
trees all perform perfectly together.
It’s like an encore before the rest for
winter.’
• UNIVERSITY OF
BRISTOL BOTANIC
GARDENS
Fascinating displays tell the story
of plants in several zones. The
evolution collection boasts species
dating back 200 million years. Two
medicinal herb gardens – Chinese
and Western – display useful plants.
On chilly days, take shelter in the
tropical zone glasshouse, marvel at
giant waterlilies, and admire edible
crops such as cocoa, vanilla, sugar
cane, banana, pineapple and ginger.
• THE COURTS
GARDEN
Poet-in-residence John Bond (2018-
2019) summed up the beauty of
the season in this English country
style garden, open until the end of
October in Melksham: ‘…death,
for once, shows nature at its best,
and leaves outdo the flowers by
a mile in beauty’. As well as the
arboretum, topiary treats include
the line of yews called ‘the dancing
bears’ plus peaceful water gardens
and unexpected vistas.→
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103

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

Pictured left-right: Christmas at Kew;
and The Hidden Gardens of Bath
WINTER WONDERS
• ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW
See the stunning gardens in a whole new light with
Christmas at Kew, a show-stopping annual trail of
festive light installations. More than a million tiny
bulbs and flickering flames light up the night, as
rainbow reflections shimmer on the water and trees are
drenched in dazzling hues. Along the route try festive
hot food and treats such as spiced winter warmers and
hot chocolate.
• MONTACUTE HOUSE
One of very few Elizabethan gardens retaining the
compartmentalised design of the period, each with a
distinct feel, from the East Court’s stone balustrades
and foliage planting, to yews and views in the North
Garden, and wide-open spaces on the Cedar Lawn.
• PRIOR PARK LANDSCAPE GARDEN
At this elegant 18th-century landscape garden south
of Bath, designed by Capability Brown, the Palladian
bridge and waterway are a focal point. In winter the
bare branches reveal views that aren’t visible at other
times of year, but greenery still abounds, with glossy
laurels and evergreen shrubs, succeeded by drifts of
delicate snowdrops.
• WADDESDON MANOR
In winter the grounds are transformed by dazzling
colour and light displays, bathing trees and manor
alike in beautiful hues. Wrap up warm and follow the
trail, wending its way past imaginative illuminated
installations.
YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY
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 you will also be contributing
to charity. Simply go to their website (ngs.
org.uk) and search for your perfect garden -
pre-booking is essential. Fancy having it all to
yourself? Following the coronavirus pandemic
a number of gardens are offering private visits.
One of the safest, most comfortable and most
enjoyable places for a a family get-together, or
meet up with friends.
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!
Find out more about all the gardens on the
Great West Way and and inspiration from Head
Gardeners from our website:
GreatWestWay.co.uk/discover-our-way/
gardens
GreatWestWay.co.uk
105

HISTORIC STOPS
TRAIN TRAVEL
Making tracks on the Great West Way
can point you at endless amounts of
history and fun facts to be discovered
along its length from London to Bristol
Words: Geoff Moore
TAKING TO THE TRACKS is certainly one way to
explore locations and the history of the Great
West Way. In one go the journey is just 1hr
40min, but stopping en route to explore the
route in your own time is 'slow travel' at its best.
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.
Setting out west from Paddington, how about
making the first stop at Windsor and Eton Central?
It was here where a race to impress a real Royal took
place just outside her castle in the town. Two opposing
rail companies ‘The Great Western’ and ‘The London
and South Western Railway’ set out to be the first to
provide the monarch with a rail service.
In 1840 Queen Victoria encouraged by Prince Albert
took a trip from Slough - which was then the nearest
station to the castle - to Paddington. And today
parts of the original elegant façade can still be seen
indicating its former short lived Royal connection.
The GWR line extension was built to almost within
touching distance of the castle walls. With the two
companies frantically making progress to Windsor it
was the Great Western that finally won the race.
Although they had to build a massive curving brick
arch viaduct over the ‘playing fields of Eton’, plus bridge
the Thames in order to get into the centre.
For the London and South Western Railway, a bridge
failure disrupted their attempt to win and still the town
has two stations within 600 metres of each other.
Windsor and Eton Central and Windsor Eton Riverside.
GWR’s central station has an expansive metal and
glass roof that almost mimic’s Paddington’s. This was to
allow the Queen’s mounted soldiers to wait undercover
before escorting her back to the castle.
Today, you can enjoy an alfresco cocktail in the
stations All Bar One restaurant and bar, the exact
location where in March 1882 the last (of eight)
assassination attempts on Queen Victoria took place.
106 GreatWestWay.co.uk

Pictured:
The Great
Western
Railway built
the grand
Windsor &
Eton Railway
Station in
1897.
GREAT WEST WAY
DISCOVERER PASS
ROUTE MAP
Didcot
Parkway
The Chilterns
Wantage
North Wessex Downs
Waterloo
Station
Frome
Bradford
on Avon
Trowbridge
Melksham
Westbury
Basingstoke
→KEY
Train Routes
Bus Routes
GreatWestWay.co.uk
107

Pictured:
It might be possible
that Isambard
Kingdom Brunel
designed his two-mile
long Box Tunnel with
his own birthday in
mind! It is claimed
that on the 9th April,
the sun shines directly
down the length of the
tunnel - a theory which
was tested a few years
ago by Great Western
Railway and Network
Rail when a rare chance
to observe it came
about due to the line
being shut on the date
because of upgrade
work.
Trains from London Paddington also call at
Twyford, changing onto the line to Henley-on-
Thames, home to the famous regatta.
Disembark in Reading and enjoy 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.
Here you have a choice, you might like to take the
south-west route (see opposite page), or travel the
route via 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 – next stop on the
line is 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.
Heading further west passing Chippenham on
the train to Bath there is the renowned ‘Box Tunnel’.
Here the rail line dives underground through Box Hill
for nearly two miles. Another of Brunel’s great feats
on the GWR. Located on the outskirts of Corsham
the tunnel project was thought to be impossible
to build by fellow engineers of the time. However,
after starting in December 1838 the one mile and
three quarters long subterranean construction was
completed by Brunel in June 1841.
The entrance to it on the Bath side is ornate and
built of Bath Stone in a grand classical style but the
eastern entrance quite austere.
The tunnel itself also hides, adjacent to its dank
darkness, a Cold War secret. Constructed alongside
underground is a series of subterranean roads and
passages. Complete with communication bunkers,
offices, food and fuel storage, the complex was
designed in the 1950’s and 60’s to house the Prime
Minister and the Government plus military officials
in case of a nuclear attack.
108 GreatWestWay.co.uk

When Isambard Kingdom Brunel's
Box Tunnel was first built, despite
his own certainty, there were many
who feared disaster, believing
that the Box Tunnel was a health
hazard, likely to prove fatal, that
the noise of two trains passing
each other in the tunnel would
shake your nerves, and that if you
travelled over a certain speed you
wouldn't be able to breathe!
There was talk that this huge bomb proof selfsufficient
complex was in fact a ruse to fool the Russians,
and that the real contingency plan had the Government
spread around England, Wales, Scotland and Northern
Ireland under the code name Python!
The final stop on this route before reaching Bath is
the glorious Bradford on Avon. This small town sits on
the edge of The Cotswolds and straddles the River Avon.
Cross the waters in ancient footsteps, on the 13thcentury
town bridge, and stand dwarfed in the 14thcentury
Tithe Barn, its lattice of timbers soaring for over
50 metres far above your head.
SOUTH WEST ROUTE
Rather than taking the north-west route to Swindon
from Reading, you might choose to take the southwest
route towards Bath via Newbury and Hungerford,
travelling through the North Wessex Downs Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Great Western Railway is far from just one main
line – and this line is a perfect example of an alternative
rail journey where you can get off the beaten track and
out into more rural areas.
There are several short loop walks from Hungerford,
an ancient town also known for its antique shops, or
you could get off the train a stop earlier and walk the
nine miles from Newbury along the canal, stopping first
to discover the town’s fascinating history. During the
18th century Newbury became a coaching centre and in
1717 offered the first daily coach to London. Passengers
would spend 40 hours on the journey and the trip was
not accomplished in one day until 1800. For cultural
activities head to The Corn Exchange, stop for afternoon
tea at Teashop on the canal and if you fancy a flutter visit
the Queen’s favourite racecourse, Newbury Racecourse.
At Hungerford a short walk from the station will
find you at the Hungerford Wharf. Here the ‘Rose of
Hungerford’ operates canal boat trips with dedicated
volunteers of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust with their
trips starting May 22nd. Their passenger barge can take
around 50 people (in non Covid-19 times) complete with
wheelchair lift. You might enjoy a scenic boat trip to
Kintbury or Great Bedwyn gliding through several locks.
With an onboard café and toilets too. →
Pictured:
Visiting Bradford
on Avon means the
visitor gets the best of
everything, shopping,
accommodation;
restaurants and inns;
river; canal and most
of all an amazing
history that can be
found at every turn.
GreatWestWay.co.uk
109

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.
Click here to book online with 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
Make time in Great Bedwyn to visit the world’s oldest
operating steam driven beam engines, still in their
original building. 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 in order to keep the barges and boats moving and
the locks full.
The next stop on this line is Pewsey. From the station
it is a half mile walk north to Pewsey Wharf. Take the
towpath to the west (left) for a charming easy flat walk
to what has become the UK’s crop circle central! Or, The
Barge Inn at Honeystreet. A sign at the pub proclaims
‘twinned with Roswell, New Mexico’!
The Barge Inn has been a meeting place for ‘Crop
Circle’ enthusiasts as many have appeared in the
surrounding valley over the years. The inn plans to open
from April 12th. This delightful circular rural stroll will
take you back past Lady’s Bridge at Wilcot, a grand stone
regency bridge built by the canal engineer John Rennie in
order to placate the land owner for letting the canal pass
over his land.
Returning to Pewsey, you may spot a series of World
War II pill boxes and tank defences on some crossing
points like at Church Lane Bridge. This was all part of
what was called the GHQ line where if there had been
an invasion in World War 2 a major defensive action was
planned.
Today the towpath carries 21st century
communication too. Fibre optic cables run along much of
it. You may spot the ‘Fibreway ’signs.
Change at Westbury and head to 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.
Your final calling point en route to Bristol, whichever
direction you have taken to get here, is Bath - a city so
beautiful its centre has been UNESCO World Heritage
listed. 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.
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) and clamber up the
rigging of one of Brunel’s other famous creations, the SS
Great Britain. His Clifton Suspension Bridge is here too,
beckoning you along the River Avon and out to Avon
Gorge to set foot atop this world-famous bridge and
quietly thank Brunel for the journey he made possible –
along the Great West Way by rail.
110 GreatWestWay.co.uk

Pictured left:
Walk along the Kennet
& Avon Canal and
you'll encounter a
surprise - the world's
oldest working steam
engines. The Crofton
Beam Engines fed by a
hand-stoked coal-fired
boiler are still plugging
away at the same job
they were designed
to do more than 200
years ago - pumping
water up at the highest
point of the canal.
Right: Passenger on the
Avon Valley Railway;
Steam train; Swindon
and Cricklade Railway.
Did you know? Popular urban myth was
that if you travelled faster than a horse
could gallop, your head would explode! It
took Prince Albert, who himself was a keen
engineer, one year to persuade Queen Victoria
to go on a train. Once she had experienced
the 25 minute journey from Windsor to
Paddington she was charmed and impressed
CLICK
HERE
FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION AND
TO DOWNLOAD THE
GREAT WEST WAY
DISCOVERER PASS
LEAFLET
STEAM ENGINES
Although England has lost many of its
railways over the years, the country has
long been ensconced in a love affair with
steam and there are passionate volunteers
still running heritage steam railways on
the Great West Way.
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
there, the number 15 from the centre of
Swindon stops at the Tawny Owl pub,
close to Taw Valley Halt.
GreatWestWay.co.uk
111

Pictured:
A sumptuous
afternoon
tea and The
Dining Room
at Whatley
Manor
Hotel & Spa,
Malmesbury
112

GOURMET GUIDE
FOOD & DRINK
Discover a wealth of hidden culinary
delights and epicurean experiences on
the Great West Way
Words: Karyn Noble
Sure, you could travel the Great West Way
from London to Bristol in an afternoon, but
epicureans know the reward is in the discovery,
and we’ve got 500 miles of delicious detours
for you! Linger as long as you can, because this stretch
of English countryside needs to be savoured, and slow
travel is the best way to experience it.
This slice of quintessential England is home to
some of the country’s best agricultural land, and with
that comes excellent 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, hotels and restaurants select the best
of it all for their menus, and family-run tea rooms whip
up fresh cakes daily. All of this adds up to one very
tasty journey along the Great West Way.
From thatched pubs to beamed tearooms, farm
shops to Michelin starred restaurants, and food tours
to cookery schools – we hope you enjoy our pick of the
best places to visit along the route from east to west.
Starting the route from London and heading towards
Windsor, thoughts may immediately turn to stately
matters. Apart from admiring Windsor Castle, it’s only
proper to take an elegant afternoon tea here.
Push the boat out (or watch the Windsor Duck Tours
and French Brothers boat cruises) from the terrace
overlooking the Thames River at Sir Christopher Wren
Hotel & Spa, with warm scones, jam and Cornish
clotted cream. Or you could nibble your Highland oak
smoked salmon and cream cheese finger sandwiches by
the roaring fire in their Drawing Room.
For hearty pub food, The Bird in Hand at Knowl Hill
beckons. Renowned for its 28-day dry-aged-on-thebone
steaks, this is the kind of place that reverentially
namechecks all its local suppliers; the Great British
Sunday Roast is definitely worth booking. If you fancy
climbing the gastronomic echelons, Bray-on-Thames
is a must - truly the most exciting ‘foodie’ village to
visit in the UK, home to The Fat Duck (yes, of Heston
Blumenthal fame) The Waterside Inn, and other
Michelin starred gems you will want to add to your
special-night-out list.
Cap it off with a reservation at Monkey Island
Estate, a luxury hotel on a private island in Bray,
perhaps with a nightcap in the Whisky Snug accessed
via a secret staircase.
In the counties of Buckinghamshire and North
Hampshire, head for The Five Arrows restaurant,
located at the gates of the grand Waddesdon Manor →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
113

Pictured left-right:
The Red Lion
Freehouse,
Pewsey; The
Carpenters
Arms, Windsor;
Wadworth
Brewery Shires.
in Aylesbury for a taste of beef from the estate, its
very own ale, and seasonal vegetables from the
kitchen garden. If you’re still in the mood for luxury,
then the Grade-II listed Langley Hotel in Iver is the
place to retire to its Churchill bar for cosy Cognacs.
Gin fans will want to deviate to the Bombay
Sapphire Distillery in Whitchurch, where there has
been a mill since AD903. Here you can drink the likes
of Vespear Martinis alongside the River Test, or take a
masterclass to expand your cocktail repertoire. Finish
up with a Hampshire Charcuterie and Cheese platter
at the Mill Café for a tasty introduction to local
produce.
Next county stop along the route is Wiltshire. If
your ambition is to eat ham in the village of Ham,
then consider it done. Perhaps pressed ham hock
and pigeon terrine at the stylishly refurbished Crown
& Anchor pub with rooms, a traditional inn dating
back to the 1840s. Or a Michelin-starred version of
ham, egg and chips from the Red Lion Freehouse (a
thatched country pub with a boutique guest house)
in Pewsey. Extend yourself to ham in Chippenham,
with a sandwich from the tea room at Dyrham Park
before strolling 270-acre ancient parkland around the
baroque beauty of its mansion house at the western
edge of the Cotswolds. Don’t miss picking up some
of ‘the Wiltshire cure’ at Buttle Farm in Compton
Bassett: a traditional technique for curing their freerange
rare-breed pork and ham.
Farm shops are not only a highlight of the Great
West Way, but your source of excellent edible
souvenirs. At Roves Farm in Sevenhampton, you
can indulge in farm-raised fare at the Woolly Sheep
Café and also take home free-range eggs, sausages,
pies and other treats. True gourmands should head
straight to the butchery for the highest quality homereared
meats.
114 GreatWestWay.co.uk

DID YOU KNOW? IN THEIR
HEYDAY, MORE THAN 40 SHIRES
WERE USED BY WADWORTH
BREWERY TO DELIVER THEIR
ALREADY FAMOUS BEERS TO
LOCAL INNS AND HOSTELRIES?
A TRADITION AT WADWORTH
– AND THEIR GENTLE GIANTS
ARE AS MUCH A PART OF THE
WADWORTH HERITAGE AS THE
CLOSELY GUARDED REAL ALE
RECIPES!
Renowned for its apples and magnificent
dairy produce, Somerset is where you
simply must eat cheese in the village of
Cheddar, either before or after (or both!)
exploring the Cheddar Gorge & Caves.
Make time to visit to The Dining
Room at Whatley Manor Hotel &
Spa near Malmesbury to experience
the daring and innovative cooking by
Michelin Starred Chef, Niall Keating, who
has recently been awarded their second
Michelin star, just two years after earning
their first. Niall draws inspiration from
many different cuisines, including Korean,
Japanese and classic French - it is very
much ‘of the moment’.
The city of Bath will easily enchant
with its Roman and Georgian charms, but
set aside plenty of time for gastronomic
exploration too. One of the youngest
chefs to win a Michelin star, Rob Clayton
of Clayton’s Kitchen, prepares delicate
Mediterranean-influenced dishes, with
some good-value set menus. You can
also dine in style in the neo-classical
salon of the Roman Baths’ Pump Room
Restaurant or in the opulent surrounds
of The Gainsborough Bath Spa, the
only hotel in the country where you can
experience Bath’s thermal waters.
Pack an extra stomach for Bristol: the
city has had quite the renaissance in the
food world, with its many multicultural
influences, and an especially thriving
street food scene. Pick up a coffee at
Hart's Bakery in Temple Meads or head
to Bristol Lido, where you could really
kickstart your day with breakfast at the
poolside restaurant, enjoying hot smoked
salmon and soft-boiled eggs, served
with a Mimosa of Prosecco and Chase
marmalade vodka (best not to swim
afterwards!).
If you need a relaxing afternoon tea,
you can glide down the River Avon on
Bristol Packet Boat Tours’ two-hour
Cream Tea Cruise. But to ensure your trip
is truly ship-shape and Bristol fashion,
try to time your visit for a Wednesday,
Thursday or weekend, when the
Harbourside Street Food Market is in full
swing. →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
115

FUN FACTS • IT TAKES 36 PIECES OF
FRUIT TO MAKE ONE GALLON OF
APPLE CIDER.
• IN A YEAR WEST BERKSHIRE
BREWERY BREW AN IMPRESSIVE
2.6 MILLION PINTS.
• THERE HAS BEEN A MILL WHERE
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE DISTILLERY IS
SINCE AT LEAST AD903.
FABULOUS FOOD &
DRINK FESTIVALS
If you can, time your visit for one of
the food and drink-focused events
along the Great West Way.
MAY
• BRADFORD ON AVON
FOOD FESTIVAL
One-day event featuring food stalls
from local artisan producers, cookery
demonstrations by professional
chefs and a children’s activity area.
JUNE
• EAT! FOOD FESTIVAL
HENLEY
A fortnight of feasting, with a line-up
of events that includes tastings, chef
demonstrations, film screenings and
the finale Riverside Fiesta with street
food and a floating gin bar.
• PUB IN THE PARK
Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge
combines tastings, chef
demonstrations, masterclasses
and music from top live acts in his
‘ultimate pub garden’ over three
lively days.
• EAT READING
Two-day festival showcasing
Reading’s best foodie businesses,
featuring live cookery
demonstrations, street food tastings,
cocktail mixology and a pop-up
street café.
• TASTE OF CORSHAM
Full-day celebration of Corsham’s
local food producers, with food and
drink stalls lining the High Street, live
music and a silent disco.
JULY
• BRISTOL CRAFT BEER
FESTIVAL
A celebration of brewing culture with
local food outlets and live music
from the finest local DJs.
• THE SURREY FOOD
FESTIVAL
A weekend of foodie fun, with talks,
tastings and demos in the marquee
and an extensive line-up of food and
drink stalls, plus live music and a
kids’ zone.
• DEVIZES BEER FESTIVAL
One-day beer festival with more
than 100 real ales and ciders served
up canalside. Live music too.
• LONGLEAT FOOD & MUSIC
FESTIVAL
A harmonious festival sure to
tantalise your taste buds with diverse
food and drink stalls, demonstrations
by celebrity chefs and live music from
an array of artists taking to the stage.
• HENLEY FESTIVAL'S
SUMMER FLING
This 3 night summer party is a
special pop-up event with street
food and bands, a vintage fun fair
and even a Moët Champagne garden
- this is one party you won’t want
to miss! If you do miss it though
then there's still the main event, the
Henley Festival will be back in its
black-tie splendour at new revised
dates of 15th – 19th September.
SEPTEMBER
• GREAT BATH FEAST
Indulge your taste buds as the city
of Bath goes all foodie, celebrating
the best food and drink in the South
West, as well as taste-sensations
from further afield, appealing to
culinary connoisseurs everywhere.
• DEVIZES FOOD AND DRINK
FESTIVAL
Week-long celebration of local food
and drink products, including a
food market and visits to producers
including a goat farm and vineyard.
OCTOBER
• HUNGERFORD FOOD
FESTIVAL
Full-day event featuring street food
stalls, talks and live cooking demos.
Sustainability is a key theme.
There are also hundreds of smaller
events, alongside weekly produce
and street food markets in market
towns throughout the touring route.
You might even stumble upon
Chippenham’s Pancake Races!
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117
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AFTERNOON TEA
A cream tea is a must on your journey
and there are many options for partaking
in this beloved English ritual as you travel
the route. Tables piled high with cake
stands, tea pots and pretty china cups.
Scones smothered in thick, sweet cream.
Dainty sandwiches layered with smoked
salmon, or Wiltshire ham, or West
Country cheese. Fresh homemade cakes
and pastries. Copious refills of herbal teas
or classic English Breakfast. Traditionally,
the jam is strawberry but choose from
raspberry or even blackcurrant!
Some of the best cream teas along the
way are at The Royal Crescent Hotel &
Spa, Honeystreet Mill Café, The Tutti Pole,
Whatley Manor, Woolley Grange Hotel
and the traditional Bridge Tea Rooms.
Experience an authentic afternoon tea
whilst enjoying views over the landscaped
gardens and lakes from the Drawing Room
at The Langley or surrounded by glorious
Cotswold gardens on the terrace at
Whatley Manor. Enjoy a quintessentially
English afternoon tea at Bowood House
or delve into the decadence of yesteryear
at boutique hotel Roseate House - or
head to the grand Pump Room to feel like
Jane Austen and take your tea where high
society has been meeting since the 18th
century. Whether you’re spending weeks
exploring the length of the Great West
Way, or you’re here for a day trip, there’s
always time for afternoon tea.
GreatWestWay.co.uk/see-and-do/
food-and-drink/afternoon-tea
l
gs,
Great West Way and England’s Great West Way are registered trade marks. A l rights reserved.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
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
A fortnight of feasting, with a line-up of events
that includes tastings, chef demonstrations, film
screenings and the finale Riverside Fiesta with
street food and a floating gin bar.
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.
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
days and includes plenty of child-friendly activities.
HUNGERFORD FOOD FESTIVAL (F4)
Hungerford Town Hall and High St, October
hungerfordfoodfestival.com
Full-day event featuring street food stalls, talks
and live cooking demos. Sustainability is a key
theme.
PUB IN THE PARK (BATH B4 / MARLOW J3)
Marlow, May and Royal Victoria Park, Bath,
June • pubintheparkuk.com
Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge 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 stalls, plus live music and a kids’
zone.
TASTE OF CORSHAM (C4)
Corsham, June • corsham.gov.uk
Full-day celebration of Corsham’s local food
producers, with food and drink stalls lining the
High Street, live music and a silent disco.
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 smaller events, alongside
weekly produce and street food markets in market
towns throughou the touring route. You might even
stumble upon Chippenham’s Pancake Races!
BRADFORD ON AVON FOOD FESTIVAL (C4)
Victory Field, Bradford on Avon, 30 May
scrumptiousfoodfestivals.co.uk
One-day event featuring food stalls 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 coffee 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.
FOOD ON THE MOVE
Enjoy dining while travelling the route by train
with our Great West Way Discoverer pass.
Great Western Railway serve delicious produce
from their at-seat trolley service, from classic
snacks and sweet treats, to tasty sandwiches
and wraps. Plus, a great range of soft drinks,
beers, and wines to accompany your journey.
FABULOUS FOOD &
DRINK FESTIVALS
TEA ROOMS & CAFÉS
BEER & BREWERIES
WADWORTH EAT,
DRINK AND STAY
ON THE GREAT
WEST WAY
BRISTOL
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 distilled.
Landlord Pete’s vision is a the heart of The
Newbury and 137, from the distinctive branding
to the stunning décor.
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’ll enjoy diverse food and drink stalls,
demonstrations by celebrity chefs, plus live music
from an array of artists taking to the stage with
Longleat House as the backdrop; each day’s line-up
will be announced closer to the event.
AEROSPACE BRISTOL CAFÉ (B3)
Hayes Way, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5BZ
aerospacebristol.org/cafe
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
locally 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)
honeystreetmillcafe.co.uk
SPRING’S CAFÉ AND RESTAURANT (B4)
Thermae Bath Spa, Bath, BA1 1SJ
01225 331234 • thermaebathspa.com
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 TUTTI POLE (F4)
thetuttipole.co.uk
WESTONBIRT, THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM (C3)
Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8QS
0300 067 4890 • Forestryengland.uk/Westonbirt
The Westonbirt Restaurant offers tasty, freshly
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 Mill flour from nearby Long Newnton.
WINDSOR CASTLE UNDERCROFT CAFÉ –
OPENING 2020 (K3)
rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle
Royal Collection Trust is investing in a series of
projects at Windsor Castle that will transform the
experience of visiting this royal residence. Work is
underway to evolve the medieval Undercroft into
the Castle’s first permanent café. One of the few
remaining parts of Edward III’s majo renovations in
the 1360s, the Undercroft is among the oldest
surviving parts of the Castle and during the 14th
century served as the principal cellar and larder.
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. Call 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
THE WHITE HORSE INN (D4)
whitehorse-comptonbassett.co.uk
4)
tea
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r
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ren’s
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Hall, or
NATIONAL TRUST SEASONAL EATING,
DRINKING AND SHOPPING
Did you know that 187 of National Trust’s cafés,
restaurants and tea-rooms have received the
Food for Life Served Here Award? The award
recognises tha they serve fresh, local food that
is ethically 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
DYRHAM PARK, GLOUCESTERSHIRE (B3)
The Tea-room and Tea Garden
PRIOR PARK, BATH (C4)
The Tea Shed
TYNTESFIELD, BRISTOL (A4)
Cow Barn Restaurant
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
CANAL TRUST CAFÉ (C4)
canaltrustcafe.co.uk
DEVIZES WHARF TEA ROOM (D4)
katrust.org.uk/attractions
THE ENGINEMAN’S REST CAFÉ (E4)
croftonbeamengines.org/cafe/
TEASHOP BY THE CANAL (G4)
teashopbythecanal.co.uk
Or take a look a these welcoming spots perfect
to stop and plan the next part of your Great
West Way journey while enjoying a cake and a
nice cup of tea.
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’ll 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-pull
pump mounted on the bar. This gives real ale
bags o flavour and a natura light carbonation
that is very different from the more ubiquitous
lagers and highly carbonated beers produced by
the large international brewers.
You’ll find real ale in almost all pubs along
the Great West Way. It comes in numerous
varieties including IPA (India Pale Ale), bitter,
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
ale along 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
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 follow the
lead of the local tour guides at Bristol
Brewery Tours or Bristol Hoppers.
Join one of the Great West Way’s best food
experiences to really ge to grips with the local
cuisine. There are plenty of places to try homegrown
tipples. Beer, wine and gin are all made along the
Great West Way. You can take a brewery, vineyard or
distillery 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)
distillery.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 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
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 smal local producers. You’ll also
find several celebrity chefs including Rick Stein,
Pierre Koffmann and Marco Pierre White. There’s
also plenty of different 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
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.
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
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 well 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-starred tasting menu from the kitchen of
executive chef Niall Keating is served in this friendly
but formal dining room. There’s often charcuterie
from the manor to start, followed by a creative lineup
of modern British dishes.
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
terrace. The Cabin, offers fine wine, craft beers
and locally sourced food in a relaxing environment
– and includes a stylish outdoor terrace with
retractable roof.
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)
wiltonwindmill.co.uk
A’BECKETT’S VINEYARD (D5)
01380 816669 • abecketts.co.uk
ALDER RIDGE VINEYARD (F4)
01488 686770 • alderridge.co.uk
ALDWICK ESTATE VINEYARD (A4)
01934 864404 • aldwickestate.co.uk
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 OLD BELL HOTEL (C3)
Malmesbury, SN16 0BW,
01666 822344 • oldbellhotel.co.uk
The Old Bell 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.
PLUM + SPILT MILK, GREAT NORTHERN
HOTEL (M3)
gnhlondon.com
RICK STEIN, MARLBOROUGH (E4)
rickstein.com/eat-with-us/marlborough
SHELBURNE RESTAURANT, BOWOOD
HOTEL, SPA & GOLF RESORT (D4)
Derry Hill, Calne SN11 9PQ, 01249 822228
bowood.org/bowood-hotel-resort
The classy restaurant a this luxury hotel has
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 full vegetarian and vegan
menu and excellen traditional Sunday roasts.
THE SWAN BRADFORD ON AVON (C4)
theswanbradford.co.uk
WOOLLEY GRANGE HOTEL (C4)
woolleygrangehotel.co.uk
THE FAT DUCK (J3)
High St, Bray SL6 2AQ
THE HAND AND FLOWERS (J3)
126 West St, Marlow SL7 2BP
FOOD & DRINK TOURS & TASTINGS
ENGLISH WINE
CULINARY DELIGHTS
IN MICHELIN STARRED
RESTAURANTS
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
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 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’ll 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 excellent farm shop sells produce from
the surrounding 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
(E5)
Choldertoncharliesfarm.com/farm-shop
COBBS FARM SHOP & KITCHEN,
ENGLEFIELD (H4)
cobbsfarmshops.co.uk
ROVES FARM SHOP (E3)
Rovesfarm.co.uk/farmshop
Richmond Duck Pond Markets every Sat & Sun
Swindon Farmers’ Market Swindon Designer
Outlet, every Sun
Thames Valley 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
MARVELLOUS FOOD MARKETS
FARM SHOPS
ALDWICK ESTATE VINEYARD
COBBS FARM SHOP
THE NEWBURY
WINDSOR CASTLE UNDERCROFT CAFÉ
WHATLEY MANOR
BATH ARTISANS MARKET
WEST BERKSHIRE BREWERY
TASTE HERE.
GreatWestWay.co.uk/food-and-drink
BRISTOL BEER FACTORY
MOOR BEER
To discover more, visit GreatWestWay.co.uk
W W W.WA D W O R T H.C O.U K
EAT, DRINK & STAY WITH
ALONG THE GREAT WEST WAY ®
Enjoy great food from pub cla sics to a special treat
George Inn, Norton St Philip, Bath, Somerset
Meet our working shire horses
Bird in Hand, Knowl Hi l, Reading, Berkshire
Try beers brewed with pa sion
Crown Inn, To ldown, Dyrham, Somerset
Wadworth Brewery, Devizes, Wiltshire
Black Swan, Devizes, Wiltshire
Bear Hotel, Devizes, Wiltshire
GGW advert.qxp_Layout 1 19/11/2019 15:26 Page 1
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
agricultural land, and with that comes excellent 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 select the best of it all for their menus,
and family-run tea rooms whip up fresh cakes daily.
All 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.
Great places to savour along the
Great West Way.
FOOD &
DRINK
DEVIZES FOOD AND DRINK FES
Devizes, September-October
devizesfoodanddrinkfestival.info
Week-long celebration of local food a
products, including a food market in t
Place and visits to producers including
and vineyard.
EAT! FOOD FESTIVAL HENLEY (H3
Henley on Thames, June • eatfoodfe
A fortnight o feasting, with a line-up o
that includes tastings, chef demonstrat
screenings and the finale Riverside Fiest
street food and a floating gin bar.
EAT READING (H4)
Broad St and Market Place, Reading, Ju
livingreading.co.uk
Two-day festival showcasing Reading’s be
businesses, featuring live cookery demons
street food tastings, cocktail mixology and
up street café.
GREAT BRITISH FOOD FESTIVAL
Englefield, Reading (H4), June and
Westonbirt House (C3), August
greatbritishfoodfestival.com
This touring festival brings artisan producers
street food vendors together over two or thre
days and includes plenty of child-friendly act
HUNGERFORD FOOD FESTIVAL (F4)
Hungerford Town Hall and High St, Octob
hungerfordfoodfestival.com
Fu l-day event featuring street food stalls, talk
and live cooking demos. Sustainability is a key
theme.
PUB IN THE PARK (BATH B4 / MARLOW J3)
Marlow, May and Royal Victoria Park, Bath,
June • pubintheparkuk.com
Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge combines tastings,
chef demonstrations, masterclasses and music
from top live acts in his ‘ultimate pub garden’ ove
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.
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 throughout the touring route. You might even
stumble upon Chippenham’s Pancake Races!
BRADFORD ON AVON FOOD FESTIVAL (C4)
Victory Field, Bradford on Avon, 30 May
scrumptiousfoodfestivals.co.uk
One-day event featuring food stalls 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 coffee 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.
FABULOUS FOOD &
DRINK FESTIVALS
TEA ROOMS & CAFÉS
BEER & BREWERIES
WADWORTH EAT,
DRINK AND STAY
ON THE GREAT
WEST WAY
BRISTOL
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 a the heart of The
Newbury and 137, from the distinctive branding
to the stunning décor.
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 sta ls,
demonstrations by celebrity chefs, plus live music
from an array 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.
AEROSPACE BRISTOL CAFÉ (B3)
Hayes Way, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5BZ
aerospacebristol.org/cafe
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
locally 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)
honeystreetmillcafe.co.uk
SPRING’S CAFÉ AND RESTAURANT (B4)
Thermae Bath Spa, Bath, BA1 1SJ
01225 331234 • thermaebathspa.com
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 TUTTI POLE (F4)
thetuttipole.co.uk
WESTONBIRT, THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM (C3)
Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8QS
0300 067 4890 • Forestryengland.uk/Westonbirt
The Westonbirt Restaurant offers tasty, freshly
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.
WINDSO
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’ l 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
THE WHITE HORSE INN (D4)
whitehorse-comptonbassett.co.uk
ABBEY HOTEL (B4)
abbeyhotelbath.co.uk
APEX HOTEL (B4)
apexhotels.co.uk
BAILBROOK HOUSE HOTEL (B4)
handpickedhotels.co.uk/bailbrookhouse
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
THE PUMP ROOM RESTAURANT (B4)
Roman Baths, Bath BA1 1LZ 01225 444477
romanbaths.co.uk/pump-room-restaurant
An elegant space a the Roman Baths where a
range of teas is served, from the sma ler cream tea
to the fu l tiered stand of treats.
THE ROSEATE (H4)
roseatehotels.com/reading/theroseate
ROSEATE HOUSE (L3)
roseatehotels.com/london/roseatehouse
THE ROSEATE VILLA BATH (B4)
roseatehotels.com/bath/theros
NATIONAL TRUST SEASONAL EATING,
DRINKING AND SHOPPING
Did you know that 187 of National Trust’s cafés,
restaurants and tea-rooms have received the
Food for Life Served Here Award? The award
recognises tha they serve fresh, local food that
is ethically 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
DYRHAM PARK, GLOUCESTERSHIRE (B3)
The Tea-room and Tea Garden
PRIOR PARK, BATH (C4)
The Tea Shed
TYNTESFIELD, BRISTOL (A4)
Cow Barn Restaurant
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
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 ca led ‘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 – genera ly from a traditional hand-pull
pump mounted on the bar. This gives real ale
bags o flavour and a natural light carbonation
that is very different from the more ubiquitous
lagers and highly carbonated beers produced by
the large international brewers.
You’ l find real ale in almost a l pubs along
the Great West Way. It comes in numerous
varieties including IPA (India Pale Ale), bitter,
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
ale along 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
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.
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
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,
Pierre Koffmann and Marco Pierre White. There’s
also plenty of different 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)
handpickedhot
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 DIN
A’BECKETT’S VINEYARD (D5)
01380 816669 • abecketts.co.uk
ALDER RIDGE VINEYARD (F4)
01488 686770 • alderridge.co.uk
ALDWICK ESTATE VINEYARD (A4)
01934 864404 • aldwickestate.co.uk
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 FAT DUCK (J3)
High St, Bray SL6 2AQ
THE HAND AND FLOWERS (J3)
126 West St, Marlow SL7 2BP
AFTERNOON TEA
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
while away an afternoon.
There is always tea, of course. Usua ly this is served
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
jam and cream, and cakes. Most people ea them
in that order, but since many of the most upmarket
places wi l keep replenishing each level, you could
switch back and forth for hours.
Afternoon
ENGLISH WINE
CULINARY DELIGHTS
IN MICHELIN STARRED
RESTAURANTS
The Great West Way runs through some of
England’s most fertile agricultural 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 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 surrounding 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 wi l
find another Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen with
a whole host of local produce.
BUTTLE FARM (D4)
buttlefarm.co.uk
CHOLDERTON CHARLIE’S FARM SHOP
(E5)
Choldertoncharliesfarm.com/farm-shop
COBBS FARM SHOP & KITCHEN,
ENGLEFIELD (H4)
cobbsfarmshops.co.uk
ROVES FARM SHOP (E3)
Rovesfarm.co.uk/farmshop
Richmond Duck Pond Markets every Sat & Sun
Swindon Farmers’ Market Swindon Designer
Outlet, every Sun
Thames Valley 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
MARVELLOUS FOOD MARKETS
FARM SHOPS
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.
ALDWICK ESTATE VINEYARD
COBBS FARM SHOP
THE NEWBURY
WHATLEY MANOR
BATH ARTISANS MARKET
BRISTOL BEER FACTORY
MOOR BEER
CLICK
HERE
TO
DOWNLOAD
With so many great experiences to savour
along the Great West Way food lovers should
download our Food & Drink map!
VINEYARD TOURS AND TASTINGS
• ALDER RIDGE
Tours happen between June and September at this 8-acre vineyard
specialising in sparkling wine, conveniently located at Cobbs Farm Shop, a
food-lovers’ destination in its own right, on the Berkshire/Wiltshire border.
• A’BECKETT’S VINEYARD
Tours (1 hour or 90 minutes) can be arranged for groups (minimum of 10
people or the cost thereof). In addition to trying English sparkling wine, or
cider or apple juice from the orchards, don’t miss the Penruddocke’s Red
Pinot Noir, a bronze-medal winner in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2020.
• ALDWICK ESTATE
Take a 90-minute tour from March to October in Somerset’s lush Yeo Valley.
Try the award-winning Seyval Salute sparkling English wine, first released in
2020: a ‘salute’ to the NHS key workers during COVID-19. There’s sumptuous
accommodation on the estate if you imbibe extra enthusiastically.
Pictured leftright:
Family fun
at Pub in the
Park; Vineyard
at the Aldwick
Estate, a
sumptious
afternoon tea
at Whatley
Manor
Hotel & Spa,
Malmesbury

118 GreatWestWay.co.uk
Pictured in
a clockwise
direction: STEAM
Museum of the
Great Western
Railway; STEAM
Museum's
Pattern Shop; The
Merchant's House;
Crofton Beam
Engines; Jane
Austen Centre;
We The Curious.

MUSEUM GEMS
The Great West Way is home to some of
England’s most fascinating heritage sites and
unmissable museums to visit on your journey
Words: Robin Glover
TRAVELLERS ALONG THE Great West Way, whether
driving, cycling, boating or walking, will be amazed
by the many opportunities to visit sites of national
and international importance. If you think London
has a monopoly on arts and culture in England, think again!
The world is well aware of the magnificent Windsor
Castle, majestic Salisbury Cathedral, mystical Stonehenge
and the Roman Baths in Georgian Bath – and each
demands a visit – but there are also many less well-known
finds to discover on your way.
Even in the quaintest of villages you can find a thriving
cultural life, from annual festivals that have been faithfully
recreated for hundreds of years to pop-up art galleries in
repurposed phone boxes.
The market towns and cities along the Great West Way
also reach well beyond their geographical limits in terms
of the quality and breadth of their artistic output. While
some showcase the work of celebrated local artists, each
inspired in unique ways by their remarkable surroundings,
others attract national and international talent. This is a joy
for travellers as it means a variety of art galleries, theatres,
music venues, literary events, comedy nights and more to
explore.
Along the touring route you’ll find big name theatres
rubbing shoulders with smaller - but just as interesting
- backroom gig venues. And one-off woodland poetry
readings that prove as soul-stirring as star-studded book
festivals. Because on the Great West Way, art and culture
happens anywhere and everywhere.
There’s such a rich respect for the arts along the route,
we know you’ll find something to arouse even your most
niche interests.
Before leaving behind the Thames-side delights of Henry
VIII’s Hampton Court, historic Runnymede, notorious
Cliveden and Royal Windsor, seek out the Windsor &
Royal Borough Museum, unassuming but full of interesting
exhibits illustrating the thousands of years of the
settlement’s existence and royal patronage.
By contrast, just a few minutes away, at Eton Wick, is
an absorbing, privately-owned collection of civilian and
military motor vehicles and militaria, The History on
Wheels Museum.
Head a little further upstream and you will come to
the Maidenhead Heritage Centre where you can both
trace the two thousand years of the town’s history and,
unforgettably for enthusiasts of all ages, ‘fly’ in a WWII
Spitfire simulator. Arrive in the town of Reading and there
are many visitor attractions.
Make your next stop the historic village of Cookham
in Berkshire's north-easternmost corner, home to the
Stanley Spencer Gallery, an art museum dedicated to his
life and work as an artist. Pick up a map and continue the
experience on an hour-long walking trail from the centre of
Cookham down to the Thames and back, past the location
of a number of Spencer’s paintings. Our next cultural gem
along the route is the pretty riverside village of Hurley, with
its half-timbered houses, old church and exciting past as
one of the last great secrets of D Day! →
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119

“In Newbury the West Berkshire Museum is a treasure trove of information
and exhibits illustrating the origins of the county and its people.”
Unknown to its residents, for 75 years, Station Victor was
in fact a radio centre run by the secret intelligence branch
of the American Office of Strategic Services. There's a blue
commemorative plaque, which was unveiled in 2019 to mark
the site of the secret communication stations, (which were
codenamed VICTOR) - find it at the entrance to Hurley Manor.
Whitchurch Silk Mill is a gem of industrial heritage in
beautiful, rural Hampshire. Pop into The Mill Shop following
your visit to buy exclusive silk gifts that have been woven
right there at the Mill.
Further west, Reading Museum, is full of fascinating
regional history and artefacts, a 70-metre long, woven
replica of the famous Bayeux Tapestry and the Huntley
& Palmer exhibition, reflecting on the 150 years of local
biscuit manufacture, and the Abbey Galleries are a great
introduction to exploring the ruins of Reading Abbey, which
is also celebrating a 900 year anniversary in 2021, and
finding out more about Henry I, England’s last ‘unfound’ king.
Also in Reading, The Museum of English Rural Life is where
agriculture, through the ages, is brilliantly brought to life
with interactive exhibits as well as comprehensive displays of
implements, machinery and vehicles.
In Newbury the West Berkshire Museum is a treasure
trove of information and exhibits illustrating the origins of
the county and its people. Newbury came to prominence for
its prosperous wool trade and highly regarded cloth in the
late 15th century, and was soon became industry leaders in
the trade. The museum is housed in the iconic 17th century
cloth hall and the old Granary/Corn Stores in the Wharf. By
contrast, just a few miles further west, in Wiltshire, is a pair
of remarkable survivors from the early days of the Industrial
Revolution - The Crofton Beam Engines built over 200 years
ago to maintain water-levels in the nearby Kennet & Avon
Canal and, amazingly, those great steam engines are still in
working order, doing the job for which they were designed.
Negotiating the pretty lanes of the Vale of Pewsey brings
the happy traveller to Devizes, home of the independent
craft brewers, Wadworth Brewery, featuring a ‘Brewseum’ of
memorabilia, and of the county’s Wiltshire Museum, telling
the 500,000 years story of the county through its awardwinning
galleries, exhibits, high-quality graphics and striking
reconstructions. In order to maximise their enjoyment, visitors
en route to such prehistoric sites as Avebury and Stonehenge
are urged to visit this museum first.
And in Wiltshire’s county town, the Trowbridge Museum
offers insight into the rich textile related heritage in
the heart of the town. The museum has recently seen a
fantastic multi-million pound expansion, doubling the size
of the museum for its 2021 re-opening!
Moving forward in time, the history of 19th and 20th
century steam railways is retold at STEAM - Museum of
the Great Western Railway and, if historic aeroplanes are
a ‘must-see’ for you or your children, you need look no
further than the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection at
Old Sarum, Salisbury, where cockpits are mostly open and
you can sit in and use the controls.
Since its formation in 1942, the Corps of Royal Electrical
and Mechanical Engineers has been the driving-force of the
British Army and the inspiring story of the unit is told at
the REME Museum through their collections of armoured
vehicles and weaponry and child-friendly interactive
displays. →
120 GreatWestWay.co.uk

Pictured left-right: West
Berkshire Museum;
Brunel's SS Great Britain;
the last Concorde to be
built at Aerospace Bristol;
We the Curious; and
Trowbridge Museum
DID YOU KNOW? STONEHENGE AND
AVEBURY ENIGMATIC STONES FORM
ONE OF THE UK’S FIRST EVER UNESCO
WORLD HERITAGE SITES?
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DISCOVER THE UNEXPECTED IN 2021…
DISCOVER READING
A unique place in history, Reading is a surprise at every turn
Reading Abbey celebrates 900 years of history
The Museum of English Rural Life – the museum of food, farming and the countryside
Britain’s Bayeux Tapestry is 70m long – the only full-scale replica is housed in Reading Museum
livingreading.co.uk
Discover
Calne
From A to B
Calne
Town
Council
Plan your visit at
VisitCalne.co.uk

When you reach Bristol, be prepared for even more, as Aerospace Bristol
houses an awesome collection of aeroplanes and space vehicles spanning more
than a century, including the last Concorde to be built and to fly. Also in Bristol,
don’t miss Brunel's SS Great Britain, one of the most important historic ships in
the world or We The Curious on Bristol’s harbourside, with all sorts of different
experiences and exhibits for you to interact with, and experiments you can take
part in.
Our next ports-of-call are altogether more restful, starting at the charming
Georgian town of Chippenham, there's the Chippenham Museum & Heritage
Centre, set in an immaculate 18th century townhouse and relating the story
of the town’s development since the prehistoric era. On the way to the nearby
market town of Corsham, a small detour will bring you to the picture-perfect
village of Lacock, and National Trust’s Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and
Village.
Here, in 1835, William Fox Talbot created the world’s first photographic
negative and it is only proper that the Museum of Photography is established
here.
Pretty Corsham offers two museum ‘treats’, a moving historical experience in
the original 17th century Corsham Schoolroom and Almshouse and The Pound
Arts Centre, a North Wiltshire hub for the performing and visual arts.
The City of Bath, in its entirety, has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage
status and this modest feature cannot do it full justice. Explore it for yourself, at
leisure, and marvel at the splendour and grace of its Georgian beauty. 2021 is
the year to immerse in English history and Bath is offering it in abundance.
The city was built up around its mineral rich hot springs, so you’ll want to
explore the Roman Baths, where it all began - walking on the very ground
bathers did more than 2,000 years ago.
The Archway Project has recently converted the former Victorian spa
buildings close to the Roman Baths into a World Heritage Centre, exploring the
internationally recognised historic city, and opened previously unseen areas of
the Roman Baths themselves – including a Roman sauna!
Other impressive museums and exhibitions include the imaginative
recreations at No. 1 Royal Crescent and the Jane Austen Centre and the superb
collection of fine and decorative arts to be viewed at the Grade I listed The
Holburne Museum. Plus don't miss the brand new Mary Shelley's House of
Frankenstein, the world's first horror experience dedicated to author Mary
Shelley and her most infamous creation, Frankenstein.
VIDEOS AND MULTIMEDIA
› Keep busy at home with Wiltshire
Museum's new At Home programme
featuring do-it-yourself craft activities,
learning resources for kids, stories about
intriguing objects and documents from
their collections and libraries:
wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/donations/at-home
› Take a Google Street View tour of
the Roman Baths: romanbaths.co.uk/
walkthrough Or have a go at these online
games: romanbaths.co.uk/online-games
› Test your fashion knowledge with the
Fashion Museum and Assembly Rooms
online quiz: www.fashionmuseum.
co.uk/quiz and download some children's
activities: fashionmuseum.co.uk/
childrens-page
› Keep an eye on the Youtube account for
The Pounds Art Centre, where they post
videos of performances and readings:
youtube.com/user/PoundArts/videos
› For any foodies out there, you can now
book a virtual food tour of Bath to enjoy
from your own home thanks to Savouring
Bath. You can even purchase a box of tasty
samples to eat during the tour, which will
be delivered to your door: savouringbath.
com/tours/virtual-food-heroes
› Enjoy a live view of the ancient
standing stones at Stonehenge with
their Stonehenge Skyscape tool. Watch
the sun rise and set and experience the
atmosphere and mystery of the iconic
stone circle: english-heritage.org.uk/
visit/places/stonehenge/things-to-do/
stone-circle/skyscape/
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WHAT ITEM WOULD YOU
SAVE FROM A FIRE?
Curators of some of the best museums
along the Great West Way reveal what
single item in their collections they would
choose to save if disaster struck
124 GreatWestWay.co.uk

HOLBURNE MUSEUM
ATHELSTAN MUSEUM
URE MUSEUM OF
GREEK ARCHAEOLOGY
NAME: Will Cooper
ROLE: Curator of Contemporary
Programmes
WHAT I WOULD SAVE FROM A FIRE:
“Diana and Actaeon, Siena, tinglazed
earthenware, about 1495.
There’s a lot to like about this
incredible piece of c15th maiolica;
the naive style of the figures, Actaeon
mid transformation but looking
more like a stag wearing a pair of
green 501s, Diana’s coquettish look
after hitting Actaeon with her
magic arrow. It’s really got it all, but
what I think I like most is that it’s
funny. I was often taught that
museums are serious places of
study and contemplation, which of
course they can be, but I like to
highlight the stuff that makes me
laugh. And this sure does, not bad
for something over 500 years old.”
NAME: Deborah Clogg
ROLE: Chair of Collections Committee
WHAT I WOULD SAVE FROM A FIRE:
“One item we would definitely save is
our recently acquired watercolour of
Malmesbury Abbey by JMW Turner.
Turner visited Malmesbury three
times in the 1790s during his sketching
tours and did many drawings of
the Abbey. In about 1827 he used
these drawings to produce our watercolour,
which was then engraved and
published in his Picturesque Views in
England and Wales.
It is fantastic that a completely
voluntary run museum, thanks to
generous support from the National
Lottery Heritage Fund and the Art
Fund, is now able to display, without
charge, this work by one of Britain’s
greatest artists in the town to which
it relates".
Name: Amy Smith
Role: Curator
WHAT I WOULD SAVE FROM A FIRE:
“If I had the power, I'd like to save the
statues at the entrance – a Roman
marble statue of Venus/Aphrodite
from Cyrene (on loan from the
British Museum) and a 20th-century
interpretation of the head of Helen
of Troy, made by Reading's sculptor
Eric Stanford, who sadly passed
away last year, but made his beautiful
image of Helen on the side while
working on his powerful Spanish
Civil War Monument, now in Forbury
Gardens in Reading. For an easy grab
I'd get the Romano-Egyptian writing
tablet, now in our Education case".
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125

WILTSHIRE MUSEUM
41 Long St, Devizes SN10 1NS
» wiltshiremuseum.org.uk
DAVID RECOMMENDS: This autumn,
the Wiltshire Museum has a major
exhibition - Eric Ravilious: Downland Man.
An exhibition exploring for the first time,
Eric Ravilious’s (1903-1942) fascination
for the chalk downlands of Wiltshire and
Sussex. The museum is borrowing over 20
artworks from major National Museums
to bring an international standard art
exhibition to the County. A range of
evocative watercolours have been lent by
the Tate, V&A, the Imperial War Museum,
British Museum, National Museum of
Wales and the prestigious Towner Art
Gallery in Eastbourne, as well as private
lenders, to secure a significant range of
evocative watercolours for the display.
Central to the exhibition are Ravilious’s
best-loved watercolours of chalk figures,
which were made in 1939 in preparation
for a children’s book, Downland Man. The
book was never completed, and for many
years the prototype or ‘dummy’ made by
Ravilious was believed lost. When it
resurfaced in 2012 this precious relic was
bought at auction by Wiltshire Museum.
Although never published, it contains
delicate pencil drawings of chalk hill
figures, ancient monuments and
prehistoric earthworks in Wiltshire.
The exhibition is masterminded by guest
curator, James Russell, who created the
successful Ravilious exhibition at the
Dulwich Picture Gallery in 2015. He has
also written an illustrated catalogue to
accompany this exhibition.
ATHELSTAN MUSEUM
Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 9BZ
» athelstanmuseum.org.uk
DEBORAH RECOMMENDS: Apart from
the Turner, visitors will find a fascinating
range of information and exhibits relating
to the heritage and culture of Malmesbury
and its surrounding villages. From
iron age quernstones to local inventions,
visitors can learn about our famous inhabitants,
such as philosopher Thomas
Hobbes, and our wealth of important; and
sometimes quirky; history - eg, the first
person to fly, the first person to be killed
by a 'tyger' in England!
MAIDENHEAD HERITAGE CENTRE
18 Park St, Maidenhead SL6 1SL
» maidenheadheritage.org.uk
ALAN RECOMMENDS: Our ATA (Air
Transport Auxiliary) gallery which
contains the complete story of this
lesser known civilian group that supported
the work of the RAF throughout
World War II. Some of the stories of its
pilots - both men and women and from
all over the world - are quite amazing. In
the gallery we also have a Spitfire flight
simulator which visitors are welcome to
use to experience what it was like to fly
these famous aircraft!
URE MUSEUM OF GREEK
ARCHAEOLOGY
38 Edith Morley Building, University
of Reading, RG6 6EL
» collections.reading.ac.uk
AMY RECOMMENDS: Visiting the
exhibition we're hosting this autumn:
a Spotlight Loan from the British
Museum. Troy: Beauty and Heroism,
which has been twice postponed
because of lockdown is finally here. It
follows up the British Museum's blockbuster
exhibit on Troy in 2019 and is a
chance to bring some of this great art to
regional audiences.
126 GreatWestWay.co.uk

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY
MAIDENHEAD HERITAGE
CENTRE
NAME: Alan Mellins
ROLE: Trustee
WHAT I WOULD SAVE FROM A FIRE:
“The Bray Village Fire Pump, from
1737, which is awaiting restoration
before we can put it on public
display. It remained in use for 200
years until 1938, when Bray Parish
Council ceased to be responsible for
fire-fighting".
The 270-year-old artefact was
being kept in storage in the village of
Bray. Council Chairman Geoff Hayes
explained "Something had to happen
to it. It just seemed such a shame
that it had to stayed stored in a
barn."
WILTSHIRE MUSEUM
NAME: David Dawson
ROLE: Director
WHAT I WOULD SAVE FROM A FIRE:
“White Horses by Eric Ravilious. This
was a 'dummy' for a planned children's
book on White Horses and Hill
Figures that inspired Ravilious to
paint some of his most famous
watercolours. The text was to be
based on the book 'Downland Man'
by H.J. Massingham. Ravilious was
appointed a war artist and did not
have the time to create the lithographs
so that the book could be published.
He was attached to an RAF squadron
in Iceland and flew a search and
rescue mission. His plane did not
return. The book was presumed lost."
BATH SOCIETY OF ARTISTS
ANNUAL OPEN EXHIBITION
› Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Society of
Artists’ 116th Annual Open Exhibition is
now at the Victoria Art Gallery until 20
November 2021. Art enthusiasts will be
able to browse and buy from a selection
of over 250 fabulous paintings, drawings,
prints and sculptures by the region’s
top artistic talent, at prices to suit every
pocket. Last year the hugely popular
exhibition moved online due to Covid-19,
but this year art lovers will once again
be able to enjoy the show in real life at
the Gallery and place their votes for the
Public Choice Prize.
Alongside the exhibition, all of the works
will be available to view and buy online.
victoriagal.org.uk/bathsociety2021
READING FOR MODERN PILGRIMS
Reading UK has launched a joint initiative
with the Coruna Provincial Government
in Spain to highlight Reading’s role in
medieval times as the starting point of
pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela
in Galicia. Modern pilgrims can now
walk the St James Way from Reading to
Southampton in the footsteps of those
pilgrims and join up with the world
famous Camino de Santiago in Spain.
livingreading.co.uk/pilgrim
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127

WAYS TO REJUVENATE THE
MIND, BODY
AND SOUL
Take some time out for yourself along
the Great West Way and re-energise your
mind, body and soul. Whether you’re keen
on keeping fit or prefer taking it easy in a
luxury spa, we hope you enjoy our top 10
ways to add some wellness to your trip
1
CONNECT WITH
NATURE
You just can’t beat pulling on your walking boots,
getting out into the English countryside and
breathing in that fresh, fresh air. The whole length
of the route boasts wide, open landscapes just
calling out to be explored. Rolling green downland.
Fields of spring wildflowers. Tranquil lakes. Get
away from the crowds and head out into these
quintessentially English landscapes for some
ultimate restorative me-time. Explore Richmond
Park, London’s largest site of Special Scientific
Interest and European Special Area of Conservation
or visit one of the Great West Way’s Areas of
Outstanding Natural Beauty, from the North
Wessex Downs, The Cotswolds to The Chilterns.
Or why not take a walk around the grounds of one
of the Great West Way’s National Trust gardens
including Tyntesfield, Prior Park Landscape Garden
and Lacock. For a faster pace join a Nordic Walking
event with Bristol Nordic Walking. Or you might
enjoy Alison Howell’s Foot Trails, Oldbury Tours or
Tour & Explore with Anne Bartlett.
128 GreatWestWay.co.uk

→
GreatWestWay.co.uk
129

2
JOIN IN WITH A
WELLNESS CLASS
No matter where you are on the Great
West Way chances are you won’t be
too far from a yoga or mindfulness class
where you can join in the spirit with
others. Luxury hotels and Health Retreats
including Casterley Barn, Danesfield House
and Hungerford’s Herongate Club all run
regular classes. If staying in Bath you
might enjoy a one-day introductory session
at the Bath School of Shiatsu & Yoga, and
in Bristol yoga and holistic therapies are
hugely popular. Wild Wolf’s Yoga, Bristol
City Yoga and Bristol Yoga Space are all
fairly central. You can even take part in a
yoga session with SUP Bristol while on a
paddleboard floating on the waterways of
Bristol Harbourside.
130 GreatWestWay.co.uk

3STAY ON A FARM
To get an authentic feel for life on the
land, wake up to the sound of cockerels
at one of the fabulous farms along the
Great West Way. Depending on what sort
of experience you want, you could stay
at a lovely luxurious farmhouse B&B like
Marshwood Farm near Salisbury or Great
Ashley Farm in Bradford on Avon. For the
ultimate luxury experience stay in one of
Buttle Farm’s beautiful barn conversions,
awarded VisitEngland’s highest rating –
5*Gold, or for rustic-romance in a snuggly
shepherd hut on rolling farmland head to
Rushall Organics Farm. You could get stuck
in with a full-on farm stay at Mill Farm
in Devizes, offering lots of farm-based
experiences alongside its accommodation,
from badger watching to donkey rides.
→
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4
BOOK A LUXURY
SPA BREAK
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 what you
need then there’s plenty of choice on the
Great West Way. Some of the best include
The Roseate Reading, Monkey Island in Bray,
The Langley in Buckinghamshire, Pennyhill
Park in Surrey, Whatley Manor in Malmesbury
and The Royal Crescent in Bath. Cricklade
House and Woolley Grange Hotel in Wiltshire
both have scenic locations ideal for that after
dinner evening stroll. Or if you really want to
splash out, make like a princess (or prince)
for a spa retreat at Cliveden House. 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 and to help you combat any fatigue
caused from lockdown.
132 GreatWestWay.co.uk

5
BRAVE A DIP
There are some magical places to go wild
swimming along the Great West Way such
as Avoncliff, a luscious river pool with a rope
swing in Bradford on Avon, or Cock Marsh near
Cookham where you’ll find sandy beaches to
paddle out from and clear, clean waters. You
might prefer to plunge into one of the historic
lidos en route such as Clifton’s Victorian Lido
in Bristol, and enjoy the invigorating feel
of an outdoor swim, or with the luxury of
changing rooms, Bristol Lido and the Thames
Lido in Reading are much-loved by locals.
You might also enjoy a refreshing soak in the
natural thermal waters of the rooftop pool at
Thermae Bath Spa.
→
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133

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.

6
HAVE A ‘ZOO’PER
TIME
Whether your favourite animal is a monkey,
lion, pig or a giraffe, you’re guaranteed to
enjoy your day and re-energise exploring
one of the many zoos or wildlife parks along
the way. Visit Longleat, home to England’s
only Koalas at Koala Creek, and meet their
colourful macaws in an impressive parrot
show display, explore rare breeds at Avon
Valley Wildlife Park, become a ranger for the
day at Bristol Zoo Gardens (the world’s 5th
oldest zoo!), or celebrate World Lion Day on
10 August at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm.
At Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm the little
ones will love feeding, cuddling and petting
the rabbits, pigs, goats, chickens, ponies,
sheep and more, or just a short detour off the
route at Cotswold Wildlife Park you can walk
the Giraffe Walkway and be eye-to-eye with
these amazing creatures.
→
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135

7
GLAMP OR CAMP
For wellness you can’t beat sleeping in a
yurt, glamping pod, rustic cabin or luxury
treehouse. There’s no doubt, camping in the
countryside along the Great West Way can
be a magical experience, sitting round a fire
pit, toasting marshmallows until they’re so
gooey they nearly fall off the stick. Listening
for the twit-twoooo of owls after dark.
Sleeping under a dazzling blanket of stars. If
you enjoy going off-grid then try The Farm
Camp near Bath, or for a unique city stay
try Uplands Treehouse in Bristol. If in search
of some precious couples-only time head
to Totteridge Farm in the heart of Vale of
Pewsey. In what amounts to a Great British
Glamp-off, some sites even offer experiences
like mindfulness walks, guided birdwatching
tours and cooking classes and most have
outdoor spaces where you can sit and read
a book or enjoy a sundowner cider with
mesmerising views.
136 GreatWestWay.co.uk

8TRY YOUR HAND AT
SOMETHING NEW
You might enjoy a bushcraft course with
Survival School, Bristol, or learning about
bee keeping with Wiltshire Beekeepers
Association. Book a foraging experience
with Experience Nomadic for a woodland
foraging feast inspired by the wild ingredients
that grow there in abundance. Take a
creative course such as learning to weave
at Whitchurch Silk Mill – or take part in a
wellbeing summer course at Marlborough
College in Wiltshire, once home to the
Duchess of Cambridge during her school
days. They run a wide range of workshops
including a burgeoning selection of rural
craft courses, an introduction to bee keeping,
drawing and painting the landscape, code
breaking and many more. If you’re interested
in organic farming and happy to volunteer,
WWOOF can even connect you with local
smallholdings where you can learn new skills
helping out around the farm.
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137

9
GET IN TOUCH WITH
YOUR SPIRITUAL SIDE
If the wellness you seek is spiritual, you’ll find plenty
of absorbing sacred spaces along the Great West Way,
and where better to start than one of the almighty
cathedrals? There’s the inimitable Bath Abbey, perfect
for pondering higher spiritual planes, as well as Bristol,
Salisbury and Gloucester cathedrals. Amid those you’ll
also find churches, temples and mosques. A growing
interest in mindfulness techniques means you can find
meditation courses and retreats too. Tarastone near
Salisbury offers Buddhist teachings as well as peaceful
accommodation in a beautiful setting. Finally, you can
feel the power of England’s pagan past at Stonehenge
and Avebury - or, for a lesser-known experience, Stanton
Drew. Sunset or sunrise at summer and winter solstice -
signalling the longest and shortest days of the year - are
when most of the celebrations take place, but they’re
magical places of reflection whenever you visit. 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 highwayman
and unforeseen hazards.
138 GreatWestWay.co.uk

10
TREAT YOURSELF
All sorts of delicious foods and drinks are
produced along the Great West Way – fresh
fruit and vegetables are grown, meat is reared,
beer is brewed and gin is distilled. Sample some
delicious local produce as you explore the
wonderful farm shops. Pile your basket high with
free range eggs, punnets of fresh strawberries,
West Country cider, Cheddar cheese, Wiltshire
smoked ham and more. Why not pack it all up
in a hamper and find a spot to enjoy a leisurely
picnic besides the canal or on a flower-strewn
hillside? At Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen in
Hungerford you will find a traditional butchery
counter, delicatessen, fishmongers, and shelves
stacked with locally-grown produce. Or dine in,
with outdoors hospitality expected to reopen
mid-April and indoors hospitality from mid-
May, places will be welcoming you back to enjoy
their pubs, restaurants and cafés along the
route. Linger over an indulgent afternoon tea
in a quaint country café. Sit down to a gourmet
meal in a Michelin-starred restaurant. Sip local
beer in sunny beer gardens... Whatever your
tastes, there’s many a tantalising buffet foodie
experience waiting to be savoured.
GreatWestWay.co.uk
139

POST-COVID
HOTEL STAYS
From the city, riverside, to
the countryside - a safe and
warm welcome awaits
Words: Jessica Way
HOTELIERS ALONG THE GREAT WEST WAY have been busy preparing
to reopen their doors, and welcome you back safely, on the 17 May
2021, covid restrictions permitting. Whether you are looking for a
city break in a luxury spa hotel, a countryside manor house offering
rambles in acres of outdoor space, or a boutique hotel on the banks of the
river, there is a hotel for every occasion. Hospitality teams have been working
hard behind the scenes to ensure enhanced safety procedures to offer you
peace of mind during your stay, so here’s a look at some of the best hotels,
getting you ready for your summer staycation.
HOTELS IN THE CITY
If you are starting your Great West Way journey in London The Great
Northern Hotel is an exquisitely designed, luxurious boutique hotel relevant
and central to today's reborn King's Cross St Pancras. Opened in 1854, the
hotel embraces its heritage while moving gracefully with the times. Dress to
impress and head to the cocktail bar and glamourous martini lounge. Roseate
House London is just a short walk from Hyde Park offering stunning views
over leafy Westbourne Terrace. If you are arriving from overseas and need a
convenient place to stay in Central London for your 14 days quarantine, the
Roseate House London has launched a special quarantine package, based on
a minimum 14-night stay, with discounted room rates and a complimentary
upgrade to a luxury Suite. Good to know - 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' (see
page 144) and located in the centre of Bath The Roseate Villa Bath. →
140 GreatWestWay.co.uk

GreatWestWay.co.uk 141

Catch The Stonehenge Tour bus in Salisbury:
bus stop U or Salisbury railway station
THE BEST WAY TO DISCOVER THE MYSTERY OF THE STONES
buy tickets
online or
from the
driver
thestonehengetour.info
thestonehengetour
SHT_Great-West-Way-Mag_Advert_195x133_0121_V2.indd 1 20/01/2021 11:07:41

“Why not stay in the most famous crescent in the world, take a dip in
their award-winning spa, then let the tension of the last twelve months
melt away while making a toast to a brighter future?”
Why not combine your city stay with a spa break?
Because who doesn’t enjoy a morning filled with shopping
followed by an afternoon of luxury pampering? The
Great West Way has some of the country’s best and
most unique spa hotels, many of which are located in
convenient proximity to a city centre. The Gainsborough
Bath Spa for example, is located in the heart of Bath,
famed for its Georgian-era architecture. Guests of the
hotel have exclusive access to the Spa Village, set beneath
a glass atrium within the hotel, the spa draws on the city’s
natural thermal waters. A short walk away The Royal
Crescent Hotel & Spa built between 1767 and 1775 is
located in the most famous crescent in the world. For the
re-opening they have launched a special midweek new
package where you will enjoy a night’s stay in a luxury
room or suite including full English breakfast, plus a
Taittinger Champagne gift set. Why not take a dip in their
award-winning spa, then let the tension of the last twelve
months melt away while making a toast to a brighter future?
If it’s culture, dining and nightlife you’re after, you won’t
find better than Abbey Hotel Bath, home to Koffmann &
Mr. White's brasserie-style English and French restaurant,
for its location. An experiential art-driven hotel, for
people seeking true Bathonian encounters, close to all
the main attractions, museums and after-dark venues.
Meanwhile, Dukes Hotel occupies two magnificent
Georgian townhouses on Great Pulteney Street.
You could try the Apex Hotel, Bath’s largest hotel, or
for an elegant and vivacious boutique townhouse hotel
located on the grandest street in Bath head to No. 15
Great Pulteney.
Taking your dog on holiday with you? Just a short drive
from the centre of Bath, Grade II listed Bailbrook House
Hotel, (a Hand Picked Hotel), is dog friendly and set in 20
acres - here you can enjoy the historic Cloisters restaurant
or contemporary dining in The Conservatory.
In the medieval cathedral city of Salisbury, just a short
detour from the route, The Merchant’s House Hotel
has just unveiled 37 brand new and refurbished rooms.
The hotel is also dog-friendly and both guests and nonresidents
are welcome in The Merchant’s Bar.
There are some wonderful places to stay in Bristol,
from hotels on the colourful Harbourside to luxury stays
in former banks and boot factories. For a unique stay, try
a rooftop rocket caravan in the heart of the Old City at
Brooks Guesthouse, with enviable views of the historic
St Nicholas Market and beyond. For culture, hotels don’t
get more arty than the new Artist Residence in Bristol’s
Portland Square, or more central than Bristol Marriott
Royal Hotel, a historic hotel with restored family-friendly
accommodation. You might also enjoy the Rock & Bowl
Motel, or The Bristol Wing, a boutique hostel in the
Grade II listed old Police Headquarters. Alternatively, The
Full Moon is a backpacker hostel adjoining the lively →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
143

Pictured in
a clockwise
direction:
Bailbrook House
reception and
freestanding bath;
The Mitre Hotel;
sumptious four
poster bedroom
at The Roseate
Reading.
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.
And if you’re just in Bristol for a flying visit - where could
be more convenient than Hampton By Hilton Bristol
Airport – the only hotel within walking distance of the
terminal?
There's another favourable Hilton less than two miles
from The Oracle and Madejski Stadium - Hilton Reading.
Reading is technically the UK's largest town, but with so
much buzz and excitement around the town, with plenty
to see and do, it makes for a fabulous destination to rival
any UK city. There is yet more excellent choice of hotels
here to stay in too. Malmaison Reading has stayed open
through much of the pandemic offering a reduced service
to key workers and business travel. Built in 1844, the
hotel is the oldest surviving station hotel in the world -
perfectly retaining the style and decadence of the golden
age of rail travel. Think luxe decor, roll-top baths, and
gigantic, soft beds.
The Novotel Reading Centre also sits in the heart of
the town just a stone's throw from many of Reading's
best restaurants, bars and shops – or head to artful luxury
townhouse, The Roseate Reading, originally Shire Hall.
Marvel over the impressive Italian chandelier complete
with 86,000 Italian-glass beads and original lift shaft that
has been lovingly restored running the full height of the
building. The Roseate Hotel is the perfect place to spend a
glamorous evening contemplating the next stage of your
journey on the Great West Way.
144 GreatWestWay.co.uk

HOTELS BY THE RIVER
Want to slow down your pace and find your own
story on the Great West Way staying near the
river? With so many absorbing things to see and
do along the Royal River Thames, from watching
the historic tradition of Swan Upping to splashing
about in boats, you might want to combine and
enhance your mini-break to one of these fabulous
hotels with some of the suggestions made in our
Enjoy the River article (see p32)?
Start with one of the oldest inns in the world,
The Olde Bell in Hursely. Full of warmth, history
and charm, this quintessential English coaching
inn, with some parts dating back to 1135, offers a
variety of bedrooms in barns and lodges ranging
from the sublime…to the ridiculously sublime!
One of the newest hotels located on the banks
of the River Thames is The Mitre, a stylish boutique
hotel in East Molesey boasting balconies, private
courtyards, fire pits, jacuzzis and stunning river vistas.
Sir Christopher Wren Hotel & Spa is another
with a Thames riverside location. The hotel
comprises several characterful buildings clustered
around a historic cobbled street by Eton Bridge
“One of the newest hotels located
on the banks of the River Thames
is The Mitre with private
courtyards, fire pits, jacuzzis and
stunning river vistas”
and Windsor Castle, with a gym, spa treatments,
outdoor whirlpool and sauna.
Also in Windsor, both Castle Hotel MGallery
and Sir Christopher Wren Hotel & Spa offer
spectacular views of both the Thames and Windsor
Castle. There are also some fantastic foodie stays
to be had in the Thames area. From Hotel du Vin
in Henley, housed in a former brewery, to The
Hand & Flowers in Marlow - a 3 Michelin-starred
pub by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge. You’ll find the
rooms in nearby cottages almost as sensational as
the fine dining, with their 4-poster beds and deep,
double-ended baths.
If it is a riverside break with luxury spa you
desire, the Runnymede-on-Thames is a hotel
with swimming pool, whirlpool bath, saunas and
eucalyptus steam room, and endless pampering
with a range of treatments. History-rich Magna
Carta country and all manner of outdoor pursuits
are also on the doorstep here.
Speaking of spas, they don’t come much
better than the Monkey Island Estate. Located
on a picturesque island in the historic village →
Pictured left to
right: Afternoon
Tea at The Mitre;
garden at the
Monkey Island
Estate.
GreatWestWay.co.uk
145

Pictured left-right:
Venue Henley;
Pennyhill Park &
Spa; The Langley;
Cliveden House
Hotel; and Luxury
Family Hotel,
Woolley Grange.
“In Henley, you might enjoy an
overnight stay at Venue Henley,
a 30 acre estate once home to the
WH Smith family set in the heart
of the glorious Oxfordshire
countryside.”
of Bray in Berkshire, on the River Thames. 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 on the Great West Way.
Further along the river, in Henley, you might enjoy
Venue Henley. Once home to the WH Smith family, this 30
acre estate enjoys both views of the river and the glorious
Oxfordshire countryside. It lies less than three miles from
the centre of Henley-on-Thames, a market town full of
historic buildings and home to the famous annual event the
Henley Royal Regatta, five miles from the riverside Georgian
market town of Marlow and a short car journey to Windsor
and the University City of Oxford.
In Wiltshire’s Bradford on Avon, The Swan Hotel is a
charming inn in the centre of town, by the river, full of
character combining the traditions of an old inn, dating
back to the 16th and 17th Century.
HOTELS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE
If your walking boots are the most important item you
have packed, and you are looking to reach places that
only they can take you, then one of the Great West Way’s
beautiful countryside hotels is waiting to welcome you!
North of the Thames, The Langley, Buckinghamshire
is the former country estate of the third Duke of
Marlborough. The hotel has a wonderful spa, exceptional
dining and rooms retaining exquisite period features, such
as Baroque fireplaces, and grounds designed by England’s
most famous landscape gardener, Lancelot Capability
Brown. If you are looking to stay in Ascot, there’s an
abundance of bedrooms and charming grounds, including
a private walled garden and beautiful fountain plaza at
the Royal Berkshire.
As a county with an impressive landscape of castles,
country houses and sprawling estates, it’s a fine place to
get a taste for how the English aristocracy live. It doesn’t
get much more luxurious - or traditionally English - than
the Cliveden House Hotel, where the Duchess of Sussex
chose to stay the night before her wedding.
Another of the rural Home Counties, Pennyhill Park in
Bagshot is set in 123 acres of Surrey countryside offering
Michelin starred dining and an award-winning spa, or take
146 GreatWestWay.co.uk

a short detour from the route to Hampshire's glorious
17th century luxury hotel, Lainston House, tucked
away in 63 acres of rural countryside and home to the
Season cookery school with award-winning chefs.
For quaint and cozy, try the Queens Arms, East
Garston, an award-winning hotel, pub and restaurant
with its own private lodge right in the heart of the
North Wessex Downs Area of Natural Beauty.
Also in Berkshire, there’s Donnington Grove near
Newbury, an impressive 18th-century Gothic house
which was once home to Daisy Fellowes, a socialite and
fashionista said to have owned the largest jewellery
collection in the world. This hotel and country club is
set in 500 acres of countryside offering countryside
pursuits such as fishing and clay pigeon shooting.
Or perhaps you’re keen to be close to the
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, if so head
to five-star Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa, in the
Southern Cotswolds set in 12 acres of gardens this is
a ‘grown up getaway’ with a cinema, spa, restaurants
and more.
Cotswolds villages such as Castle Combe,
Lacock, Badminton and Malmesbury all make idyllic
destinations for countryside rambles. Why not stay
in the nearby market town of Chippenham, where
you’ll find lots more options, like Best Western Angel
Hotel - a 17th-century coaching inn, standing in over
30 acres of peaceful, secluded grounds on the edge of
the Cotswolds, or head to The Lygon Arms, a luxury
spa hotel set in the quintessential Cotswold village of
Broadway.
For the ultimate tranquility of a countryside escape
with views in all directions, head to the beautiful
county of Wiltshire. This predominantly green
landscape is a wayfarers' paradise - an ancient, rural
county full of excellent walking routes and intriguing
places to stay. Start with England’s oldest hotel -
sitting proudly next to the 12th Century Abbey in the
centre of the historic, vibrant and charming market
town of Malmesbury, The Old Bell Hotel has been
restored to the height of elegance, glamour and
English charm. Grade I-listed, it’s thought to date back
to the 13th century when it was built to house visitors
to Malmesbury Abbey next door.
For a luxury family experience, Woolley Grange
Hotel in Bradford on Avon is another superb choice.
Guests of all ages are indulged at this Jacobean Manor
House. There’s even complimentary childcare →
GreatWestWay.co.uk
147

Discover Gloucestershire’s best attractions, tours,
shops, restaurants, accommodation and venues

Pictured:
Cricklade
House
Hotel.
“Cricklade House Hotel is a beautiful and dignified country house,
built at the turn of the last century with a most impressive magnificent
Victorian-style glass conservatory”
at Woolley Bears Den, so little ones can get stuck into
seasonal activities, like making butterfly sun catchers,
while adults head off for a well-deserved spa treatment.
With a name like this who could refuse a stay (and
if you’re lucky, a hug too) at The Bear Hotel? Set in
the heart of the quaint historic traditional market town
of Devizes, the hotel is run by Wadworth Brewery. An
original 16th century Coaching Inn with many beams
and other original features, the Bear’s en-suite bedrooms
include grand 4-poster suites with front views of the
Market Square.
Cricklade House Hotel is a beautiful and dignified
country house, built at the turn of the last century with
a most impressive magnificent Victorian-style glass
conservatory which runs the full length of the original
building, making the most of the hotel's elevated position.
Sit out on the terrace and enjoy wonderful panoramic
views over Wiltshire countryside. Beechfield House, also
in Wiltshire, is a stunning 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).
For a unique concept of keyless entry and no reception,
meaning you’re able to stay safely and privately without
having to interact with any other guests book yourself a
room at No.7 & No.8 Kingsbury Street, Marlborough.
Arrive hungry - they also have a fabulous burger
restaurant. Further west, 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, or head to nearby Guyers House Hotel &
Restaurant, a traditional country house with an awardwinning
restaurant.
And if you’re looking for somewhere quick and
convenient for visiting top attractions, you’ll love
Holiday Inn Salisbury-Stonehenge, the closest hotel to
Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site.
DoubleTree By Hilton Swindon is ideal for resting
tired feet after a different type of day spent walking – a
shopping spree at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet
Swindon.
Find more places to stay,
including bed & breakfasts,
farm stays, self-catering,
pubs, camping and boats
from our website.
CLICK
HERE
GreatWestWay.co.uk
149

Connecting Wiltshire’s Communities
NEW! TransWilts
Walking and Cycling
leaflets from
transwilts.org
Bike hire available from
Melksham
Station
arrowdow
CLICK
HERE
TO
DOWNLOAD

CALENDAR
EVENTS
will be secretly previewed in Bath.
Internationally exhibited British
Artists will be available to view and
buy before hitting the big show. Now,
that's a proper Private View!
îartsalon.co.uk
From confetti battles to
music festivals, to canoe
races and country shows
OCTOBER–DECEMBER 2021
BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL
OCTOBER–DECEMBER 2021
Returning this year is the muchloved
Bristol Film Festival with top
titles screened in unique spaces.
Donnie Darko is showing in Redcliffe
Caves, you can watch UP at Clifton
Observatory, Jurassic Park at Bristol
Museum and Art Gallery, Interstellar
at The Planetarium, and AIRPLANE at
Aerospace Bristol – and many more.
îbristolfilmfestival.com
Bristol Film Festival
BATH COMEDY FESTIVAL
OCTOBER–NOVEMBER 2021
Bath Comedy Festival presents
household names in the world of
comedy and promotes the big names
of tomorrow.
îvisitbath.co.uk/events
HENLEY LITERARY FESTIVAL
2–10 OCTOBER 2021
Bringing together punters and pundits
from far and wide, this year’s line-up
includes Gyles Brandreth, Sebastian
Faulks, Kate Mosse, Elizabeth Day,
Simon Mayo and Kiran Millwood
Hargrave.
îhenleyliteraryfestival.co.uk
ART SALON
15–16 OCTOBER 2021
Ahead of their International and
National Exhibitions Bath’s Art Salon
has a secret preview of work showing
in their gallery, for 48hrs only, before
it is shipped. The London exhibition
CLIVEDEN LITERARY FESTIVAL
23–24 OCTOBER 2021
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 around the world.
îclivedenliteraryfestival.org
Cliveden Literary Festival
Art Salon
Dates and times should be used as an indicator during the
recovery phase from the global pandemic. Please double-check
details by visiting the website links before you visit.
GreatWestWay.co.uk
151

Marlborough’s Dark Skies Festival
WESSEX WEEK IN MALMESBURY
23–30 OCTOBER 2021
This year Malmesbury welcomes
back Janina Ramirez, Michael Wood
and Tony McAleavy. The original 17th
Century Bird's-Eye-View will be on
display at the Warden Freemen Office
(Market Lane), Campbell Ritchie
will walk visitors through the Saxon
footprint of Malmesbury and learn about
Wessex formation dinosaurs (nothing
to do with dancing!) from Ali Ferris.
îwessexweek.eventbrite.com
THE WIZARDS OF ONCE
HALLOWEEN QUEST AT
STONEHENGE
23–31 OCTOBER 2021
Beware of ghosts and ghouls as
English Heritage’s Stonehenge open
their doors this Halloween. Step
into these grounds if you dare to
explore their stories after-dark with
the help of some intrepid guides.
Young witches and wizards will be
transported to the world of bestselling
children’s author Cressida Cowell
(How to Train Your Dragon) and her
Wizard of Once series as they embark
on a Halloween quest, with prizes for
the most frightening fancy dress.
îvisitwiltshire/whats-on
MARLBOROUGH’S DARK SKIES
FESTIVAL
25 OCTOBER 2021–31 MARCH 2022
Marlborough's first ever Dark Skies
Fest will include stargazing, sketching
workshops, storytelling, exhibitions,
talks and tours. The mysterious
Museum of the Moon will be on
display in Marlborough College
chapel, Professor Chris Lintott will
be talking about how the Universe
began and many other speakers
will combine art and science in a
celebration of our beautiful dark skies.
îmarlborough-tc.gov.uk
The Wizards of Once Halloween Quest at Stonehenge
Salisbury Halloween Ghost Hunt
SALISBURY HALLOWEEN GHOST
HUNT
30–31 OCTOBER 2021
14th century building Live Escape
Salisbury is hosting a paranormal
experience with exclusive overnight
access on the scariest night of the
year! Expect dragging noises, ghostly
figures at windows and plates
smashing in the kitchen.
îlive-escape.co.uk
LEGOLAND FIREWORKS
SPECTACULAR
5–7 NOVEMBER 2021
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
WINDSOR GREAT PARK
ILLUMINATED
18 NOVEMBER 2021–9 JANUARY
2022
Light up your year! Enjoy a magical
evening with family and friends as
woodland and water comes alive
with dazzling lights, dancing stars,
glimmering reflections and breathtaking
projections. Along the special
light trail you’ll pass fountains of
flowers and holograms of mythical
creatures, and be mesmerised by
a dreamlike laser-scape amongst
the trees. At a cosy rest spot, enjoy
mouth-wateringly good food, mulled
wine and hot chocolate, or toast
marshmallows at one of the fire pits.
îwindsorilluminated.com
152 GreatWestWay.co.uk

PINK LADY FOOD
PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
20 NOVEMBER–12 DECEMBER 2021
Pink Lady Food Photographer
of the Year, the world’s leading
awards for food photography
and film, is premiering its tenth
anniversary exhibition in Bristol's
Royal Photographic Society, the
oldest photographic society in the
world (patron HRH The Duchess of
Cambridge). With over 20 categories,
ranging from the Politics of Food to
Food Portraiture, the images from the
Awards capture the great sweep of
stories and cultures in the world of
food. This is the first time the awards
are being held outside of London.
îvisitbristol.co.uk/whats-on
TROWBRIDGE LANTERN FESTIVAL
27 NOVEMBER 2021
There’s great excitement that the
Trowbridge Lantern Festival is
returning this November and even
more so that the construction of
lanterns has already begun! This year’s
theme is ‘The Environment’ and the
town is looking forward to all of the
wonderful creations being paraded
through Trowbridge on Saturday
November 27th. Workshops will
be running in local schools again,
as well as the Town Hall and also
Trowbridge Information Centre. Local
artist Jennie Quigley will be hosting a
series of lantern-making workshops in
preparation for the big day.
îtrowbridge.gov.uk
Enchanted Light Trail at Cotswold Farm Park
Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year
ENCHANTED LIGHT TRAIL AT
COTSWOLD FARM PARK
26 NOVEMBER 2021 - 1 JANUARY
2022
A spectacular night time journey of
magical lights and sounds around the
farm park on a trail which takes you
past crackling fire pits, a festive shop
and hot food and drink.
îcotswoldfarmpark.co.uk/events
HOBBS OF HENLEY CHRISTMAS
LUNCH AND PARTY NIGHT
CRUISES
2,5 AND 9 DECEMBER 2021
Celebrate the festive season in
style by setting sail on The New
Orleans with Hobbs of Henley on a
Thames Christmas Lunch Cruise or a
Christmas Party Night in December.
îhobbsofhenley.com/christmasparty-nights
CHRISTMAS AT KEW
17 NOVEMBER 2021–9 JANUARY
2022
Explore a botanical world filled with
seasonal cheer at Kew Gardens this
winter. A show-stopping trail of
festive light installations, more than
a million teeny glittering lights, and
a fantastic light show grand finale
at the iconic Temperate House, plus
enjoy festive treats such as spiced
cider and toasted marshmallows.
îkew.org/ kew-gardens/whats-on/
christmas
LUKE JERRAM’S MUSEUM OF THE
MOON AT BATH ABBEY
19 NOVEMBER–26 DECEMBER
Measuring seven metres in diameter,
the moon features 120dpi detailed
NASA imagery of the lunar surface.
At an approximate scale of 1:500,000,
each centimetre of the internally lit
spherical sculpture represents 5km of
the moon’s surface.
îvisitbath.co.uk/events
Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon
GreatWestWay.co.uk
153

Twilight Trail at Forbury Gardens and Abbey Ruins
WINDSOR ON ICE
28 NOVEMBER–3 DECEMBER 2021
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
Malmesbury at Christmas
CALNE AT CHRISTMAS
5 AND 27 NOVEMBER 2021
Celebrations include a Bonfire and
Fireworks Night held at Beversbrook
Sports Facility (5 November), and a
traditional lantern parade and the
‘switching on' of their town centre
Christmas lights (27 November).
Expect Christmas music, street stalls, a
funfair, fantastic street entertainment
and Father Christmas.
îcalne.gov.uk
MALMESBURY AT CHRISTMAS
3 DECEMBER 2021
Visit Malmesbury High Street as it is
transformed into a bustling Christmas
Market with local shops opening late
and a selection of stalls selling local
arts, crafts and delicious culinary
delights. There will be entertainment
(and even a visit from Santa) at the
historic Market Cross.
îmalmesbury.gov.uk
NEWBURY’S VICTORIAN
CHRISTMAS FAYRE
3– 5 DECEMBER 2021
Visiting the idyllic market town of
Newbury, surrounded by West
Berkshire’s most historic buildings is
a pleasure at anytime of the year, but
especially so during this years' festive
season, with an enhanced festive
offering being planned for the town.
Brand new for 2021, you will be able
to step back in time at Newbury's
first ever three-day Victorian
Christmas Fayre featuring market
stalls, a Victorian carousel, street
performances and of course, Father
Christmas himself. The fayre is set to
include a wide range of market stalls
with traders dressed head-to-toe in
typical Victorian attire, alongside
Victorian-themed roving performers,
live music and entertainment.
Plus don't miss their first day-long
Christmas Lights Switch-On Festival,
10am–9pm Sat 20 November, or the
Festival of Light and Christmas Panto.
îvisitnewbury.org.uk/christmas
TWILIGHT TRAIL AT FORBURY
GARDENS AND ABBEY RUINS
3–31 DECEMBER 2021
Reading’s festive light trail returns
with a mouth-watering, wintery
wonderland of lights and smells,
celebrating a unique part of Reading’s
story. Did you know that Reading was
once known throughout the world as
Biscuit Town? Huntley and Palmer’s
started out as a shop in London Street,
Reading and went on to become the
greatest manufacturer of biscuits in
Twilight Trail at Forbury Gardens and Abbey Ruins
154 GreatWestWay.co.uk

the world. Their tins were works of art
and they invented many of our most
familiar and loved biscuits. Inspired
by the biscuit heritage, the Twilight
Trail is a spectacular light installation
through Reading’s Forbury Gardens
and the 900 year-old Abbey Ruins.
The Trail will feature music and poetry
contributions from local school
children, while writers and performers
will accompany you on a playful walk
through beautiful Forbury Gardens
and the Abbey Ruins.
îwhatsonreading.com
THE ENCHANTED GARDEN OF
LIGHT AT THE AMERICAN MUSEUM
& GARDENS
9–31 DECEMBER 2021
A world of enchantment, magic
and good cheer awaits you in this
magical after-dark adventure through
spectacular light displays which will
emblazon the entire house, gardens
and woodland in glorious seasonal
colour. Sparkling reindeer guide the
way as you enter mesmerising tunnels
of light and are greeted with the
delightful sights, smells and tastes of
the most wonderful season of all.
îamericanmuseum.org/christmas
CHRISTMAS OPERA AT
DANESFIELD HOUSE HOTEL
11–12 DECEMBER 2021
As Christmas fast approaches and
excitement builds once again you
can join Danesfield House Hotel for
a fabulous musical performance.
The evening includes delightful arias,
duets and ensembles from famous
operas such as Carmen, Marriage of
Figaro, Magic Flute, Mikado and many
more. They will be sung by beautiful
voices from Opera Kensington, a
charity that nurtures young and
emerging singers.
îdanesfieldhouse.co.uk
JANUARY–MARCH 2022
DREAMGIRLS AT THE BRISTOL
HIPPODROME
5-22 JANUARY 2022
Direct from the West End with
an extraordinary story and the
unforgettable, spine-tingling vocals
that send audiences wild, this
spectacular musical production
features the classic songs And I Am
Telling You I’m Not Going, Listen, I
Am Changing and One Night Only.
Meet The Dreams - Effie, Lorrell
Christmas Opera at Danesfield House Hotel
and Deena - three talented young
singers in the turbulent 1960s, a
revolutionary time in American music
history. Join the three friends as they
embark upon a musical rollercoaster
ride through a world of fame, fortune
and the ruthless realities of show
business, testing their friendships to
the very limit.
îvisitbristol.co.uk/whats-on
THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE AT
THEATRE ROYAL BATH
11–22 JANUARY 2022
One of the biggest comedy hits ever,
bringing sunshine back to Bath in
the New Year. When The Play What I
Wrote opened in London’s West End,
every single review was a rave, every
show a sell-out and it won every major
theatre award. The Sunday Times
called it “a triumph” and The Observer
said “audiences weep with laughter”.
îvisitbath.co.uk/events
The Enchanted Garden of Light at The American Museum & Gardens
The Play What I Wrote
GreatWestWay.co.uk
155

Tom Rosenthal at Trinity Centre
Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker at Bristol Hippodrome
TOM ROSENTHAL AT TRINITY
CENTRE
18 JANUARY 2022
Since being hailed as 'Britain's best
unknown songwriter' (Sabotage
Times), despite having 5 albums to
his name, Tom Rosenthal only started
playing live last year. His shows cover
a big range of topics, from hummus
to long distance loves. Expect plenty
of intimate moments, a whole lot
of fun, and plenty of chances for the
audience to join in.
îvisitbristol.co.uk/whats-on
THE SNOW QUEEN AT REDGRAVE
THEATRE
23 JANUARY 2022
Join Ballet Theatre UK in their
beautiful re-telling of Hans Christian
Andersen’s classic fairy tale ballet,
The Snow Queen. Watch the display
of international dancers, beautiful
costumes and glittering stage sets
combined to create a magnificent
spectacle, all set to a glorious and
magical score.
îvisitbristol.co.uk/whats-on
SAMANTHA FISH
30 JANUARY 2022
Samantha Fish returns to the UK
for a nine-date tour. The genrebending
guitarist, singer, and
songwriter released her critically
acclaimed album “Kill Or Be Kind”
in 2019. Samantha’s incendiary live
performances have been mesmerizing
audiences around the world.
îvisitbath.co.uk/events
MATTHEW BOURNE'S
NUTCRACKER AT BRISTOL
HIPPODROME
1–5 FEBRUARY 2022
The sweetest of all Matthew Bourne's
treats returns to Bristol for one week
only! It's a Nutcracker for all seasons,
adored by critics and audiences alike.
îvisitbristol.co.uk/whats-on
FATAL ATTRACTION AT THEATRE
ROYAL BATH
7–12 FEBRUARY 2022
The definitive movie thriller becomes
an intoxicating and provocative stage
play at the Theatre Royal Bath
îvisitbath.co.uk/events
The Snow Queen at Redgrave Theatre
Theatre Royal Bath
156 GreatWestWay.co.uk

Celebration: a Festival of Flowers
Highclere Country Show
APRIL–JUNE 2022
DEVIZES TO WESTMINSTER
INTERNATIONAL CANOE RACE
15–18 APRIL 2022
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.
îdwrace.co.uk
THE BRADFORD ON AVON
DUCK RACE
APRIL 2022
At this famous annual Duck Race, over
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 the many
amazing prizes.
îbradfordonavontowncouncil.gov.uk
CELEBRATION: A FESTIVAL OF
FLOWERS
9-15 MAY 2022
Salisbury Cathedral Flower Designers
are delighted to return for this event,
postponed from September 2021.
See and smell over 30,000 stems of
blooms and foliage in spectacular
floral displays inside the magnificent
medieval Cathedral. It will be an
amazing feast for the senses!
îsalisburycathedral.org.uk/events
HIGHCLERE COUNTRY SHOW
28–29 MAY 2022
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.
îhighclereshow.co.uk
PUB IN THE PARK MARLOW
2022 DATE TO BE CONFIRMED
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
ROYAL ASCOT
14–18 JUNE 2022
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
HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA
28 JUNE–3 JULY 2022
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
JULY–SEPTEMBER 2022
KEW THE MUSIC
5–10 JULY 2022
Iconic names in spectacular
surroundings – Kew the Music is
coming back with more unforgettable
summer nights and headline acts
from Van Morrison to DJ Spoony. Plus
don't miss their open-air concerts.
îkewthemusic.org
BRISTOL HARBOUR FESTIVAL
15–17 JULY 2022
Bristol’s largest annual event
celebrates its 50th anniversary in
2022. A flagship event for Bristol’s
unrivalled arts and culture sector,
expect top artists and performers,
along with over 200 visiting vessels
and people joining in the fun along
the harbour from the SS Great Britain
to the city centre, with tall ships,
music stages, dance areas and food
markets.
îbristolharbourfestival.co.uk
Bristol Harbour Festival
GreatWestWay.co.uk
157

Marlborough College Summer School
MALMESBURY CARNIVAL AND
FESTIVAL
AUGUST (DATE TO BE CONFIRMED)
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
ROYAL INTERNATIONAL AIR
TATTOO, FAIRFORD
15–17 JULY 2022
The Royal International Air Tattoo
will return in 2022 with a celebration
of the United States Air Force's 75th
Anniversary in spectacular style. 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
28–31 JULY 2022
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
WOMAD FESTIVAL
MARLBOROUGH COLLEGE
SUMMER SCHOOL
10 JULY–6 AUGUST 2022
One of Europe’s largest multigenerational
learning experiences.
The College’s historic grounds
are conveniently located on
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
17 JULY 2022
Are you ready for one of Bath's
favourite festivals? 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
10 JULY 2022
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.
îbristolpride.co.uk
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL
BALLOON FIESTA
11–14 AUGUST 2022
Europe’s largest annual meeting
of hot air balloons brings colour to
the sky above Bristol with twicedaily
mass balloon launches and the
chance to take a ride yourself.
îbristolballoonfiesta.co.uk
READING FESTIVAL
26–28 AUGUST 2022
One of England’s biggest and bestloved
music festivals, featuring bigname
acts from around the world –
think Kings of Leon and Foo Fighters.
îreadingfestival.com
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
SEPTEMBER 2022
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.
îheritageopendays.org.uk
158 GreatWestWay.co.uk

DON’T MISS
Against the backdrop
of a renowned collection
Rossetti’s experience Portraits
critically acclaimed
until exhibitions
9 January of
2022
historical and
The contemporary Tudors: Passion, art, lectures, Power
& concerts, Politics
workshops and
28 events January or indulge to 8 May in 2022
our
Garden Café.
2019 HIGHLIGHTS
George Shaw
A Corner of a Foreign Field
Against the backdrop
of a renowned Édouard Vuillard collection
experience The Poetry critically of the Everyday acclaimed
exhibitions Lauren of Child historical and
The Art of Illustration
contemporary art, lectures,
Rembrandt
concerts, workshops and
A Life in Print
events or indulge in our
Garden Café.
Henri Matisse
Master of Line
Great Pulteney George Street, Shaw
Bath BA2 4DB
www.holburne.org A Corner of a Foreign Field
2019 HIGHLIGHTS
Édouard Vuillard
The Poetry of the Everyday
Lauren Child
The Art of Illustration
Rembrandt
A Life in Print
Henri Matisse
Master of Line
Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4DB
www.holburne.org
in our
ps and
Westonbirt The
National Arboretum
, lectures,
rical and
y acclaimed
Explore the world’s finest
woodland garden, and
discover trees and plants
from all over the globe at
the National Arboretum.
forestryengland.uk/westonbirt

THANK YOU THANK TO THOSE YOU WHO’VE TO HELPED
US ALONG THE THOSE WAY... WHO HELPED
US ALONG THE WAY
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Royal Borough of
Windsor & Maidenhead
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Vale of Pewsey
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& Hotel Ambassadors
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The Roman Baths, Bath
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa,
Bath
Stonehenge
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Windsor Castle
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The Abbey Quarter Norton St Philip Didcot Railway Centre Salisbury, The Stonehenge Red Lion East, and Chisenbury Sarum Tours
Great Western The Abbey Railway Quarter, Reading a’Beckett’s Vineyard Glenside Hospital Museum, Donnington Bristol Grove
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Henley Avebury on Thames Landscape
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Hungerford Bailbrook Town House Hotel, Bath Avon Valley Adventure Honey & Wildlife Street Park Mill Café Hobbs of Henley
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Bailey Balloons
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Hotel Novotel Reading Centre
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Marlow Barrington Court, Ilminster Barbara McLellan Iford Manor Gardens, Honey Bradford Street on Boats Avon & Café The Swan Stourhead Hotel, Bradford on Avon
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The Barn Theatre
Barrington Court
The Jane Austen Centre, Hungerford Bath Wharf and Kintbury
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Bracknell The Swan, Bradford on Avon
Royal Borough Bath Bus of Company Windsor &
Bath Apartment Breaks The Kingsbury @ No.8, Inspirock Marlborough
Thames Lido, Swinley Reading Bike Hub
Maidenhead Beanhill Farm B&B, Chippenham The Bath Brew House Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Jane Austen Museum Centre and Village Thames Rivercruise, Thames Lido Reading
Stonehenge & Avebury WHS
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Berkeley Castle
The Langley, Slough
Three Tuns Freehouse, Great Bedwyn
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Bath Self Catering
Koffmann & Mr. Whites
Three Tuns Freehouse
Tourism Best South Western East Plus Angel Hotel, Chippenham
Beanhill Farm B&B Liberty Car Tours, Bath English and French Brasserie Tintinhull Tintinhull Garden Garden
Trowbridge Blenheim Town Palace, Woodstock Berkeley Castle Lido Spa & Restaurant, Lacock Bristol Abbey, Fox Talbot Totteridge Totteridge Farm Camping Farm Pods, Pewsey
Vale of Bombay Pewsey Sapphire, Whitchurch Best Western Plus Angel Lytes Hotel, Cary Manor Museum and village
Tour and Tour Explore and Explore
Visit Bath Boscombe Down Aviation Collection, Chippenham Salisbury Maidenhead Heritage The Centre Langley
Tours 2 Order Tours 2 Order
Visit Thames
Bozedown Alpacas, Reading
Bombay Sapphire
Manor Farm Courtyard
Lido
Cottages,
Bristol
Thatcham TransWilts
TransWilts
Community
Community
Rail Partner
Rail Partnership
Visit Newbury
Bozedown Alpacas
Lytes Cary Manor
Troutbeck
The Bridge Tea Rooms, Bradford on Avon The Manor House, Castle Combe
Troutbeck Guest House, East Chisenbury
Visit Richmond
Bristol Blue Glass
Macdonald Hotel & Spa Bath
Tucking Mill Self catering
VisitWiltshire Bristol Cathedral
Bristol Cathedral Marlborough College Maidenhead Summer School Heritage Centre Tucking Mill Tutti View, Pole Midford
Bristol Community Ferry Boats Bristol Community Ferry The Merchant’s Boats House, Manor Marlborough Farm B&B
Turner’s House, Tyntesfield Twickenham
Designated Bristol Attraction Packet Boats
Bristol Packet Boats Mill Farm Glamping, Poulshot Marlborough College Summer School The Tutti University Pole, Hungerford of Bristol Botanic Garden
& Hotel Bristol Ambassadors Tandem Hire
Bristol Tandem HireMompesson House, Salisbury The Matthew Of Bristol Tyntesfield, Vaughan’s Wraxall Kitchen
The Bristol Wing
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House
University
Vintage
of Bristol
Classics
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Brooks Guest House B&B, Bath
Merchants House
The Watermill Theatre
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Montacute House
Vaughan’s Kitchen, Devizes
Alder Ridge Vineyard
Bruce Branch Boats
Mompesson House
Wellington Arch
Bowood Britain’s House & Best Gardens Heritage Tours Brunel’s SS Great Britain Museum of East Asian Montacute Art, Bath House
Vintage Classics, West Berkshire Melksham Museum
Cheddar Brooks Gorge Guest & Caves House B&B, Bath Buttle Farm The Museum of English The Rural Museum Life, of Reading English Rural Life Waddesdon We The Manor Curious
McArthurGlen Brooks Designer Guest House Outlet, B&B, Swindon BristolCanal Trust Café National Garden Scheme MV Jubilee
Walton on Whitchurch Thames Camping Silk Mill and
Fashion Brunel’s Museum SS Bath Great Britain, Bristol Castle Combe Circuit Newark Park, Ozleworth Newark Park
Caravanning Wiltshire Club landscape, Site Stonehenge
Longleat
Crop Circle Visitors Centre & Exhibition
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The Newbury Pub
The Newbury Pub
Wanderlust
Wiltshire
Camper
Museum
Co
The Roman Baths
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Newbury Racecourse
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Royal Crescent
Bradford
Hotel
on Avon
& Spa
Chippenham Museum
Newbury Racecourse
No. 1 Royal Crescent
The Watermill
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Theatre,
Wildlife
Bagnor
Trust, Blakehill Farm
Stonehenge Castle Combe Circuit, Chippenham and Heritage Centre No. 1 Royal Crescent, Noah’s Bath Ark Zoo Farm The Wave, Wiltshire Bristol Wildlife Trust, Lower Moor
Thermae Cheddar Bath Spa Camping and Caravanning Church Club Farm SiteCountry No.15 Cottages Great Pulteney, The Bath Old Bell, Malmesbury
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We The Curious, Wiltshire Bristol Wildlife Trust, Jones’s Mill
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Old Sarum
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum Cobbs Farm Shop
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Whatley Manor
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Windsor
Cholderton
Castle
Rare Breeds Farm, Salisbury
The Courts Garden
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Pound Arts
Church Farm Country Cottages, Cricklade Hotel Original Wild, Bath Practical Car and Motorhome
Bradford on Avon
Clayton’s Kitchen, Bath
Crofton Beam Engines Parkway Shopping Centre, hire, Chippenham Newbury
Cumberwell Country Pennyhill Cottages Park, Bagshot Prince Street Social
Cliffe Farm Dairy, West Lavington
Postern Hill Campsite, Marlborough
Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol
The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham
Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen, Englefield
Practical Car & Van Hire, Chippenham
Compass Holidays, Cheltenham
The Prince Street Social, Bristol
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Cotswold Water Park, South Cerney
The Courts Garden, Trowbridge
Cricklade House Hotel, Swindon
The Crown & Anchor, Ham
Cumberwell Country Cottages,
Bradford on Avon
Devizes Camping and Caravanning Club Site
Donnington Grove, Newbury
DoubleTree by Hilton, Swindon
Dukes Hotel, Bath
Dyrham Park, Chippenham
Prior Park Landscape Garden, Bath
The Queens Arms Hotel, East Garston
Reading Museum
Red Lion Freehouse, East Chisenbury
REME Museum, Lyneham
River & Rowing Museum, Henley on Thames
Roseate House London, Tyburnia
The Roseate Reading
The Roseate Villa Bath
Royal Berkshire, Sunninghill
The Royal Oak, Yattendon
West Berkshire Museum, Newbury
Whitchurch Silk Mill
White Horse Inn, Compton Bassett
Wilton Windmill
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Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon
Windsor Carriages
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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
Fisherton Mill
The Guild, Wilton
The Merchants House Hotel, Salisbury
St Peter’s Church, Marlborough
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Magical Marlborough
The ancient market town that
packs a postcard-perfect punch
www.marlborough-tc.gov.uk/visitors
visitmarlborough

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