Great West Way Travel Magazine | Issue 07

AUTUMN/WINTER 2022 

TRAVEL MAGAZINE | ISSUE 07 

GreatWestWay.co.uk 

DISCOVER A 

GREENER JOURNEY 

Expect history, adventure, natural 

beauty and excitement on an 

eco-friendly trip between London and 

Bristol along the Great West Way 

Follow the paths through England’s idyllic countryside, quaint villages and elegant towns 

where our best kept secrets from the past meet twenty-first-century hospitality

THE DRAMA 

RETURNS FOR 

2023 

BE PART OF THE DRAMA 

20 - 24 JUNE 2023 

Royal Ascot best price ends on 21st October 2022. 

Tickets from £29 | Book at ascot.com today 

Group rates available when you book for 15 or more.

WELCOME TO ENGLAND'S 

GREAT WEST WAY 

As the earlier nights draw in, be sure to have an 

outdoorsy Great West Way escape to look 

forward to – some time spent rambling 

through fallen golden leaves in one of our 

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 

swooning over pretty villages and losing 

yourself in the festivities at an attraction or 

Christmas markets. Unwind with mellow evenings 

playing board games in a pub by a roaring log fire, or treat yourself 

to a pampering spa treatment in one of our luxury hotels. 

Take care of your carbon footprint discovering greener travel 

(page 14) when planning your trip, and don’t forget days out spent 

at one of your favourite Houses and Gardens (page 36). Wildlife 

enthusiasts will love our article on the best places to hide out with 

your binoculars (page 24) and we hope you will feel inspired by our 

best days out for shopping (page 58) ideas for celebrating special 

occasions (page 64) and places to visit along the canals (page 68). 

We hope you enjoy our seasonal selection of articles, latest 

news (page 8) and events (page 74) best read with a cup of 

hot chocolate topped with cinnamon sprinkles, or if you fancy 

something stronger, our rise of alco-tourism article (p30) should 

have the answer! Wishing you a lovely season. 

Cover Image: Mother and sons enjoying the outdoors in 

Wiltshire © VisitBritain/Jess Barfield. Pictured Above: The Jessica 

illuminated trail at Blenheim Palace; Snow at Avebury 

England’s Great West Way is one of the world’s 

premier touring routes, bringing together many of 

England’s most famous destinations and attractions 

along a corridor between London and Bristol 

x 

Jessica Way 

Editor-in-Chief, Great West Way Travel Magazine 

Download our Great West Way map to discover 

the hundreds of places to visit, things to do, 

sites to see and places to stay along the route: 

: GreatWestWay.co.uk/explore/maps 


3

CONTENTS 

AUTUMN/WINTER 2022 | Edition 07 

DISCOVER OUR WAY 

YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE 

MY GREAT WEST WAY 

07 Interview with Great West Way local, Kirstine 

who works at the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and shares her 

highlights of living on the Great West Way 

THE WAY FORWARD 

08 From 18th century underground Vault rooms and 

palatial Roman villas to brand new Lodge Retreats on the 

Blenheim Palace estate we take a look at what’s new on 

the route 

DISCOVERING GREENER TRAVEL 

14 With award-winning green practices including 

zero-food waste, recycled glass and solar power being 

applied by so many hotels, restaurants and attractions 

along the Great West Way, plus with so many options 

to travel the route in an environmentally friendly way, 

planning your trip sustainably has never been easier 

THE BEST SPOTS FOR WILDLIFE SPOTTING 

24 ON THE WAY 

The Great West Way is lined with open countryside, 

picturesque woodlands, rolling hills, nature reserves and 

glorious gardens – if you enjoy spotting wildlife you will 

be spoilt for choice along the route 

THE RISE OF ALCO-TOURISM 

30 There’s a thriving trend of alco-tourism – with 

plenty of places along the Great West Way to learn the 

crafts behind some delicious homegrown tipples 

THE GREAT WEST WAY'S BEAUTIFUL 

36 HOUSES AND GARDENS 

On the Great West Way you travel past some of England’s 

most spectacular palaces and historic houses – a chance to 

stop and admire some of the country’s most outstanding 

examples of architecture, art and landscape design 

4 GreatWestWay.co.uk

HIGHLIGHTS ON THE WAY 

10 BRILLIANT REASONS TO VISIT THE 

48 GREAT WEST WAY THIS WINTER 

With the return of ice-skating rinks, spa treatments 

and horse drawn carriage tours, not to mention fine 

seasonal fare, theatre productions and markets, there 

are so many reasons to plan your trip this winter 

BEST DAYS OUT FOR SHOPPING ON THE 

58 GREAT WEST WAY 

With McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon, the 

UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath, Reading (the 

largest town in England) and everywhere in-between 

even shopaholics will not be disappointed here! 

CELEBRATING SPECIAL OCCASIONS 

64 There are many ways to celebrate your most 

special occasions on the Great West Way from hot air 

balloon rides to luxury spa hotels, skydiving and more 

PLACES TO VISIT ALONG THE CANALS 

68 Enjoy life cruising along the historic Kennet & 

Avon Canal from Devizes to Kintbury stopping off in 

the glorious Vale of Pewsey in the heart of the North 

Wessex Downs 

PUBLISHED BY 

Contista Media Ltd 

Unit 6, Basepoint, Andersons Road, 

Southampton, SO14 5FE 

contistamedia.co.uk 

Brought to you by the Great West Way 

GreatWestWay.co.uk/digitaltravelmagazine 

REGULAR FEATURES 

ARTS, EVENTS AND CULTURAL CALENDAR 

74 As well as its natural scenery, cultural scene and lovely 

locals, the Great West Way is known for its many festivals and 

events – don't miss our cultural calendar highlights 

WAYS TO TRAVEL THE GREAT WEST WAY 

80 The route has been designed to be travelled in a 

variety of different ways: by road, by rail, on water via the 

Kennet and Avon Canal and River Thames, by bike or on foot 

GOURMET GUIDE TO FOOD & DRINK 

84 There are many ways to enjoy food and drink on the 

Great West Way from fine dining and cookery schools to 

vineyard tours and quaint tea rooms and cafés 

WHERE TO STAY ALONG THE GREAT WEST WAY 

96 Stay overnight on the Great West Way, whether on a 

romantic weekend away or a week-long adventure 

ISSN: 2632-3540 

Image copyright credits: Throughout © GreatWestWay.co.uk 

Page 1 © Visit Britain/Jess Barfield / Page 4 © Anna Stowe / Page 

13 © Dirk Lindner Photography / Page 15 © Ioan Said Photography 

/ Page 21 ©VisitBritain / Jon Spaull / Page 39 © Richard Haughton 

/ Page 41 © Society of Antiquaries of London (Kelmscott Manor) / 

Page 74 © National Trust /Justin Minns / Page 75 ©National Trust 

Images/Arnhel de Serra/Chris Lacey / Page 78 © Phil Wilkinson / Page 

26/60 © Getty Images/iStockphoto / Page 80 © Jon Attenborough 

Photography Ltd / Page 87 © Lynk Photography / Page 89 

©nicksmithphotography.com / 

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.

Discover the Home of Bombay Sapphire 

in Hampshire 

Book your experience today: 

bombaysapphire.com/distillery 

@bombaydistillery 

@homeofbombay 

@homeofbombay 

Laverstoke Mill 

Whitchurch | Hampshire | RG28 7NR

MY GREAT WEST WAY 

Kirstine Bowen, Marketing and Communications Manager at Wiltshire 

Wildlife Trust, talks to us about her role and life on the way. From helping 

with fundraising projects protecting wildlife and habitats in Wiltshire (and 

beyond) to connecting people with nature and more sustainable living 

What do you love most about your job and Wiltshire 

Wildlife Trust? 

Sending out a press release about an important project the 

Trust is undertaking, which then gets picked up by local or 

national media is an incredible feeling. 

How did you get started in your career? 

I started my marketing career in the English language teaching 

sector and then the book publishing sector. However, my 

passion has always been for wildlife conservation and environmental 

causes, and so I made the decision last year to make a change. 

What’s a typical day like for you? 

I keep up-to-date on any projects my colleagues are working 

on and look for opportunities to get media coverage wherever 

possible. Most weeks, I’ll be writing press releases, arranging 

radio interviews, but no two days are ever the same. 

Are you a city, town or country person? 

I am definitely a country person, as I love to be out enjoying 

nature, going for walks and spotting wildlife. It can do wonders 

for my mental health. 

What does sustainable travel mean to you? 

Travelling in a way that limits the negative impact on the local 

environment and the planet. I always prefer to walk or cycle if 

I’m travelling shorter distances and for long journeys, whenever 

possible, I enjoy taking the train. 

Describe your perfect adventure on the Great West Way? 

Combining some walking and wildlife spotting with some water 

sports. A weekend spent near the lakes in the north of Wiltshire 

sounds perfect to me. I would visit somewhere like Cotswold 

Water Park to do some kayaking, followed by a visit to Wiltshire 

Wildlife Trust’s Lower Moor nature reserve to get out in nature. 

If you could choose one must-visit attraction along the 

Great West Way, what would it be and why? 

I would spend an afternoon exploring Wiltshire Wildlife 

Trust’s Lower Moor nature reserve. The reserve complex has 

three lakes, two brooks, ponds and wetland scrapes, all linked 

together by boardwalks, ancient hedges, woodland and 

meadows. 

What do you think will surprise first-time visitors about the 

Great West Way? 

There are so many interesting and beautiful places to discover! 

There are also lots of different activities to choose from too, to 

suit different tastes and budgets. I love the ‘Top 10’ lists on the 

Great West Way website, from the top 10 spectacular views to 

the top 10 short walks. 


7

THE WAY FORWARD 

A look at the highlights and what’s new on the Great West Way 

Underground 18th century Vault rooms are 

unveiled at Hotel Indigo Bath 

Hotel Indigo Bath, set in a beautiful honey coloured 

Georgian Terrace, has recently opened its 18th century 

underground Vault rooms completing the final stage of 

its multi-million-pound major restoration project. 

The 18th century, Grade 1 listed building is the first 

global boutique hotel in Bath. The 12 Vault rooms are 

an amazing example of historical architecture and are 

both spacious and stunning in design. They feature 

exposed brickwork with soft lighting, timber finishing, 

vaulted bath stone ceilings, underfloor heating, and 

high-end crafted furniture. The rooms are equipped 

with a King-size Hypnos bed with luxury Egyptian 

cotton linen, a spa-inspired bathroom with roll-top 

bath and separate walk-in rainfall shower, a Nespresso 

coffee machine, high speed Wi-Fi and a variety of 

channels on a 43” flat screen TV. As well as ‘The 

Vaults’, there are 154 additional guest rooms designed 

around four beautiful themes reflecting the history and 

locality of Bath. These include ‘Romance & Mischief’ 

rooms, ‘Literary Hideaway’ rooms, ‘Architectural 

Beauty’ rooms and ‘Garden’ rooms. The Vault rooms 

start from £299 per night for bed and breakfast. 


We the Curious reopening 

We the Curious science museum had to close 

in April 2022 after a devastating fire on its roof. 

Repairs to resulting water damage are under way 

and the plans are to reopen in 2023. Brimming 

with exhibits to inspire your curiosity and home 

to the UK’s only 3D planetarium, We the Curious 

is the place to ask questions and get creative. 

Aerospace Bristol celebrate 20th anniversary of 

the last Concorde to ever fly in 2023 

Housed at Aerospace Bristol in a purpose-built hangar, 

Concorde Alpha Foxtrot was the last Concorde to be 

built and the last to fly – and next year the museum 

will be celebrating 20 years since her final flight in 

2003. The incredible story of Bristol’s amazing aviation 

achievements are told at Aerospace Bristol – and 

there's loads to discover – starting from the earliest 

days of powered flight, through to today’s cutting-edge 

aerospace technology. There's aeroplanes, helicopters, 

missiles, satellites, engines and more to see and lots 

of interactive exhibits for all ages. The highlight is 

the iconic Concorde. You’ll have the chance to step 

aboard the world's fastest passenger jet, glimpse into 

the cockpit, and walk through the passenger cabin to 

discover how Concorde passengers would travel in style. 

Plus, enjoy an amazing show projected on to the outside 

of the aeroplane. Great West Way visitors will find 

Aerospace Bristol just off the M5, near Cribbs Causeway, 

and with plenty of free parking. 

Roman Villa at The Newt, Somerset 

A short detour off the main route The Newt, a 

luxury hotel in Somerset, has opened a palatial 

Roman villa on its estate, reimagined to the 

original villa ruins found there. Visit the superb 

interactive museum before wandering through 

Villa Ventorum, with working Roman baths and 

formal dining room with frescoes of The Three 

Graces and intricate mosaics on the floor. 


9

Best Boutique Spa in the UK 

The buzzing city of Bristol is home to the 

Aztec Hotel Spa, recent Good Spa awards 

2022 winner of the Best Boutique Spa in the 

UK. Visit for a spa day or an overnight break at 

the Aztec Hotel and take some time to enjoy 

the recently refurbished spa and brand new 

Relax Lounge. Other spa facilities include the 

beautiful sauna, hot tub, steam room and both 

a spa pool and swimming pool. 

Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat 

A short detour from the main Great West Way route 

and construction of the eagerly anticipated Blenheim 

Palace Lodge Retreats have begun and are set to be 

completed and open for Easter 2023. 

The collection of one, two and three-bedroom luxury 

staycation lodges will offer a new way to experience 

Blenheim Palace, one of the UK’s most historic 

country estates. 

Situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, Blenheim Palace 

is one of England’s most popular and recognisable 

attractions. Home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough 

and his family, the 18th-century venue was the 

birthplace of legendary British prime minister Sir 

Winston Churchill and was designated a UNESCO 

World Heritage Site in 1987. 

Set beside the estate’s vast 2000-acre grounds and 

ideal for couples, friends and families, the lodges will 

come equipped with fully equipped kitchens, dining 

and living areas and will offer the perfect homeaway-from-home 

to enjoy a break in the Oxfordshire 

countryside. 


photo - English Heritage 

Tour buses 

depart 

regularly from 

Salisbury 

City Centre 

& Salisbury 

Railway Station 

experience the 

magical & 

mysterious 

with our 

onboard commentary 

as we guide you through the 

glorious landscape. 

Tickets can be 

bought from 

the driver with 

cash 

or 

contactless 

or 

download 

the Salisbury Reds 

app 

seasonal prices apply as 

set by English Heritage 

Available in 10 languages 

thestonehengetour.info

Riverside Hotel, Salisbury 

Built in the 1800s by the Wort 

family, to whom the current 

owner’s father was an apprentice 

carpenter, the riverside property 

with cathedral views (previously 

Grasmere House Hotel) has been 

completely restored by new owners 

as a luxury 38-bedroom hotel. 

The official residences of His 

Majesty The King 

Windsor Castle and The Queen’s 

Gallery at Buckingham Palace have 

now reopened. The special displays at 

Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle 

and the Palace of Holyroodhouse 

marking the Platinum Jubilee of 

Queen Elizabeth II remain closed. 

Leighton House reopens 

Leighton House, the remarkable 

studio-house of Victorian artist 

and former President of the Royal 

Academy, Frederic, Lord Leighton 

has reopened to the public following 

a major redevelopment. Situated 

in Holland Park, Kensington on the 

east side of the Great West Way. 

The ultimate party 

house, Wiltshire 

Situated on the edge of the pretty 

village of Kington Langley, Kin 

House is a super-luxe 12-bedroom 

Grade II listed house is set within 

walled gardens and private woodland 

and has been sensitively restored 

to its former glory. There are three 

lounges and a bar (named the Fitz 

Bar after Kington Langley’s original 

Medieval alias, Langley Fitzurse), 

and a talented in-house team of 

chefs. Prices from £12,500 per night. 

Stay in the know 

Click here to sign 

up to our monthly 

e-newsletter 


13

DISCOVERING 

GREENER 

TRAVEL 

If sustainable tourism is important to you then you will be 

pleased to know the Great West Way is the perfect option for 

a more environmentally responsible holiday. Plan your Great 

West Way adventure with a carbon friendly footprint in mind, 

from the way you travel to the places you visit on the way 

Words | Samantha Campbell 

Help achieve a cleaner, safer and healthier 

world for us, our families and future 

generations by staying in eco-friendly 

locations and visiting eco-conscious 

venues with award-winning green practices along 

the route. Offset your environmental footprint 

by leaving the car at home, hiring an electric bike 

or perhaps taking a cruise on a horse drawn trip 

along the Kennet and Avon Canal instead. 

Dine in a restaurant with Michelin Green Star 

status and enjoy a night under the stars wild 

glamping in an eco-friendly shepherds hut or 

stay in a cosy carbon neutral farm cottage with 

countryside views. 

Hotels are now striving to reduce emissions 

and become more sustainable, from achieving 

zero food waste and removing single-use plastics 

from guest rooms to winning sustainability 

awards. Plus, there are a wealth of eco-friendly 

destinations, attractions and restaurants along 

the route to discover, not to mention greener 

ways to get there. It is now easier than ever to 

plan your journey more eco-consciously. So, for a 

travel experience that not only leaves you feeling 

fulfilled but has a positive impact on the planet, 

we hope you enjoy our selection of outstanding 

sustainable businesses along the Great West Way. 

Ways to travel sustainably 

Perhaps one of the biggest impacts on our plant 

is the way we choose to get from A to B. Many 

hotels and accommodation providers have 

electric-car charging points if you are travelling 

by electric car. Alternatively, you might decide to 

plan your entire journey using public transport. 

Getting about by bike, foot, boat and train is 

made easy on the Great West Way thanks to the 

Great Western Railway, the River Thames, the → 


GreatWestWay.co.uk 15

Did you know? 

If every person 

in Great Britain 

switched just over 

one car trip to bus 

or coach per month 

each year (13 per 

year) by 2030 it 

would create a 

cumulative reduction 

of 2 million tons of 

C02e. 

Kennet and Avon Canal, and a magnitude of foot and cycle 

paths. Arrive at any of the Great West Way’s cities by train, 

and wander on foot to explore at your own speed, or hire a 

bike for the day to whizz around town seeing all the sights. 

In Bristol, you can even hop on a bicycle-for-two with 

Bristol Tandem Hire. If you fancy taking a cycle ride between 

some of the cities on the Great West Way, the 13-mile 

Railway Path between Bristol and Bath offers a flat, easy ride 

away from the roads. 

The Great Western Railway runs throughout the touring 

route, stopping at cities like Bristol, Bath and London, as 

well as some of the area’s major towns including Reading, 

Windsor and Swindon. There are also convenient rail links to 

nearby cities Salisbury and Gloucester, which are just off the 

Great West Way. You can use our Great West Way Discoverer 

pass for unlimited off-peak train and bus travel to make life 

even easier, with options from £139 for a seven-day pass. 

Bristol Airport has also been recently recognised for its 

sustainability efforts, winning the Eco-Innovation Award 

for the easyJet low emissions initiative – a step towards 

becoming one of the UK's most sustainable airports. 

And you can’t get much greener than travelling by horsedrawn 

boat! The Kennet Horse Boat Company operate from 

Easter to the end of September, and you can just hop on 

when they have spare seats – or book a barge by charter. 

At the east side of the route you can enjoy a delightful 

electric boat cruise along the River Thames with Pure 

Boating. Surrounded by abundant beautiful unspoilt scenery 


“Surrounded by abundant beautiful unspoilt scenery and natural 

beauty, their fully electric fleet is perfect for spotting the occasional 

kingfisher or heron, without a noisy, smelly petrol or diesel engine.” 

Pictured left to right: The Kennet Horse Boat Company horse drawn 

boat along the Kennet & Avon Canal; Pure Boating's fully electric fleet 

and natural beauty, their fully electric fleet is perfect for 

spotting the occasional kingfisher or heron, without a 

noisy, smelly petrol or diesel engine. 

Buses are another way to help ease congestion and 

improve air quality. Just one double decker bus has 

the potential to take 75 cars off the road. Go South 

Coast have three fully electric zero emission vehicles 

collecting visitors from Salisbury Park and Ride sites. 

Plus, there are multiple coach services between London 

and Bristol by companies including National Express, 

Megabus, Stagecoach and Eurolines. 

You could take in the route on a private coach 

tour, from the royal sights of Windsor to the charming 

villages of the Cotswolds – many of these depart from 

central London. You’ll also find coach connections to 

other cities and towns along the touring route from 

London Victoria, including Marlow, Reading, Swindon, 

Chippenham, Bath and more. 

Towns, villages and cities 

Destinations along the route are improving their 

shopping high streets and popular visitor districts in 

innovative environmentally conscious ways. 

Henley have just hosted their Big Green 

Week event for local businesses to promote their 

sustainable products – and in an effort towards 

becoming 100% Net Zero the towns park vehicles 

are moving across to a greener fuel source of → 


hydrotreated vegetable oil. They are offering sustainability 

advice for market stallholders and recently hosted a seminar 

on green tactics at the local Town Hall. 

In the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead they are 

reducing the need for carbon intensive travel by encouraging 

walking and cycling, investing in digital infrastructure, 

protecting and enhancing their natural environment and 

aiming to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. 

Marlborough have encouraged businesses in the town, 

including Bunces, The Parade Cinema and Slate Hill Charcoal, 

to sign a ‘Business Green Pledge’ to switch to cleaner 

products, to collect rainwater for using on plants, promote 

the use of biochar as a carbon negative soil improver, and 

offer discounts for customers bringing bottles and growlers 

(big refillable flasks) in for refills. 

Local producers are stocked on the high street, hotels 

and restaurants in Malmesbury, and green adventures at the 

internationally famous Westonbirt Arboretum are close by. With 

its beautiful ancient hilltop town surrounded by picturesque 

rivers and countryside visitors are reminded of the benefits 

and importance of a greener more sustainable way of living. 

In Calne you will see many perennials planted to bring 

more biodiversity to the town. The National Cycle Network 

passes through Calne and the centre will soon have bike 

chargers accessible to visitors. 

As you travel through the cities of the Great West Way, 

you will discover all kinds of exciting eco initiatives too. 

Bristol is often regarded as the 'greenest' city in the UK, 

having been the first city in the UK to win the 'European 

Green Capital' award in 2015, as well as being named the 


UK's first official Cycling City. Here you will find a 

thriving sustainability movement, from zero-refill 

shops to electric scooters for hire, and local awardwinning 

pie company Pieminister's ‘eat pies, plant 

trees’ scheme. 

Just down the road in Bath, a clean-air zone 

has recently been introduced to reduce fumes and 

emissions in the city. Bath was built on England’s only 

natural thermal springs, and if you visit Thermae Bath 

Spa or Gainsborough Bath Spa you can enjoy these 

naturally heated waters for yourself – lovely and 

warm without the need for any non-renewables to 

heat them. 

Attractions and museums 

If you’re a lover of nature, you’ll be keen to discover 

some of the conservation charities and nature reserves 

along the Great West Way which are working hard to 

protect biodiversity and wildlife. 

While many of the Great West Way’s nature 

reserves are found in the quiet of the countryside, 

our cities have some surprising offers. WWT London 

Wetland Centre on the west of London is a huge awardwinning 

nature reserve. 

Providing safe haven from wildlife of all kins – 

birds, bats, amphibians and more – London’s first 

large-scale, man-made, inner city wetland reserve is 

well worth a visit. 

At the other end of the touring route, visit the 

University Of Bristol Botanic Garden to see their huge 

variety of cultivated plants; the five-acre site is home 

to around 4,500 plant species. 

The Great West Way has its fair share of ecofriendly 

farms too, which you could argue have had a 

head start on most when it comes to adapting to be 

more socially and environmentally aware. 

The Farm at Avebury produce more energy than 

they consume, including their holiday lets, from their 

solar panels and they don’t use any fossil fuels for 

heating thanks to air source heat pumps. On the farm, 

they work with The Small Robot Company who are at 

the forefront of agricultural sustainability, increasing 

productivity whilst protecting soil health, water 

quality and biodiversity – and over the last 10 years 

they have planted thousands of trees. They sell their 

produce locally and to guests, with all their food being 

grown within one mile of the farm. 

Visit Roves Farm in Swindon and you will see 

their sheep and hens grazing the grass beneath solar 

farm panels – accounting for almost 40% of their 

electricity required to run their 400-acre estate. Plus, 

they use wood chip biomass boilers heating the visitor 

centre during the colder months. 

They produce all of their own beef, lamb and 

pork on the farm, including supplying their café with 

handmade sausages, beef burgers and mince. → 

Pictured left to right: Clifton Suspension Bridge, 

Bristol; Rams at The Farm at Avebury, Beckhampton 


19

“The Wave inland surf destination 

use solar thermal panels to 

pre-heat their water and have 

plans to plant 16,000 trees...” 

Within their Farm Shop, meat is prepared and sold in their 

own Butchery, and they also offer ‘Roves Refills’, a zerowaste 

pantry with pasta, beans, pulses, nuts, oil, fruit, 

grains, seeds, chocolate and sweets all without unnecessary 

packaging – you simply bring your own containers from 

home (or buy reusable ones from the shop). 

Fresh whole and semi-skimmed milk can be dispensed 

from the ‘Moo Station’ straight into glass bottles or cartons 

brought from home, reducing single use plastic whilst also 

supporting local dairy farmers. 

Major attractions along the route are doing their bit 

as well. Blenheim is leading the way with a ‘Gold’ Green 

Tourism award rating the palace within the top 5% greenest 

attractions in the UK. Stonehenge has launched a new fleet 

of green shuttle buses to take visitors to see the stones, and 

the visitor centre is not connected to a mains water supply; 

instead, water is drawn from a borehole. The land around 

the visitor centre and stone circle is maintained as chalk 

grassland meaning it is not improved with products such as 

fertilisers but instead cut and cleared once a year. They are 

maximising recycling with zero waste going to landfill. 

In the Stonehenge gift shop they stock products made 

and sourced locally including honey from Salisbury Plain, 

wine from Lyme Bay and a Christmas card range using cornstarch 

biodegradable bags and sustainably sourced board 

and envelopes. 

The Roman Baths and Pump Room are working on an 

innovative scheme to harvest heat from the naturally hot spa 

water to use it to heat their buildings. Sixteen three-metrelong 

energy exchange blades have been inserted into the 

King’s Bath, and a new plant room is being created beneath 

the street. The idea is that heat from the King’s Spring will be 

used to heat the Roman Baths and Pump Room, as well as 

the new Bath World Heritage Centre and Roman Baths Clore 

Learning Centre. 

The historic landscapes of Hampton Court Palace 

and Kensington Palace support a wide range of wildlife 

communities and projects to conserve biodiversity at the 

royal palaces, and where possible they have created new 

habitats or enhance existing ones to encourage local wildlife 

to flourish. 

The Bombay Sapphire Distillery in Hampshire was 

awarded the prestigious BREEAM Award for Industrial Design 

in 2014 – they have a biomass boiler providing heat and hot 

water using local, sustainably sourced wood chips as a fuel 

source and a hydroelectric turbine in the River Test, giving 

carbon savings of 38% and providing renewable and low 

carbon energy. 

SS Great Britain, Bristol have reduced their energy 

consumption of the pioneering conservation system which 

protects the ship’s fragile iron hull by 25% – part of their 

commitment to become carbon neutral in our operations 

by 2030. Also in Bristol, The Wave inland surf destination 

use solar thermal panels to pre-heat their water and have 

plans to plant 16,000 trees and 13 acres of wildflower 

meadowland, while Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park 

have 265 solar panels placed on their roof generating 90% 

of their power, and they are working with Great Western 

Recycling Ltd which means they have zero waste to landfill. 

The Museum of English Rural Life and Reading 

Museum are launching a new campaign called 'Our Green 

Stories' which draws on the collections of both museums 

highlighting and engaging visitors and local people with 

environmental issues. 

Chippenham Museum has been engaging people around 

issues of climate change through an exhibition display 

exploring the local landscape through imagery and a series 

of interviews with the local community about their climate 

concerns. 

At the Jane Austen Museum, Bath they have switched 

to LED lights throughout the building, use a fully renewable 

electricity provider and have plans for solar panels on their 

roof and at Maidenhead Heritage Museum they have just 

started to stock a range of eco-friendly, sustainable products 

from Wild & Stone in their shop. 


Pictured above to right: The Wave; Bristol; Roman Baths, 

The Sacred Spring 

The REME Museum are creating a wildflower and sensory 

garden in their grounds, designed to keep environmental 

impacts to a minimum. The wildflowers are species 

commonly found in Wiltshire, while the vegetables grown in 

the allotment will be used by the museum’s café. 

And although you can’t visit the factory, the Great West 

Way is proud to be home to the Birchall Tea Factory – the 

only wholly solar-powered tea factory in the UK and the first 

tea company in the world to be entirely Carbon Neutral. 

Located in Amesbury, the factory generates more electricity 

than they use with 460 rooftop solar panels. Discover their 

award-winning Great Rift Breakfast Tea stocked in a number 

of restaurants and cafes along the Great West Way route. → 

Insider Tip 

Enjoy greener travel by cycling, walking or 

riding along the new Pewsey Vale Circular 

Way – a 77 mile marked route (72 mile cycling), 

with the Vale of Pewsey at its heart. Dramatic 

downland, secluded woodland, sweeping 

valleys and the Kennet & Avon Canal provide a 

rich variety of landscapes for the walker, rider 

or cyclist to enjoy. 

▶ Click here to download the the Circular Way 

leaflet. 


21

“The Great West Way is proud to have three restaurants 

with Michelin Green Star status – an award designed to recognise 

restaurants offering dining experiences combining culinary 

excellence with outstanding eco-friendly commitments.” 

Eco-friendly hotels and restaurants 

Many hotels along the Great West Way route are now ecocertified, 

achieved by performing zero food waste, using 

biodegradable packaging, and focusing on local produce. 

There are too many to mention them all, but in Bath they 

include the DoubleTree by Hilton, Apex City of Bath Hotel, and 

The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa. There are at least five in 

Bristol to include The Bristol Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel, Hilton 

Garden Inn, DoubleTree by Hilton, and Hampton by Hilton 

in Bristol. There's also the DoubleTree by Hilton in Swindon, 

Homestay Reading and many more. 

Pioneering in the sustainability is Whatley Manor in 

Malmesbury. They have recently been awarded a Silver 

accreditation by EarthCheck and were amongst the first 23 UK 

properties to be awarded a Green Michelin Star recognising 

sustainable gastronomy. 

These awards have not been without hard work from the 

dedicated team, whose best practices include sourcing organic 

beef from their farmer next door; coffee ground logs for their 

indoor fires; building a Bird Hide from upcycled materials sited 

by the river; employing a zero-use policy of single-use plastics 

in guest rooms; having a paperless account office, and reducing 

their fresh flower points replacing them with rooted plants. 

Danesfield House Hotel & Spa have employed a ‘green 

team’ to help the business move towards sustainability, 

climate change measures and efforts to save the planet. 

Measures include LED lighting and only running their garden 

water features at the weekends. 

And small changes are making a significant difference at 

Wiltshire Inn’s, The Swan Hotel, Bradford on Avon and The Old 

Bell, Warminster. As well as recycling with no waste going to 

landfill they have invested in their own water bottling system 

for still and sparkling water in reusable glass bottles in the 

bedrooms. They recycle coffee beans into coffee logs to be 

used on log fires, have ‘one cup kettles’ to produce instant hot 

water on demand and encourage their guests to explore the 

local attractions by bicycle or on foot by providing information 

on walks, cycle routes and cycle hire at reception. 

We all know that in catering there can be a huge amount 

of waste, but many of the restaurants on the Great West Way 

are achieving zero food waste going into landfill. 

Vaughan’s Kitchen in Devises is one example. They even 

use ‘vegware’ packaging made from plants – a system saves 

around a tonne of waste which would otherwise be going to 

landfill each month. 

The Great West Way is proud to have three restaurants 

with Michelin Green Star status – an award designed 

to recognise restaurants offering dining experiences 

combining culinary excellence with outstanding eco-friendly 

commitments: Oak Restaurant, Bath; The Dining Room at 


Whatley Manor, Malmesbury; and Wilsons, Bristol. 

There are just 31 restaurants across England, Scotland, 

Wales and Ireland awarded a new Green Star award in 

total. Just a short detour from the route: Heckfield Place, 

Hampshire; Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons, Great 

Milton; and Petersham Nurseries Café, Richmond, have also 

made it onto the Green Star list. 

There are many other eco-certified restaurants along the 

route, perhaps on their way to the prestigious Green Star 

award, some of our favourites include: Wilding, Salisbury; 

Pythouse Kitchen Garden, Tisbury; Honest Burgers in 

Windsor, Reading and Bristol; and The Elder Restaurant, Bath. 

Pictured left to right: The Dining Room at Whatley Manor; Festive 

treats; Kitchen Garden at Whatley Manor Hotel 

Click here to find out more 

about sustainable tourism 

and eco-friendly holidays on 

the Great West Way 


23

WILDLIFE SPOTTING 

ON THE GREAT WEST WAY 

Get away from the crowds and wander through England’s beautiful 

landscapes full of interesting wildlife. There are many open spaces and 

beautiful countryside to enjoy along the Great West Way route, ideal for 

walking, cycling, or even horse-riding amidst the wildlife 

Words | Lucy Bond 

As you travel between Bristol and London you will be 

spoilt for choice spotting wildlife; the route is lined 

with open countryside, picturesque woodlands, 

rolling hills, nature reserves and glorious gardens. 

WWT London Wetland Centre 

A unique, man-made inner city nature reserve, the WWT 

London Wetland Centre is a haven of wide, open spaces 

full of wetland nature. Birds, bats, water voles, otters and 

amphibians make their home in the reserve's wetland 

habitats. Stretch your legs and see which creatures you can 

spot as you walk between the meadows, lakes and pools. The 

London Wetland Centre is the ideal spot to find some peace 

and quiet during the London stretch of your Great West Way 

adventure. 

Arnos Vale Cemetery 

Arnos Vale is a unique green, open space to enjoy in the heart 

of Bristol; a 45-acre Victorian Garden Cemetery. Discover 

fascinating nature walks, peaceful green spaces and nearly 

200 years of history and heritage at Arnos Vale. Follow one 

of the self-guided walks around the site and look out for wild 

flowers and wildlife. → 

Blakehill Farm Nature Reserve 

Blakehill Farm Nature Reserve in North Wiltshire is a haven 

of wildlife, nature and calmness. Once a former military 

airfield, the site is now run by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust who 

are restoring it to wildlife-rich hay meadow. Expect to 

see summer wildflowers surrounded by butterflies and 

dragonflies. The grassland of the nature reserve is also home 

to brown hare, roe deer, kestrel, skylarks and if you’re lucky 

enough to see them, tawny owls. 


25

The North Wessex Downs 

Officially designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural 

Beauty, the North Wessex Downs covers nearly 700 square 

miles and encompasses parts of Berkshire, Hampshire, 

Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. If you're looking for wide horizons 

and quiet walks where you can stretch your legs, enjoy 

classic English countryside views, and feel your troubles float 

away – the North Wessex Downs is a good choice. Situated 

in the centre of the Great West Way route, the countryside of 

the North Wessex Downs ranges from heaths to river valleys 

and ancient woodland to arable farmland. 

Cotswold Water Park 

Slightly north of the main Great West Way route, where 

Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire meet, you will 

find the Cotswold Water Park. Here there are 150 tranquil 

lakes interspersed with peaceful countryside. There are miles 

of off-road paths to explore on foot or by bike, and lots of 

wildlife to spot, including a huge variety of migrating birds. 

While some of the lakes are devoted to leisure pursuits, like 

boating and wakeboarding, others are designated nature 

reserves. Cleveland Lakes for example, home to otters, water 

voles, lapwings, teals and tufted ducks. 

Windsor Great Park 

At nearly 30 square kilometres, Windsor Great Park is the 

largest public park in the whole of the UK. Which means 

that while this is a popular location with visitors and locals, 

there’s plenty of space to stretch your legs and get away 

from the crowds. From ancient forest to sweeping parkland 

to formal gardens, there's lots to discover in Windsor Great 

Park. Walk along the shore of Virginia Water for impressive 

views of the lake and waterfall, spot the red deer that roam 

through the deer park enclosure, or admire hilltop views of 

Windsor Castle. 

“If you're looking for wide horizons... classic English countryside 

views...the North Wessex Downs is a good choice.” 

Trooper’s Hill 

Cities need sanctuaries for nature and wildlife too. In 

Bristol, a local favourite is Trooper’s Hill. Tucked away amid 

a housing estate behind the River Avon, its acidic soils – 

unusual in Bristol – support a blaze of bright yellow gorse in 

early summer and hot pink heather in late summer. It also 

attracts a dazzling array of bird species including whitethroat, 

willow warblers, goldcrests, long-tailed tits and even green 

woodpeckers. There are excellent views of the city from this 

hilltop hideaway, too, best appreciated in the warm glow of 

sunrise or sunset. 

West Woods 

Come spring time these beautiful beech woods just outside 

Marlborough put on a spectacular display of bluebells, a 

quintessential British scene. Take along your camera for 

some souvenir shots or just take it all in via your senses – the 

delicate perfume, the flutter of the tree canopy overhead, the 

carpet of colour before you. The bluebells are at their best 


Did you know? 

The Great West Way 

is home to many 

zoos and wildlife 

parks – so whether 

your favourite animal 

is a monkey, lion 

or a giraffe, you’re 

guaranteed a great 

day out. Don't miss 

Longleat, the home 

to England’s only 

Koalas, and spotting 

rare breads at Avon 

Valley Wildlife Park 

and children can 

get behind-thescenes 

access to a 

fascinating range of 

animals at Noah’s 

Ark Zoo Farm. 

here at the end of April, beginning of May, but there’s always 

other pretty plants and wildflowers to see, like primroses 

with their mellow yellow petals and sweet scent. Good to 

know: If you’re looking for more nature-based things to do in 

Marlborough, Stonebridge Wild River Reserve is a nice water 

meadow nearby. 

Pictured previous page: Roe deer; Comma Butterfly Clockwise from 

above: Horses in the North Wessex Downs; Noah's Ark Zoo Farm; Lamb; 

Bird watching through binoculars Next page left to right: 

Otter; Roe Deer Swimming Lower Moor Farm; London Wetland Centre 

Lydiard Park 

Snowdrops, which often poke their dainty heads above 

ground amid the freeze of January, are one of the highlights 

of a British winter. There are many places to see them along 

the Great West Way, including the 260-acre parkland of 

this striking Palladian house near Swindon. There’s also a 

walled garden where you can see some more curated spring 

plantings including a 17th-century variety of jewel-like tulips. 

In summer, the beds are full of traditional English flowers 

such as roses and sweet peas. Top tip: Keep an eye on the 

Lydiard Park events pages as they sometimes run botanicalthemed 

rambles and tours. → 


27

Take your 

time on the 

Kennet & 

Avon Canal

“Among more than 400 plants 

you’ll find bee orchids, 

pyramidal orchids and even 

monkey orchids, which are 

extremely rare in the UK.” 

Jones’s Mill 

Boardwalks traverse this enchanting fen in Pewsey, flooded 

through by the Salisbury Avon. Once farmed for watercress, 

it’s now a haven for animals who like getting wet such as 

water voles and occasionally water shrews. It’s also a prime 

place to spot blue-green kingfishers swooping low over 

the water to find fish to feed on. You’re also likely to see 

heron, with their long legs and beaks. For the most colourful 

displays of flora and fauna, visit in spring and summer – see 

if you can identify water avens, sometimes referred to as 

chocolate root. Their purply-orange, nodding flowers attract 

a flurry of dragonflies, bumble bees and butterflies. 

Hartslock Reserve 

As well as terrific River Thames views, the chalk grasslands 

of this reserve near Reading are fertile ground for a diverse 

collection of wild orchids. Among more than 400 plants 

you’ll find bee orchids, pyramidal orchids and even monkey 

orchids, which are extremely rare in the UK. Seen on a 

summer’s day, with chalkhill blue and green hairstreak 

butterflies fluttering among them, it’s hard to imagine a 

prettier site. Other highlights: watch magnificent red kites 

overhead and visit in July to see meadows full of marjoram. 

Richmond Park 

If you’re visiting Kew Gardens, don’t miss nearby Richmond 

Park. It’s the largest of the eight Royal Parks, a National 

Nature Reserve and one of London’s most scenic spots. It’s 

most famous for its hundreds of red and fallow deer that 

roam the parkland, but it has plenty more to recommend it. 

Ancient oak trees, for one – some thought to date back to the 

time of the Magna Carta. Precious species of bats, birds and 

beetles are also found here, including the endangered stag 

beetle. Stop at the park’s highest point, Pembroke Lodge, for 

Thames Valley views and a delicious cream tea. 

Winterbourne Downs 

A little south of the Great West Way, near Salisbury, you’ll 

find Winterbourne Downs, an RSPB site that seasoned 

birders as well as beginners will love. Linnets, corn buntings, 

yellowhammers and stone curlews are frequently spotted 

here. If you visit early on a spring morning you might hear 

the mesmerising dawn chorus of the skylarks. In summer, 

take a picnic and feast on views of wildflower meadows and 

gently rolling Wiltshire hills. Winter meanwhile is a fine time 

for some serious bird watching, as fluffed-up feathers are 

more visible on bare branches, plus buzzards, red kites and 

possibly peregrine falcons often fly into view. 

Folly Farm 

Just south of the Great West Way, in between Bristol and 

Bath, lies Avon Valley Wildlife Trust’s 250-acre reserve. It’s an 

ideal spot for a nature walk, with timeless Somerset views of 

the Mendips, Chew Valley Lake and traditionally-managed 

meadows. Its wooded paths also make it a great place to 

watch the leaves turn auburn and gold in the autumn (and 

there might be some plump blackberries ready for picking 

on the brambles too). There’s also an access-for-all trail, 

complete with badger-viewing platform. 


29

ALCO-TOURISM 

ON THE WAY 

Slow down, fill your boots and quench your thirst while enjoying the 

thriving trend of alco-tourism – with plenty of places along the Great 

West Way to learn the crafts behind some delicious homegrown tipples. 

Words | Susan Wright 

With so many impressive drink establishments 

along the Great West Way route, from beer 

and real ales to wine and spirits, you could base 

your entire journey – east to west or west to 

east – learning the crafts behind some of the finest beverages 

in southern England, while also sampling a few along the 

way too. Here are some of the best distilleries, breweries and 

vineyards you can visit along the way. 

Breweries 

Beer has been brewed in this area of England for thousands 

of years. Many delicious craft beers, IPAs and real ales are 

still produced right here on the Great West Way. From tiny 

microbreweries with their own taprooms to Great West 

Way institutions like Wadworth Brewery and West Berkshire 

Brewery, there are lots of opportunities to try our local beers. 

Before you leave London learn what goes into making 

Fuller's ales taste so good at the Griffin Brewery, or for live 

music and cocktails pop into The Tap on the Line, Kew on the 

second Thursday of the month. For a night of jazz Fuller's host 

a different trio or quartet at The Old Fish Market, Bristol on 

Sunday evenings. 

One of the oldest steam breweries still in existence and 

one of the finest examples of a Victorian steam brewery 

anywhere in the world, Arkell's Brewery is a fully-functioning 

brewery today and Swindon's oldest established company. 

The ten-acre site is located in Kingsdown on the outskirts 

of the town behind the original Kingsdown Inn. Actual tours 

of the site are very limited and usually by invitation only, 

however you can enjoy a virtual tour from the link here. You 

can also visit many Arkell's along the route including The 

Cross Keys in Newbury, The Downgate in Hungerford and The 

Lansdowne in Calne. 

At Wadworth Brewery Visitor Centre you can sample the 

delights and learn about the traditional brewing methods used 

at the site since 1875. Take yourself on a self-guided tour → 


Previous page left to right: West Berkshire Brewery; 

Wadworth Brewery Left to right: Lavestoke Mill Bombay 

Sapphire; Abbey Hotel, Bath Art Bar Cocktails 

through their exhibition before reaching the sample bar where 

there are traditional pub games and five cask ales on draught. 

West Berkshire Brewery is an independent brewery 

nestled in the heart of Berkshire with over 23 years of brewing 

experience. With a new state of the art brewery and packaging 

line they are the proud producers of many traditional cask ales 

and innovative craft beers. 

The Flying Monk Brewery is a forward-thinking brewery 

based at Hullavington, near Malmesbury, is focused on 

producing great beer for the local area - as well as offering a 

unique Cafe & Tap in a 200 year-old Cotswold stone barn, with 

a breakfast and lunch menu. 

Bristol is also one of the UK’s leading craft beer destinations 

and is brimming with brilliant breweries. Head to a local 

brewery to sample the delights of real, local English beers 

and learn about the history of this ubiquitous English drink. 

Distilleries 

Bombay Sapphire Distillery is based at Laverstoke Mill in 

rural Hampshire, just 15 miles from Winchester and 60 

miles from London, 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 enjoyed 

from around the globe. 

The distillery showcases the care, skill and artistry behind 

Bombay Sapphire, and allows you to discover the flavours of 

the botanicals which make Bombay Sapphire gin so unique. 

Start your experience with a trip to the Turbine Bar to choose 

a Bombay gin to make a gin and tonic before heading to the 

cinema room to be immersed in all things Bombay Sapphire 

in preparation for a tour of Laverstoke Mill. 

Learn about the ten botanicals which make Bombay 

Sapphire so exquisite in the iconic glasshouses designed by 

Thomas Heatherwick, chart hundreds of years of Laverstoke 

Mill’s illustrious history, married with the fascinating heritage 

of gin and Bombay Sapphire and uncover the secrets of 

Bombay Sapphire’s unique vapour-infusion distillation process. 

Enjoy classic rum cocktails and learn of their colourful 

histories at the Bristol Rum Distillery. Learn about new ways 

to understand rum, and approach the spirit through fresh 

informed eyes while also being entertained with rum’s rags 

to riches story. Before you go, choose your own rum from 

over 40 types made at the school, then spice and re-distil 

your own 70cl bottle, including naming your rum with a 

personalised label and waxing the top. 

Learn more about Bath gin at The Bath Distillery located 

on Queen Street in the heart of Bath’s city centre (just 

moments from Bath Abbey, Bath Thermae Spa and the → 


Left to right: Enjoying the tour at a'Beckett's 

Vineyard; a'Beckett's Vineyard

“Take a vineyard tour or attend a wine 

sampling session and you'll see for 

yourself why English wines are winning 

prestigious international awards...” 

Roman Baths). Bath gin is distilled using eleven of the finest botanicals from across 

the world, including bitter orange, kaffir lime leaf and English coriander. Floral, 

exotic citrus and deep spice notes are followed by a mild sweetness, creating a light, 

aromatic and balanced gin. 

There's also the delightful (and tiny!) distillery Scout & Sage to visit in the village 

of Semington, Wiltshire. Join a master class and sip a delicious Scout & Sage G&T 

crafted using a tradional hand made copper pot still named Maud. Hear all about the 

history of gin, how it’s made and the process they use. There’s a tasting session of 

three Scout & Sage Gins and a Scout & Sage Gin cocktail – before making a shot of 

your very own gin from pre-distilled botanicals. 

Vineyards 

The chalk soils and temperate climate of the south of England are perfect for creating 

crisp, white, bubbly wines. Take a vineyard tour or attend a wine sampling session and 

you'll see for yourself why English wines are winning prestigious international awards. 

Discover the local wines of the Great West Way with a tour and tasting at Alder 

Ridge Vineyard, nestled into the chalky slopes of the North Wessex Downs between 

Hungerford and Marlborough. A'Beckett's Vineyard near Devzies also offer wine tastings 

and walks around their impressive 20-acre site. 

Bluestone Vineyards based just outside of Salisbury run morning and evening 

walking and wine tasting tours with one of their resident experts, Nat or Jack. Following 

an in-depth stroll around the vineyards learning about growing grapes in the UK, the 

challenges, and what it takes to produce high quality English sparkling wines, you’ll 

then be wowed with an expertly tutored wine tasting of four wines; two of Bluestone’s 

sparkling and two local still wines. 

Aldwick is a 300-acre family-run farm nestled serenely beneath the northern 

slopes of the famous Mendip Hills - the largest vineyard in Somerset. The team on the 

estate are devoted to producing quality wine and offer tours of their 11 acres of grape 

vines. Witness the development of grapes from which their wine will be made before 

sampling a selection of their available vintages. 


35

THE GREAT WEST WAY'S 

HOUSES & GARDENS 

A journey along the route takes the traveller past some of 

England’s most spectacular palaces and historic houses – a chance to 

admire outstanding examples of architecture, art and landscape 

design, and discover how different people have lived throughout history

There are over 30 National Trust properties alone 

along the Great West Way route, such as Cliveden, 

Mompesson House, Montacute House and Runnymede, 

the site of the sealing of the Magna Carta, to name 

but a few. Almost before you leave London, you pass the 

royal palaces at Kew, Hampton Court and Windsor Castle, the 

oldest occupied castle in the World. 

Then further west as the countryside opens up, and the 

landscape is scattered with an array of stately homes, two 

further castles, Highclere and Berkeley, and with many of 

these properties still owned by the aristocratic families who 

first built them. Wander Great Halls hung with tapestries, feel 

the heat of a Tudor kitchen, admire the craftsmanship of an 

elaborately carved 4-poster bed... or plan your visit during the 

festive season and join a Christmas wreath making masterclass 

or magical light trail. Whether you’re about to set off, or you’re 

looking ahead to your next holiday we hope you feel inspired 

by our selection of houses and gardens you must visit. 

American Museum & Gardens, Bath 

Housed in a fine Georgian manor house with outstanding 

views over the Limpley Stoke Valley on the edge of Bath, the 

American Museum takes you on a journey through American 

history, with its remarkable collection of folk, decorative arts 

and cultural objects. The only museum of Americana outside 

of the United States, it was founded to bring American history 

and cultures to the people of Britain and Europe. There are 

winding paths and woodlands to enjoy in The New American 

Garden, Mount Vernon Garden, and The Children’s Garden 

play area. Visit during the festive season (1 to 31 December) 

for a sparkling trail of illuminations in a magical after-dark 

adventure which will emblazon the entire house, gardens and 

woodland in glorious colour. 

Apsley House 

Standing in the heart of London, Apsley House is the former 

home of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, victor of 

Waterloo. Designed and built by Robert Adam in the 1770s, 

the house was bought by the duke in 1817. He transformed 

it into a palatial residence to befit his status and filled it with 

works of art and gifts from grateful rulers across Europe. 

Wellington died in 1852. The following year his son Arthur, 

the 2nd Duke, decided to open Apsley House to the public. A 

‘Museum Room’ was created where Wellington’s magnificent 

silver trophies, military memorabilia and gifts of porcelain 

were exhibited. During the 20th century, the family suffered 

many losses. The 5th Duke died in 1941 and two years later 

his son and heir, Henry, died from battle wounds received 

during the Second World War. Gerald, the 7th Duke, decided 

to offer Apsley House to the nation, together with a significant 


Previous page: Syon Park Left to right: Christmas 

Fair at Waddesdon; Christmas at Blenheim 

portion of the 1st Duke’s art collection. Today visitors can be 

awed by the palatial wonder of the gilded, glittering interiors 

and stunning artwork of Apsley House as they admire the 

gifts from emperors, tsars, and kings to the Iron Duke. There 

are nearly 3,000 fine paintings, sculptures and works of art in 

silver and porcelain, given to Britain's greatest military hero. 

Visit on the 25 November for a special evening made 

of dancing, etiquette and gossip – the Regency Evening 

experience includes a dance caller (to explain the steps and 

dances), Regency costumes, gowns, wine and fine dining. 

Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire 

Just a short detour off the main route Blenheim Palace is 

a vast confection of pinnacles, pilasters and porticos built 

in golden stone, owned by the 12th Duke of Marlborough. 

Sarah, the notoriously difficult wife of John Churchill, the 1st 

Duke of Marlborough, took charge of the building project, 

and managed to fall out with the architect John Vanbrugh 

and with the queen herself. However, in spite of the rows, 

Sarah oversaw the creation of one of England’s finest Baroque 

palaces which includes the magnificent state rooms with 

their painted ceilings glorifying John Churchill. Formal 

gardens include Water Terraces, an Italian Garden, and the 

Rose Garden. Don’t miss the magical Ice Kingdom Themed 

Afternoon Tea (18 November 2022–2 January 2023) at the 

Orangery. 

Bowood House & Gardens, Wiltshire 

Bowood House, famed for its gardens, is owned by the 

Marquis of Lansdowne. Be enchanted by the herbaceous 

borders and the Italianate terrace gardens with their formal 

beds and fountains, and don’t miss the 30-acre Woodland 

Walk, with massed beds of rhododendrons. 

The 100 acres of parkland here were designed by ‘Capability’ 

Brown, widely hailed as his best-preserved masterpiece, 

scattered with lawns and picturesque clumps of trees 

sweeping down to a gently curving artificial lake, it is a 

quintessentially English landscape. Other highlights include an 

arboretum, woodland gardens and Lord and Lady Lansdowne’s 

secret walled garden. Inside the house, which is open to the → 


39

public from March to November, there is an unusual stately 

home laboratory. This is because it was here that Joseph 

Priestley, while working as the family tutor, discovered oxygen 

in 1774. You can visit the state rooms, library and chapel as 

well as the Orangery designed by Robert Adam in the 1760s, 

and the room he originally created as a small zoo which is 

now a sculpture gallery. Don’t miss their fantastic Halloween 

Outdoor Cinema Experiences this October with screenings of 

the Disney classic Hocus Pocus, Stanley Kubrick classic, The 

Shining and the vampire classic, The Lost Boys. 

Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire 

Just half an hour north of Bristol, Berkeley Castle makes an 

excellent day out for stays based west of the Great West Way 

route. Another impressive history, having been lived in by the 

same family for nearly 900 years, it is the longest lived-in 

family fortress in England. 

Surrounded by eight acres of landscaped gardens, including 

Queen Elizabeth I’s bowling green and the 8th Earl’s swimming 

pool, now an ornamental lily pond with plume fountain. 

Explore the Norman Keep complete with the cell in which 

King Edward II was held captive and reputedly murdered, 

walk through medieval kitchens and the imposing Great Hall 

and marvel at the elegant State Apartments. See magnificent 

furniture, rare paintings by English and Dutch Masters, 

Elizabethan tapestries and the world famous Berkeley silver. 

There are free guided tours, a Tropical Butterfly House, a host 

of seasonal events and you could even stay overnight in their 

characterful 9 bedroom town house located on the estate. 

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. During Christmas Craft Week (5–7 

December) there are many festive workshops including luxury 

wreath making and creating your very own Christmas Glitter 

House. 

Cliveden House, Maidenhead 

Few hotels are as famous as 300-year-old Cliveden House 

– setting of the Profumo affair – or as romantic. Known for 

exuberant high-society parties, political scandals and, most 

recently, its connection to a certain royal wedding. 

Take a room in the Garden Wing and you’ll get views over the 

spa garden and – in some – a hot tub tucked privately into 

your terrace. There’s also a wonderful restaurant from chef 

André Garrett, where English ingredients star on the eightcourse 

tasting menu. The trump card here though is the 376- 

acre National Trust estate that surrounds the hotel, its formal 

gardens the sort of place you could happily lose yourself in 

for days. There’s direct access to the River Thames for a jaunt 

and a spot of lunch on a vintage boat, and plenty of pleasant 


walks to work off the essential afternoon tea, served in the 

imposing Great Hall. 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. 

Make your visit even more special with a New Year House 

Party (31 December 2022–2 January 2023). Glamorous 

gatherings, indulgent feasts and, of course, plenty of 

Champagne to kick-start 2023 in the most stylish way. 

Great Chalfield Manor, Wiltshire 

As well as these aristocratic super stars, there are many 

smaller historic houses dotted across the Great West Way. 

Great Chalfield Manor is a late medieval manor house, built by 

the self-made Thomas Tropenell to proclaim his arrival into the 

landed gentry. He gave his new house all the necessary mod 

cons of the day including a gate house, moat, great hall and 

fashionable oriel windows, features which can still be seen, as 

the house has hardly been touched since his time. This relative 

neglect accounts for the house’s gentle charm and explains 

why it’s a popular film location: the BBC series Poldark and 

Wolf Hall were both filmed here. Visit on the 17 December to 

join in the fun and festivities during their annual Christmas fair. 

Iford Manor Gardens, near Bath 

For garden-lovers, a perfect day out on your Great West Way 

journey could be the wonderful Iford Manor, close to Bath and 

the idyllic Frome River valley. Here you can dreamily wander 

around 2.5 acres of historic gardens that sit at the heart of 

the Grade-1 listed gardens designed by Harold Peto during 

his tenure at Iford from 1899-1933. Explore freely getting lost 

amongst the colonnades, pools and steps, as you enjoy the 

magnificent rural views over the valley. The garden contains 

many steep, narrow and uneven paths, as well as long flights 

of steps without handrails – very much part of the garden’s 

charm and design. There are a host of lovely Christmas events 

happening across the Iford Manor Estate this December 

including wine tasting and Christmas wreath making 

workshops, followed by a delicious lunch. 

Kelmscott Manor, Oxfordshire 

Kelmscott Manor, a short detour off the route, was the iconic 

country home of William Morris; poet, designer, craftsman, 

socialist and founding father of the Arts and Crafts movement. 

This Grade I listed house was loved by Morris as a survival of 

traditional craftsmanship in harmony with the nearby village 

and surrounding landscape, which lies towards the very upper 

reaches of the Thames, inspiring many of his most important → 

Left to right: Cliveden House bar; The summer 

home of William Morris, Kelmscott Manor 


41

designs and writings, including the world-famous Willow 

pattern. Today, visitors will find an outstanding collection, 

from early 17th Century furniture to a unique collection of 

furnishings chosen by Pre-Raphaelite painter-poet Dante 

Gabriel Rossetti and pieces from each of Morris’ London 

homes, including several designed especially for the iconic 

Red House. Kelmscott Manor also boasts enchanting riverside 

gardens and the River Thames is located just a few hundred 

yards away. Beyond the walls of the formal garden stand the 

impressive farm barns – two of them house the Tearoom and 

beautiful Shop. The Tearoom is a must, with its friendly staff 

and delicious home-made meals and cakes, whilst the Shop 

is packed with decorative and unusual items ideal for gifts or 

mementoes. 

Longleat, Wiltshire 

Home of the Marquess of Bath, Longleat is one of the finest 

examples of Elizabethan architecture in England, and since 

1580, up until today, has been owned by 16 generations of 

the Thynn family. The House is open to the public throughout 

most of the year. Inside this 450-year-old treasure trove, you 

will find the original Elizabethan Great Hall, the spectacular 

Grand Staircase, the impressive Saloon stretching 90 feet long 

with exquisite Flemish tapestries, beautiful antique furniture 

and a staggering collection of more than 40,000 books. 

In total there are 15 breathtaking rooms, together with 

stunning ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds. Famously 

known for being the first drive-through safari park outside 

of Africa in 1966, home to, amongst other animals, majestic 

lions, a troop of mischievous macaque monkeys, a pack of grey 

wolves plus, the only animal collection in Europe to exhibit 

Southern koalas. In November, the UK's original, biggest and 

most exciting lantern festival is the showstopper at Longleat – 

The Festival of Light, and the theme for this year? You will be 

stepping into The Wondrous Worlds of Roald Dahl. 

Then, in December, Longleat becomes even more magical with 

a Santa Train, Winter Safari Drive-through and Britain's biggest 

singing Christmas tree – at 20 metres tall, it will sing your 

favourite carols and flurries with snow! 

The Merchant's House, Marlborough 

A glorious restoration of a 17th Century silk merchant's house 

The House of Thomas Bayly was built following the Great 

Fire of Marlborough in 1653. Over the years 1653-1700 a 

fine timber and brick building was constructed, its interior 

panelled, brilliant with wall paintings and with a commanding 

oak staircase. A substantial amount of this fabric survives and 

hidden painted decoration is still being revealed. 

Many of us are familiar with homes of the aristocracy; here is 

a rare opportunity to view a 17th century house of the type 


Left to right: Longleat and Britain's biggest singing 

Christmas tree; Kew Gardens Palm House in the snow 

many of us might have lived in. Thomas was a prosperous silk 

mercer whose lifestyle is reflected in the spacious and elegant 

rooms on show. The house is a living place. Throughout 

the season there are demonstrations of costume making, 

needlework and historic paint conservation. Musicians often 

play music appropriate to the period. 

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Surrey 

For an unforgettable horticultural experience, make a beeline 

for Kew Gardens. By day you can see the vast UNESCO World 

Heritage Site by walking or 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. 

Visit in the evening on selected dates between 16 November 

2022 and 8 January 2023 for Christmas at Kew when the 

stunning gardens are decorated in 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 there's festive hot food and treats such as 

spiced winter warmers and hot chocolate. 

The Savill Garden, Windsor 

The Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park has been a tranquil 

place to discover rare plants from around the world since 

its creation in the 1930s. This natural haven of beautifully 

designed gardens and woodland can be enjoyed by everyone, 

from dedicated horticulturists to those who just want to spend 

a relaxing day out with family or friends. There are 35 acres 

of interconnected gardens including the Hidden Gardens, 

Spring Wood, the Summer Gardens, the New Zealand Garden, 

Summer Wood, The Glades, Autumn Wood and the Winter 

Beds. Don’t leave before visiting The Christmas Tree Shop to 

pick up some natural decorations for your home including 

wreaths and fresh boughs of holly and mistletoe. → 


43

Left to right: Stourhead in autumn; 

Bristol Botanic Garden Evolutionary Dell 

The Christmas Tree Shop also stocks a selection of food and 

drink, including our very own Windsor Great Park Sparkling 

Wine, grown in a vineyard on the Estate. 

Stourhead, Wiltshire 

A little way off the Great West Way in south Wiltshire, but a 

must-visit if you’re in the area, Stourhead is one of the 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.’ 

The after-dark illuminated trail through the garden at 

Stourhead returns for its fourth year on selected dates 

between 25 November 2022 – 1 January 2023 with over a 

million twinkling lights and seasonal sounds fill the air with 

festive fun. 

Strawberry Hill House, Twickenham 

Strawberry Hill House has been open to visitors for over 

250 years, it is the former summer residence of Horace 

Walpole, author of ‘The Castle of Ontranto’ and is famous 

for being Britain’s finest example of Georgian Gothic Revival 

architecture. Inspired by William Kent and the ideas behind 

the English Landscape Movement, Horace Walpole created 

a romantic garden to complement his Gothic castle. Formal 

borders mixed with groves of trees and shrubs crossed by 

winding paths, and flowers and fragrance, a fine lawn, an open 

terrace and meadows that led straight to the River Thames. 

The five-acre garden has been, as far as possible, restored to 

its original appearance using Eighteenth-Century maps and 

paintings as well as Walpole’s own writing. It is Grade II listed 

and of national importance as a reminder of a fascinating 

period in garden history. It is a charming, compact garden 

full of a variety of beds, borders, walks, groves, lawns and 

woodland. 

Visit on the 21 November to join the discussions around 

Charles Dicken’s most famous novel, A Christmas Carol a 

festive tale of redemption and compassion. 

Turner’s House, Twickenham 

Looking at the blue plaque on the front of Sandycombe Lodge 

you can imagine Turner living there – it was his retreat from 

the London art world. The architecture of this little building is 

quirky, reflecting Turner’s own designs but also the influence 

of his good friend, John Soane. Turner made many sketches 

before finally arriving at his final design, and these are now 

brought together in single facsimile sketchbook. 


Some of the beautiful etchings from his Liber Studiorum are 

on display, several of them responding to troubled years when 

England was under threat of invasion, along with beautifully 

crafted models of ships, variations on those which Turner had. 

In Turner’s time, Sandycombe stood on a large plot of land, 

bordered by two huge estates. His grounds have now been 

built over, as have the estates – so the open views he would 

have had are shown by digital technology. The small remains 

of the once-large gardens has been beautifully planted. On 

the 27 October St Margaret’s Wine are hosting a Whiskey 

Tasting at Turner’s House event. Tickets include a selection of 

three whiskeys, food, admission to the house, and a tour of the 

exhibition, Between the Sheets: Turner’s Nudes. 

University of Bristol Botanic Garden, Bristol 

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. Visit on the 24 November for a special autumn-themed 

lecture by Poppy Okotcha; Growing a better world. 

Stonor Park, South Oxfordshire 

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. Stonor Park is one of the longest lived-in family 

homes in England, owned by the Stonor family for over 850 

years. Located near Henley, Stonor is a beautiful place to visit, 

especially if you are staying east of the Great West Way route. 

The historic building and sweeping grounds are breathtaking 

and inside there is a fascinating family collection of art and 

artefacts. Open to visitors between April-September and at 

Christmas, (gardens are open April-October), you can view 

the work of St. Edmund Campion, created when he was given 

refuge there in 1581, and outside sits their oldest resident, a 

perfectly preserved prehistoric stone circle. 

Visit Stonor House when it has been beautifully decorated 

for Christmas and experience a Candle Lit Christmas where, 

walking from room to room, you will be able to imagine the 

many family members and friends who would have celebrated 

this festive season here through the centuries. Delicious 

seasonal fare will be served in the Stonor Pantry and the Gift 

Shop will be overflowing with goodies for all the family. → 


45

Syon Park, London 

The London home of the Dukes of Northumberland, the 

Percy family, for over 400 years – Syon is one of the last great 

houses of London. Profoundly historic, the House holds a 

wealth of art within its grand classical interiors, while the Park 

and Gardens feel like deep countryside, although barely nine 

miles from Charing Cross. As the nights draw in, Syon Park 

once again hosts the Enchanted Woodland during November, 

which sees the 600-year-old gardens transformed by a display 

of lights and music. Now in its 16th year the trail winds 

through the arboretum, passing the sixteenth century Syon 

House, and ends at the spectacular Great Conservatory. An 

array of lighting effects – from high-tech lasers to low tech 

candles – illuminate the visitor’s way through the trees. 

Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire 

A former Rothschild, French Renaissance chateau brimming 

with priceless treasures and a contemporary exhibition space. 

There are also restaurants and cafes, a boutique hotel, a gift 

and Rothschild wine shop and wine cellars with access to wine 

tastings, not to mention acres of landscaped gardens. During 

the 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. 

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 

center 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. Father Christmas’ elves have made their way 

to the arboretum to decorate the trees in twinkly lights for 

Christmas. Visit between the 25 November and 21 December 

2022 and be one of the first to experience their brand-new 

illuminated trail. 

Click here to find out 

more about exploring 

Houses and Gardens on the 

Great West Way 

Pictured: Chritmas illuminations 

light up the woodlands at Syon Park 


A full-size Victorian replica 

Bayeux Tapestry and three 

hundred biscuit tins? 

The ruins of a breathtaking 

12th-century royal abbey 

that attracted pilgrims 

from across Europe? 

A nationally significant 

collection of English farm 

wagons and the most 

famous ram on the Internet? 

And all of it’s free. 

UNEXPECTED 

READING

TEN BRILLIANT REASONS TO VISIT 

THE GREAT WEST 

WAY THIS WINTER 

There are plenty of reasons to plan a trip to the 

Great West Way this season, from indulgent spa 

weekends, picturesque countryside walks to 

Christmas markets and classics at the theatre. 

1 

ENJOY A HEARTY SUNDAY LUNCH 

Lined with grand stately homes, gentle green countryside, 

cute stone cottages and pretty thatched pubs, the Great West 

Way is the perfect place to discover the real England. And 

what could be more traditionally English than a roast 

dinner on a Sunday lunchtime? 

A classic English roast dinner has succulent meat, crispy roast 

potatoes, fluffy Yorkshire puddings, lashings of gravy, lots of fresh 

seasonal veg, and a side of cauliflower cheese if you’re lucky. You’ll 

find this traditional Sunday lunchtime meal at many of the pubs and 

restaurants along the Great West Way route – often accompanied 

by more modern takes on the classic roast dinner, such as Coq au vin 

with mash & bourguignon garnish. 

Enjoy a tasty Sunday lunch while admiring the spectacular views 

of Windsor Castle at the Royal Windsor Pub, head to The Red Lion 

Freehouse in the Vale of Pewsey – a picture-perfect English pub, 

complete with thatched roof and pretty beer garden. It is also a 

Michelin-starred restaurant – so you can expect your Sunday lunch to 

be utterly delicious. 


2 

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN 

STYLE AT ASCOT 

Kick off your festive season with the 

Christmas Fair at Ascot from the 24 

November (until the 27 November) with 

top quality gift companies you won’t usually find on 

the high street. Knowing you are going to delight your 

family and friends with the best Christmas presents 

wrapped and ready, you might want to celebrate by in 

an evening that’s exclusively yours to enjoy – or in a 

shared Christmas party with others. 

Either way you will be made to feel like royalty at a 

party hosted in the iconic surroundings of the world’s 

most famous racecourse. →

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. 

3 

GO FOR A DAY WALK IN AN AREA OF 

OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY 

Just because the weather is often wet and wild this time 

of the year it doesn't mean you have to hide away inside. 

On a winters day on the Great West Way, why not grab 

your wellies and head off to splash through the puddles and enjoy 

our beautiful countryside. Along the touring route there are 3 

Areas Of Natural Beauty (North Wessex Downs, The Cotswolds 

and The Chilterns) – each remarkable in its own way, from the 

landscapes to the people who live and work there. 

4 

EXPERIENCE A HORSE DRAWN 

CARRIAGE TOUR 

Windsor Carriages have been running tours of Windsor 

for over 170 years, offering a unique way to experience 

magnificent Windsor Great Park. Take in views of 

stunning Windsor Castle as you are whisked down the Long Walk 

in a picture-perfect horse drawn carriage as a tour guide shares 

invaluable knowledge, stories and events passed down through 

the generations of coachmen of Windsor Carriages since 1849. → 


Magical Marlborough 

The ancient market town that 

packs a postcard-perfect punch 

www.marlborough-tc.gov.uk/visitors 

visitmarlborough

5 

HAVE AN INDULGENT SPA WEEKEND 

For some well needed Winter pampering, why not book 

yourself a sumptuous couple’s spa session as you travel 

along the Great West Way route? There are many options 

to choose from, including the spa at award-winning 

Whatley Manor near Malmesbury, or Bath's famous Thermae Bath 

Spa with its rooftop pool, or one of the incredible reclaimed lidos 

along the route; Thames Lido in Reading or the Lido in Bristol. If 

you’ve got kids, head to Woolley Grange near Bradford on Avon 

and take advantage of the 90 minutes free childcare each day of 

your stay while you relax in the spa. 

6 

HEAD TO THE THEATRE 

A Christmas Show or pantomime is an essential part of 

any traditional English Christmas, and there are plenty 

of options to choose from along the Great West Way 

route. RAPUNZEL will be showing from 18 November 

at the gorgeous Watermill Theatre. The Christmas programme at 

Pound Arts Centre in Corsham includes Christmas Gothic by Dyad 

Productions. Head to Wyvern Theatre in Swindon for side-splitting 

comedy, fun songs and festive magic with A Christmas Carol and The 

Ho Ho Ho Mrs Christmas Show. And the Great West Way's newest 

theatre, the Barn Theatre in Cirencester, will be showing yet more 

Christmas classics. 


7 

BATH ON ICE AT ROYAL 

VICTORIA PARK 

The Ice Rink is back and, with 1000 square 

metres of smooth ice, it’s bigger than ever! 

Glowing in an array of atmospheric lights, 

it’s the ideal spot to practice those skating skills and 

simultaneously the perfect stage for avid skaters to 

show off their moves. With music to set the wintery 

scene, a cozy bar area and seasonal drinks you will be 

transported to a dreamy winter wonderland. → 


53

Wonders await 

those who venture off the beaten path 

A unique royal connection, 

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-of-a-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. 

www.windsor.gov.uk 

#VisitWindsor 

www.windsor.gov.uk

8 

MAKE A HEAD START ON YOUR 

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING 

Buy beautiful gifts for your friends and family as you 

explore the Great West Way in the run-up to the 

holidays. Christmas at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet 

Swindon means a winter wonderland springing up amongst their 

many designer and high street shops. Read our article on best days 

out for shopping on the Great West Way by clicking here. 

There will also be many Christmas Markets appearing along 

the route, with the Bath Christmas Market and Bristol Christmas 

Market both making lovely festive locations for an afternoon of 

Christmas shopping. Think sweet little chalets selling handmade 

gifts and serving hot drinks. 

9 

VISIT A MUSEUM AND LOSE YOURSELF 

IN CULTURE AND HISTORY 

At the far east of the Great West Way, 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 wintery panoramas over London. 

Also, in the capital don’t miss The British Museum, the first national 

public museum in the world. The children will love meeting Santa and 

his elf at the London Transport Museum (from 25 November) – at their 

Christmas at the Museum season there’s also card-making workshops 

and an interactive Routemaster-inspired sleigh! 

Tucked away in the Hampshire countryside alongside the 

peaceful River Test is Whitchurch Silk Mill, the oldest silk mill that is 

still weaving silk in its original building. In Wiltshire visit Stourhead, 

Lacock and the Fox-Talbot museum, the birthplace of photography 

– and motoring enthusiasts will love the Atwell-Wilson Motor 

Museum, located near the historic town of Calne, an interesting and 

unusual stopping-off point along the route. Perfect for a Christmas 

party, in Salisbury revellers can lose themselves in a game of Spectre 

in the award-winning Live Escape Room on Castle Street. 

Explore the unique collection of vehicles, uniforms, and weapons 

and learn more about the proud history of the Royal Electrical and 

Mechanical Engineers at the REME Museum in Lyneham – a short 

drive from Chippenham. Reading Museum displays an array of 

historical artefacts waiting to be explored while Reading's Museum 

of English Rural Life is England’s most extensive museum dedicated 

to farming, food, craft, rural life and countryside issues. 

Maidenhead Heritage Centre explores the history of the Berkshire 

town of Maidenhead by telling the stories of its river, roads and 

railway. The centre's spitfire simulator is one of the most unusual 

historic experiences on the Great West Way. Experience for yourself 

what it must have been like for a 1940s spitfire pilot in an authentic 

simulator with replica flight controls and wide screen pilot view. 

Plus, you can even step on board Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, 

the last supersonic jets to ever fly, or discover the earliest days of 

powered flight at Aerospace Bristol. → 


55

10 

VISIT 

THE SCENE OF A ROYAL 

WEDDING 

There are many Royal connections along 

the Great West Way; especially the historic 

Berkshire town of Windsor, which has seen 

many royal nuptials throughout the years. Prince Harry and 

Meghan Markle were married at St George's Chapel in 2018, 

and the royal town has also hosted the marriages of the likes 

of Princess Beatrice and Prince Edward to their respective 

spouses. While you’re here, visit Windsor Castle – our beloved 

former Queen’s favourite weekend residence. 


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

BEST DAYS OUT 

FOR SHOPPING 

ON THE GREAT WEST WAY 

In the towns, villages and cities along the Great West Way route you’ll 

find an abundance of antique stores and independent shops as well as 

super-handy shopping centres and malls. There are also some 

marvellous markets selling everything from local crafts to artisan 

delicacies. Here are some ideas for a great shopping day out… 

Words | Samantha Rutherford 

SPEND THE DAY AT MCARTHURGLEN DESIGNER 

OUTLET SWINDON 

McArthurGlen’s Swindon Designer Outlet is housed in the 

beautifully renovated Grade II listed buildings of the Great 

Western Railway Works and is one of the largest covered 

designer outlets in Europe. There is a mixture of high-street 

and designer brands with reduced prices of up to 60 per 

cent. Stores include Guess, Reiss, Joules, Kurt Geiger, Ted 

Baker, Calvin Klein and bringing out the inner child in all 

of us, new for 2022, a HARIBO Store is due to open before 

Christmas – the ninth store of its kind to open in the UK. 

Swindon Designer Outlet has a variety of restaurants 

around the centre, open until late most weeknights, 

including Five Guys, Wagamama, Pizza Express, Giraffe, 

Patisserie Valerie, Krispy Kreme, KFC and Subway. As well 

as many dining options, Swindon Designer Outlet also 

houses a great selection of cafes including Starbucks, Soho 

Coffee and Costa. 

The on-site STEAM Museum of The Great Western Railway 

offers families the chance to learn about the men and women 

who built, operated and travelled on the Great Western 

Railway and National Trust has its own café and shop. 

Other shopping centres you might enjoy… 

The recently rebranded Town Centre inSwindon is home 

to many top retail names as well as local and independent 

stores – it has been re-modernised with many new 

remarkable makers, designer, artisans and pioneers. 

The Guild in Wiltshire is set in a rural and historic setting 

of regenerated carpet factory buildings. Here you’ll discover 

a distinctive mix of independent and national brands and 

don't miss their creative workshops, including Christmas 

Wreath making and Tumbleweed Gig and Christmas BBQ. 

Fisherton Mill is a shopping destination, gallery, cafe and 

artist studios based in Salisbury, within easy reach of the 

Great West Way – originally built in 1880 as a grain mill. 

At the west end of the route Kilver Court Designer 

Village, a short distance south of Bath, is home to an array 

of luxurious lifestyle brands including Liberty London, known 

for its iconic floral prints. → 


59

Pictured previous page: Friends enjoy shopping in Bristol Shopping Quarter Pictured clockwise from 

left: Bartlett Street, a picturesque pedestrian side street in Georgian Bath’s favourite shopping district; 

Parkway Shopping Centre; Great West Way signage at Parkway Shopping Centre; The Oracle, Reading 

SPEND A DAY SHOPPING IN THE UNESCO WORLD 

HERITAGE CITY OF BATH 

The golden city of Bath has been welcoming visitors for 

over 2,000 years and is a shopper’s haven, with a reputation 

for fashion that goes back to Georgian times. Set within a 

compact city centre Bath has a large range of independent 

and well-known stores as well as some off-the-beaten-track 

finds too. 

Whether it’s 40s glamour or Edwardian furniture you’re 

in to, you’ll find some lovely, preloved treasures in the city 

of Bath. Bath Vintage & Antiques Market, on the last Sunday 

of every month at Green Park Station, has a good mix of 

everything – mid-century furnishings, jazzy retro frocks and 

one-of-a-kind antiques. 

Elsewhere, Vintage to Vogue can style you in top quality 

fashion, from the 1900s onwards, then have it tailored 

specifically to your shape. Shopping in Bath is a real treat, 

high street fashion gurus, book worms and art collectors 

alike will enjoy the buzzing city and its eclectic selection of 

unique gifts. 

Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Bath 

is home to some of the most impressive architectural sights 

in the world such as the Royal Crescent, the Circus and 

Pulteney Bridge. 

At the heart of Bath city centre, next to Bath’s imposing 

Abbey is the Roman Baths Museum, which gives a fascinating 

insight into the original bathing complex and the great 

Roman temple of Sulis Minerva. Above the Museum in the 

18th century Pump Room you can taste the waters, enjoy a 

meal and listen to music from the Pump Room Trio. 

Bath has a wide variety of museums and galleries 

including the Holburne Museum, No 1. Royal Crescent, the 

Jane Austen Centre and the Musuem of Bath Architecture. 

There are stunning gardens and landscapes a-plenty – don’t 

miss the stunning Palladian bridge at the National Trust’s 

Prior Park, just outside the city. 

Don’t forget to stop off at the Roman Baths and pick up 

a souvenir to share with friends and family. When you are 

feeling hungry or thirsty there is a mouth-watering selection 

of restaurants, pubs, cafes and delis to choose from or a 

number of places to stay in Bath to settle down for the 

evening. 


SPEND A DAY SHOPPING IN READING, THE LARGEST 

TOWN IN ENGLAND 

Reading is located near the centre of the Great West Way, 

making it a great base from which to explore the many 

delights of the route. Located in the heart of Reading, The 

Oracle boasts more than 80 stores to cater for all your 

fashion and lifestyle needs – including Next, House of Fraser 

and Zara. There’s plenty of choice on Riverside with flavours 

from around the world in more than 20 restaurants. 

VISIT NEWBURY AND THE PARKWAY SHOPPING CENTRE 

Alongside the Kennet & Avon Canal, Newbury has a bustling 

high street with many interesting shops, which include 

unique stores such as family-run department store Camp 

Hopson. Located in the heart of the town centre, Parkway 

Shopping is anchored by M&S and NEXT and includes a 

number of essential shopping needs from fashion such as 

H&M, Superdry, Fat Face, New Look, The Entertainer and 

more, with many cafes and restaurants to choose from. → 


Discover Gloucestershire’s best attractions, tours, 

shops, restaurants, accommodation and venues 

home of The Cotswolds & ancient Forest of Dean 

discovergloucestershire visitglosuk DiscoverGlos

Pictured: Bristol's historic harbourside, Salt & Malt at Cargo is part of a 

bustling new food hub in the newly regenerated Wapping Wharf 

Other Great West Way towns you might enjoy… 

For a spot of souvenir hunting or Christmas gift shopping head 

to our smaller Great West Way towns including Marlborough, 

Malmesbury, Chippenham, Bradford on Avon, Pewsey, 

Marlow and Tetbury. Plus, don’t miss pop-up boutiques such 

as We Make Bristol in Westbury-on-Trym, which only stocks 

products by local artists and designers, or head to the gift 

shops at top tourist attractions or tourist information offices, 

Stonehenge gift shop, for instance, sells striking lino prints of 

the stones by local artist Caroline Day. 

TAKE A DAY OUT SHOPPING IN CREATIVE BRISTOL 

Cabot Circus is the ultimate shopping destination in the heart 

of Bristol, with over 120 high-street and designer brands, 

including Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser, Zara, &Other 

Stories, H&M and Apple. Covered by a unique shell-shaped 

glass roof, Cabot Circus is also home to a Showcase Cinema de 

Lux, Escape Hunt and crazy golf venue, Jungle Rumble. 

Bristol is known for its alternative outlook, making it a 

go-to place for vintage and offbeat fashion finds. For quirky 

places in Bristol head straight to Stokes Croft and adjoining 

Gloucester Road – the longest street of independent shops 

in the UK. There you’ll discover artfully curated charity shops 

alongside intriguing second-hand stores (with lots of hip 

cafes in between for when you need a coffee break). 

For award-winning fish and chips with a view head to Salt & 

Malt at Bristol’s historic harbourside. If you’re a guy or gal 

who likes Americana, Uncle Sam’s on Park Street is the best 

place to find a pair of cowboy boots or classic Levis you can 

cherish forever. The Christmas Steps Arts Quarter is a hiddenaway 

haven for one-offs including musical instruments, 

herbal remedies and fine spirits (the medieval steps 

themselves make the perfect Insta-snap too). Plus, be sure to 

visit St Nick’s Market in Bristol (every day except Sunday). 

Looking ahead… 

Set to open in Autumn 2023, Bristol Beacon, Bristol’s 

largest concert hall (formerly known as Colston Hall) has 

undergone a complete refurbishment and redevelopment. 

The £48.8m transformation will turn the venue into one the 

best performance and music learning spaces in Europe – a 

modern, accessible, state-of-the-art facility. 

Shop around for 

something extra special 

Click here to find out more and 

to read our Itinerary Planner 


63

CELEBRATING 

SPECIAL 

OCCASIONS 

Tours, wine-tastings, hot air balloon rides, watersports, 

spas, luxury hotels, skydiving and more... There are many 

ways to celebrate your most special occasions on 

the Great West Way

There are many ways to celebrate and mark a special 

occasion between London to Bristol, adding some 

memorable magic to your Great West Way experience. 

Getting friends and family together for a party to 

commemorate a special milestone such as a special birthday 

or silver wedding anniversary perhaps? You are spoiled for 

choice along the route. 

Since the covid pandemic we have seen a rise in beautiful 

exclusive use accommodation and options for multi-generation 

group stays. Take the new private country cottages located on 

the Lucknam Park Estate, near Bath for example – your very own 

private haven of luxury set in the 500-acre estate. 

Lucknam Park is the sort of hotel you mean to use as a 

base for exploring but end up not leaving for several days. 

There’s so much to do at this five-star, from classes at the 

cookery school and horse riding to hydrotherapy in the spa, 

as well as one of the Great West Way’s best restaurants – 

Restaurant Hywel Jones. 

Time slows right down here, as you make your way up the 

mile-long drive between the beech trees and settle into the 

drawing room for cocktails. The signature tasting menu has Loch 

Duart salmon, braised halibut and pork from nearby Roundway 

Hill and there’s a vegetarian tasting menu and wine matching 

to boot. It has held a Michelin star since 2006. Rooms in this 

Palladian mansion are supremely comfortable and the whole 

experience feels like staying with (very wealthy) friends. 

If your style is more relaxed country chic, the Pear Tree Inn 

Farmhouse Kitchen with Bar & Rooms is tucked away in rural 

Whitley near Melksham. Book the new Potting Sheds located 

into the fabulous grounds with fully equipped kitchenette for a 

romantic glamping setting and evening under the stars. 

For something super-stylish the modern Berkeley Suite 

apartments with cinema projectors located in the desirable 

Clifton area of Bristol are perfect for impressive get-togethers 

too. Self-contained with open plan living area with a bespoke 

kitchen and all the benefits of a fully serviced hotel, including a 

chic restaurant and cocktail bar. 

From Michelin star dining rooms in elegant country house 

hotels to soothing spas with crystal-lit swimming pools and 

natural thermal waters, you could celebrate your special 

occasion with some five-star pampering. 

The stunning Gainsborough Bath Spa in the centre of 

Bath for example offers a very special guest experience – set 

beneath a glass atrium here you can "take the waters" in 

luxury. There are three thermal baths, traditional and infrared 

Saunas, a steam room and eleven treatment rooms. 

Once the headquarters of Lloyds Bank, and with a 

gorgeously ornate exterior inspired by a 16th century Venetian 

library Bristol Harbour Hotel is another seriously opulent city 

address. The 42 bedrooms have views out over the historic 

city centre, luxurious drapes and bedding and complimentary 

decanters of gin and sherry. Some also have rolltop baths and 

all guests have use of the HarSpa down in the vaults, with its 

hydrotherapy pool. The Jetty restaurant serves an afternoon tea 

of just-baked homemade scones, clotted cream and jam, then 

in the evenings brings out an a la carte menu of fresh seafood 

dishes such as moules marinere and South Coast crab on toast. 

Coworth Park is five-star from its crystal-lit swimming 

pool right down to its impeccable service. This is a 21stcentury 

country house hotel and rooms are beautifully chic, 

with a cream colour palette and contemporary furniture. 

The grounds are extensive and there’s a Polo Academy and 

Equestrian Centre offering riding lessons and off-road hacks. 

The spa is one of England’s best, set into the countryside and 

offering dreamy treatments, and the Drawing Room serves a 

fabulous afternoon tea of scones and freshly made cakes from 

the pastry team. For dinner, elegant Restaurant Coworth Park 

has a Michelin star and a showcase of a tasting menu, which 

features dishes such as Cornish turbot with salted grapes and 

Highland wagyu short rib. 

Sample the delights on offer at the Langley Hotel in 

Buckinghamshire, one of the newest hotel on the Great West 

Way. This hotel and spa sits in a former royal hunting ground 

surrounded by formal gardens and landscaped parklands, 

offering guests a truly luxurious stay. At the opulent spa you 

can enjoy the plunge pools, steam room and a whole host of 

sumptuous treatments. → 


65

With a fascinating history dating back to the Edwardian 

era, the Thames Lido is a unique urban retreat in the heart 

of Reading, situated in a Grade II listed building which was 

painstakingly renovated before the lido reopened – it’s another 

great place to base yourself for a celebration. You can swim 

year-round in the open-air swimming pool and book with 

spa packages such as a holistic massage included, as well as a 

delicious meal at the restaurant, overlooking the open-air pool. 

Take the glamour with you into the day time with private 

day tours from Bath throughout the South West with your 

own guide in a luxury Mercedes V-Class vehicle with Galahad 

Tours. To see the Great West Way from a bird's eye view you 

might even enjoy a hot-air balloon ride with Bailey Balloons, 

offering exclusive balloon flights for up to 6 people across the 

South West. 

From the road to the sky, did you know you can also travel 

in style along our Great West Way rivers and canals? Private 

harbour tours and river trips can be booked with Bristol Packet 

Boat Trips, or take a Thames Rivercruise (based at the heart 

of the Upper Thames) and cruise through some of the most 

stunning reaches of the Thames from Henley and Sonning up 

to Goring and Streatley. 

For something more thrilling on the water enjoy 

an unforgettable outdoors activity such as stand up 

paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking with Original Wild. 

Or step outside your comfort zone thrill-chasing with an 

adrenaline-fuelled driving experience at Castle Combe Circuit, 

watersports at Cotswold Water Park, or by jumping out of a 

plane with Skydive Neteravon. Or, from the social whirl of 

Royal Ascot to Ascot Racedays there is something to suit every 

occasion and ensure a day to remember at Ascot Racecourse 

throughout the year. 

Perhaps learning a new skill is a more appealing way of 

marking an occasion? You might like to rustle up a special 

treat in the kitchen with a hands-on course at Vaughan’s 

Cookery School in Devizes. Or, have a go at glassblowing at 

Bristol Blue Glass. 

While in Bristol you might also enjoy a stop in urban 

oasis at The Lido. Tucked away amongst a courtyard of 

Georgian Terraces in the heart of historic Clifton, the Lido 

features a spa, restaurant, outdoor heated pool, sauna, hot 

tub and steam room within a characterful Victorian building. 

Here you can enjoy a tailor-made massage using bespoke 

own-brand Lido oils or take a refreshing dip in the open-air 

pool before enjoying lunch in the building's historic viewing 

gallery. 


Pictured previous page left to right: Hot Air Balloon over Wiltshire; Champagne celebrations at the 

Gainsborough Bath Spa Pictured clockwise from left: Bedroom at The Langley; Cross Bath by candlelight; 

Swimming at Bristol Lido 

Just 10 minutes by train from Bristol in Bath you can enjoy 

a private tour of the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage city 

with Insider Tours. Or, discover Bath’s food scene using your 

taste buds on a Savouring Bath tour, while strolling through its 

elegant 18th century streets and alleyways. 

For a special occasion in addition to the open-air rooftop 

pool with spectacular views over the city of Bath at Thermae 

Bath Spa next door is its more exclusive sister – The Cross 

Baths. Housed in a separate building with its own open-air 

thermal bath The Cross Baths provides an alternative to the 

more extensive spa facilities in the New Royal Bath. Fed by 

its own natural spring, this beautiful building with its own 

changing facilities can be enjoyed as a unique venue for an 

exclusive spa break for a group up to 10 people. 

Christmas is always a golden time to visit, with twinkly 

festive markets sprinkled throughout the route – none more 

well-known than Bath Christmas Market, with its magical 

Regency backdrop providing the perfect setting for a mulled 

wine and a mince pie. Elsewhere along the touring route you 

can celebrate the season with ice skating, festivals of light, 

slapstick pantomime shows, and glitzy New Year’s parties. 

Now is the perfect time for a memorable adventure through 

the real England. 

Evening entertainment 

along the Great West Way 

Click here for our Itinerary 

Planner for night owls 


67

GUIDE TO 

CANAL BOATING 

HOLIDAYS 

Enjoy life cruising in the slow lane on a canal boat break along the 

historic Kennet & Avon Canal from Devizes via Hungerford to Kintbury in 

West Berkshire with the option of stopping off in the glorious Vale of 

Pewsey in the heart of the North Wessex Downs 

Words | Poppy Ryan

Pictured previous page: Kennet & Avon Canal Pictured clockwise from 

below: The Canal Tavern; Bradford on Avon Canal; autumn berries on 

the Bradford on Avon Canal 

The Kennet & Avon Canal runs all the way from the 

River Thames to the River Avon, connecting the town 

of Reading with the World Heritage Site of Bath and 

Bristol. It is 87-miles (140km) long and is made up 

of two lengths of navigable river linked by a 57-mile (92km) 

canal section. It passes through some of the loveliest scenery 

you could hope to see. 

When you travel down the Kennet & Avon Canal you are 

hitting the rewind button on life. Wonderful views, tranquil 

waters, charming villages, quaint canal side pubs, impressive 

locks – all of them looking much the same as they always did. 

Not forgetting Bath's Georgian architecture of golden stone 

and the rich maritime history of Bristol. 

Started in 1794, the canal was completed in 1810 to the 

designs of engineer John Rennie. It became an important trade 

route bustling with boats carrying a variety of goods. As it 

snaked its way across country the canal brought prosperity 

and employment to rural towns and villages. Wharves and all 

the infrastructure necessary for handling goods were built, 

and today you can still see this fascinating industrial heritage 

scattered along the canal banks. The canal needed many locks 

and engineering solutions to climb up and down the Wiltshire 

and Somerset hills. Engineers were innovators and designed 

remarkable canal architecture such as the Crofton Pumping 

Station, Claverton Water Mill and the Dundas and Avoncliffe 

Aqueducts. 

The canal's locks are wide enough to take two 

narrowboats side by side or a large beamed boat. Most 

spectacular of all is the famous Caen Hill Lock Flight in 

Devizes, considered one of the wonders of the waterways. In 

order that boats could climb or descend the steep hill, 29 locks 

were built between Town Bridge and the bottom lock at Lower 

Foxhangers. In the middle of this is the 'staircase' of 16 locks 


with enormous side pounds that hold water to fill the locks. 

If you're taking a boat through them, it's best to give yourself 

ample time. 

The canal was a busy thoroughfare until the Great 

Western Railway Act of 1835 led to the building of the railway 

from London to Bristol. Faster and more efficient, the railway 

began to steal trade away from the canal which gradually 

declined. 

By the mid-1950s the canal was derelict and on the point 

of abandonment when a group of waterways enthusiasts 

decided to act. In 1962, they formed the Kennet and Avon 

Canal Trust, determined to rescue the canal and make 

it navigable once more. Working with the then British 

Waterways (now the Canal & River Trust) and local authorities 

they plugged the leaks, fitted new lock gates, restored the 

towpaths and bridges and after a grant of £25 million from the 

Lottery Fund it finally reopened in 1990. 

Today this ribbon of water provides pleasure for thousands 

of tourist boaters, walkers and cyclists, as well as a home for 

'liveaboards' – those who choose to live permanently on their 

boats. Every Easter the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race 

challenges paddlers to race the 125 miles to London via the 

canal and the Thames. A broad array of businesses make their 

money from the canal, ranging from hire boats, marinas and 

chandleries to floating cafes and hairdressers. 

It is also hugely important for all sorts of animals and 

plants. You will see swans, ducks and heron, and if you're lucky 

catch the flash of kingfishers. Water voles and otters are more 

secretive, but they are here too. Curious cows come down to 

the banks to drink and watch you chug on by. The water teems 

with fish such as roach, pike, perch, bream, tench and small 

minnows. The aggressive pike is the largest of all canal fish and 

often lurks among weed beds bursting out to catch smaller 

fish. 

There are lots of plants to spot as you visit – the wide, 

leathery leaves of water lilies float on the surface, and you can 

see their attractive flowers from mid-May until the first frosts. 

In summer, brightly-coloured purple loosestrife provides food 

for long-tongued insects such as brimstone butterflies and 

elephant hawk moths and the towpath vegetation attracts 

many more species of insects. The rustle of common reed will 

provide a soundscape to your walk and a summer home for → 


Pictured left to right: Bradford on Avon Canal; locks on the 

Bradford on Avon Canal 

reed and sedge warblers. The fact that by boat you cannot 

travel faster than 4mph, forces you to embrace that wonderful 

antidote to modern life-slow time. If you are on the towpath, 

take time to observe the changing seasons and give a friendly 

greeting to all who pass by. So please, when you visit, slow 

down and linger a while, there is so much to enjoy about the 

spectacular Kennet & Avon Canal. 

The Canal & River Trust cares for 2,000 miles of canals 

and rivers across England and Wales. Every year, around 15 

million people visit these waterways, a 200-year old national 

network. 

CAEN HILL 

Caen Hill is one of the greatest examples of canal engineering 

in England and is a great place to start your journey along this 

historic canal. Hire a boat at Devizes from the Kennet & Avon 

Canal Trust or from one of the many operators that are listed 

with the Canal and River Trust. Alternatively, you could start a 

little further east along the canal and hire a boat with 

Honeystreet Boats and on your return from Kintbury you 

could do an extra leg to Devizes and then back to Honeystreet. 

This round trip is about 55 miles and includes 56 locks and you 

could easily do it all in a week. 

Have lunch at Honeystreet Café or at the Waterfront 

Bar and Bistro by Pewsey Wharf then follow the towpath to 

Crofton Beam Engine – the oldest working beam engine in the 

world. Further along the trail you come to Wilton Windmill, 

built in 1821, it is the only working windmill in Wessex. Just a 

few miles further along the canal is the Three Tuns Freehouse 

pub in Great Bedwyn. 

HUNGERFORD 

Spend the day exploring the lush green water meadows of 

the market town of Hungerford with its quirky canal bridges 

and famous antique shops. A great place for lunch is the Tutti 

Pole, a quaint restaurant on the high street selling everything 

from lights snacks to a full English Breakfast served all day, 

three-course meals and afternoon teas. The name Tutti Pole 


derives from the ancient traditions of Hocktide, an English 

ceremonial rite dating back to 1365 and is still celebrated 

in Hungerford each year, when, on the second Tuesday 

after Easter, two tithing men visit the homes of commoners 

carrying Tutti poles dressed with spring flowers. 

There are replica Tutti poles outside the restaurant, 

while inside there are many photographs of the Hocktide 

celebrations through the years. Alternatively, you could take 

a day off your own boat and go on a popular half-day round 

trip on the Rose of Hungerford boat, travelling east from 

Hungerford Wharf through Dun Mill Lock Wire Locks. 

HIGHWORTH 

Highworth is an ancient hill top market town situated on the 

edge of the Cotswolds close to Lechlade-on-Thames which 

is the last navigable section of the River Thames and the 

Thames Path. The town centre is a remarkable conservation 

area containing 84 listed buildings and a Grade l listed 

church. There's also the Highworth Museum in the unusual 

setting of a Bank’s strong room, featuring a permanent 

display on the history of the town as well as temporary 

exhibitions. The Visitor’ Centre is also an Arts and Craft 

centre showcasing handmade pieces by local artists and 

makers, and the town is perfectly placed to explore Wiltshire, 

Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. 

Insider Tip 

Looking to plan a trip by canal but unsure of 

the route and timings? Check out Canalplan – 

a handy route planner for canal journeys that 

you follow virtually before the trip. It helps 

you plan your journey or holiday, calculates 

the length (distance, number of locks, time 

taken and so on) of your trip and shows 

gazetteer information on places along the 

way (pubs, shops etc). ▶ canalplan.org.uk 

Click here to 

download the Great 

West Way guide to the 

Kennet & Avon Canal 

Did you know? 

Caen Hill (produced 

‘cane’) is one of the 

longest continuous 

flight of locks in 

England with a total 

of 29 locks rising 

237 feet over 2 

miles, with a 1 in 44 

gradient 


73

Arts and Events 

Cultural Calendar 

As well as its natural scenery, cultural scene and lovely locals, the 

Great West Way is known for its many festivals and events 

OCTOBER 

Pumpkin picking patches 

Bristol has a wide range of 

pumpkin patches where 

you can pick your own 

pumpkin this Halloween. 

Try the Pumpkin Fest at 

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm where 

you can pick your own, 

there are talks about creepy 

crawlies, and the Owl of 

the World Trail. Head east 

of the city to Avon Valley 

Wildlife and Adventure 

Park for the Pumpkin Patch 

Nights where there are fair 

rides, or south of the city is 

Pumpkins at Farrington’s 

2-5 

OCT 

28 

OCT 

Wake The Tiger: Danse Macabre 

Visit Bristol’s newest attraction this 

Halloween for a special event with 

live bands, DJs, and performances 

Terrifying Turnip Trail at Brunel’s SS Great Britain 

Reveal truths about ‘All Hallows Eve’ customs and traditions 

from Victorian times as Gothic characters and horror monsters 

roam the ship with extra gruesome sights, sounds and smells 

21-31 

OCT 

Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein – 

After Dark: Purgatory 

An intense multi-sensory horror 

event for those aged 15 and above 


FROM 

07 

OCT 

FEAR, Avon Valley Scream 

Park 

Award-winning event 

FEAR is gearing up for its 

biggest scare experience 

this year called 

#ABloodyGoodNight 

along with thrilling 

fair rides, street 

entertainment, and the 

famous fire display 

22-30 

Visit Dyrham Park this 

October half term to 

find scarecrows through 

the parkland and collect 

All Hallows' Eve clues 

©National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra 

22-23 

OCT 

Halloween Spooktacular at 

Wookey Hole 

Get into the spirit of Halloween 

at the Home of the Witch 

UNTIL 

30 

OCT 

LACOCK ABBEY 

Photography Fortnight 

Learn about Henry Fox 

Talbot's photographic 

discoveries through a trail 

22-30 

During October half term 

Prior Park Landscape 

Garden will be offering a 

Halloween inspired trail. 

Find the clue hidden in 

the pumpkin patch! 


75

EXPLORE THE GREAT WEST WAY ® 

WITH AN EXPERT GUIDE 

Chauffeur driven tours with a Blue Badge Guide 

HEATHER NEWMAN 

HEART OF ENGLAND 

IAN NEWMAN 

SOUTH WEST ENGLAND 

www.bbhtours.co.uk | hello@bbhtours.co.uk | 01985 840049

Arts and Events Cultural Calendar 

NOVEMBER 

FROM 

18 

NOV 

Christmas at Blenheim 

Palace 

Three unmissable 

experiences in one iconic 

Oxfordshire setting; The 

story of The Snow Queen, 

Christmas Market and 

Illuminated trail are back 

with stunning trails in the 

Palace and the worldrenowned 

gardens 

05 Nov – 31 Dec 

Don't miss the Christmas 

exhibition at Fisherton 

Mill featuring 18 artists 

and makers and other 

festivities and fun 

8-12 

NOV 

Sarum Lights – Renaissance 

Jaw-dropping light displays, 

evocative music and breathtaking 

Renaissance art 

10 

NOV 

FRI/SAT NIGHTS 

Bath Adventures Ghost Hunters 

Silent Disco Tour 

join Bath Adventures through 

the streets of Bath and dance! 

01 Nov – 31 Jan 2023 

Jump aboard a festive tea 

cruise with French 

Brothers for a 2½ hour 

christmas journey 

complete with a luxurious 

afternoon tea 


77

Arts and Events Cultural Calendar 

NOVEMBER 

FROM 

17 

NOV 

UNTIL 9 JANUARY 

Christmas at Kew 

A botanical world filled with seasonal 

cheer. The magical trail will light up Kew 

Gardens as you’ve never seen before, 

making the perfect festive winter evening 

– as one of the UK’s leading Christmas 

experiences. Discover sparkling tunnels of 

light, dancing waterside reflections, glitter 

balls and trees drenched in jewel-like colour 

on your way to the panoramic Palm House 

light display 

FROM 

25 

NOV 


Christmas at Stourhead illuminated tour 

Stourhead is a Palladian house and 

garden described as a ‘living work of art’. 

The curated trail features the stunning 

Christmas Cathedral, in which more than 

a thousand pea lights will be woven into 

the forest landscape. Marvel at the ‘Sea 

of Light’, neon stars wrapping trees and a 

brilliant super nova, providing plenty of 

selfie moments along the way 


DECEMBER 

FROM 

17 

NOV UNTIL 

8 JANUARY 

RHS Glow 2022 at Wisley 

Wander the new trail 

around the garden 

and see some of 

Wisley’s iconic sights in 

breathtaking beauty as 

amazing illuminations 

light your way. This year 

there will be more light, 

fire and fountain displays 

than ever before. 

4-10 December 

Sail with Hobbs of Henley 

on a Thames Christmas 

Party Cruise enjoying a 3 

course meal and dancing 

away to their resident DJ 

FROM 

05 

NOV 


The Festival of Light, Longleat 

Meet characters from the Roald 

Dahl stories and watch the 

enchanted Christmas Tree show 

FROM 

12 

NOV 


Christmas at Waddesdon 

A festive extravaganza returns to 

Buckinghamshire with magical 

lights and the gardens aglow 

Find out more 

Click here to stay 

up-to-date with our 

festivals and events 


79

Ways to travel the 

Great West Way 

It’s fun to travel under your own steam. Welcome to a journey 

through time – an adventure across England by car, rail, boat, foot, bike 

or a combination of all. Start planning your journey of discovery here... 


BY BIKE AND FOOT 

Hiring a bike and cycling along the canal, countryside 

paths and trails, taking a walk through picturesque 

villages and visiting our three Areas of Outstanding 

Natural Beauty and three UNESCO World Heritage 

sites by foot is a beautifully scenic experience. 

Whether you’re up for a lengthy hike in the 

Cotswolds, a cycle ride racing down the 13.7km (8.5 

miles) steeply twisting Swinley Red trail with its 

berms, drops and white-knuckle descents, or just 

fancy a potter around some village antique shops, 

walking and cycling is a wonderful way to explore. 

You can cycle the entire length of the Great West 

Way via National Cycle Route 4, which links up 

regional cycle routes such as the Thames Valley Cycle 

Route and the Kennet & Avon Cycle Route. 

The National Trails website gives details of longdistance 

walking trails along the route: The Cotswold 

Way, The Ridgeway and the Thames Path. 

Go to Sustrans for more (shorter) cycle routes on the 

National Cycle Network, in and around the touring 

route. There are also some excellent routes along the 

Wiltshire Cycleway, including a picturesque 15.3k 

between Corsham and Bradford on Avon. 

Be sure to read the Information Points page to find 

out where to pick up local maps and walking trails. 

Plus, download our Great West Way map before you 

set off. 

Did you know? Bristol was officially Britain’s first 

cycling city. Join the locals with a ride on a 

pay-as-you-go YoBike, hire a tandem or go on a 

Cycle the City tour of Bristol's best landmarks. 

BY BOAT AND ON WATER 

The Kennet & Avon Canal is a wonderful way to 

travel along part of the Great West Way. This ribbon 

of beauty and history stretches between Reading and 

Bristol and is looked after by the Canal & River Trust. 

Slow down and enjoy all 87 miles of the Kennet 

& Avon Canal as part of your Great West Way 

adventure, using our Kennet & Avon Canal map. 

Hire a boat or hop on a barge tour for the ultimate 

experience in slow travel. Multiple companies 

operate along the River Thames and the Kennet & 

Avon Canal. Visit Thames and The Kennet & Avon 

Canal Trust are useful places to start. 

You can canoe, kayak or book one of the numerous 

boat trips. Passing through countryside, market 

towns and picturesque villages, the canal offers an 

abundance of natural beauty, fascinating wildlife, 

outstanding canal structures, fabulous vistas and 

heritage galore. The lazy pop pop pop of the engine 

while you travel slowly through attractive towns like 

Hungerford, quaint villages such as Wootton Rivers 

and architectural masterpieces like Bath. 

Of course, the famous Caen Hill Lock Flight in 

Devizes is a real wow – look up from the bottom of 

the 16 locks that form the main ‘staircase’ – now 

that’s one way to get boats to travel uphill. 

Take a look at our Marina page for hire boats and 

boat tours and find details of river transport options 

in the capital on the Transport for London website. 

Did you know? Queen Elizabeth II reopened the 

Kennet & Avon Canal in 1990 after a passionate 

band of volunteers gave it an impressive revamp. 


81

Ways to travel the Great West Way 

BY CAR 

A road trip adventure along the Great West Way 

allows you to linger as long as you want in each 

destination, and even venture off on a complete 

tangent if the mood takes you – take a look at our 

suggested itineraries to help you make a start. 

The main road between London and Bristol is the A4 

Great West Road, based on an ancient horse track 

and later, one of King Charles I’s Great Roads, which 

facilitated the establishment of the British postal 

service – The Royal Mail. 

The A4 cuts a fairly direct path between the two 

cities, allowing you to travel the distance in less than 

2 hours 30 minutes if you wanted to. Of course, if 

you’re travelling by car, half the pleasure is being 

able to pull off and explore whenever you like. 

Wherever you decide to base yourself along the 

touring route, there’ll also be charming country lanes 

and winding rural roads to enjoy. Jump in the car and 

see where you end up. 

You may find the AA’s Route Planner tool useful for 

planning your road trip. Also, our pages on car hire 

and travel tips could be of interest – especially if this 

is your first time driving in the UK. 

If you want to hire a car for your Great West Way 

adventure, you’ll find plenty of car hire companies 

in just the places you’d expect – airports, larger train 

stations, cities and towns, for example Auto Europe 

and Practical Car & Van Rental. 

Did you know? The first mail coach was introduced 

between Bristol and London in 1784. 

BY TRAIN 

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. In 

one go the journey is just 1hr 40min, but by stopping 

off you can explore the route in your own time 

turning it into a holiday adventure of a lifetime. 

Relax and journey along the Great West Way using 

the Great West Way Discoverer pass. It includes 

unlimited Off-Peak train travel from London 

Paddington with Great Western Railway along the 

route to Bristol Temple Meads via Reading and 

Swindon, or Newbury and Pewsey, with options 

to branch off towards Salisbury via Westbury (or 

London Waterloo to Salisbury with South Western 

Railway). It also includes unlimited travel on listed 

bus services along the routes. The rail route is 

marked on the map with a green line. Choose from 

an East, West or Global one-day or seven-day ticket 

to enjoy your Great West Way adventure. 

You can purchase the Great West Way Discoverer 

pass online at GWR.com or from your local station. 

They come in the form of a standard orange ticket, 

clearly showing the route you have purchased 

and whether it is valid for one day or seven. If you 

are travelling from overseas, international passes 

(similar to a BritRail pass) can be purchased online 

at ACPRail.com or via your travel agent, where 

discounted international rates apply and with no offpeak 

travel time restrictions. 

Did you know? The Great Western Railway runs 

along the full distance of the Great West Way 

– from London’s Paddington station to Bristol 

Temple Meads. 


DISCOVER OUR THREE AREAS 

OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL 

BEAUTY ON THE ROUTE 

North Wessex Downs 

Marvel at the prehistoric stones of 

Stonehenge and Avebury, the Wiltshire 

White Horses and the White Horse 

at Uffington. Take time to visit 

Highclere Castle, where Downton 

Abbey was filmed, and get lost in the 

mysterious hillforts, neolithic burial 

mounds and genteel country houses. 

The Chilterns 

Characterised by neat farmland, 

ancient woodland and chalk downland. 

The Chilterns is a haven for wildlife 

including red kites. Explore the 

fabulous trails of The Ridgeway and 

the Chiltern Way Circular passing 

sparkling-clear chalk streams. 

The Cotswolds 

The Cotswolds Way starts in Bath 

and follows north for 102 miles, 

to the well-to-do market town of 

Chipping Campden. Explore Corsham, 

Castle Combe and Dyrham Park, 

or just take in the views: gentle 

hills, sweeping valleys and summer 

wildflower meadows dotted with 

warm limestone homes. This is 

England at its prettiest. 


83

Gourmet Guide to 

Food and Drink 

From the wild creativity of Bristol’s street food scene, to the glamour of 

London’s high profile restaurants, there’s a tantalising buffet of food and 

drink experiences along the Great West Way. 


Michelin Starred and Fine Dining 

Sit down to a meal of gastronomical delights at one 

of the award-winning fine-dining establishments 

along the Great West Way. Sample sumptuous 

tasting menus created by Michelin-starred chefs, 

innovative dishes featuring local produce, and 

traditional English delicacies cooked to perfection. 

The Vineyard, Stockcross, Berkshire 

Not only is The Vineyard a luxury five-star hotel 

and spa, it also has a fine dining restaurant and 

30,000-bottle wine cellar. Head chef Robby Jenks is 

at the helm of this 3AA Rosette restaurant. Diners can 

choose from an à la carte or tasting menu where they 

can enjoy dishes such as veal sweetbread ravioli with 

pumpkin seeds in a pumpkin and brown butter sauce 

or roast brill, brassicas, caper berries and almond. 

Stockcross, Newbury 

Bulrush, Bristol 

One of the recent additions to the Michelin Guide, 

Bristol-based restaurant Bulrush is certainly on many 

a foodie’s ‘must visit’ list. Chef Proprietor George 

Livesey’s imaginative and well-balanced menu is 

chock-full of seasonal ingredients which are either 

organic or have been foraged. 

21 Cotham Rd S, Bristol 

THE PIG-near Bath 

You don't have to be staying at THE-PIG-near Bath 

to book a table at their impressive Kitchen Garden 

restaurant. Home to quite a few four-legged and 

feathered friends, it is the farm to fork experience 

that has made the PIGs so successful. THE-PIG-near 

Bath rear their our own chickens and pigs for eggs 

and pork meaning they can be sure of their quality 

and provenance, ensuring they lead happy lives. 

Hunstrete, Pensford, Bath 

Olive Tree Restaurant, Bath 

Located in the renowned Queensberry Hotel, Olive 

Tree is a 3 AA Rosette restaurant in the heart of the 

beautiful city of Bath. It is a contemporary British 

restaurant offering informal fine dining under the 

direction of award-winning head chef, Chris Cleghorn. 

This is the only restaurant in the city to be awarded a 

Michelin Star. Chris’ menu is quintessentially British 

with Mediterranean influences. 

4-7 Russell St, Bath 

The Fat Duck, Bray, Berkshire 

If you love theatre, Heston Blumenthal’s renowned 

eatery in Bray offers the perfect destination, serving 

innovative modern British cuisine in the most 

spectacular of settings. Heston has previously been 

described as the ‘Willy Wonka of British gastronomy’ 

and diners who would like to eat at his three-Michelinstarred 

wonderland pay £325 up front for a ‘ticket’ – 

providing them with access to the 17-courses on offer 

that showcase his multi sensory cuisine. 

High St, Bray 

The Dining Room, Malmesbury, Wiltshire 

Michelin’s European Young Chef of the Year Niall 

Keating showcases his skills as Executive Chef at this 

one Michelin star dining room restaurant at Whatley 

Manor Hotel. Serving seasonal British produce 

influenced by his world wide travels. 

Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa, Easton Grey, 

Malmesbury, Wiltshire 

Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, 

South Oxfordshire 

Described as ‘Oxfordshire heritage meets French 

flair’, Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin-starred chic 

restaurant has earned itself a global reputation 


85

Gourmet Guide to Food and Drink 

for fine gastronomy and creative cooking. Diners 

continue to be charmed by both the setting 

(country-house luxe) and the delicious treats on 

offer which includes the likes of spiced monkfish, 

ravioli of pumpkin and smoked trout amongst others. 

Church Road, Great Milton, South Oxfordshire 

The Miller of Mansfield, Berkshire 

Despite its intriguing name, the Miller of Mansfield 

is situated in the sweet village of Goring-on-Thames. 

This 18th-century country pub has been given a 

contemporary twist and can be defined as ‘Modern 

European’ which has earned two AA Rosettes 

and offers refined modern British dishes from the 

freshest seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients. 

High Street, Goring on Thames, Reading 

The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, Nr. Marlborough 

Owned and run by Sue and Roger Jones, this Michelin 

Star gem has received worldwide accolades for its 

food and has also been critically acclaimed for its 

900 bin Wine List. Offering three menus, to include 

an eight course evening gourmet which changes daily 

to reflect the best seasonal ingredients. 

Little Bedwyn, Nr. Marlborough, Wiltshire 

The Hand and Flowers, Marlow 

The Hand and Flowers is the only pub in the UK 

with two Michelin stars and with celebrated chef 

Tom Kerridge at the helm it is easy to see why. The 

restaurant has a rustic feel which is complemented 

by the refined British cuisine on offer. 

126 West St, Marlow 

Cliveden House, Taplow, Berkshire 

Chef André Garrett’s innovative dishes, meticulous 

preparation and elaborate finishes showcase his 

exquisitely crafted creation. Produce is locally 

sourced and is highly seasonal – guests can choose 

between an à la carte menu or an eight-course 

tasting menu. 

Cliveden Rd, Taplow, Berkshire 

Paco Tapas, Bristol 

An ever changing menu combining traditional tapas 

with personal interpretations from Michelin starred 

Chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias. Staying true to the 

vibrant and comforting flavours of his heritage, with 

jamón ready to carve, padrón peppers roasting over 

the wood fire and sherry straight from the barrel. 

3a Lower Guinea Street, Bristol BS1 6FU 

Queens Arms, East Garston, Berkshire 

Perfectly placed as a stop-over destination within 

an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This award 

winning, pub, restaurant and hotel (with its own 

private lodge) serves seasonal British cuisine. 

East Garston, Berkshire 

The Waterside Inn, Bray, Berkshire 

Bray is the place for foodies to be! The Waterside Inn 

which is under the leadership of chef patron Alain 

Roux has held three Michelin stars for over thirty 

years. Expect the most exquisite Classic French 

cooking coupled with the most impeccable service. 

Ferry Rd, Bray, Berkshire 

Red Lion Freehouse, East Chisenbury 

Husband and wife team, Guy and Brittany Manning 

modestly describe themselves as “just a couple 

of chefs working to create a place with real soul”. 

Sourcing from the best possible producers, talent 

and hard work has earned the duo, and their team, 

one Michelin star status and a restaurant “where the 

food has personality, the surroundings are relaxed 

and the hospitality is warm and sincere”. 


THREE MICHELIN-STARRED 

RESTAURANTS 

The Great West Way is the only place 

where you can experience all five of the 

UK's Three Michelin Starred restaurants. 

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay 

Royal Hospital Road, London 

gordonramsayrestaurants.com/ 

restaurant-gordon-ramsay 

Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester 

Park Lane, London 

alainducasse-dorchester.com 

Sketch – the Lecture Room & Library 

9 Conduit Street, London 

sketch.london/the-lecture-room 

The Waterside Inn 

Ferry Rd, Bray 

waterside-inn.co.uk 

Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck 

High Street, Bray 

thefatduck.co.uk 

MICHELIN-STARRED RESTAURANTS 

The Dining Room, Whatley Manor 

Easton Grey, Malmesbury 

whatleymanor.com 

Red Lion Freehouse 

East Chisenbury, Pewsey 

redlionfreehouse.com 


87


Dining Restaurants 

You’ll find many of the restaurants along the 

Great West Way are dining rooms within our 

Ambassador hotels. You’ll also find several celebrity 

chefs including Rick Stein, Pierre Koffmann and 

Marco Pierre White. 

Abbey Hotel Kitchen, The Abbey Hotel Bath 

Under the helm of Head Chef Marcus Bradley, Abbey 

Hotel Kitchen is in the perfect central Bath location. 

This relaxing and vibrant space offers high energy, 

attentive service and delicious fresh food and drinks 

abbeyhotelbath.co.uk 

The Orange Artichoke, Apex Hotel, Bath 

Perfectly placed in the heart of Bath, you’ll never 

be far from the action when you eat at The Orange 

Artichoke. Allow them to curb your cravings with 

locally sourced food, drink and delicious delicacies in 

contemporary, chic surroundings. 

apexhotels.co.uk 

Beau’s Bar and Restaurant at Donnington 

Grove Hotel & Country Club 

Set amidst beautiful parkland with the River 

Lambourn winding through the grounds, this 

Newbury restaurant has large picture windows to 

make the most of the picturesque river views. 

donnington-grove.com 

The Brasserie at Sir Christopher Wren Hotel 

With glorious river views and a stunning bar and 

terrace, The Brasserie offers upscale dining in the 

heart of Windsor. Large windows let you watch boats 

and swans glide down the Thames as you enjoy the 

delicious all day menu and fine wines. 

sirchristopherwren.co.uk 

Cedar at the Langley 

Dining experiences here are inspired by the bountiful 

English countryside. Savour delicious cuisine in 

our elevated restaurant overlooking the grounds, 

featuring sumptuous meals crafted with natural 

ingredients. 

marriott.com 

Clayton’s Kitchen 

Uncomplicated dishes that explore and showcase 

the freshest and very best ingredients. Chef Patron, 

Robert Clayton ensures that every dish is prepared, 

cooked and presented to perfection. 

claytonskitchen.com 

Cloisters Restaurant, Bailbrook House Hotel 

Tucked away in the historic mansion is Cloisters 

restaurant where the heritage of this country house 

hotel in Bath really comes into its own, with original 

archways made from traditional Bath stone. 

handpickedhotels.co.uk 

Cricklade House & Spa 

The chefs at Crickdale are passionate about using 

great local produce and change their menu monthly. 

Enjoy a three course meal, a traditional Sunday Roast 

or Afternoon Tea of finger sandwiches, homemade 

scones with jam and cream and a selection of cakes. 

crickladehotel.co.uk 

The Gainsborough Brasserie 

The Restaurant with its Georgian architecture, 

original artwork and impressive wine wall is open to 

hotel guests and non-residents. Enjoy contemporary 

British cuisine inspired by fresh, seasonal ingredients 

in a stylish and relaxed environment. 

thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk 


UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCES 

There are many ways to sample the best 

local cuisine on the Great West Way, 

from city tours and hands-on cookery 

classes to nostalgic river cruising. 

FOOD & DRINK TOURS 

A Taste of England 

atasteofenglandtours.com 

Around and about Bath 

alainducasse-dorchester.com 

Savouring Bath 

savouringbath.com 

COOKERY SCHOOLS 

Vaughan’s Kitchen 

White Horse Business Centre, Devizes 

vaughanskitchen.co.uk 

RIVER CRUISE DINING 

Hobbs of Henley 

hobbsofhenley.com 

Bristol Packet Boat Trips 

bristolpacket.co.uk 

Thames Rivercruise 

thamesrivercruise.co.uk 

French Brothers 

frenchbrothers.co.uk 


89


The Restaurant, No 15 Great Pulteney 

Open for a show-stopping supper or lovely lunch 

while you’re exploring the city of Bath. Seasonal 

local meat, fresh fruit and veg are sourced from 

Buxton Butchers and family-run grocers, Lovejoys, 

and as for bread and baked goodies, there’s nowhere 

better than beloved Bath institution, Bertinet Bakery. 

guesthousehotels.co.uk 

The Dower House Restaurant, The Royal 

Crescent Hotel & Spa 

Award winning dishes are created with passion and 

served with pride by award-winning Head Chef 

Martin Blake and his team. 

royalcrescent.co.uk 

Guyers House Hotel & Restaurant, Chippenham 

Set in a lovely old house with its own kitchen garden 

and orchard the pretty dining room restaurant offers 

a menu of finely cooked modern British cuisine. 

guyershouse.com 

Heyworth Restaurant, Henley 

Greenland’s Hotel 

Here you can enjoy an evening meal prepared by 

passionate chefs with menus designed using seasonal 

produce and locally sourced ingredients. 

hospitalityuor.co.uk 

Windsor & Eton Brewery, Leaf 

at The Castle Hotel 

From comforting classics to light bites and 

delectable vegan options, British artisan cheeses and 

local beers visit Leaf, serves dishes made from the 

finest locally sourced produce with a wide-ranging, 

modern menu. 

castlehotelwindsor.com/dining/ 

The Moonraker Hotel Brasserie 

Like the seasons, menus change as Xavier and his 

team use fresh local produce to create and showcase 

some old-fashioned classics, putting the hotel 

Brasserie firmly on the culinary map. They have a 

walled garden used as the setting for their smokery 

which they use to smoke their meat and fish. 

moonrakerhotel.com 

The Old Bell Hotel, Saints & Sinners 

Home to some of the most delicious food in the 

Cotswolds serveing a menu of dishes made from 

deliciously fresh, locally sourced ingredients. 

The Old Bell Hotel is a Grade I listed hotel, rumoured 

to be England’s oldest hotel, located next door to 

Malmesbury Abbey. 

oldbellhotel.co.uk 

Plum + Spilt Milk, Great Northern Hotel 

An award-winning restaurant in the heart of King's 

Cross, offering a beautiful seasonal modern-British 

menu, with locally sourced ingredients. In an elegant 

yet cosy atmosphere, surrounded by the views of 

King’s Cross and St Pancras. 

plumandspiltmilk.com 

Rick Stein, Marlborough 

Rick Stein’s Marlborough restaurant brings a taste 

of Cornwall to the Great West Way. Located on 

Marlborough High Street, serving a combination 

of classic seafood dishes, excellent wines and with 

plenty of coastal charm. 

rickstein.com 

The Roseate Hotels, London, Reading and Bath 

All three of The Roseate Hotels, Roseate House in 

London, near Hyde Park, The Roseate in Reading and 


VINEYARD TOURS 

Discover crisp, white, award-winning 

bubbly varieties 

Alder Ridge Vineyard 

Between Hungerford and Marlborough 

alderridge.co.uk 

Aldwick Estate Vineyard 

Nestled beneath the famous Mendip Hills 

aldwickestate.co.uk 

Bluestone Vineyards at Cholderton 

Rare Breeds Farm 

10 acre on-site boutique vineyard on the 

McConnell family farm in Wiltshire 

bluestonevineyards.co.uk 

BREWERY TOURS 

Enjoy wine tastings, taprooms and tours 

Bristol Brewery Tours 

Mardyke Wharf, Bristol 

bristolbrewerytours.com 

Bristol Hoppers 

Walking Tours of Bristol's Craft Beer Scene 

bristolhoppers.co.uk 

The Bath Brew House 

14 James Street West, Bath 

thebathbrewhouse.com 

Wadworth Brewery 

Northgate Brewery, Devizes, Wiltshire 

wadworth.co.uk 

West Berkshire Brewery 

The Old Dairy, Yattendon 

wbbrew.com 


91


The Roseate Villa in Bath, located in a quiet corner of 

the city, offer exceptional dining in their restaurants. 

roseatehotels.com 

Shelburne Restaurant, Bowood Hotel, Spa & 

Golf Resort 

Laid-back, countryside dining with picture perfect 

views. The Two AA Rosette Shelburne Restaurant 

serves delicious food from seasonal menus every day. 

From long, lazy lunches to romantic moments over 

cocktails, you will enjoy a range of mouth-watering 

dishes prepared with passion and served with flair. 

bowood.org 

The Swan Bradford On Avon 

Locally sourced produce, beautifully prepared and 

cooked to perfection.Open for breakfast, lunch, 

dinner, Sunday carvery, coffee, or a light snack and a 

glass of wine or pint of local ale. 

theswanbradford.co.uk 

Woolley Grange Hotel 

With so many ingredients plucked from their own 

kitchen garden, it’s more about wheelbarrow yards 

than food miles at Woolley Grange. Visit for fine 

dining or family dining. 

woolleygrangehotel.co.uk 

Mark’s Bar, Riverside Hotel, Salisbury 

Mark’s Bar is truly a fabulous place to enjoy a 

relaxing drink, lunch or dinner with friends. Opening 

out on to a terrace overlooking the river and 

Salisbury Cathedral, on a summers day, it certainly 

will be the place to be - with a great choice of wines, 

Champagnes, premium spirits and cocktails. 

riversidesalisbury.co.uk/salisbury-food-and-drink/ 

Pubs and Inns 

From traditional thatched village inns to modern 

gastropubs with spacious beer gardens perfect for 

families to enjoy the summer sunshine 


East Chisenbury, Pewsey 


The Bear Hotel, Devizes 

2-3 The Market Pl, Devizes 

thebearhoteldevizes.co.uk 

The Black Swan in Devizes 

The Market Place, Devizes 

blackswandevizes.co.uk 

The Bird in Hand, Knowl Hill 

Bath Road, Knowl Hill, Reading 

butcombe.com 

Crown & Anchor Inn 

Ham, Wiltshire 

crownandanchorham.co.uk 

The Crown, Tolldown 

Toll Down Way, Dyrham, Chippenham 

butcombe.com 

The George Inn, Norton St Philip 

High Street, Norton St Philip, Bath 

butcombe.com 

West Berkshire Brewery Taproom and Kitchen 

The Old Dairy Frilsham Farm, Yattendon 

wbbrew.com 


BARS AND PUBS SERVING REAL ALES 

Helen Browning’s Royal Oak 

Cues Ln, Bishopstone, Swindon 

helenbrowningsorganic.co.uk 

The Newbury 

137 Bartholomew St, Newbury 

thenewburypub.co.uk 

The Prince Street Social 

Crown House, 37-41 Prince St, Bristol 

princestreetsocial.com 

Queens Arms, East Garston 

Newbury Rd, East Garston, Hungerford 

queensarmseastgarston.co.uk 

The Royal Oak Yattendon 

The Square, Yattendon RG18 0UG 

royaloakyattendon.co.uk 

The Royal Windsor Pub 

Datchet Rd, Windsor 

theroyalwindsor.co.uk 

The Swan Bradford On Avon 

1 Church St, Bradford-on-Avon 

theswanbradford.co.uk 

Three Tuns Freehouse 

1 High St, Great Bedwyn, Marlborough 

tunsfreehouse.com 


93


Tea Rooms & Cafés 

Whether it’s a quick cuppa with breakfast or a 

full-blown afternoon tea with dainty sandwiches, 

indulgent cakes and tasty scones, you'll find plenty 

of lovely cafes and tea rooms to enjoy along the 

Great West Way. 

Aldermaston Tea Rooms 

Traditional Tea Rooms in a lovely setting by the 

Kennet & Avon Canal. Leaf tea, cream teas, apple pie, 

canalman's lunch, whippy ice cream and more. 

facebook.com/aldermastontearooms 

Canal Trust Café 

A beautiful tea rooms and licensed cafe situated in 

Bradford on Avon along the Kennet & Avon Canal. 

with lovely gardens and delicious food and cakes. 

facebook.com/Canal-Trust-Cafe 

Teashop by the Canal 

Set in a unique grade II listed building by the Kennet 

& Avon Canal, blending the warmth of Italian culture, 

with fine and splendid rituals of English Cream Teas. 

teashopbythecanal.co.uk 

The Bridge Tea Rooms 

Housed in a former blacksmith's cottage dating 

from 1502, this quintessentially English tea room 

offers the very best in traditionally British afternoon 

tea. With delicate bone china, the finest leaf teas, 

and friendly staff in Victorian costumes serving 

homemade cakes, pastries and sandwiches. 

thebridgetearooms.co.uk 

Honeystreet Mill Cafe 

Situated in Pewsey Vale, Honeystreet Mill Cafe offers 

a range of delicious fresh and local food open for 

breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. Treat yourself to 

a chilled glass of prosecco on the terrace, and watch 

the world go by Wiltshire-style. 

honeystreetboats.co.uk 

Spring's Café and Restaurant 

Located at Thermae Bath Spa, Springs Café and 

Restaurant combines beautiful Georgian architecture 

with classic, contemporary style. Throughout the day 

and evening, spa users can enjoy delicious dishes and 

interesting drinks from an extensive menu. 

thermaebathspa.com/springs-cafe-and-restaurant 

The Tutti Pole 

A family run restaurant close to the Kennet & Avon 

Canal in a grade ll listed building, serving quality 

homemade food and luxury afternoon teas. 

thetuttipole.co.uk 

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum 

During your visit to Westonbirt The National 

Arboretum stop off at the restaurant for freshly 

prepared hot and cold refreshments including soups, 

sandwiches, savoury snacks, cakes and pastries. 

forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/restaurant 

Windsor Castle Undercroft Café 

The first café for visitors to Windsor Castle has 

opened in Edward III’s medieval Undercroft, which 

for centuries served as the Castle’s main wine cellar 

and is one of the oldest surviving spaces in the 

1,000-year-old royal residence. 

windsor.gov.uk/food-and-drink 

Lido Spa & Restaurant, Bristol Lido 

Spanish and Mediterranean menus, open kitchen 

with hot blazing Italian clay oven and bespoke 

charcoal grill by the grade 2 listed outdoor pool. 

lidobristol.com/restaurant-and-tapas-bar 


BEST PLACES FOR AFTERNOON TEA 

Abbey Hotel, Bath 

North Parade, Bath 


Cricklade House 

Common Hill, Cricklade, Swindon 


The Bridge Tea Rooms 

Bridge Street, Bradford on Avon 

thebridgetearooms.co.uk 

No15 Great Pulteney, Bath 

15 Great Pulteney Street, Bath 

guesthousehotels.co.uk 

The Pump Room Restaurant 

Searcys at the Pump Room, Stall Street, Bath 

thepumproombath.co.uk 

The Roseate Hotel, Reading 

26 The Forbury, Reading 

roseatehotels.com/reading/theroseate 

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa 

16 Royal Crescent, Bath 

royalcrescent.co.uk 

Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa 

Easton Grey, Malmesbury 



95

Where to Stay on 

the Great West Way 

Staying overnight on the Great West Way makes for a wonderful trip, 

whether on a romantic weekend away or a week-long adventure 

BATH 


Abbey Hotel is located perfectly central in the city of 

Bath, making it an ideal place to stay to when exploring 

the city. Independantly owned, this unique hotel offers 

an intriguing blend of stylish comfort, vibrant and 

eccentric contemporary art, and historic character. 


Dukes Hotel 

One of Bath’s most prestigious streets, this beautiful, 

boutique, guest house stands on Great Pulteney 

Street. Whether it is the high ceilings, sash windows 

or hand crafted Sanitan bathroom suites, each room 

uniquely reflects an era of Georgian elegance and charm. 

dukesbath.co.uk 

The Apartment Bath 

From Nespresso to Nintendo, The Apartment, Bath 

is a two-bedroom apartment in central Bath on 

Widcombe Parade, and the perfect home from home 

for guests exploring the Great West Way. 

apartmentbath.com 

The Roseate Villa Bath 

The Roseate Villa Bath occupies a quiet corner of 

the city, overlooking the tranquil Henrietta Park. 

Encompassing two characterful converted Victorian 

houses, the Villa offers 21 rooms with exclusive 

features. The Villa also has a private garden where 

you can relax and enjoy an indulgent afternoon tea. 

roseatehotels.com/bath/theroseatevilla/ 

Tucking Mill, Bath Apartments and Cottages 

Family owned range of award-winning luxurious 

properties including three cottages at Tucking Mill 

with outstanding views, and two apartments just 10 

minutes’ walk from Bath city centre. 

bathselfcatering.net 

YMCA Bath Hostel 

YMCA Bath Hostel is a city centre hostel with all 

the attractions located within walking distance; 

The Roman Baths, Royal Crescent, Bath Rugby 

Ground, The Circus and Bath Abbey to name a few. 

Affordable, clean accommodation ideal for families, 

couples, and backpackers on a budget. 

ymcabath.org.uk 

Bath Apartment Breaks 

Two luxurious self-catering apartments in Bath, each 

perfect for four guests. One apartment is on the 

ground floor and has its own sun-trap patio area with 

outside seating, whilst the other is on the first floor 

and has two small balconies off the living area. 

bathapartmentbreaks.co.uk 

Bath Area Self Catering 

High quality, luxury self-catering holiday cottages 

and apartments in Bath and the surrounding areas 

of Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. These 

properties are ideal for exploring the Western part 

of the Great West Way including Wiltshire, the 

Cotswolds, Bath and Bristol 

bathselfcatering.com 


No.15 Great Pulteney 


To be found at the heart of Bath’s 

fashionable society, No.15 Great 

Pulteney is an elegant and vivacious 

townhouse hotel on the very grandest 

street in Bath. Comprising 40 bedrooms, 

a cocktail bar, restaurant and boutique 

spa, No.15 exudes understated 

sophistication and luxury. 

guesthousehotels.co.uk/no-15-bath 

Brooks Guesthouse B&B 

Brooks Guesthouse Bath is an award winning four 

star boutique guesthouse in Bath city centre with 22 

uniquely furnished bedrooms with an eclectic mix of 

antiques, modern pieces and designer wallpapers. 

brooksguesthouse.com 

Bishopstrow Hotel & Spa 

Where dapper country house hotel meets hospitality 

with imagination, charm and spirit, surrounded by 

private gardens and set in glorious, rural Wiltshire. 

You might also enjoy a visit to sister hotels , The Bird 

& Homewood 

bishopstrowhotel.com 


97


The Gainsborough Bath Spa 

The Gainsborough Bath Spa occupies two historic 

buildings with Georgian and Victorian facades in 

the heart of Bath. Named after the artist Thomas 

Gainsborough, the luxury hotel is welcoming and 

elegant. there are 99 berooms and suites with views 

across the city to surrounding countryside. 

thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk 

BERKSHIRE 

Royal Berkshire – Exclusive Collection 

Royal Berkshire is a country house located in the 

heart of Ascot, perfect for overnight stays, with 66 

luxury bedrooms. The grounds are charming, perfect 

for a wedding location or event, with a private walled 

garden and a beautiful fountain plaza. 

exclusive.co.uk/royal-berkshire 

BRISTOL 

Brooks Guesthouse B&B and Rooftop Retro 

Rocket Caravans, Bristol 

A boutique contemporary guesthouse situated 

smack bang in the heart of Bristol's old town next 

to St Nicholas Market and just a short stroll to the 

vibrant Harbourside. 

The caravans are British built and capturing the 

glamour of the timeless vintage aluminium design 

with all the lux of a modern hotel room and beautiful 

rooftop views of Bristol City Centre. 

brooksguesthousebristol.com 

Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport 

This is the ultimate hotel in terms of design, comfort 

and convenience, being on the doorstep of Bristol 

Airport – the only hotel within walking distance of 

the terminal. Spend a day exploring Noah's Ark Zoo 

Farm, Cheddar Caves and Gorge or Cabot Tower. 

hilton.com 

The Bristol Wing part of YMCA 

The Bristol Wing is a boutique hostel in Bristol city 

centre in the Grade II listed old Police Headquarters. 

Since the first lockdown it has been repurposed 

and provided a safe place for people at risk of 

homelessness – it is now being fully refurbished with 

plans to re-open Spring 2023. Located only a short 

walk from some of the best bits of Bristol including 


Bristol’s harbourside, Bristol Shopping Quarter and 

the Old City. 

thebristolwing.co.uk 

CASTLE COMBE 

The Manor House – Exclusive Collection 

This 14th century luxury hotel and golf club is 

perfect for romantic nights away, with Michelin 

starred dining and a dedicated gin bar. Head into the 

picturesque village of Castle Combe or play a round 

at the championship 18-hole golf course. Situated in 

365 acres of rich parkland and widely regarded as a 

real hidden golfing gem in the Cotswolds. 

exclusive.co.uk/the-manor-house 

SOUTH WILTSHIRE 

Pythouse Kitchen Garden 

You’ve heard of restaurants with rooms – now we 

bring you the restaurant with a glamping village. 

Six bell tents and a cosy shepherds’ hut sit in an 

orchard near this lunchtime-only restaurant. 

They share showers, a cocktail area, kitchen and 

dining area. 

pythousekitchengarden.co.uk 

CHEDDAR (WITHIN EASY REACH) 

Cheddar Camping and Caravanning Club Site 

From its lofty position near Priddy, the highest 

village in the Mendip Hills, Cheddar Club Site is 

surrounded by spectacular landscapes, great for 

walking, cycling, caving and rock climbing. Less than 

five miles from the campsite is Cheddar Gorge, one 

of Britain's most spectacular natural landmarks. 

Explore its extraordinary subterranean stalactite 

show caves and spectacular panoramic views. 

campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk 

CHERTSEY 

Chertsey Camping and Caravanning Club Site 

Perched on the banks of the River Thames, this 

lovely campsite has a rural feel despite being just 

50 minutes from Central London by train. Walkers 

will enjoy the Thames Path Nature Trail – a longdistance 

towpath trail that starts in the Cotswolds 

and meanders through Chertsey towards the heart of 

London. It’s a peaceful and scenic trail that’s ideal for 

people of all ages and abilities. 


Mill Farm Glamping 

Enjoy the best of the beautiful British countryside 

from the comfort of a luxurious canvas lodge on this 

family-run, organic farm. Meet the ducks, dairy cattle 

and donkeys. Have fun on Farmer Joe's organic farm 

tour. Walk, ride, paddle, fish – or just soak up the sun 

and the tranquil scenery. It all adds up to a unique 

break that you – and your family or friends – will 

treasure for a lifetime. 

millfarmglamping.co.uk 

HENLEY ON THAMES 

The Greenlands Hotel 

Set within the 30-acre Henley Business School estate 

in the Oxfordshire countryside, this magnificent 

Grade II Listed Building is steeped in history dating as 

far back as 1480. There are 100 bedrooms including 

eight luxury balcony rooms with views across the 

Chiltern Valley and the grounds leading to the River 

Thames. There's a fitness centre, tennis courts, giant 

lawn chess and footpaths leading into the Chiltern 

Hills. Located less than three miles from the centre 

of Henley-on-Thames home to the famous annual 

Henley Royal Regatta, five miles from the riverside 

Georgian market town of Marlow and a short car 

journey to Windsor and Oxford. 

hospitalityuor.co.uk/accommodation 

HUNGERFORD 

Herongate Apartments 

Welcome to Herongate Apartments, a collection of 

four purpose built self serviced/serviced apartments 


99

WILTSHIRE, MALMESBURY 


Whatley Manor is a grown-up getaway in the 

heart of the Cotswolds set in 12 acres of gardens. 

Try Grey’s Brasserie for a leisurely lunch, dinner 

or chilled glass of wine. Or the innovative tasting 

menu with specially selected wines in The Dining 

Room. There's also The Green Room where chefs 

prepare small plates of expertly crafted food in 

front of you, Aquarias Spa and even a cinema. 


Donnington Grove Hotel & Country Club 

Donnington Grove, a three star country-house hotel 

in Newbury, is situated in 500 acres of beautiful 

grounds that include an 18 hole championship golf 

course, beauty and treatment rooms at Avalon 

Retreat, Clay Shooting and the New Beau's Bar 

and Restaurant. It is a fascinating destination with 

more than a whiff of English decadence. Built in 

'Strawberry Hill Gothic' style, this 250 year old, 

charming building has a unique heritage. 


The Chequers Hotel 

This former 18th Century Coaching Inn comprises 

56 bedrooms, a business and meeting centre and 

an intimate restaurant serving modern British and 

European cuisine. 


conveniently located just minutes walk from 

Hungerford High Street and the beautiful Kennet & 

Avon Canal. The apartments are situated next door 

to Herongate Club and all guests over the age of 16 

years can enjoy complimentary access to the gym 

and pool as well as discounts off classes and the 

fabulous Honesty Cafe. 

herongateservicedapartments.com 

LONDON 

Roseate House London 

Located near Hyde Park with stunning views over 

leafy Westbourne Terrace. John Constable, son of the 

famous landscape artist, once lived there, and Oscar 

Wilde married at St James’ Church opposite. The 

hotel comprises of three restored, mid-19th century, 

Grade II listed townhouses originally built in 1842 

which still retain the grace and charm of the original 

Victorian architecture. Located on a street steeped in 

history in a haven of tranquillity. 

roseatehotels.com 

NEWBURY 

OXFORDSHIRE 

The Chilterns View 

The Chilterns View offers luxury lodge 

accommodation overlooking the beautiful Chiltern 

Hills. Guests love the privacy and seclusion of these 

lodges with wonderful south-facing views and hot 

tubs. Sit around the fire pit with a glass of fizz to 

watch the sun set over the hills, and in the daytime 

you can relax by the pond or take a walk to one of 

the many fine pubs and eateries in the area. 

thechilternsview.co.uk 

READING 

Hilton Reading 

Ideally located off junction 11 of the M4, the 

Hilton Hotel in Reading offers a warm and inviting 

atmosphere. Bedrooms feature air conditioning, 

wired and wireless Internet access, laptop safes, mini 

bar, on-demand movies, a spacious workdesk and 

famous Hilton Serenity bed system. Access to the 

24-hour LivingWell Health Club is included. 

hilton.com 

Novotel Reading Centre 

Perfectly suited in the heart of the town. Many of 

Reading's best restaurants, bars and shops are just 

a stone's throw from the hotel, and you are close 


Whately Manor Hotel & Spa, Malmesbury 

to Windsor and Oxford, and family attractions like 

Legoland, Reading Museum, Reading Abbey Ruins 

and Forbury Gardens Public Park. Reading train 

station is a two-minute walk away and Thames 

Valley Park is just a shuttle bus away. 

all.accor.com/hotel 

The Roseate Reading 

Described as 'The UK's Sexiest Townhouse Hotel' by 

The Evening Standard, The Roseate Reading is also 

recognised for its artful conception and luxury. 

roseatehotels.com/reading/theroseate 

SURREY 

Pennyhill Park – Exclusive Collection 

There are only a few places able to offer such a 

diverse range of experiences as Pennyhill Park. 

Set in 123 acres of Surrey countryside with a host 

of individual experiences, they offer exceptional 

overnight breaks, Michelin starred dining, bespoke 

weddings, distinctive meetings and events, family 

celebrations and an award-winning spa. There are 

two award-winning restaurants, The Ascot Bar, and 

The Spa including a state-of-the-art fitness suite, 

treatment rooms, nail bar, hot tubs and indoor and 

outdoor pools. 

exclusive.co.uk/pennyhill-park 

Walton on Thames Camping and Caravanning 

Club Site 

Tucked away in rural Surrey, you’d hardly know 

Walton on Thames Club Site is just half an hour from 

Central London. For a hearty dose of adrenaline, 

head to the much-loved theme parks of Thorpe Park, 

Chessington World of Adventures, and Legoland, 

where kids (and big kids too) can go wild on wacky 

rides and looping rollercoasters. For something a 

little more sedate, head to Hampton Court Palace, 

once the palatial home of King Henry VIII and his 

six wives, to experience Royal life by exploring 

the splendid interiors and wandering around the 

magnificent estate with its rich variety of gardens 


101

The Kingsbury @ No7 & No8, Marlborough 

and plants. 


SWINDON 

Rose & Crown Inn, Ashbury 

Located in a charming ‘off the beaten track’ village at 

the foot of the rolling countryside of the Lambourn 

Downs and historic sites of the Vale of the White 

Horse. This village inn boasts an exceptional menu 

and very comfortable rooms. It has a unique 

atmosphere and very much reflects the gentle pace 

of a friendly and welcoming ‘unspoiled’ village inn. 

roseandcrownatashbury.co.uk 

WEST BERKSHIRE 

The Queens Arms Hotel 

The Queens Arms is an award-winning hotel, pub and 

restaurant with its own private lodge. 

Situated in the beautiful village of East Garston, 

between London and the West Country yet in the 

heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The 

Queens Arms features 12 bespoke bedrooms, a large 

friendly bar with log fire that leads into the dining 

room, a south facing patio and a large enclosed 

garden. Children and dogs welcome. 

queensarmseastgarston.co.uk 

WILTSHIRE, SALISBURY (WITHIN EASY REACH) 

Salisbury Camping and Caravanning Club Site 

Within easy reach of some of the most famous sites 

in England. The historic centre of Salisbury, known 

as ‘the city in the countryside’, is an easy two mile 

walk from the campsite and offers many must-see 

attractions including the famous cathedral. 


The Merchant’s House Hotel, Salisbury 

37 newly and beautifully refurbished en suite 

rooms located in the city centre. A must visit is The 

Merchant’s Bar with open fire and wonderful choice 

of wines, beers and spirits. 

themerchantshousehotel.co.uk 


Riverside Hotel, Salisbury 

Set in beautiful grounds leading down to the River 

Nadder and just a short stroll from the historic 

Salisbury city centre, this charming and newly 

renovated hotel consists of 38 beautifully restored 

bedrooms, some that enjoy stunning views over 

the river to Salisbury Cathedral. In 2022 the hotel 

and grounds underwent a major yet sympathetic 

refurbishment to restore and bring back to life 

this charming contemporary manor house hotel – 

previously it was the Grasmere House Hotel. Built 

in the 1800s by the Wort family the Riverside Hotel 

was one of the first houses built in Harnham. 

riversidesalisbury.co.uk 

WILTSHIRE, BRADFORD ON AVON 

Church Farm Country Cottages 

Enjoy a rural location on a working sheep farm 

staying in award-winning single storey cottages and 

barn conversions with exposed beams and vaulted 

ceilings. Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural 

Beauty you can enjoy walking and cycling from your 

doorstep or it is a short journey to Bradford on Avon, 

Longleat and the World Heritage City of Bath. 

churchfarmcottages.com 

Cumberwell Country Cottages 

Set in a peaceful, rural location, these seven unique, 

luxurious and spacious self-catering cottages are set 

in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside on the edge 

of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty just five 

miles from the World Heritage city of Bath and one 

mile from the Saxon town of Bradford on Avon. 

cumberwellcountrycottages.com 

Timbrells Yard 

Timbrells Yard is a stylishly revamped riverside inn 

at the heart of beautiful Bradford-on-Avon. It has 

award-winning food and 17 super stylish bedrooms. 

Grade II listed, it is family and dog-friendly, and has a 

wonderful terrace on the banks of the River Avon. 

timbrellsyard.com 


Surrounded by 14 acres of stunning grounds, Woolley 

WILTSHIRE, MARLBOROUGH 

The Kingsbury @ No7 & No8 

Boutique hotel come Airbnb with modern, 

keyless entry system allowing you to come 

and go as you please. All rooms have been 

lovingly and individually designed to offer 

quality, comfort and style, for you to relax and 

enjoy your stay. Fun dining concept including 

fabulous afternoon teas and cocktail making in 

the restaurant (book in advance). 

thekingsbury.co.uk 

Grange is a Jacobean manor house offering a warm 

welcome to families, with award-winning children's 

facilities, a beautiful spa, and great food using 

fresh produce from the walled kitchen garden. For 

a stargazing evening stay in one of the new Luxury 

Glamping Suites, you also have access to the historic 

hotel and its facilities, including heated indoor and 

outdoor swimming pools, spa, OFSTED-registered 

childcare and The Hideout Pizza Cafe. 

woolleygrangehotel.co.uk 

WILTSHIRE, CHIPPENHAM 

Best Western Plus Angel Hotel, Chippenham 

Superbly located five miles from the M4 between 

Bath and Swindon. This 400-year-old coaching inn 

has been sympathetically extended to include a 

gym, indoor pool, courtyard garden and bedroom 

wing. The addition of a stylish new brasserie, bar 

and lounge create the ideal surroundings to relax. 

A perfect base for enjoying motor racing at Castle 


103

WILTSHIRE, BRADFORD-ON-AVON 

Rowley Cottage at Iford Manor 

Surrounded by nature in the beautiful Iford 

Valley and set within the Grade 1 listed 

Iford Manor Gardens, this luxury, self-catering 

period cottage is in an idyllic setting. Recently 

renovated, with three en-suite bedrooms, 

sleeping six it is the perfect base to explore 

from. Just 15 minutes from Bath. 

ifordmanor.co.uk/stay 

Combe, the Badminton Horse Trials, Longleat Safari 

Park and Swindon designer shopping village. 

angel-hotel-chippenham.com 

WILTSHIRE, DEVIZES 

Cliffe Farm Dairy 

Self-catering accommodation in the heart of 

Wiltshire; ideal for families looking for that quiet 

escape. A secluded and unique cottage on a working 

farm. This special place offers uninterrupted views 

and wonderful walking opportunities. 

cliffefarmdairy.co.uk 

Devizes Camping and Caravanning Club Site 

This peaceful campsite beside the Kennet & Avon 

Canal is perfect for walking, cycling, and exploring 

the region’s many historic attractions. Head out on 

a scenic walk to the historic market town of Devizes 

along the towpath, passing the Caen Hill flight of 29 

locks – one of the longest continuous flight of locks 

in the country, rising 237 feet over two miles. In the 

bustling market town of Devizes, visit the Wiltshire 

Museum with its award-winning galleries and 

ancient gold collection, pop into the Kennet & Avon 

Canal Trust Museum to learn more about the local 

waterways. Head to Wadworth’s Brewery to take a 

tour and sample ales at the visitor centre, and see the 

famous shire horses making deliveries. If you fancy 

stretching your legs, take the five-mile circular walk 

from Devizes to Roundway Hill, taking in stretches of 

the Kennet & Avon Canal, with opportunities to take 

longer walks by joining the Mid Wilts Way, Wessex 

Ridgeway or the White Horse Trail. 


WILTSHIRE, MALMESBURY 

The Old Bell Hotel 

A comfortable, country hotel full of character and 

charm, reputed to be the oldest purpose built hotel 

in England (c.1220) and Grade I Listed. The hotel 

nestles in the beautiful medieval Cotswold town of 

Malmesbury and is 75 yards from the famous Abbey 

House Gardens with over 2000 roses. 

With crackling log fires, cosy corners, squashy sofas, 

plump duvets, fine linen and fabulous food and wine 

– this is pure indulgence. 

oldbellhotel.co.uk 

Pettifers Hotel 

Pettifers Hotel is the perfect spot to relax, unwind 

and explore. You've got the fabulous Cotswold Water 

Park, Highgrove, Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury, 

Malmesbury and Cirencester all on the door step – 

perfect for family stays and mini breaks, plus they are 

super dog friendly too so no need to leave your four 

legged friends behind! 

pettifershotel.co.uk 

WILTSHIRE, SALISBURY 

Holiday Inn, Salisbury – Stonehenge 

This modern friendly hotel has over 100 air 

conditioned bedrooms and is the nearest hotel 

to Stonehenge, offering a stylish, contemporary 

gateway to the Great West Way and to the 

picturesque county of Wiltshire and beyond. 

Enjoy easy access to the colourful landscape of sights 

and attractions dotting the English countryside. 

hisalisbury-stonehenge.co.uk 


Rowley Cottage at Iford Manor, Bradford-on-Avon 

WILTSHIRE, SWINDON 

Cricklade House Hotel 

Standing in over 30 acres of peaceful, secluded 

grounds on the edge of the Cotswolds, Cricklade 

House Hotel offers a traditional, warm and friendly 

welcome for those in search of tranquility, comfort, 

good food and wine, with extensive recreational 

facilities. This beautiful and dignified country 

house, built at the turn of the last century, has been 

tastefully restored and carefully extended. 

Perhaps the most impressive addition is the 

magnificent Victorian-style glass conservatory 

which runs the full length of the original building, 

making the most of the hotel's elevated position, 

with wonderful panoramic views over the Wiltshire 

countryside. The ideal location for exploring the 

wonders Wiltshire and the surrounding area have to 

offer – with brilliant links to both the M4 and M5 and 

through to Oxford. 


DoubleTree by Hilton, Swindon 

West of Swindon, this relaxing hotel is an excellent 

base for touring the beautiful Great West Way 

countryside including the Wiltshire Downs and 

the Cotswolds, visiting pretty villages such as 

Chippenham and Marlborough, and, for a truly 

memorable experience, you'll find the World 

Heritage Site of Avebury nearby too. 

The accommodation comprises 171 bedrooms with 

61 Deluxe rooms and eight Suites and for food and 

drink head to The Larder Restaurant and Bar. 

hilton.com 

WILTSHIRE, VALE OF PEWSEY 

Totteridge Farm Camping Pods 

Totteridge Farm Camping Pods offer a wonderful 

English countryside experience, for those who 

want to be close to nature without giving up home 

comforts. Step out of your timber lodge into the 

fresh calm of a rural Wiltshire morning, explore the 


105

Avebury and Stonehenge Private Guided Tours 

Wiltshire’s wonderful countryside, full of internationally important monuments, is a very special place to visit 

Find out more online or call Laurence 

oldburytours.co.uk | +44 (0)7947 488665 

GET OFF THE BEATEN TRACK 

VISIT THE VALE OF PEWSEY IN WILTSHIRE 

TRANQUIL SPIRITUAL ANCIENT 

WWW.VISITPEWSEYVALE.CO.UK 

IMAGE © PETER ORR ARPS WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/ORRPIX/

The Great West Way caters to the desires of 

all travellers, with its mix of quirky glamping 

and camping sites, pretty countryside B&Bs, 

cool city hotels, traditional village pubs and 

even fancy castles and stately homes 

towns, villages and trails of the Vale of Pewsey, or sit 

out under the stars around a wood fire with a glass 

of farm-grown English wine. There are five luxury 

log pods in total, and they are exclusively for adults 

(for ages 18 and above), with fantastic views over 

the Pewsey Vale, and with the home comforts of a 

hot shower and a King Size bed in a double-glazed, 

underfloor-heated. There is plenty of choice for 

walking, cycling or even kayaking, with many dog 

friendly pubs nearby. Come home to your own firepit, 

spectacular sunsets and dark skies. There is also an 

all-weather shelter and BBQ area. 

totteridge-farm.website/camping-and-holidays 

Troutbeck Guest House 

The Red Lion Freehouse and Troutbeck Guest House 

at East Chisenbury have gained quite a reputation 

for providing the best of Wiltshire's food, drink 

and accommodation in a truly beautiful setting. 

The thatched pub now holds a Michelin star for 

its outstanding food, but has never changed its 

relaxed, distinctively 'pubby' atmosphere. If there 

were any improvements to be made to the Red 

Lion experience, it could only be the addition of a 

cozy, classy guest house to go back to after a lovely 

meal. In December 2012 the Red Lion opened a 

newly converted bungalow to its loyal following – a 

gorgeously polished accommodation sat right on the 

bank of the River Avon. 


HAMPSHIRE 

Lainston House – Exclusive Collection 

Lainston House is a 17th century luxury hotel, 

offering luxurious stays, award-winning dining, 

bespoke meetings and memorable weddings. It is 

also home to the Season cookery school with awardwinning 

chefs and renowned external experts. 

Tucked away in 63 acres of rural Hampshire 

countryside, you can enjoy both a remote and 

Manor Farm Courtyard Cottages 

Luxuriously-appointed self-catering cottages 

situated in glorious Berkshire countryside. 

These 17th century former barns and stables, 

renovated by the Betts family farm, provide 

everything you need for a luxurious stay on the 

Great West Way and with a village community 

shop and café next door for fresh food. 

stayatmanorfarm.co.uk 

relaxing escape in the country or a more activity 

filled getaway with lots to do on site, as well as so 

many attractions on your doorstep. Individually 

designed rooms and suites with beautiful walks and 

bike rides in the grounds, inspiring cookery classes 

in Season and delicious dining in The Avenue or 

their brand new restaurant, The Wellhouse. Not to 

mention outstanding afternoon teas in the drawing 

room and casual dining in The Cedar Bar. Head out 

to explore local attractions, with the historic city of 

Winchester, Bombay Sapphire distillery, Marwell Zoo 

and Paultons Park all within 15 miles. 

exclusive.co.uk/lainston-house 

Plan your complete trip 

One of the most exciting ways to 

travel the Great West Way is to 

stop somewhere new each night. 


107

Prepare before you go 

There’s nothing like a good map to make you feel like a true adventurer 

This Way for a Journey of Discovery 

Download our 'This Way for a Journey of Discovery' 

map of the Great West Way, and get a sense for 

the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. Will you 

venture out to explore the mysteries of the North 

Wessex Downs? Make a summer solstice pilgrimage 

to Stonehenge? Or set off to photograph the pretty 

villages of the Cotswolds? 

Food and Drink Map 

Food lovers can download our food and drink map for 

an overview of the incredible culinary delights available 

along the route, featuring local breweries, Michelin 

starred dining, farmers' markets, afternoon tea, food 

and drink festivals, quaint country pubs and more. 

Kennet & Avon Canal map 

Take a look at our Kennet & Avon Canal map to find 

out about travelling along the beautiful and historic 

canal that stretches between Reading and Bristol. 

Looked after by the Canal & River Trust, you can 

explore the towpath by foot or bike – or float gently 

along on a narrowboat, canoe or kayak. 

Of course, while these maps will steer you towards 

incredible attractions, beautiful landscapes and top 

places to stay, eat and drink – you are ultimately 

your own tour guide. Please do wander off course 

and find things to see and do that are not marked on 

our maps. This dreamy part of England is set up for 

surprising discoveries. 

Click here to book online 

with prices from just £24. 

Great West Way Discoverer Pass 

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 

global) giving you the opportunity 

to explore your chosen area in 

one-day instalments or over the 

duration of a week. 

Click here to download the 

Great West Way Discoverer Pass 

Click here to download 

This Way for a Journey of Discovery 


Food and Drink Map 


Kennet & Avon Canal map 


THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO’VE HELPED 

US ALONG THE WAY... 

Aerospace Bristol 

Alder Ridge Vineyard 

Aldermaston Tea Rooms, Visitor 

Centre, & Shop 

Aldwick Estate 

All Saints Church 

American Museum & Garden 

Apex Hotel 

Apsley House 

Ascot Racecourse 

Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum 

Auto Europe 

Avebury 

Bailey Balloons 

Barrington Court 

Bath Apartment Breaks 

Bath Area Self Catering 

Bath Bus Company 

Bath Insider Tours 

Berkeley Castle 

Best Western Plus Angel Hotel 

Bishopstrow Hotel & Spa 

Blakehill Farm Nature Reserve 

Blenheim Palace 

Bluestone Vineyard 

Bombay Sapphire 

Boscombe Down Aviation Collection 

Bowood House & Garden 

Bozedown Alpacas 

Bradford on Avon Town 

Bristol Airport 

Bristol Cathedral 

Bristol Community Ferry Boats 

Bristol Packet Boats 

Bristol Tandem Hire 

Britains Best Heritage Tours 

British Museum 

Brooks Guest House Bath 

Brooks Guest House Bristol 

Bruce Branch Boats 

Brunel’s SS Great Britain 

Calne Town 

Canal & River Trust 

Canal Trust Café 

Castle Combe Circuit 

Cheddar Camping and Caravanning 

Club Site 

Cheddar Caves 

Cheddar Gorge 

Chippenham Museum and Heritage 

Centre 

Chippenham Town 

Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm 

Church Farm Country Cottages 

Clayton’s Kitchen 

Cliffe Farm Dairy 

Clifton Suspension Bridge 

Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen 

Corsham Town 

Cotswold Water Park 

Cricklade House Hotel 

MV Barbara McLellan 

Crofton Beam Engines 

MV Jubilee 

Crop Circle Visitors Centre & Exhibition National Garden Scheme 

Crown & Anchor 

National Trust 

Cumberwell Country Cottages Newark Park, Ozleworth 

Devizes Camping and Caravanning Newbury Racecourse 

Club Site 

No. 1 Royal Crescent 

Devizes Town 


Devizes Wharf Tea Room 

North Wessex Downs AONB 

Donnington Grove Hotel & Country Novotel Reading Centre 

Club 

Old Sarum 

DoubleTree by Hilton, Swindon Oldbury Tours 

Dukes Hotel 

Original Wild 

Dyrham Park 

Parkway Shopping Centre 

Exclusive Collection 

Pennyhill Park 

Fashion Museum Bath 

Pettifers Freehouse Hotel 

First Travel Solutions 

Pewsey Vale of Tourism Partnership 

Fisherton Mill 

Prior Park Landscape Garden 

French Brothers 

Reading Museum 

Galahad Tours 

Reading UK 

Great Western Railway 


Great West Way Official Tour 

REME Museum 

Operators 

River & Rowing Museum 

Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport Rose & Crown Inn 

Henley Greenlands Hotel 

Roseate House London 

Henley Rowing Association 

Royal Berkshire, Sunninghill 

Henley on Thames 

Royal Borough of Windsor & 

Herongate Apartments 

Maidenhead 

Hilton Reading 

Salisbury Cathedral 

Hobbs of Henley 

Salisbury, Stonehenge and Sarum 

Holiday Inn, Salisbury - Stonehenge Tours 

Honey Street Boats 

Sally Narrowboats 

Hungerford Town 

Savouring Bath 

Iford Manor Gardens 

Shaw House 

Jones’s Mill at The Vera Jeans Reserve Skydive Netheravon 

Kennet & Avon Trade Association South Western Railway 

Kennet Horse Boat Company 

St Peter’s Church 

Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum & Stay in Bath 

Village 

Stasher 

Lainston House 

Steeple Ashton 

Live Escape Salisbury 

Stonehenge 

WWT London Wetland Centre Stourhead 

Longleat 

Strawberry Hill House & Garden 

Lower Moor Farm Nature Reserve Studley Grange 

Lytes Cary Manor 

Sulis Guides 

Mad Max Tours 

Teashop by the Canal 

Maidenhead Heritage Centre 

Thames Lido 

Malmesbury Town 

Thames Rivercruise 

Manor Farm Courtyard Cottages The Abbey Quarter 

Marlborough College Summer School The Bridge Tea Rooms 

Marlborough Town 

The Bristol Wing/YMCA 

Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein The Castle Inn & Bakers Cottage 

McArthurGlen Designer Outlet The Chequers Hotel 

Swindon 

The Courts Garden 

Merchants House 

The Crown & Anchor 

Mill Farm Glamping 

The Gainsborough Bath Spa 

Mompesson House 

The Guild Wiltshire 

Monkey Island Estate 

The Holburne Museum 

Montacute House 

The Jane Austen Centre 

Museum of East Asian Art 

The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust 

The Kingsbury @ No.8 

The Manor House 

The Merchant’s House 

The Merchants House Hotel 

The Museum of English Rural Life 

The Old Bell Hotel 

The Pound Arts Centre 

The Queens Arms Hotel 

The Riverside 

The Roman Baths 

The Rose of Hungerford 

The Roseate Reading 

The Roseate Villa Bath 

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath 

The Royal Windsor Pub 

The Swan Hotel 

The Tutti Pole 

The Watermill Theatre 

The Wave 

Thermae Bath Spa 

Timbrells Yard 

Tintinhull Garden 

Totteridge Farm Camping Pods 

Tour and Explore 

Tourism South East 

Tours 2 Order 

TransWilts Community Rail 

Troutbeck Guest House 

Trowbridge Town 

Tucking Mill View 

Turner’s House 

Tyntesfield, Wraxall 

University Of Bristol Botanic Gardens 

Vaughan’s Kitchen 

Vintage Classics 

VisitBritain/VisitEngland 

Visit Gloucestershire 

Visit Highworth 

Visit Newbury 

Visit Thames 

Visit West - Bath 

Visit West - Bristol 

VisitWiltshire 

We The Curious 

Wellington Arch 

West Berkshire Museum 

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum 


Whitchurch Silk Mill 

Wilton Shopping Village - The Guild 

White Horse Inn 

Wilton Windmill 

Wiltshire Museum 

Wiltshire Stonehenge landscape 

Windsor Carriages 

Windsor Castle, Royal Collection Trust 

Windsor Duck Tours 


Wyvern Theatre 

YMCA Bath Group 

Discover more about our Ambassadors at: GreatWestWay.co.uk

Begin your next adventure at 


#EscapetheEveryday 

DISCOVER 

YOUR WAY

Great West Way Travel Magazine | Issue 07

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