Great West Way Travel Magazine | Issue 07
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.
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.
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designs and writings, including the world-famous Willow<br />
pattern. Today, visitors will find an outstanding collection,<br />
from early 17th Century furniture to a unique collection of<br />
furnishings chosen by Pre-Raphaelite painter-poet Dante<br />
Gabriel Rossetti and pieces from each of Morris’ London<br />
homes, including several designed especially for the iconic<br />
Red House. Kelmscott Manor also boasts enchanting riverside<br />
gardens and the River Thames is located just a few hundred<br />
yards away. Beyond the walls of the formal garden stand the<br />
impressive farm barns – two of them house the Tearoom and<br />
beautiful Shop. The Tearoom is a must, with its friendly staff<br />
and delicious home-made meals and cakes, whilst the Shop<br />
is packed with decorative and unusual items ideal for gifts or<br />
mementoes.<br />
Longleat, Wiltshire<br />
Home of the Marquess of Bath, Longleat is one of the finest<br />
examples of Elizabethan architecture in England, and since<br />
1580, up until today, has been owned by 16 generations of<br />
the Thynn family. The House is open to the public throughout<br />
most of the year. Inside this 450-year-old treasure trove, you<br />
will find the original Elizabethan <strong>Great</strong> Hall, the spectacular<br />
Grand Staircase, the impressive Saloon stretching 90 feet long<br />
with exquisite Flemish tapestries, beautiful antique furniture<br />
and a staggering collection of more than 40,000 books.<br />
In total there are 15 breathtaking rooms, together with<br />
stunning ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds. Famously<br />
known for being the first drive-through safari park outside<br />
of Africa in 1966, home to, amongst other animals, majestic<br />
lions, a troop of mischievous macaque monkeys, a pack of grey<br />
wolves plus, the only animal collection in Europe to exhibit<br />
Southern koalas. In November, the UK's original, biggest and<br />
most exciting lantern festival is the showstopper at Longleat –<br />
The Festival of Light, and the theme for this year? You will be<br />
stepping into The Wondrous Worlds of Roald Dahl.<br />
Then, in December, Longleat becomes even more magical with<br />
a Santa Train, Winter Safari Drive-through and Britain's biggest<br />
singing Christmas tree – at 20 metres tall, it will sing your<br />
favourite carols and flurries with snow!<br />
The Merchant's House, Marlborough<br />
A glorious restoration of a 17th Century silk merchant's house<br />
The House of Thomas Bayly was built following the <strong>Great</strong><br />
Fire of Marlborough in 1653. Over the years 1653-1700 a<br />
fine timber and brick building was constructed, its interior<br />
panelled, brilliant with wall paintings and with a commanding<br />
oak staircase. A substantial amount of this fabric survives and<br />
hidden painted decoration is still being revealed.<br />
Many of us are familiar with homes of the aristocracy; here is<br />
a rare opportunity to view a 17th century house of the type<br />
42 <strong>Great</strong><strong>West</strong><strong>Way</strong>.co.uk
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