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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Syon Park, London<br />
The London home of the Dukes of Northumberland, the<br />
Percy family, for over 400 years – Syon is one of the last great<br />
houses of London. Profoundly historic, the House holds a<br />
wealth of art within its grand classical interiors, while the Park<br />
and Gardens feel like deep countryside, although barely nine<br />
miles from Charing Cross. As the nights draw in, Syon Park<br />
once again hosts the Enchanted Woodland during November,<br />
which sees the 600-year-old gardens transformed by a display<br />
of lights and music. Now in its 16th year the trail winds<br />
through the arboretum, passing the sixteenth century Syon<br />
House, and ends at the spectacular <strong>Great</strong> Conservatory. An<br />
array of lighting effects – from high-tech lasers to low tech<br />
candles – illuminate the visitor’s way through the trees.<br />
Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire<br />
A former Rothschild, French Renaissance chateau brimming<br />
with priceless treasures and a contemporary exhibition space.<br />
There are also restaurants and cafes, a boutique hotel, a gift<br />
and Rothschild wine shop and wine cellars with access to wine<br />
tastings, not to mention acres of landscaped gardens. During<br />
the winter the grounds are transformed by dazzling colour<br />
and light displays, bathing trees and manor alike in beautiful<br />
hues. Wrap up warm and follow the trail, wending its way past<br />
imaginative illuminated installations.<br />
<strong>West</strong>onbirt Arboretum<br />
With 15,000 trees from around the world, including five<br />
national collections, autumn is spectacular here. Dendrologist<br />
Michal Dvorak says: ‘With our world-renowned maples taking<br />
center stage, it’s easy to miss lesser-known gems. The smoke<br />
bush is a feast of colour, including fiery yellows, reds, peaches<br />
and purples. The Persian ironwood is another one not to<br />
miss in autumn as its leaves turn crimson and gold.’ Don’t<br />
miss the step-free STIHL Treetop Walkway, and download a<br />
fun kids’ activity booklet, including creating leaf crowns and<br />
hunting acorns. Father Christmas’ elves have made their way<br />
to the arboretum to decorate the trees in twinkly lights for<br />
Christmas. Visit between the 25 November and 21 December<br />
2022 and be one of the first to experience their brand-new<br />
illuminated trail.<br />
Click here to find out<br />
more about exploring<br />
Houses and Gardens on the<br />
<strong>Great</strong> <strong>West</strong> <strong>Way</strong><br />
Pictured: Chritmas illuminations<br />
light up the woodlands at Syon Park<br />
46 <strong>Great</strong><strong>West</strong><strong>Way</strong>.co.uk
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