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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derives from the ancient traditions of Hocktide, an English<br />
ceremonial rite dating back to 1365 and is still celebrated<br />
in Hungerford each year, when, on the second Tuesday<br />
after Easter, two tithing men visit the homes of commoners<br />
carrying Tutti poles dressed with spring flowers.<br />
There are replica Tutti poles outside the restaurant,<br />
while inside there are many photographs of the Hocktide<br />
celebrations through the years. Alternatively, you could take<br />
a day off your own boat and go on a popular half-day round<br />
trip on the Rose of Hungerford boat, travelling east from<br />
Hungerford Wharf through Dun Mill Lock Wire Locks.<br />
HIGHWORTH<br />
Highworth is an ancient hill top market town situated on the<br />
edge of the Cotswolds close to Lechlade-on-Thames which<br />
is the last navigable section of the River Thames and the<br />
Thames Path. The town centre is a remarkable conservation<br />
area containing 84 listed buildings and a Grade l listed<br />
church. There's also the Highworth Museum in the unusual<br />
setting of a Bank’s strong room, featuring a permanent<br />
display on the history of the town as well as temporary<br />
exhibitions. The Visitor’ Centre is also an Arts and Craft<br />
centre showcasing handmade pieces by local artists and<br />
makers, and the town is perfectly placed to explore Wiltshire,<br />
Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.<br />
Insider Tip<br />
Looking to plan a trip by canal but unsure of<br />
the route and timings? Check out Canalplan –<br />
a handy route planner for canal journeys that<br />
you follow virtually before the trip. It helps<br />
you plan your journey or holiday, calculates<br />
the length (distance, number of locks, time<br />
taken and so on) of your trip and shows<br />
gazetteer information on places along the<br />
way (pubs, shops etc). ▶ canalplan.org.uk<br />
Click here to<br />
download the <strong>Great</strong><br />
<strong>West</strong> <strong>Way</strong> guide to the<br />
Kennet & Avon Canal<br />
Did you know?<br />
Caen Hill (produced<br />
‘cane’) is one of the<br />
longest continuous<br />
flight of locks in<br />
England with a total<br />
of 29 locks rising<br />
237 feet over 2<br />
miles, with a 1 in 44<br />
gradient<br />
<strong>Great</strong><strong>West</strong><strong>Way</strong>.co.uk<br />
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