Great West Way Travel Magazine | Issue 06

SUMMER 2022

TRAVEL MAGAZINE | ISSUE 06

GreatWestWay.co.uk

JOURNEY OF

DISCOVERY

Where our best kept secrets from

the past meet twenty-first-century

hospitality. Expect history, adventure,

natural beauty and excitement

Escape the Everyday by exploring the Great West Way touring route between London and Bristol

this summer with our brand new itineraries from Prehistoric Journeys to Vibrant Cities by Train

GREAT

FOR

GROUPS

With 21 Ascot Racedays throughout the year,

each with exhilarating racing and its own unique

character, there is something to suit every

occasion and ensure a day to remember.

Book as a group and save when booking

10 tickets or more.

Find out more at ascot.com/groups

WELCOME TO ENGLAND'S

GREAT WEST WAY

Here comes the British summer we have all

been waiting for; an opportunity to travel

and explore without the fear of lockdowns,

restrictions and disruption to our plans.

Plus, with international travel back on,

England is not likely to become as busy as

we experienced in some of our over-popular

destinations last year, offering the chance to

enjoy and admire the very best of England once more.

Step into the extraordinary as you travel through time and

stumble across hidden gems while discovering the real England on

the Great West Way and escape the everyday.

England’s Great West Way touring route from London to Bristol

offers uninterrupted countryside, famous landmarks, awardwinning

attractions and is home to some of the country’s finest

restaurants, prettiest villages and most vibrant cities.

Whether you are looking for outdoor adventures, spellbinding

museums, luxury hotels with spas, unique experiences, or glamping

under the stars, this fascinating route is guaranteed to fill you with

incredible memories and unforgettable moments. Make up for lost

time by planning your Great West Way journey today.

Pictured Above: Bailbrook House Hotel, Bath; The Rose

Hungerford.

Escape the Everyday on a unique adventure along

the Great West Way in 2022, discovering iconic

sites and hidden landscapes.

Jessica Way

Editor-in-Chief, Great West Way Travel Magazine

Jessica x

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

SUMMER 2022 | Edition 06

DISCOVER OUR WAY

YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE

MY GREAT WEST WAY

07 Susie Brew, coordinator from the Pewsey Vale

Tourism Partnership talks about the Vale of Pewsey, her

love of countryside, her three Cocker Spaniels, Wilton

Windmill and Crofton Beam Engines.

THE WAY FORWARD

08 From the re-opening of the UK’s oldest public

outdoor swimming pool and secret vaults hidden

below Bristol’s Clifton Suspension Bridge to new hotels,

attractions and more success on the Great west Way.

ARTISAN SECRETS AND GREAT WEST WAY

14 MEMENTOS

We discover some of the unique artisan trades and

skills which are still being masterfully taught on the

Great West Way. Why not visit them for yourself and

experience their trades and secrets first-hand?

SPORTING TOURS ON THE GREAT WEST

22 WAY

From the largest tennis museum in the world to smalltown

rugby clubs and big city football stadiums we hope

you will stop for a tour at one of our favourite clubs.

AGRITOURISM ON THE GREAT WEST WAY

28 Pumpkin picking to alpaca walking, freshly laid

eggs to milking the cows, it’s time to clean the mud from

your wellies and experience the very best of countryside

living on the Great West Way.

AS SEEN ON SCREEN: BRIDGERTON

34 With the recent release of Netflix’s Bridgerton

Season Two, it's time to celebrate the series on a

Bridgerton-inspired tour of the Great West Way, visiting

some of the glamorous locations seen on screen, including

Hampton Court Palace and No.1 Royal Crescent.

4 GreatWestWay.co.uk

SUMMER ON THE WAY

10 GREAT REASONS TO VISIT THE GREAT

42 WEST WAY THIS SUMMER

Take a swim in a rooftop pool in Bath, celebrate the

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's 60th birthday, enjoy a Biscuit

Fuelled Break in Reading and join in the fun of the

four-day Bank Holiday marking the Queen’s 70-year reign.

BEST DAYS OUT FOR FAMILIES

52 For unforgettable family fun why not bring the

kids on a Great West Way adventure? There's splishsplashy

water parks, wonderfully wild safari parks,

magnificent interactive museums and much more.

THE MYSTERY OF STONEHENGE

58 We speak to Neil Wilkin, The British Museum

Stonehenge Exhibition Curator about the much-loved

British monument and the new Prehistoric Journey of

the Great West Way.

PICTURESQUE VILLAGES TO STOP OFF AT

62 ALONG THE ROUTE BY BOAT OR TRAIN

Visit these pretty villages by foot, train or water,

leaving the car behind while discovering plenty of other

fascinating destinations and attractions along the way.

PUBLISHED BY

Contista Media Ltd

Mitchell House, Brook Avenue,

Warsash, Southampton,

Hampshire, SO31 9HP

contistamedia.co.uk

Brought to you by the Great West Way

GreatWestWay.co.uk/digitaltravelmagazine

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.

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

92 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

15 Aston pottery © Nicola Stocken / Gardenpix Ltd / Page 23 © Ascot

Images Megan Ridgwell / Page 25 AELTC © Chris Raphael / Pages

34-41 © Liam Daniel/Netflix /Cr. Colin Hutton/Netflix /Ben Blackall

and 2022 Focus Features LLC / Page 34 Syon House ©VisitBritain and

Britain on View / Page 48 Glenfinnan Railway Viaduct in Scotland

with the Jacobite steam train against sunset over lake; Shutterstock

ID 422272210 / Page 54 Brunel's SS Great Britain © Smith Milton /

Page 75 Bristol Pride 2016 © paulbox / British Tourist Authority

Follow us on

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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.

Take your

time on the

Kennet &

Avon Canal

MY GREAT WEST WAY

The Vale of Pewsey runs from just east of Devizes through to the county

border with West Berkshire, covering around 25 miles from east to west,

with more than 100 pretty villages and hamlets along the way. We speak

to Susie Brew, coordinator from the Pewsey Vale Tourism Partnership...

What do you love most about the Vale of Pewsey?

The Vale has the Kennet & Avon Canal running through its

centre and makes up a large part of the North Wessex Downs

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – it is one of England’s best

kept secrets! It’s also the home to the Crop Circle Exhibition at

Honeystreet which is renowned as a world leader in crop circle

information and is absolutely fascinating. If you are visiting in

June or July, then you may get to see a real crop circle and the

Exhibition Centre will be able to direct you.

Tell us more about what you do on the Great West Way?

I think that I have one of the best jobs in the world because I

get to promote one of the most beautiful and unspoilt areas

in England. You never quite know what each day might bring

and so I have also found myself working with ITV, re-chalking

a white horse, delivering leaflets, managing our Tourist

Information Kiosks (converted phone boxes) and lots more!

What’s a typical day like for you?

There isn’t really a typical day. I work from home, so whatever I

might be doing work-wise, I have to make sure that there is an

hour or so dedicated to walking our three cocker spaniels.

What do you love most about your job?

Exploring the Vale for new walks and cycle routes and getting

to know the area more intimately. The love of countryside

has always been with me – I grew up in a small village in

Gloucestershire and, although I spent many years in London,

the West Country is where I really wanted to come back to.

The Vale of Pewsey is really special – it is very unspoilt, really

‘earthy’. There is so much space, it really is tranquil and the

history and heritage around us is fascinating.

What’s your favourite food or drink along the Great West Way?

You are spoilt for choice in the Vale of Pewsey – we have so

many really fabulous country pubs that do delicious food and

local beers and ciders, as well as cafes that offer incredible

cakes and locally sourced food. However, if you come to the

Vale, you have to go to Marshall’s Bakery in Pewsey and try the

lardy cake – absolutely delicious.

If you could choose one must-visit attraction along the

Great West Way, what would it be and why?

Actually I’ve picked two! Wilton Windmill and Crofton Beam

Engines – these two heritage sites are close to one another and

there is a walk on our website that takes you to both of them.

It is amazing that both sites still perform the job they were built

to do 200 years ago! The guides at both sites are so interesting

as well so the guided tours are a must. Highly recommended

with a stop at The Swan Inn for a local pint of beer or cider or a

glass of wine.


7

THE WAY FORWARD

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

The UK’s oldest public outdoor

swimming pool, Bath

The Cleveland Pools in the city

of Bath is the UK's only surviving

Georgian Lido, dating back over

200 years. This unique open-air

public swimming pool uses the

heat pumps in the adjacent river

as its energy for heating the

water. Restoration to bring this

wonderful heritage site back into

use has begun, with the opening

planned for the summer this year.

Artist Residence hotel and

restaurant opens in Bristol

Located in the creative St Pauls

community, just minutes from

Bristol's city centre, this Georgian

townhouse is an eccentric home

from home. Downstairs, you'll find

the light and airy Library, a relaxed

lounge bar for making yourself

at home, and the sprawling Boot

Factory complete with ping-pong

table, photobooth, buzzing central

bar and courtyard garden.

Stay, play, party and discover at

the new Moxy Bristol Hotel

Part of the Marriott group, the

Moxy Hotel is a brand new

214-room funky and affordable

boutique hotel, conveniently

located in Newfoundland Street,

close to the city's fantastic

attractions, including Bristol Zoo,

The National Arboretum, We The

Curious, Bristol Cathedral, The

Wave, and the vibrant area of St

Pauls to explore on its doorstep.


Royal West of England

Academy re-opens in Bristol

Bristol’s oldest art gallery, Royal

West of England Academy has been

closed for nearly two years as it has

undergone a £4.1 million

refurbishment. Inside the gallery

there are new spaces and worldclass

art exhibitions set to return,

with the re-opening exhibition ‘Me

Myself and I: Artists’.

A win for Bath Insider Tours

One of our Great West Way Tour

Guides, Daniel, is jumping for

joy following his success at the

Bristol Bath and Somerset Tourism

Awards winning the Award for

'Experience of the Year'.

Faster Britain and Clifton

Suspension Bridge: Celebrating

the 20th anniversary of an

incredible discovery

Twenty years after contractors at

Bristol’s Clifton Suspension Bridge

discovered secret vaults hidden

below the iconic structure, the

public are being offered a new

opportunity to explore the underground

spaces designed by famous

Victorian engineer Isambard

Kingdom Brunel. Sadly, Brunel died

five years before the opening of the

bridge and his plans for the crossing

were lost. The vaults remained

undisturbed for 162 years until their

chance discovery in 2002 when

specialist equipment was needed

to access the structure and clear

tunnel entrances filled with rubble

left by the original workforce. To

celebrate the twentieth anniversary

of this remarkable discovery, a

new programme of family-friendly

‘Vaults Visits’ has been launched,

running alongside the Visitor Centre’s

popular in-depth Hard Hat Tours.

Sponsored by full fibre provider, ITS

Technology Group’s ‘Faster Britain’

programme, the visits allow families

to access a new platform installed

in the largest and most significant

of the twelve stone chambers – an

impressive echo chamber, 11 metres

high, festooned in stalactites.


9

The Bath World Heritage Centre

Located in the heart of the city

centre The Bath World Heritage

Centre will have free access for all.

It will be filled with imaginative

interpretation that will show

people why Bath is so special and

inspire them with the information

they need to go out and explore

the amazing World Heritage City.

Bailey Balloons

Bailey Balloons have acquired two

new balloons. One is already flying

over the South West from Bristol

and Bath, the other balloon will be

ready for the Bristol Balloon Fiesta

in August. There are still spaces

to fly at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta

12-15 August 2022. Fly with up to

100 balloons at the mass launches

at dawn and dusk over three days

(weather permitting).

Live Escape Rooms Salisbury

Just a short detour off the route

Live Escape Rooms Salisbury brings

you a five-star escape experience

in The Cross Keys Shopping Centre

in Salisbury, Wiltshire. Husband

and wife Claire and Charlie Pitcher

have worked around the clock to

turn the downstairs of their 14th

century building into a pirate

tavern ready to welcome teams to

play their games and hunts.

Cocktail Making Experiences

in Marlborough

Cocktail masterclasses are now

available within The Kingsbury @

No7 & No8 restaurant available to

book either as a standalone event

or as part of an overnight stay.

During the cocktail experience

guests enjoy hot nibbles from

the Bite Me menu and get to take

home a 12 piece cocktail set and

mixology hard back recipe book.

The Kingsbury @ No7 & No8 is a

sumptuous designer Boutique Hotel

offering the finest accommodation

in Marlborough. Located next

door to the hotel is the fun and

innovative Bite Me Burger and Get

Plucked Restaurants, run in tandem

by the owners of the hotel. The

building at No 7 dates back to the

17th Century and its three rooms

maintain their original features

including their fabulous beams.

No 8 has seven rooms including a

Master Suite with four poster bed.

The Kingsbury @ No7 & No8 is

situated close to the centre of the

historic market town of Marlborough,

within close proximity to Avebury

and Silbury Hill.


LOCK STOCK

CORN EXCHANGE ERECTED AD 1861

BARREL

THE CHEQUERS HOTEL

What will you do on your daycation?

Find out more visitnewbury.org.uk

@VisitNewbury

Visit Bristol’s unique

Visit Bristol’s unique

BOTANIC GARDEN

BOTANIC GARDEN

Open

all year

(check website

for details)

www.bris.ac.uk/botanic-garden

University of Bristol Botanic Garden

Stoke Park Road, Bristol BS9 1JG Tel: 0117 428 2041

Crescent Restaurant & Bar

Located in Bath's Margaret's

Buildings a beautiful side street

between the Royal Crescent and The

Circus, the new Crescent Restaurant

& Bar, launched by husband-andwife

duo Simon and Leanne, offers

breakfasts and tapas and cocktails.

Wake The Tiger Amazement Park

An alternative to the traditional

art gallery, Bristol's Wake The Tiger

is a new fantastical, interactive

and immersive art experience.

Visitors are transported to the

magical realms of an ‘alchemist's

dream’, in 27 unique artistic rooms.

The Jane Austen Centre

Discover more about Jane Austen’s

life in the magnificent city of Bath

during Regency times at this new

exhibition space in Bath, where

actors are on hand to show you how

to write with a quill and ink and

play traditional regency games.

Pewsey Vale Circular Way

The Pewsey Vale Circular Way is a

new long-distance walking, cycling

and riding route. The way marked

route is a 77 mile walking route or

a 72 mile cycling/riding route, 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.

Stay in the know

Click here to sign

up to our monthly

e-newsletter


13

ARTISAN SECRETS

AND GREAT WEST WAY MEMENTOS

This summer lots of our favourite craftspeople from the length of the Great

West Way route are throwing open their doors once more and inviting us back

to learn more about their artisan trades. With so much creativity your journey

just isn’t complete without taking some time to discover them for yourselves.

Words | Samantha Campbell

The Great West Way is a great place to explore the

world of ceramics, book into a workshop to learn

alongside other like-minded participants, or simply

drop in to meet the fantastic artists at home in their

pottery studios. Pottery is a catalyst for so much more –

feeling great, slowing down and making time for ourselves

doing something that feels really nourishing.

Meet the Makers

Conveniently situated close to Swindon town centre, The

Eastcott Studios Pottery studio has everything you need to

'get creative'. Try your hand at ‘pot throwing’ on a potter's

wheel, paint-a-pot and learn the techniques of coiling,

pinching and slabbing. Fired Thoughts Ceramic Arts Studio’s

have two studios, one in Devizes and another in Swindon,

offering weekly courses and weekend workshops. You

might like to stay at one of the many local hotels, bed and

breakfast and campsites nearby and stay for a course (see

our accommodation section page 94).

In Wiltshire, Jane Scott Ceramics has moved to lovely

new premises in Corsham while over in Bradford on Avon

everyone is welcome by the Winsley Pottery Club who meet

in the Church Hall for a workshop every Saturday between

10am and 12 noon. Call 01225 722107 to book your place,

price is £12 per session to include refreshments.

A short detour south of the route you will find Enigma

Pottery Studio and Gallery in Frome. Launched by Jenny

Barton after graduating from Bath Spa University with a

degree in Ceramic Design, the pottery studio is situated at

the bottom of a picturesque walled garden to the rear of

her impressive Grade II listed house and gallery. Book in for

a one or two hour pottery making party, or join in the fun

of her seasonally inspired pottery workshops like Easter Egg

painting, Mothers Day gift making, Summer workshops and

Christmas Decoration Making.


Pictured clockwise from left: Hand made pottery at Aston Pottery

and Gardens; Jane and Stephen, owners of Aston Pottery and

Gardens; Gardens in bloom at Aston Pottery and Gardens

In Bristol, head to The Village Pottery in Markham Farm to

pick up a beautiful handmade souvenir or visit Jessica Thorn

Ceramics in Centrespace Studio for a one to one workshop

on the potter's wheel.

You might enjoy combining your love of gardens

and pottery with a visit to Aston Pottery and Gardens.

Owners Jane and Stephen offer guided tours and talks on

everything from approaches to design, methods of planting

and all important garden maintenance as well as pottery

demonstrations. Visit the gift shop and replenish at their

award-winning Country Café. →

GreatWestWay.co.uk 15

Discover Gloucestershire’s best attractions, tours,

shops, restaurants, accommodation and venues

discovergloucestershire visitglosuk DiscoverGlos

“Tucked away in the Hampshire countryside alongside

the peaceful River Test is the oldest silk mill that is still

weaving silk in its original building.”

Pictured clockwise from left: The craft of silk

weaving at Whitchurch Silk Mill; Traditional

heritage Whitchurch Silk; Whitchurch Silk Mill

and the River Test.

Heritage Crafts

There are some spectacular reminders of

England's industrial heritage to discover along

the Great West Way. Some of these historic

gems are still in working order – and can even

be seen in action.

For an unusual introduction to the area's

heritage, explore some of these living pieces

of history. Whitchurch Silk Mill, for example,

a 200-year-old silk mill still using historic

equipment and processes to produce beautiful

silks. Tucked away in the Hampshire countryside

alongside the peaceful River Test Whitchurch

Silk Mill is the oldest silk mill that is still

weaving silk in its original building.

Explore the beautiful Georgian water mill

with impressive Victorian machinery that is still

in use today to spin glorious, colourful silks.

Crofton Beam Engines on the Kennet and

Avon Canal were built around the same time

as Whitchurch Silk Mill, to pump water to the

highest point of the canal. The Beam Engines

are in working order and are put in action for

visitors to watch during regular weekends every

summer. →


“Our personal styling appointments

encourage investment in well-made,

quality clothes in versatile styles so

that you buy once and buy right.”

Pictured clockwise from left: Made to measure tailoring at Regent Tailoring; Bombay

Sapphire Distillery; Gin Cocktail Masterclass; West Berkshire Brewery; Trying on a new

suit at Regent Tailoring; Holland & Sherry Fabrics.

Made to Measure

You might think London’s Savile Row is where

all the most stylish tailors are located, but

you can find them along the Great West Way

route too. Take for example the Chambers

Bespoke Tailors in Wimbledon, a highly

regarded bespoke tailoring and alterations

boutique situated in the beautiful and very

desirable Wimbledon Village.

Located on Salisbury’s New Street you

will find Regent Tailoring with an ethos

centred on cultivating timeless designs

and helping to curate a personal style for

every individual.Famous as a tailor, personal

stylist, curator of contemporary fashion

and a celebrated brand in its own right,

Regent has become an institution over the

past fifteen years with the Regent shop

serving as the company’s beating heart.

With a commitment to using the finest

quality cloths, materials and manufacturing

methods, Regent’s clothes are all

scrupulously designed and of the highest


Did you

know? You

can make

your own

with a Gin

Cocktail

Masterclass

at Bombay

Sapphire Gin

Distillery

calibre. British Heritage remains at the core as founder,

Jason Regent, continuously seeks to innovate, operating at

the shop both as an expert tailor (with over 25 years in the

business) and personal stylist. “Tailoring is a key element at

Regent: we offer both off-the-peg and semi-bespoke suits.

Our personal styling appointments encourage investment in

well-made, quality clothes in versatile styles so that you buy

once and buy right”.

The Regent shop still acts as the heart of all we do: we

promise a unique experience when you step through the

door. Our establishment offers everything from perfect gift

ideas and gentlemen’s grooming products, as well as three

floors of high-quality clothes with styles ranging from the

classic to the cutting edge.

Be it an Ebbets Field Cap or a bespoke suit, a Regent

bicycle; a pair of Ludwig Reiter trainers or a pair of Albert

Thurston braces, you will be sure to discover a selection of

unique, hand picked brands you won’t usually find on the

high street at Regent’s.

In the beautiful city of Bath shoppers expects a certain

quality and exclusivity that you won’t find in many cities, and

there is no exception at City Tailors, where they work hard

to deliver beyond expectations and offer only the highest

quality garments for both men and women.

Thirst Quenching

Find out all about making England’s most traditional

beverages by taking a tour at Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery,

West Berkshire Brewery or Wadworth Brewery. Based at

Laverstoke Mill in rural Hampshire, so ideal to combine with

a visit to Whitchurch Silk Mill, (featured on page 17) 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.

The distillery showcases the care, skill and artistry behind

every drop of Bombay Sapphire, and allows you to discover

the flavours of the botanicals which make Bombay Sapphire

gin so unique.

West Berkshire Brewery is an independent brewery

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

experience. Visit the the Taproom & Kitchen for a burger or →


19

“It was in Bristol, in 1847, Joseph Fry

worked out how to make a paste from

cocoa, sugar and cocoa powder that

could be moulded into a bar.”

Pictured clockwise from left: Wadworth Brewery;

Chocolate Icecreams; Buttle Farm, Wiltshire

light bite, and a taste of the craft beer or ale

proudly produced in traditional casks.

Discover the history and heritage of

Wadworth Brewery, located in the bustling

market town of Devizes, Wiltshire, at their

Visitor Centre where there is a free self-guided

exhibition to include a unique collection of

hand painted pub signs, before stopping for a

beer at The Harness Room Bar.

Famous Artisan Food

The Great West Way is home to many of

England’s finest goodies. From Bath's famous

Sally Lunn bun first recorded in 1780, and

the traditional Maids of Honour cake which

can be dated back to Hampton Court Palace

and Henry VIII, to the delicious Lardy Cake,

originating from Wiltshire. And it's not just

cake, believe it or not, even the chocolate bar

was invented here. Yes that’s right! It was in

Bristol, in 1847, Joseph Fry worked out how

to make a paste from cocoa, sugar and cocoa

powder that could be moulded into a bar. J S

Fry & Sons had their factory in Union Street

and produced their most famous chocolate bar,

Fun Fact: In

a year West

Berkshire

Brewery

brew an

impressive

2.6 million

pints.

the Fry’s Chocolate Cream, in 1866 as well as the

UK’s first chocolate Easter egg in 1873.

Other foodie ‘claims to fame’ include Cheddar

cheese and Wiltshire cure - a traditional English

technique for curing bacon and ham. The meat is

soaked in brine for several days, making it moist

and giving it a succulent texture. The technique

was developed in Calne in Wiltshire by the Harris

family in the 18th century. Visit Buttle Farm to

buy Wiltshire cured ham fresh from the farm.


Discover Wiltshire’s medieval gem

Just eight miles from Stonehenge, this architectural masterpiece is home to best preserved

Prepare to be amazed...

original 1215 Magna Carta, Britain’s tallest spire and the world’s oldest clock.

Explore this historic Cathedral and view the finest original 1215 Magna

Carta, Britain’s tallest spire and the world’s oldest mechanical clock

www.salisburycathedral.org.uk

BOOK TICKETS

CLICK FOR TICKETS

www.salisburycathedral.org.uk

Holidays on the Kennet & Avon Canal

The Traditional Narrowboat Experience • Accommodation that goes wherever you go

e: [email protected] | t: 01225 864923 | w: sallynarrowboats.co.uk


SPORTING TOURS

ON THE GREAT WEST WAY

Spectator sports are hugely popular in England and throughout the

Great West Way. From the largest tennis museum in the world to

small-town rugby clubs and big city football stadiums we hope you

will stop for a tour at one of these favourite clubs.

Words | Lucy Bond

Horse racing, rowing regattas and polo matches are all

high-class occasions where dressing up is part of the

fun. Henley Royal Regatta and Royal Ascot are the

two most famous, with traditions and etiquette that

add to the sense of occasion. But if your trip doesn’t coincide

with one of these major events not only are there lots more

competitive races, games and matches to keep you on the

edge of your seat, you are still able to visit these prestigious

world-renowned venues on a behind-the-scenes tour of the

players and competitors grounds, stadiums and changing rooms.

Take a visit to England's Home of Rugby Museum

The award-winning World Rugby Museum houses the world’s

most prestigious collection of rugby memorabilia and offers

memorable tours of the iconic Twickenham Stadium.

During a Stadium Tour you are able to visit some of

the most exciting and select areas, including the Royal

Box, Players' Tunnel, pitch-side, and inside the England

Dressing Room where you will learn about the match-day

preparations and routines of international rugby players. →

Experience the life of an Equestrian

There’s a strong horse riding heritage running through the

Great West Way, and many tracks where you can watch races

and put money on your favourite horses. Ascot is of course

the most famous hosting Royal Ascot in June, however did you

know you can enjoy a free guided tour from one of their iconic

Bowler Hat Stewards? These special tours include a visit to

the weighing room and jockeys' changing rooms taking place

throughout the Jumps season, before racing begins.

Other racecourses in the region include those at Newbury,

Windsor, Bath and a short detour off the route, Salisbury.

And don’t miss Barbury International Horse Trials in July, set

against the beautiful backdrop of the Marlborough Downs.


23

Take a tour of Wimbledon, the All England Tennis Club

Wimbledon's award-winning behind-the-scenes tours of

the grounds are the perfect way to see this world-famous

site – the location to one of the four tennis Grand Slam

tournaments, considered the most important competitions

of the tennis season. One of the world’s most celebrated

tennis events, the championships at Wimbledon run for two

weeks in July attracting over 500,000 spectators.

Expertly led by a friendly Blue Badge Guide, you’ll learn

about how Wimbledon’s distinctive grass is cared for and

how the site is improved and developed each year.

You’ll see facilities provided for the press, broadcasters and

the world’s best tennis players. Inside the Wimbledon Lawn

Tennis Museum you will experience the history and traditions

of ‘the Fortnight’, get up close to the Championships Trophies,

feel the fabrics of tennis fashions from the Victorian period,

test your skills on the Batak wall and learn about how The

Championships has developed since 1877.

Club followed by a 'Crew lunch’ at Leander with Toby Garbett

offering his stories, revelations and motivational advice.

Following the experience head to the Henley on Thames

River & Rowing Museum located on the banks of the

picturesque river and housed in an award-winning building,

designed by the acclaimed architect Sir David Chipperfield.

With four permanent galleries dedicated to Rowing,

Rivers, the work of British Artist John Piper and the history of

Henley on Thames, the Museum is also home to the magical

Wind in the Willows exhibition which brings to life the

much-loved story with 3D models, lighting and music.

Pop into the café and sit out on the terrace overlooking

Mill Meadows, and visit the shop for books and games,

fashion, craft and local produce, including fine wines, gins,

honey and chocolates. The constantly evolving calendar of

temporary art and photography exhibitions and a year-round

calendar of nature trails, craft workshops and family days,

ensures there is always something new to see and do.

“One of the world’s most celebrated tennis events, the

champoinships at Wimbledon runs for two weeks in July

attracting over 500,000 spectators.”

With clothing and equipment donated by tennis’ top

stars, you’re certain to see something from your favourite

player too. The Museum also runs several special exhibitions,

including one dedicated to tennis at the Olympic Games,

another charting the evolution of the racket from the 1870s

to present day, and a showcase of the spectacular tennis

posters that have been used to advertise Wimbledon over

the years. The Museum's newest temporary exhibition is

Centre Court: 100 Years of Change, celebrating the centenary

of Centre Court, taking place in 2022.

The exhibition explores the role that Centre Court has

played as a witness to a period of considerable social and

cultural progress, and the platform that the court, and The

Championships, has provided for that change.

Have an unforgettable time on the water

An absolute must for Rowing enthusiasts, the Henley Rowing

Association offer a special and unique opportunity to row

on the regatta course with Olympian and Twice World

Champion, Toby Garbett. The five hour long Gold package

includes an outdoor warm up session of rowing specific

exercises, a coaching and rowing experience in a quad or

octuple on the Regatta course, a tour of the famous Leander

Enjoy a real tradition at Marylebone Cricket Club Museum

with a Lord’s Tour

Lord’s is the most famous cricket Ground in the world,

steeped in over 200 years of history and tradition. Lord's is

not only a must for all cricket lovers, but for anyone looking

for the quintessentially English experience. Private Tours can

be booked any day of the week, giving you an opportunity to

go behind the scenes at the ‘home of cricket’.

An expert guide will lead you through the most iconic

parts of the ground including the Grade II listed Victorian

Pavilion, the world-famous Long Room, the Players’ Dressing

Rooms, the dramatic J.P. Morgan Media Centre, and the

MCC Museum, home of the Ashes Urn – cricket’s bestknown

artefact. Lord’s has an extraordinary history, dramatic

architecture, and an unrivalled collection of cricket-related

art and memorabilia.

Tour the stadiums of England's ‘beautiful game’

Football in England is not just a game but a national

obsession. Even if you’re not a football fan, it’s hard not to

get swept away by the atmosphere at a good match. See

what all the fuss is about with a stadium tour. Bristol City,

whose home stadium is Ashton Gate, and Bristol Rovers, →


Pictured previous page: Family fun at Ascot

Racecourse. Pictured clockwise from above:

Rowing on the River Thames, Henley;

Marylebone Cricket Club Museum and Lord’s

Tour; The All England Club, Wimbledon.


25

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

Pictured: World Rugby Museum

at Memorial Stadium, have a historic rivalry. You can visit

Ashton Gate during one of their hosted events throughout

the year. There's a huge variety from music concerts to

include award-winning Elton John and his Farewell Yellow

Brick Road: The Final Tour, to The Killers and comedian

Russell Brand.

Bristol Rovers offer behind the scenes tours of the

Memorial Stadium with professional coaches, including visits

to the players dressing room and the chance to wave the

flags of the Guard of Honour for under six to under 16 years

football teams. While top performing Bristol City Women’s

F.C. can be found at Stoke Gifford Stadium, there’s also the

Easton Cowboys & Cowgirls where graffiti artist Banksy was

once a member (apparently he played in goal).

In London you can go behind the scenes at the London

Stadium with a West Ham football legend, take a stadium

tour at Chelsea and see their iconic soccer club’s trophies,

shirts and memorabilia, and for the most iconic ground of

them all, take a tour of Wembley Stadium. New, worldleading

technology allows you to get closer to the history of

the stadium, with augmented reality as well as exceptional

opportunities to visit the dressing rooms, pitch and tunnel, as

well as a chance to hold a replica FA cup!

Visit the opulent Farleigh House Estate for a historic

tour with Bath Rugby

If there is a capital city of Rugby in England then it is here.

Bath Rugby is one of the oldest Rugby teams in the world -

they have been going strong for more than 150 years. You

can see Bath Rugby play at The Rec by the River Avon with

views of Pulteney Bridge and Georgian Terraces – one of

English Rugby’s most iconic sights.

Away from matchdays on The Rec, Bath Rugby hang

their hat at the opulent Farleigh House Estate. This majestic

Georgian mansion is the most spectacular rugby facility we

have seen in Europe. The original walled garden is now a

half-size 3G set-piece training pitch, the outbuildings house a

powerlifter's paradise and the old towers of the mansion now

hosts the state-of-the-art nerve centre of English Rugby’s

most successful club. You can visit the manor for a coaching

experience, tour, lectures on training and many more

possibilities besides. With Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire,

Dorset and Wiltshire all in easy distance of Bath, your touring

opposition will be clubs from the core of English Rugby’s

most traditional and historic heartland.

Take your travels up a gear

If you like high octane sport, have you ever raced a rally car?

Incongruously located in ‘the prettiest village in England’,

Castle Combe Circuit offers petrol heads the possibility to

Did you

know? In

1971, Mollie

Gerrard

became the

first woman

president of

Bath Rugby,

and any

rugby club.

tackle high speed laps and time trials themselves, as well as

experience a white knuckle passenger ride with a pro driver

at the wheel. Or you might like to have a go at sailing at

Cotswold Water Park or on the River Thames. Channel your

inner Chris Hoy and whizz round the tracks on the velodrome

at Palmer Park, Reading (adaptable bikes available) or take a

tandem ride around Bristol with Bristol Tandem Hire.

Plan your visit and watch a spectator sport as part of

your own Great West Way sporting tour

Depending on where you’re visiting along the touring route

and when, you might also catch some cycling, hockey, motor

racing, marathons, boxing, tennis… even a game of rounders

in a local park. This cricket-like game has been popular

since Tudor times - not the height of UK sport, perhaps,

but entertaining nonetheless. And you don’t have to be a

spectator: opportunities abound to jump into that gym kit and

get active yourself. And if you want to watch something a little

offbeat, you could always visit Chippenham for the Pancake

Race on Shrove Tuesday. Or the Woolsack Races, which take

place in Tetbury each May to celebrate the town’s wool trade

heritage. There are even lawnmower races - held throughout

the south of England each summer.

However you choose to engross yourself in sport along the

Great West Way we hope you have a memorable experience.


27

AGRITOURISM

ON THE WAY

From pumpkin picking to alpaca walking, freshly laid eggs to

milking the cows, it’s time to clean the mud from your wellies

and experience the very best of countryside living.

Words | Susan Wright

The Great West Way is home to all sorts of interesting,

unique and unusual accommodation, but have you

ever stayed on a farm? With miles upon miles of lush,

green countryside, our route boasts some of the finest

examples of rural working farms and farm experiences you can

enjoy, many of which offer quirky accommodation too.

Get back to nature and the outdoors with a stay on

one of The Great West Way’s farms, featuring friendly cows

and sheep as your next-door neighbours, fresh homegrown

produce to taste, and tours and experiences to get involved in

on your stay. It’s a great option if you’re looking for something

different on your Great West Way journey.

and Wi-Fi which you may require as the camp is off-grid.

On the farm, you can also try your hand at the ancient art

of sheep herding, take a tour of the local organic vineyard or

book one of a number of activities to make your group stay

even more memorable.

There is a nearby farm shop, village co-operative and village

pub. They are also just five miles from the beautiful city of Bath

and two miles from the pretty town of Bradford on Avon. →

The Farm Camp

Home to four large self-catered bell tents (sleeping up to four)

The Farm Camp offers a taste of the simple life. This is a place

you can unwind and and enjoy an unforgettable glamping

experience. Open from late March until early October, they

welcome groups looking to enjoy a more natural break away.

The facilities at camp include two hot showers, private

compost loos, a grass clearing for games and a communal

shelter. Half a mile down the lane guests can also use the

indoor heated pool, games room and laundry room should

you need some modern luxury. There are also power sockets


29

Bozedown Farm

For the ultimate alpaca experience UK Alpaca Breeder,

Bozedown Farm is the place to go. Join them on an alpaca walk

through the beautiful South Oxfordshire countryside – where

the Chiltern Hills meet the River Thames.

You can enjoy leading an alpaca around their alpaca farm

as you learn more about these attractive, enigmatic creatures

that originate from the High Andes of Peru, but are quite at

home in leafy England.

Bozedown Farm is home to Bozedown Alpacas – a family

enterprise who have been breeding and selling alpacas since

1989. The truly exceptional Bozedown Pedigrees have been

built upon a solid foundation of World Class Bloodstock,

carefully selected by the family from Peru, Australia and USA.

Bozedown genetics have produced a phenomenal number

of Champion Huacayas and Suris ever since 1989 both for

Bozedown Alpacas and their clients. With more than 700

Alpacas, including over 100 suris, they are able to offer exciting

new bloodlines from a broad genetic base.

Throughout the year they host a number of Alpaca training

courses, BAS Judge training courses, and other events too.

Church Farm Country Cottages

Stay on a working sheep farm, situated in an Area of

Outstanding Natural Beauty, just two miles from Bradford on

Avon. There are seven cottages you can stay in at the awardwinning

Church Farm – each with exposed beams and vaulted

ceilings and the delightful Old Granary barn conversion just

a short walk along the country lane. Longleat and the World

Heritage City of Bath are also just a short journey away.

Enjoy walking and cycling from your doorstep then reward

yourself afterwards in the luxurious heated indoor pool.

Children will love the Games Room with table tennis, table

football, a pool table and Wi-Fi Internet Access.

Pop into Hartley Farm Shop and Café, or the village pub

and village shop – and look forward to a welcome cream tea

with homemade scones, jam, organic clotted cream and locally

produced biscuits with tea and coffee on arrival.

Guests can also get involved with a

‘Farm Workshop’ from bushcraft, weighing

lambs to sheep herding and 'Farmcraft'

sessions to include farm tours, sheep

herding, and even farm olympics!

Pictured previous page left to right: Camping at The Farm

Camp; Enjoying the outdoors at The Farm Camp.

Pictured: Alpacas at Bozedown Farm

“In the gardens there are ‘wild’ areas... attracting many bees and

butterflies... owls, red kite, buzzards and kestrels...”

Buttle Farm

Located in Compton Bassett Buttle Farm is home to Robert

and Sara, who live in the farmhouse, a converted Victorian

brick and slate barn which was once winter housing for the

dairy cows that used to live there. Across the yard is the Chalk

Barn holiday cottage – also a converted barn and probably

the oldest building on the site, constructed largely from chalk

blocks – the local building material. In the gardens there are

‘wild’ areas which are never cut, and as such produce a wide

variety of so-called weeds and wildflowers, attracting many

bees and butterflies as well as providing habitat and corridor

for the wildlife that share the farm. This encourages the owls,

red kite, buzzards and kestrels that can be regularly seen

soaring over the fields.

Buttle Farm is also home to a flock of guinea fowl who

roam free range around the barns and into the fields, eating

bugs and seeds along the way, as well as delivering fabulously

yellow, rich eggs for use in the kitchen. They may not be

the smartest birds but they certainly are one of the more

entertaining varieties and make a point of greeting visitors to

the farm. →

“Mill Farm have recently launched Belle Vue Farm Shire – three

unique and luxurious super-chic canvas lodge retreats... each with

its own private courtyard and hot tub.”


Pictured left to right: Four poster bed at Mill Farm Glamping;

relaxing at Totteridge Farm; Totteridge Farm Camping Pods

Mill Farm Glamping

Situated in the village of Poulshot just three miles from

Devizes, Mill Farm have recently launched Belle Vue Farm

Shire – three unique and luxurious super-chic canvas lodge

retreats, in a newly planted woodland landscape with

wild flower meadows, overlooking the beautiful Wiltshire

countryside - each with its own private courtyard and hot tub.

Joe and Izzy Dyke are the third generation of Dykes to

tend this very special corner of the British countryside inviting

guests to experience the joys of their family-run, organic farm.

You will meet the ducks, dairy cattle and donkeys, and

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 naturally inspirational experience: a unique break

that you will treasure for a lifetime.

There is a small gaggle of organic geese, Wiltshire Horn

sheep, donkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs as well as a range of

activities available to pre-book during your stay to include:

fitness classes, pizza evenings, archery, painting classes, laser

shooting and pub taxis via gator or tractor and trailer.

Sheephouse Manor

Sheephouse Manor is an ideal base for visiting all attractions

along the Great West Way, their five cottages offer comfort

and relaxation with everything you need.

Situated in rural Berkshire countryside, close to the scenic

River Thames, yet two miles from Maidenhead town and

station. Everything along the Great West Way is within 90

minutes by car or train.

The 16th Century Sheephouse Manor was originally a dairy

farm, and now the five converted barns sit in two acres of

pretty gardens. Four legged friends don't need to stay at home

as they are pet friendly, and even have a dedicated dog run,

plus a children’s play paddock amongst the chickens.

Totteridge Farm

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 towns, villages and trails of the

Vale of Pewsey, or sit out under the stars around a wood fire

with a glass of their farm-grown English wine… with the home

comforts of a hot shower, crisp white cotton sheets, and even

underfloor-heated in your own luxury pod.

Pod and camping areas offer fantastic views across the

Vale of Pewsey, looking across to the majestic backdrop of

Martinsell Hill, and the area is perfect for walking and cycling,

as well as for trips further afield in Wiltshire and beyond.

Cliffe Farm Dairy

Set on the edge of Salisbury Plain, Cliffe Farm Dairy is a

converted disused milking parlour set on an organic farm

owned by the Holloway family. It is now a wonderfully

spacious three-bedroom barn conversion ideally situated to

explore the beautiful county of Wiltshire.

As a guest you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the

stunning chalk escarpment of Salisbury Plain with just sheep

and wildlife as your neighbours. The Holloway family have

farmed in the village for over a century and with the opening

of their holiday cottage they have been able to offer guests a

glimpse of what their rural life is like living on a farm.


33

AS SEEN ON SCREEN

BRIDGERTON

Netflix’s Bridgerton has stolen our hearts ever since its debut release

on Christmas day two years ago. With the recent launch of Season

Two it's time to celebrate the series on a Bridgerton-inspired tour of

the Great West Way, visiting the glamorous locations seen on screen.

Words | Melanie Abrams

Produced by Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey's Anatomy

and Scandal, and based on the novels by Julia Quinn,

the show has proved a hit with audiences around the

world thanks to its modern take on life in Regency

England – not to mention its passionate romance scenes.

But did you know several of the scenes were filmed right

here on the Great West Way? With the second series out

now discover the real-life filming locations and Bridgerton

experiences on the Great West Way.

Starting in the west of London, east of the route, is Syon

House, the London home of the Dukes of Northumberland

with its 200 acre park. Used as Bridgerton’s Buckingham

House, the smaller forerunner to Buckingham Palace, it’s

where Queen Charlotte dined with her husband, George III,

whilst its Print Room doubled for Hastings’ study. →

Take some time to visit the beautiful historic properties and

locations used as backdrops for the show including famous

landmarks like Hampton Court Palace to the lesser-known

secrets such as the Abbey Deli in Bath (previously called

Pickled Greens). Incredible historic houses and charming

cities from the whole length of the Great West Way are being

used as filmsets to bring the Bridgerton story to life.

If you are beginning your Great West Way journey in London

its Regency heritage offers the perfect inspiration. Many of

the events in Bridgerton are set in London Mayfair's, within

the residences of the best families in England. Take in

Regent’s Park and Regent Street or see London through its

Bridgerton homes.


“Incredible historic houses and charming cities from the whole

length of the Great West Way are being used as filmsets to bring

the Bridgerton story to life.”


35

Located on the river Thames and surrounded by swathes

of stunning gardens and parkland, Hampton Court Palace

may be best known for its Tudor and Stuart heritage – but in

Bridgerton, it stood in for St James’s Palace. Carriages swept

into the famous red brick courtyard for Queen Charlotte’s

Ball. “We were there for an afternoon,” says Bailey, who plays

Anthony.

Hampton Court Palace is one of Britain’s most famous

buildings and a must-visit destination on the Great West

Way. The former home of King Henry VIII, you can imagine

following in the footsteps of its stars with a stroll through

the palace’s 60 acres of gardens, including the ornate Privy

Garden, which was beloved by the King himself, or exploring

the beauty of Richmond Park - home to herds of red and

fallow deer since 1637.

Although Hampton Court Palace was used for exterior

shots of Queen Charlotte’s Palace, Lancaster House in

Westminster, London, was used for the interior and also

acted as a backdrop for scenes filmed inside Buckingham

Palace. With its sweeping staircases and Grand Hall, which

mirrors the style of the Palace of Versailles, the building is

a favourite filming location for period dramas and has also

appeared in Downton Abbey and The King’s Speech.

If in London you might choose to venture a short distance

from the route across Bushy Park into Teddington for

Normansfield Theatre in the Langdon Down Centre, where

Hastings and Anthony had their boxing match. Located

in the heart of Pall Mall and founded in 1832, The Reform

Club is another London filming location immortalised in

the series. The setting of episode one’s meeting between

the Duke of Hastings and Anthony Bridgerton, in reality the

private members' club is the haunt of some of Britain’s most

forward-thinking political minds, not to mention one of the

area’s most striking buildings.

In Twickenham you can visit the medieval St Mary’s Church

where early 18th century English poet, Alexander Pope

is buried, used for St George’s church where Daphne and

Hastings married. Although not featured in Bridgerton


nearby is Great West Way’s Strawberry Hill House & Garden

– Horace Walpole’s 18th century architectural masterpiece,

internationally renowned as Britain’s finest example of

Georgian Gothic revival architecture.

Another short detour from the route you can stroll like the

Featheringtons in Surrey’s 18th century Painshill Park - the

beautifully manicured grounds feature in the hit show. Look

out for oft used scenes like the Chinese bridge, rowing lake

and winding paths. There is also Wilton House, near Salisbury

– the home of the Earls of Pembroke acts as multiple sets

for Hastings, his honorary godmother, Lady Danbury (Adjoa

Andoh) as well as Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel).

Most recognisable will be the exterior – which was used for

Hastings’ London home and the Double Cube Room for the

Queen’s presentation chamber. Whilst the garden hosted

Lady Danbury’s party in the last episode of season one.

Head to Bath where much of the filming took place. Founded

by the Romans, the Somerset city was a buzzing social hub

for the well-to-do in the 1800s and it remains a jewel of

Regency architecture to this day. If you’re keen to experience

a slice of Bridgerton visit No.1 Royal Crescent, a museum

of a Georgian home including a Withdrawing Room and

Gentleman’s Retreat. →


37

It was used as the exterior of the Featheringtons’ family pad, as “with the

Featheringtons, it is all about show,” says Bridgerton production designer,

Will Hughes-Jones. Whilst there, pop a few doors down to sample the

Royal Crescent Hotel’s champagne afternoon tea or hop on a carriage.

Stop at the city’s impressive Guildhall as its banqueting room with

unmissable chandeliers stood in for the Rambury ballroom.

Follow the footsteps of your favourite characters, walking along streets

where filming took place. There’s Abbey Green, Bath Street, Beauford

Square, as well as Trim Street, where inside number 12 Gunter’s Tea Shop

was filmed.

The Holburne Museum in Sydney Pleasure Gardens, another must-visit

attraction on the Great West Way, doubles as Lady Danbury's home and

the stunning Grade I listed elegant façade is seen in almost all episodes.

Lady Danbury was filmed here stepping down from her carriage while

reading Lady Whistledown’s gossip sheet.

Situated in the centre of Bath, Abbey Green’s cobbled streets and quaint

boutiques make it a dream filming location for Bridgerton and it’s here

that the fictional dress shop, Modiste, is located. Owned by renowned

seamstress Madame Genevieve Delacroix, the shop is a hotbed of style and

gossip and the setting to several key scenes in the show. If you’re a fan of the

show, you can look forward to donning your best outfits for a turn around

the square, before a spot of lunch and shopping in true Bridgerton style.

Bath Street features in the very first episode of Bridgerton, when the Duke

makes his heart-stopping appearance on horseback. Although it doubles

as a Mayfair street in London, this Georgian delight is actually the location

of a quintessential Great West Way highlight, the Thermae Bath Spa, an

award-winning spa featuring the 18th-century Cross Bath and an open-air

rooftop pool. →


Pictured first page left

to right: The long gallery,

Syon House; Bridgerton's

Golda Rosheuvel as Queen

Charlotte Pictured previous

page clockwise from left:

Bridgerton's Jonathan Bailey

as Anthony Bridgerton;

Bridgerton's Rupert Young

as Lord Jack Featherington,

Bessie Carter as Prudence

Featherington, Nicola

Coughlan as Penelope

Featherington, Polly

Walker as Lady Portia

Featherington, Florence

Emilia Hunt as Hyacinth

Bridgerton, Ruth Gemmell

as Lady Violet Bridgerton,

Luke Newton as Colin

Bridgerton, Jonathan Bailey

as Anthony Bridgerton, and

Luke Thompson as Benedict

Bridgerton; Strawberry Hill

House & Garden Pictured

left to right: The Holburne

Museum; Jonathan Bailey

as Anthony Bridgerton and

Simone Ashley as Kate

Sharma. Pictured next page

left to right: Bridgerton's

Jonathan Bailey as Anthony

Bridgerton and Simone

Ashley as Kate Sharma; Leigh

Court, Bristol; Allen Leech

and Tuppence Middleton on

the set of Downton Abbey: A

New Era.


39

“Leigh Court was the lavish filming location for three of the

season’s most opulent events, from Daphne’s jaw-dropping reveal...

to the dramatic scenes at the Crawford Ballroom.”

IMAGES © LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX / CR. COLIN HUTTON/NETFLIX / BEN BLACKALL / © 2022 FOCUS FEATURES LLC


Many of the scandalous storylines in Bridgerton revolve around big

social events, where high society comes together to celebrate, mediate

and fall in love, much to the delight of gossip columnist extraordinaire,

Lady Whistledown. The Assembly Rooms tea room and ballroom were

the setting for many of these extravagant evening scenes and have also

featured in film adaptations of classics including Persuasion, in addition

to being home to a highly regarded Fashion Museum.

Situated just outside Bristol, at the very Western end of the Great

West Way route, Leigh Court was used for many of Bridgerton's ball

scenes. Although it is now a dreamy wedding and private events

venue, a visit to Leigh Woods, a tranquil woodland nestled above the

Avon Gorge and the iconic Bristol Suspension Bridge, gets you just a

stone’s throw away.

Leigh Court was the lavish filming location for three of the season’s

most opulent events, from Daphne’s jaw-dropping reveal to Prince

Friedrich (Freddie Stroma) to the dramatic scenes at the Crawford

Ballroom. Built during Regency times, the suspended double staircase

in the Great Hall is where Daphne appeared before dancing with

Prince Friedrich. Whether Bridgerton, Featherington or brooding

Duke, never are the characters of Bridgerton more extravagant than

when attending a ball!

Alternatively, you can plan to experience a slice of 18th century life at

Bristol’s Georgian House Museum, a restored period home with formal

rooms and kitchens. You can also enjoy a behind-the-scenes interview

with Penelope Featherington, played by Irish actress Nicola Coughlan,

who reveals the secrets of the show while shooting at Leigh Court.

Many other films, TV shows and period dramas have been filmed along

the Great West Way. Fans of Jane Austen may recognise the Temple

of Apollo at the National Trust’s Stourhead Gardens (just south of the

main Great West Way route) as the place the Darcy proposes to Lizzie

in the rain in the film version of Pride and Prejudice. And, Potterheads

– get those cloaks and wands at the ready! There are several magical

Harry Potter locations, not to mention Paddington Bear, Shaun the

Sheep and Wallace & Gromit. Click here to find out more.

You might also enjoy...

Celebrating the new Downton Abbey

sequel film, Downton Abbey, A New

Era, coming to theatres in 2022

Bowood House & Gardens

A cottage located on the Bowood House

Estate was used as a filming location in

the Downton Abbey film and can even

be seen in the trailer. Bowood House

sits within 100 acres of beautifully landscaped

parkland, and features a hotel,

spa and championship golf course.

Lacock Village

Within the village of Lacock, producers

of Downton Abbey created the annual

Malton Show at a farmer’s market.

There is lots to see and do including

visiting Lacock Abbey and the Fox

Talbot Museum.

Highclere Castle

Most of Downton Abbey the TV series

and movie were filmed at Highclere

Castle, or ‘The Real Downton Abbey’, as

it’s known. Highclere Castle is located

in North Hampshire on the Great West

Way, and is currently home to the

eighth Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.

Throughout the year, Highclere Castle

holds tours and events open to the

public where you can explore the Estate

and the various filming locations that

have appeared on our screens.


41

TEN GREAT REASONS TO VISIT

THE GREAT WEST

WAY THIS SUMMER

There are plenty of excuses to celebrate this summer,

including a special long Bank Holiday weekend, an

array of excellent exhibitions and some exciting

period dramas coming to our TV screens.

1

CATCH

THE EVENTS YOU MISSED LAST

YEAR

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, many of our

favourite annual events had to be cancelled, postponed

or curtailed in 2019 and 2021.

But don't worry – they're back in 2022 and there’s an exciting

calendar of events planned for the coming year. Why not time

your visit to coincide with Royal Ascot or Henley Royal Regatta in

June or Reading Festival in August?

Or join a course at Marlborough College Summer School

which runs more than 500 different courses in July and August.

There will also be plenty of festive fun-filled events in the run up

to Christmas. If you’ve been missing out on seeing live music or

theatre performed, now is the time to book your tickets for 2022.

You can catch top-notch performances of all kinds at the

Wyvern Theatre in Swindon, Wiltshire Music Centre in pretty

Bradford on Avon, the Watermill Theatre near Newbury or Pound

Arts Centre in Corsham.


Pictured left to right: Painting, Marlborough College Summer School;

Thermae Bath Spa roof top spa.

2

ESCAPE

THE EVERYDAY

Shake off the mundane and the everyday,

and go on an adventure this year! Discover

stunning street art as you explore bustling

Bristol. Take a swim in a rooftop pool

and visit the brand new Mary Shelley's House of

Frankenstein museum in Bath. See a historic windmill in

action in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding

Natural Beauty.

Watch horses thunder past at Newbury Racecourse.

Take a boat trip along the Thames, spotting famous

landmarks and pretty wildlife. Uncover the mysteries of

Wiltshire's dramatic crop circles. Float up, up and away

in a hot air balloon, or jump out of a plane with Skydive

Netheravon. We all deserve a little bit of luxury, so why

not prioritise your wellbeing and treat yourself to a

sumptuous spa stay, and enjoy a fine-dining experience

at a Michelin star restaurant.

You might even enjoy wine-tasting experience at

one of the Great West Way’s thriving vineyards, or a

cocktail masterclass at the Bombay Sapphire Distillery.

However you choose to Escape the Everyday let’s make

2022 a thrilling year and make up for lost time with

families and friends!


43

3

EXPLORE

BATH’S NEW WORLD

HERITAGE CENTRE

There’s a brand-new World Heritage Centre

opening in Bath in spring 2022. The new centre will

illuminate Bath's history with fascinating interactive

exhibits and displays about Bath’s hot springs, Roman remains

and Georgian architecture. A perfect excuse to visit the grand

and gentile city of Bath as you travel along the Great West

Way.


Pictured left to right: Pulteney Bridge over the River Avon in Bath;

Bath’s new World Heritage Centre; Graham from Tours2Order

4

CELEBRATE

WILTSHIRE

WILDLIFE TRUST’S 60TH

BIRTHDAY

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's first nature reserve

was Blackmoor Copse, a Site of Special

Scientific Interest and one of the most important

woods in Wiltshire for butterflies. 60 years after it was

first formed, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust now looks after

40 nature reserves in Wiltshire, many of which are

easy to access from the Great West Way.

The trust creates living landscapes across Wiltshire

by restoring, reconnecting and recreating wildlife

habitats across landscapes for wildlife and people.

Stop off at the grasslands and lakes at Lower

Moor near Cricklade, the wildlife-rich hay meadows at

Blakehill Farm Nature Reserve just down the road or

the woodland, ponds and wet grasslands at Jones's Mill

in the Vale of Pewsey in 2022 to enjoy nature, improve

your wellbeing and help Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

celebrate their big birthday year.

GREAT WEST WAY TOURS

Tours2Order

Graham is a Blue Badge Tourist Guide

based in Royal Berkshire, there to help you

discover the Great West Way.

tours2order.com

Bath Insider Tours

Founder of Bath Insider Tours, Daniel is a

local guide who was born and grew up in the

beautiful City of Bath.

bathinsidertours.co.uk

Britain’s Best Heritage Tours

Founders Ian and daughter Heather

together with Sandrine – all registered Blue

Badge Guides – offer expert-led tours.

bbhtours.co.uk

Galahad Tours

Private guided tours of the Great West Way

from Bath in a luxury vehicle. Sightseeing

in style in a luxury Mercedes V Class.

galahadtours.co.uk

Tour and Explore

Anne Bartlett is a specialist Blue Badge

Tourist Guide of the Great West Way.

tourandexplore.com


45

5

DISCOVER

THE WORLD OF

STONEHENGE

There’s a major new exhibition coming to the British

Museum in 2022; The World of Stonehenge - the first

of its kind in the UK. Explore the history and mystery of

one of England’s most iconic sites, built thousands of years ago on

Salisbury Plain, just below where the Great West Way runs today.

At the British Museum between 17 February and 17 July you

can see hundreds of ancient objects relating to the stone circle,

then learn more about its history at Wiltshire Museum before a

short detour to see Stonehenge itself.

Shrouded in layers of speculation and folklore, Stonehenge is

perhaps the world’s most awe-inspiring ancient stone circle, and

its image is famous around the globe.

The World of Stonehenge exhibition will bring the story

of Stonehenge into sharper focus, showing that rather than a

shadowy age of mystery, the Britain and Ireland of four millennia

ago were places of big ideas, commerce and travel.

Journey back to the time of its construction around

3000–2500 BC, and with the help of objects from across Europe

– including stone axes from the North Italian Alps and stunning

metalwork from Ireland – the world of Stonehenge will be

illuminated like never before.


Pictured left to right: Stonehenge prehistoric monument on Salisbury

Plain; Reading – famous for its biscuit manufacturing

6

ENJOY

A BISCUIT

FUELLED BREAK IN

READING

In 2022, Reading will

be celebrating the 200-

year anniversary of its biscuit

manufacturing history. In 1822

Thomas Huntley opened his first

shop in the town and went on to

become one of the world's largest

biscuit manufacturers with Huntley

& Palmers, earning Reading the

nickname of ‘Biscuit Town’ in the

process. 2022 will see biscuit focused

tours, events and offers come to

Reading, so make sure you stop off

here as you travel along the Great

West Way. Visit the special exhibition

Biscuit Town: 200 years of Huntley

and Palmers in Reading at The

Museum of English Rural Life, see the

astonishing collection of decorative

biscuits tins and ephemera in the

Huntley & Palmers Gallery at Reading

Museum, and be sure to join a Biscuit

Walkabout guided tour of Reading’s

biscuit heritage with Terry’s Reading

Walkabouts Reading.

Children’s Festival, 14 May – 5 June,

will also be taking on the theme of

Biscuit Town and you might wish to

finish off your biscuit itinerary with

Afternoon Tea at the Reading Room

and Lounge at the Roseate Reading

Hotel, complete with biscuits inspired

by Huntley and Palmer. Available from

9 May 2022. Or have Afternoon Tea

afloat on a Thames River Cruise as the

banks of the River Thames glide by.

Download the

Reading Pocket Map

Reading sits at the heart

of the Great West Way


47

7

CELEBRATE

LITERATURE ON THE

GREAT WEST WAY

Literature lovers will have plenty to please them in

2022 on the Great West Way. Thomas Hardy, the

author of Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Jude the Obscure

and Far from the Madding Crowd, was born in South West

England and set many of his novels here. In 2022, four exhibitions

dedicated to his life and work will take place on and near to

the Great West Way, in Devizes, Wiltshire, Poole and Dorset.

Wiltshire Museum will host "The Ancient Landscape" exploring

how Hardy's writing was influenced by Wiltshire's timeless

landscapes.

Plus, the first of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books was

published in 1997. And if you’re a lover of this magical world,

you can celebrate its 25th anniversary on a trip along the Great

West Way. Take a look at the best places to pretend you're Harry

Potter and discover some of the filming locations used to bring

Harry’s world to life in the film series, from the ancient Abbey in

Wiltshire that doubles as a Hogwart's classroom to the woodland

setting for the Quidditch World Cup.


Pictured left to right: The World-Famous Jacobite Express Train also known as

the ‘Harry Potter Steam Train'; Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea at Cliveden House

8

CELEBRATE

THE QUEEN’S

PLATINUM JUBILEE

Explore the Royal Connections of the Great West

Way as her Majesty the Queen becomes the first

UK monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. A fourday

Bank Holiday in June will mark the Queen’s 70-year reign,

and there will be celebrations and special events throughout

the whole of the year. So plan a trip fit for royalty in 2022 with

a visit to Windsor Castle – the Queen’s favourite weekend

residence - book an overnight stay in a regal suite at one of

our luxury hotel options, or plan a day out at Royal Ascot.

Here on the Great West Way, there will be lots of events

taking place throughout the year to mark the occasion, from

street parties to special exhibitions.

Click here to see our many events including: The Queen's

Platinum Jubilee Celebrations! - Hobbs of Henley Cruise;

The Monkton Park Royal Scarecrow Trail 2022, Chippenham;

Platinum Jubilee Walk and Jubilee Picnic in the Park, Windsor;

and the Beacon Lighting and Fireworks – being held in Windsor

during the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend.


49

9

TRAVEL

GREEN AND BE ACTIVE

As we all become more aware of our impact on

the planet, many of us are trying to choose more

sustainable ways to travel. Make 2022 the year you

go on an eco-friendly trip along the Great West

Way. You can traverse the entire route by public transport,

leave the car at home and cycle and walk sections. And along

the way you will find fine-dining restaurants stocked with

sustainable local produce, plastic-free towns, eco-friendly

glamping pods, and attractions working towards achieving

zero-carbon by planting trees across their land.

If you’re making a New Year’s Resolution to be more

active in 2022, a trip along the Great West Way will give

you all the opportunities you need. From long walks

along the Kennet & Avon Canal to cycle rides in Swinley

Forest, or rowing on the River Thames, there is plenty to

do to keep you busy and get your heart racing.

For something more unusual, have a go at inland

surfing at The Wave, book a tandem bike ride through the

centre of Bristol, or try Stand-up Paddleboarding with

Original Wild.


Pictured clockwise from left: Cyclists at Windsor Castle; Clifton Suspension

Bridge, Bristol; Bowood House & Gardens; Blenheim Palace

10

TICK

SOMEWHERE BIG OFF YOUR

BUCKET LIST

The maritime city of Bristol with its elegant Suspension

Bridge. The regal town of Windsor. World Heritage site

Blenheim Palace. Fascinating Berkeley Castle and beautiful

Bowood House & Gardens. There are plenty of iconic locations to visit

along the Great West Way route. Why don’t you make 2022 the year

you visit these fascinating and famous locations? Within easy reach of

the route you will also find spectacular Salisbury Cathedral and stunning

National Trust landscapes at Cheddar Gorge.

THIS WAY FOR A JOURNEY OF

DISCOVERY

Escape the Everyday on a unique

adventure along the Great West Way

in 2022, discovering iconic sites and

hidden landscapes.

Explore traditionally English market towns

where narrow cottage-lined streets hide

boutique shops and welcoming pubs. Finish

a long countryside ramble with a wellearned

slice of cake at a canal-side teashop.

Catch up on some city culture in vibrant

Bristol or gorgeous Georgian Bath, both well

stocked with fascinating museums, tranquil

galleries and historic landmarks. Then hop

back on a train or bus and whizz off to your

next Great West Way stop!

Download our newly updated 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 between Bristol and

London. And book your Great West Way

Discoverer pass for an easy, flexible and ecofriendly

way to travel by public transport.

Are you ready to start planning your

Great West Way adventure? Click here to

visit our campaign page.


BEST DAYS OUT

FOR FAMILES

ON THE GREAT WEST WAY

Bringing the kids on a Great West Way adventure? You’ll want some ideas

for things to do that will keep everyone happy. Don't worry, there’s plenty

of choice along the Great West Way for them too, from splish-splashy

water parks to wonderfully wild safari parks, for unforgettable family fun.

Of all the wow-worthy family attractions, there are

a few big ones you should be aware of. Not far

out of London is Legoland Windsor Resort. The

colourful block-built land dreams are made of.

This is probably one all kids everywhere will enjoy. In fact, it

may well bring back happy memories for adults, too. You can

visit just for the day to explore the amazing attractions, from

Miniland – a lego replica of the world – to a Lego reef where

you can build your own digital fish. There are some great

rides sure to ramp up excitement too, like the Pirate Falls

Treasure Quest, the Spinning Spider and the Vikings’ River

Splash. You can also stay overnight in one of the resort’s

fantastical hotels – check out The Castle with its fairytalethemed

rooms.

If you’re looking for things to do with kids in Swindon,

the Museum of the Great Western Railway is a must. There’s

plenty to enthral children, including a steam train simulator

where they can get behind the controls and a 1930s

platform, reconstructed to give a sense for the old glamour

of train travel. Grown-ups can get to grips with some Great

Western Railway history while kids go goggle-eyed over the

locomotives. You might think the figures you see around

the museum feel a little too life-like – that’s because they

were cast from real Swindon folk, including ex-railway

workers. After perusing the gift shop, you’ll find more

shopping at the Swindon Designer Outlet next door.

At Longleat, a little south of the Great West Way, you

can take your little lions on a wild drive through a safari

park. From the madness of the monkey drive-through to

the awe-inspiring sight of real-life rhinos in the Big Game

Park – it’s sure to be a lasting memory all-round.

Buckle them in to see their faces light up over those

enigmatic macaques, who aren’t shy, so make sure you

wind up the windows – unless you want an extra cheeky

monkey in the backseat.

Elsewhere there’s lions, tigers, a pack of wolves,

zebras, ostriches and much more. For those that want to

get hands-on with the animals, there are various feeding

opportunities – extend a branch off the pier for the giraffe,

hand-feed deer from your car window, throw fish to the

sea lions from the boat on the lake, hold cups of nectar for

rainbow lorikeets. Cute! →


53

EDUCATIONAL & ENJOYABLE

Who remembers being dragged kicking and screaming round

a so-called ‘educational’ attraction as a child? Well, no need

for any of that along the Great West Way.

In Bath, kids will love meeting the soldiers at The Roman

Baths. Or playing Postman Pat at the Bath Postal Museum,

or cowboys at the American Museum.

In Bristol, there’s Aerospace Bristol, M Shed, Bristol

Aquarium as well as REME Museum and the Atwell-Wilson

Motor Museum. Schedule plenty of time for a visit to Brunel’s

restored SS Great Britain. Its evocative cabins are filled with

the sights, sounds and smells of its first journeys across the

seas, from steerage to first class. Brave hearts can also climb

the ship’s mast, as sailors once did, and get a grand view over

Bristol’s floating harbour and toward the colourful houses of

Clifton Wood. Included in the price of the ticket is entry to

the new Being Brunel museum, where you enter the genius

mind of the Victorian engineer. The gift shop’s pretty great

too: who doesn’t need a bath duck dressed as Brunel?

And don’t forget We The Curious, where children are

invited to make their own discoveries through hands-on

science experiments including running on a giant hamster

wheel, dressing up like a bee to collect pollen and even

having a go at making your own animation, inspired by stopmotion

Aardman hits like Morph and Wallace and Gromit.

(Watch out for cool new exhibitions coming soon as the

museum is in the midst of an exciting revamp.) There’s also

a planetarium where you can all don special 3D specs for a

seasonal adventure in the night sky.

Little green fingers will love a day out at The University of

Bristol Botanic Garden exploring some 4,500 plant species

from over 200 plant families within its five-acre site. This

diversity of plants is unique and not found anywhere else in

the Bristol area.

A castle always goes down well, too. From the grandeur

of Hampton Court Palace, with the maze that featured in

‘Three Men in a Boat’ by Jerome K Jerome, Windsor Castle

and Berkeley Castle to the evocative ruins of Old Wardour

Castle, young imaginations are sure to be entertained.

Stonehenge and Avebury are also natural choices – both

allowing them to get a glimpse of history while roaming free

like pint-sized prehistoric warriors.


Pictured previous page: Longleat Pictured clockwise from left:

Brunel's SS Great Britain; Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park;

University of Bristol Botanic Garden

ACTION AND ADVENTURE

Kids won’t believe their eyes when they enter the tropical

glasshouses at The Living Rainforest near Newbury – home

to over 850 types of rainforest plants and animals including

Cinnamon the sloth, primary-coloured toucans and blue

poison dart frogs. Wannabe-keepers can even try a Keeper

Experience, where they’ll get behind-the-scenes access to

the animals and find out what it takes to care for them dayto-day.

Neatly situated in-between Bath and Bristol Avon Valley

Adventure and Wildlife Park is full of farmyard favourites

including a zoo, children's playground, mini train and go-karts.

Alternatively, take them for a splash about at Cotswold

Water Park, a short detour from the Great West Way. The

term ‘water park’ doesn’t convey the magnitude of this

place – it’s a complete holiday destination with lots of lovely

lakeside accommodation ranging from camping to swish

self-catering villas. The park encompasses a whopping 150

lakes – and there’s even a beach, not quite what you’d expect

in the Cotswolds countryside! There’s plenty to keep kids and

grown-ups busy including archery, fishing, golf, horse riding,

kayaking, wakeboarding and bird watching. And when you’re

not picnicking on cheese and pickle sandwiches by one of the

lakes, there are family-friendly places to eat and drink.

Plus, check out Active England’s Family Adventures for

ideas and try a boat trip with Bristol Packet Boat Trips, Jubilee

Boat Trips and Barbara McLellan Canal Boat. →


55

SOME WILD CARDS

Family Raceday at Ascot is packed full of memory making

activities for all the family to enjoy from dog agility

performers and Ferret Racing to adventurous treasure hunts

and pony rides. You might enjoy taking the kids to meet

red panda Lady Hilary at Bristol Zoo Gardens, visit Janu the

elephant at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, pet ponies and piggies at

Roves Farm Visitor Centre or to take a walk in the tree canopy

at Westonbirt Arboretum.

Just north of the Great West Way, Westonbirt is well

set up for young naturalists. The nice clear paths and

new Treetop Walkway make arboretum adventures easy,

whatever the season. Keep an eye out for special events and

activities, too. Their Enchanted Christmas never fails to ignite

the imaginations of little ones with its twinkly tree lights and

magical trails – Mr & Mrs Christmas also like to attend.

Spring and autumn are also natural highlights, with a

confetti of golden leaves or pink blossoms bound to put a

bounce in your tiny tot’s steps. At WWF wildlife reserves like

Blakehill Farm, Lower Moor and Jones’s Mill they can don a

pair of baby binos and spot their first birds. And they’ll also be

captivated by the pretty spectacle at Studley Grange Butterfly

World – also home to meerkats, otters and terrapins. Finally, if

they just need to run around for a bit, Windsor Great Park has

more space than they could ever need.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY STAYS

If you’re not camping or glamping at one of the idyllic

countryside camps along the Great West Way, there are

some excellent hotels well-suited to families. At both

Cricklade House and Woolley Grange Hotel, on the edge

of the Cotswolds, you’ll be delighted to find mum and dad

delights, like spas and bars, alongside lots of child-friendly

activities. And for every night you stay at Woolley Grange,

you get two hours of complimentary childcare in the Ofsted

Registered Woolley Bears Den crèche, allowing parents to

have a fun and relaxing time too!

FAMILY-FRIENDLY PLACES TO EAT

The Great West Way incorporates lots of amazing family

days out along its route with plenty of places to eat and

drink with children of all ages.


Pictured clockwise from left: Ascot Racecourse;

Bowood House & Gardens; Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen

Take the kids for a trip on a narrowboat, and stop

at a friendly canal-side café for a bite to eat. Spend the

day exploring a castle, meeting animals at the zoo, or

watching children’s theatre – then relax in the sunshine in

an unpretentious pub garden. Enjoy a lovely family meal at

a welcoming restaurant after a tiring day of adventurous

activities like cycling, learning to surf or rock climbing.

There are welcoming family-friendly cafés at many of the

attractions along the Great West Way – perfect for picking

up lunch during a family day out. Aerospace Bristol Café,

Westonbirt Restaurant and the Pump Room at The Roman

Baths will all happily welcome children. At Bowood House

and Gardens, the Stables Restaurant and Treehouse Café are

two great options for the whole family, not to mention the

ever-popular Ice Cream Kiosk in the middle of the adventure

playground! From toddlers to teenagers, keep the whole

family happy at the many family-friendly restaurants, pubs,

hotels and cafés along the Great West Way. You can expect

sunny, welcoming service and tasty food to suit fussy eaters

(both adults and children!)

There are even lots of dog-friendly places to eat and drink

along the Way to keep the whole family happy. For a fun

family day out, head to Longleat Food and Music Festival in

the summer, or stop off at welcoming Cobbs Farm Shop &

Kitchen, Hungerford for a bite to eat as you travel the route.

At Cobbs you can sit on the garden terrace to enjoy a

meal and a drink, with a clear view over the children’s play

area - so the whole family will be happy!


57

THE MYSTERY OF

STONEHENGE

The world-famous British Museum is running a major exhibition

dedicated to Stonehenge; the most famous ancient stone circle in

the world. Shrouded in layers of speculation and folklore, you can

now learn all about this special monument’s fascinating history in

London before visiting Stonehenge itself on a wonderful

prehistoric journey of the Great West Way

“The exhibition has given us the incredible opportunity to put

Stonehenge in the context of this era, including the arrival

of the first farmers who transformed the British landscape;

the first metalworkers who redefined social, economic,

and cosmological connections; and the introduction of

long-distance trade and exchange networks,” says Neil.

“Stonehenge features throughout the narrative we tell, acting

as a familiar thread. We took the opportunity to show that the

monument meant very different things at different times and

that these meanings were informed by what was happening

elsewhere across Europe”.

Stonehenge is a famous and much-loved British

monument that has fascinated historians,

archaeologists and enthusiasts for centuries. In The

British Museum’s special exhibition, The World of

Stonehenge, running this summer its story is being told. And,

if ever there was an iconic structure that evokes questions of

who?, when?, why? and how? Stonehenge is it. This is the first

time an exhibition about Stonehenge and its era has ever been

staged in London. “That seems remarkable to me given how

famous the monument is around the world,” Neil Wilkin, The

British Museum Stonehenge Exhibition Curator, tells us.

Over 430 objects have been brought together from across

Europe in this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle on the history –

and mystery – of the ancient monument. “It was an amazing

opportunity to bring so many wonderful objects to London

from across Britain, Ireland, and North-West Europe and to

display them together and tell such a compelling story”, Neil

explains.

And there is quite a history, Stonehenge was built 4,500

years ago around the same time as the Sphinx and the Great

Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, one of the most remarkable eras on

the islands of Britain and Ireland, which saw huge social and

technological revolutions, alongside fundamental changes in

people’s relationships with the sky, the land and one another.

At the heart of the exhibition is the sensational loan of a

4,000-year-old Bronze Age timber circle, dubbed Seahenge

due to its similarity to Wiltshire’s Stonehenge. It is a hugely

significant and extremely rare surviving example of a timber

monument that has also been called “Stonehenge of the Sea.”

It re-emerged on a remote Norfolk beach in 1998 due to the

shifting sands, and it consists of a large, upturned tree stump

surrounded by 54 wooden posts. The oak posts, some up to

3m tall, were tightly packed in a 6.6m diameter circle with

their bark-covered sides facing outwards. Inside the circle was

a mighty oak, its roots upturned towards the heavens like

branches. Collectively the circle creates a giant tree. A narrow

entranceway was aligned on the rising midsummer sun and it

is thought this monument was used for ritual purposes.

“The exhibition could never replace the opportunity to visit

Stonehenge itself - or indeed many of the other wonderful

sites and museums along the Great West Way, including

Salisbury Museum, Wiltshire Museum in Devizes or Avebury

henge and standing stones”, says Neil. “It does, however,

provide the perfect complementary experience and I really

hope visitors to the Way will be able to start or end their

journeys at the British Museum exhibition”.

When asked about his favourite part of the exhibition, Neil

enthuses, “I love so many of the objects, from the newly

discovered Burton Agnes chalk 'drum', buried with three

children in a poignant and powerful grave in North Yorkshire

around 3000 BC, around the same time as the bluestones

were being raised at Stonehenge to the Nebra Sky Disc from

Germany, a portable version of Stonehenge and the earliest

known depiction of the heavens in the world! I'm particularly

fond of Seahenge too - we have been able to bring key

elements of this wonderfully preserved timber circle to London

(the oaks to build it were felled in the spring or summer of →


59

“I love so many of the objects,

from the newly discovered Burton

Agnes chalk 'drum' ... to the Nebra

Sky Disc from Germany.”

Neil Wilkin, Exhibition Curator

2049 BC). It is the next best thing to being able to exhibit

Stonehenge itself, especially given the importance of timber

monuments during the era of Stonehenge - monuments that

so rarely survive due to their perishable material.

The new Prehistoric Journey of the Great West Way takes

you on an adventure through the ancient landscapes of the

Great West Way, and journeys between two historic cities; the

famous English capital, London, and the small city of Salisbury

just to the south of the main Great West Way route. Over

three busy days, you may only cover a few hundred miles but

you will travel through thousands of years of history.

The journey begins at the British Museum World of

Stonehenge exhibition, then it’s an hour and a half train

journey to the Wiltshire city of Salisbury, to spend a few hours

exploring the historic streets; it might not reach back in time

quite as far as Stonehenge itself, but there are 800 years of

fascinating history to see here.

After a busy day exploring England's past, venture back to the

modern day with a meal at one of Salisbury's contemporary

restaurants, and a quiet drink at one of the city's many

bars or pubs before getting up bright and early for a visit to

Stonehenge itself.

With space for just 30 visitors, a Stone Circle Experience lets

you get up close to the world-famous ancient monument,

walking amongst the towering, mysterious stones as the day

begins. Each visit takes place at dawn and lasts an hour, after

which you can explore the museum-quality exhibitions at the

Stonehenge Visitor Centre to find out more detail and context

about the stone circle's past.

Spend your afternoon back in the city of Salisbury for a visit

to Salisbury Museum. Located in the Cathedral Close, the

museum is surrounded by the city's historic sights, including

the awe-inspiring Salisbury Cathedral. Inside Salisbury

Museum you will discover a world-class gallery of archaeology

housing one of Europe’s most extensive collections of

Stonehenge and prehistoric artefacts, as well as other

exhibitions dedicated to the history of the local area.

Spend your evening exploring and experiencing Salisbury’s

nightlife; the city has a huge array of restaurants, bars and

pubs to enjoy as well as theatres with a busy programme of

plays and performances throughout the year.

For those who would like to see more of the ancient

landscapes of the Great West Way travel out of Salisbury to

the Wiltshire market town of Devizes, taking less than an


Pictured previous page left to right: Stonehenge; Decorated sun-disc from a woman’s belt, found in

Langstrup, Denmark. Pictured clockwise from left: Neil Wilkin, British Museum Curator inspects a beaker

pot before it goes on display; Bronze twin horse–snake hybrid; Nebra Sky Disc; Seahenge; Rare Saxon coin

found in Wiltshire field and bought by the Wiltshire Museum for £21,600 after a fundraising campaign

hour by car. This pretty little town boasts a traditional market

square, independent shops aplenty and pleasant walks along

the Kennet & Avon Canal.

Here you will also find Wiltshire Museum, a treasure trove of

information about the area’s history. The Prehistoric Wiltshire

Galleries tell the story of the people who built the mysterious

monuments of Stonehenge and Avebury, and features

artifacts from the over 4,000 years ago, to complete your

understanding of our area's ancient history.

In the afternoon, explore the surrounding countryside to walk

through the timeless landscapes you have heard about on your

trip. The large stone circle at Avebury - dating back more than

4,000 years and running through the village itself - is a short

drive away from Devizes. While you're there, visit West Kennet

Long Barrow and Silbury Hill to fully immerse yourself in the

ancient landscape, and enjoy a walk with far-reaching views

over the Wiltshire countryside. West Kennet Long Barrow is a

Neolithic tomb built more than five thousand years ago - step

into the dark interior to feel like you have travelled backwards

through the millennia. A short walk away, Silbury Hill is a manmade

hill created at roughly the same time as the Avebury

stone circle, similar in size to some of the ancient Egyptian

pyramids, and built for mysterious unknown purposes.

Now that you have thoroughly explored the ancient

landscapes and prehistoric past of the Great West Way, it's

time to end your journey by returning east to London.

Or you may prefer to explore the rest of the Great West Way

route by travelling west to the vibrant cities of Bristol and

Bath, which both have a wealth of attractions, activities and

history to enjoy. Click here to find out more.


PICTURESQUE

VILLAGES

TO STOP AT ALONG THE

ROUTE BY BOAT OR TRAIN

Ready to plan a Great West Way adventure by train or on water?

You can visit these pretty villages plus plenty of other fascinating

destinations and attractions along the way. Book a Great West Way

Discoverer pass for easy and convenient travel, with the option to hop

on and off at stops all along the route...

Words | Poppy Ryan

Pictured previous page: The market town of Hungerford near Kintbury

Pictured clockwise from left: The Ferry Cookham; Sir Stanley Spencer

Gallery; North Wessex Down

There are many ways to travel the Great West Way

between Bristol and London; by bike, boat, car, foot

or by public transport using the Great West Way

Discoverer pass. If you choose to explore by rail, you

can easily hop between vibrant cities like Bath or Bristol,

historic towns like Windsor or Newbury, and even small,

sleepy villages where you can enjoy a taste of traditional

English village life. Here’s a selection of some of our favourites

within easy reach by train or by water.

cygnets and assigns ownership. You might also enjoy a visit to

the Stanley Spencer Gallery where guides offer walking tours

around Cookham, the heart of the village and the river path.

Or find your own way with the Gallery’s Walks Booklet.

Getting there: Travel with Great Western Railway to

Cookham railway station or take a cruise along the River

Thames.

Where to stay: Places to stay in and around Cookham

include Bel and the Dragon, Cliveden and the Thames Riviera.

THE COOKHAMS VILLAGES

Cookham, Cookham Rise and Cookham Dean are referred

to locally as ‘The Cookhams’. Although Kenneth Grahame’s

children’s classic, The Wind in the Willows, was mainly a

product of the author’s imagination, the sleepy riverside

village of Cookham Dean, where he lived as a boy, may well

have inspired him. Try the National Trust’s 3-mile Wind in the

Willows walk. In fact, these well-heeled Berkshire villages by

The Thames have attracted plenty of creative residents over

the years, including artist Sir Stanley Spencer and actress

Jessica Brown Findlay - Lady Sybil Crawley in Downton Abbey.

Plan your visit to Cookham to see the colourful Swan Upping

Ceremony taking place during the third week of July. This is

the time when the Royal Swankeeper catches all the new


PANGBOURNE

The pretty Berkshire village of Pangbourne, near Reading,

boasts a selection of independent shops, pubs and cafes, and

was once home to Kenneth Grahame, who wrote the beloved

children's book The Wind in the Willows. The River Thames

runs through the village, offering lovely riverside walks to

visitors, as well as the chance for some wildlife-watching.

Pangbourne railway station is on the Great Western main line

between London Paddington and Bristol, making this an easy

stopping-off point as you travel along the Great West Way.

The large town of Reading - with its fascinating museums,

bustling shops, and historic connections to the likes of Jane

Austen and Oscar Wilde - is also near to Pangbourne and easy

to reach by train.

Getting there: Pangbourne is also on the Great Western

main line, with the River Thames running through it, so

travelling there is easy by both boat or train.

Where to stay: Places to stay in and around Pangbourne

include Hilton Reading, The Roseate and Bird in Hand at

Knowl Hill.

WOOLHAMPTON

A few miles East of the pretty market town of Newbury is the

lesser-known Berkshire village of Woolhampton. This small

village boasts a couple of country pubs, riverside walks along

the River Kennet, and its own railway station with direct links

to nearby Newbury and Reading. Somewhat confusingly,

the railway station at Woolhampton is not named after the

village itself, but after Midgham - another village two miles

down the road!

Getting there: Woolhampton has its own station, Midgham.

It was formerly known as Woolhampton railway station -

travel with Great Western Railway. Travelling by boat? It is

easy to find the canalside from the Kennet & Avon Canal,

stop off at The Rowbarge, a truly characterful traditional pub

on the canal.

Where to stay: Places to stay in and around Woolhampton

include The Rowbarge, Chestnuts B&B and Rowe's

Farmhouse.

KINTBURY

The quiet Berkshire village of Kintbury is surrounded by the

stunning countryside of the North Wessex Downs Area of

Outstanding Natural Beauty. Kintbury has everything you

could want in a village; pubs, a bakery, a shop and a post

office. The village also offers direct access to the Kennet &

Avon Canal, which can be explored by foot, bike or boat.

Nearby are two bustling, historic market towns - Newbury and

Hungerford - which can also be reached by train and are well

worth a visit for a spot of shopping or something to eat. →


65

Pictured left to right: The village of Ramsbury; Burbage

Wharf and Crane in Pewsey Vale

Getting there: Travel to Kintbury train station with Great

Western Railway or cruise there along the Kennet & Avon

Canal

Where to stay: Places to stay in and around Kintbury include

Manor Farm Courtyard Cottages, Hampstead Norreys, and

Donnington Grove.

EASTBURY

This lesser-visited Berkshire village offers an authentic glimpse

at rural English life. It is home to weeping willows, thatched

houses and duck races. Pop into the local pub, The Eastbury

Plough, for one of their ‘Proper English Roasts’. You’ll have

your pick of local produce: roast Berkshire venison, the belly of

Windsor Estate pork and rib of Marsh Farm beef have all been

featured on the menu recently. Eastbury also makes a fine

place to stop off if you’re in Lambourn for horse racing.

Getting there: Take the train to Eastbury Plough station or a

narrowboat along the River Lambourn.

Where to stay: The Queens Arms at East Garston,

Hungerford, an award-winning hotel, pub and restaurant

with its own private lodge.

RAMSBURY

Historic Ramsbury is just a quick jaunt east of Marlborough.

The Bell, a 300-year-old coaching inn, has a restaurant that’s

as well-regarded as its comfortable rooms. If you enjoy a

tipple, take one of the Ramsbury Estate’s guided distillery

or brewery tours - they make their own gin, vodka and beer

with chalk-filtered water. Try Honey Bee Nectar, a golden

pale ale produced in cooperation with North Wessex Downs

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - except for the hops,

all the beer's ingredients come from within the AONB. When

you’ve had your fill of food and drink, explore the village’s

rich heritage which goes all the way back to the Saxons. The

magnificent mosaics at Littlecote Roman Villa are a must-see

- and there is a lovely flat 1-mile walk from Littlecote to the

Ramsbury Brewery.

Getting there: Possibly the most difficult of our villages to

reach by train or boat, as the nearest station is Hungerford,

which takes around 10 minutes (from Hungerford Station) to

Ramsbury in a taxi. The River Kennet runs through the village

which makes for a beautifully picturesque scene. By boat

stop at the nearby Hungerford Canal and from there make

your way by bike or foot.

Where to stay: The place to stay in Ramsbury is The Bell,

or nearby in Hungerford you could try the Herongate

Apartments, conveniently located just minutes' walk from

Hungerford High Street.


GREAT BEDWYN

Located canalside in the stunning landscapes of the Vale of

Pewsey, in the centre of the Great West Way, the Wiltshire

village of Great Bedwyn is connected to the rest of the route

by road, rail and canal. This pretty village offers lots of lovely

hikes, including a walk to 200-year-old Wilton Windmill,

with stunning views over the local countryside. Or you could

explore the peaceful Kennet and Avon Canal on a narrowboat

trip or towpath cycle ride. Of course, nothing completes a

traditional English village like a traditional English pub, and in

Great Bedwyn you will find an award-winning independent

freehouse, The Three Tuns, serving high-quality food and drink.

Getting there: Travel to Bedwyn station with Great Western

Railway or cruise there along the Kennet & Avon Canal.

Where to stay: You might have to make it a day trip to Great

Bedwyn, or you could combine it with a visit and stay in the

nearby village of Ramsbury (see previous entry).

PEWSEY

The Historic Wiltshire village of Pewsey is the perfect place

to base yourself when exploring the ancient landscape of the

Great West Way. The characterful village even has its own

chalky White Horse, just a mile or so south. It’s also a lovely

launchpad for some great walks and bike rides along the

Kennet & Avon Canal or through the surrounding countryside.

Just outside the village is Jones's Mill, a Wiltshire Wildlife

Trust nature reserve where you can walk amongst woodlands,

fens and wet grasslands, spotting rare plants and beautiful

wildflowers.

But don’t be fooled into thinking it’s all sleepy and rural

here - the Pewsey Vale is known for its lively music festival

and top pubs too. (In summer you can pitch your tent at The

Woodbridge Inn.)

Getting there: Travel to Pewsey train station with Great

Western Railway or take a barge trip along the Kennet &

Avon Canal.

Where to stay: Places to stay in and around Pewsey include

Troutbeck Guest House and Totteridge Farm Camping Pods

STEEPLE ASHTON

Steeple Ashton is a quintessential West Country Village,

offering visitors an opportunity to marvel at its variety of

architectural styles, spanning 700 years, set amidst beautiful

Wiltshire countryside. There is also a warm welcome and

refreshment to be enjoyed at the Village Shop and at The

Longs Arms public house. At the centre of the Village is the

green with its lock-up gaol and market cross.

Getting there: Nearest rail stations are at Trowbridge and

Westbury

Where to stay: Newhouse Farm Bed & Breakfast →


67

Pictured clockwise from left: Pretty thatched cottages in the village of

Avebury; Castle Combe; The National Trust village of Lacock

AVEBURY

Museums, 16th-century manor houses, megalithic stone

circles, some villages have it all. As home to the largest stone

circle in the world, some of Avebury village lies within the

stones. Go on one of the National Trust’s regular guided tours

to find out more about all the strange sarsens and burial

mounds around you. Make sure you check out Avebury Manor,

too, and the Alexander Keiller Museum, which shines a light

on the many archaeological finds from the area. Follow up

with a cream tea in one of the cafés, and maybe even stay the

night in a cosy B&B so you can capture that misty, mysterious

morning view on camera.

Getting there: The nearest rail station to Avebury is Pewsey

(see previous entry) or cruise there along the Kennet & Avon

Canal.

Where to stay: Places to stay in and around Avebury include

Buttle Farm, Mill Farm Glamping and The Kingsbury @ No.7

& No.8.

streets are lined with charming stone cottages, and there’s a

Tithe Barn and traditional bakery too. Stop and peer in the

windows at 2 High Street. If you thought the UK’s buzzing

coffee culture was something new, think again! Although the

old shop window now replicates a local store at the beginning

of the 20th-century, it was previously a busy coffee tavern.

Other attractions in the village include Lacock Abbey and the

Fox Talbot Museum - the birthplace of photography.

Getting there: By train travel to Melksham or Chippenham

LACOCK

You’ll find this National Trust village - a film set for Pride and

Prejudice and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - just

a few miles south of Chippenham. It’s been so beautifully

preserved that it feels like a living museum. Its medieval


station which are around three miles from Lacock Village. It

is also easy to navigate there by bike (you will find bike racks

in the village car park adjacent to the Red Lion pub) with a

surrounding network of footpaths, including a route beside

the Wiltshire & Berkshire Canal.

Where to stay: Places to stay in and around Lacock include

Cherry Tree Barn, Guyers House Hotel and Restaurant and

Lorne House.

CASTLE COMBE

No list of villages along the Great West Way could miss out

Castle Combe, often referred to as the prettiest village in

England. The quaint limestone cottages that feature in many

a travel snap, however, were not built for their aesthetics

but to house the weavers who made the village's distinctive

red and gold cloth, often used for military uniforms. They

lived and worked close to the Bybrook River as the water was

needed for ‘fulling’ or cleansing the wool. If you have your own

wheels - bike, car or even chauffeur-driven classic car - don’t

miss the chance to explore nearby Cotswolds villages such

as Badminton, Bibury, Lower Slaughter and Bourton-on-the-

Water.

Getting there: The nearest station to Castle Combe is

Chippenham. The river Bybrook forms the heart of many

communities in North Wiltshire as it carves its way through

beautiful countryside and villages all the way from Burton

down to Bathford and flows through the heart of Castle

Combe.

Where to stay: Places to stay in and around Castle Combe

include The Manor House and Golf Club, Best Western Angel

Hotel, Guyers House Hotel and Restaurant and Lorne House

BATHAMPTON

Bathampton is a wonderful place for rest and contemplation,

just an 11-minute drive from the high society of Bath. The

almighty views from Bathampton Down offer perspective not

just on the village but on the city, and the countryside beyond.

With the Kennet & Avon Canal running through it, it’s also a

great place to take a boat ride – aboard the Pulteney Princess

perhaps - or just enjoy a stroll along the banks. Look out for

herons and cormorants, both regular visitors to the waterways

here. Fun Fact: Plasticine was invented here in 1897 by local

art teacher William Harbutt.

Getting there: Bathampton has its own train station

however it has been disused since 1966. Instead, head to

Bath’s Manvers Street and jump on a D1 discover bus towards

Warminster to reach Bathampton (Hantone Hill) taking just

ten minutes. Alternatively, located on the beautiful Kennet →


69

Pictured top to bottom: Family go for a walk in Freshford;

The Inn at Freshford

& Avon Canal what better a way to travel to Bathampton

than along the canal. (Pulteney Princess and Bath & Dundas

Canal Co both offer boat trips).

Where to stay: Places to stay in and around Bathampton

include The Old Mill Hotel and Bailbrook House. Or head

into Bath where there is a superabundance of wonderful

accommodation options.

Great Western Railway or by boat along the River Avon. From

the station you can join the footpath along the River Avon.

This will take you through Avoncliff Wood to the Avoncliff

aqueduct. The significant structure carries the Kennet &

Avon Canal and the Bath to Westbury railway line over the

River Avon. It was built by John Rennie and chief engineer

John Thomas between 1797 and 1801 and is a Grade II listed

FRESHFORD

Picture-perfect and with a train station that will whisk you

to either the Georgian city of Bath or the pretty market

town of Bradford on Avon in around ten minutes, you might

be surprised to discover just how rural the Somerset village

of Freshford feels. This countryside idyll offers a breath

of fresh air; here you will find narrow streets lined with

higgledy-piggledy cottages, as well as fantastic views over the

surrounding countryside. There are lovely walks heading out

from the village in all directions, including a picturesque stroll

through woodland and river meadow to Iford Manor Gardens

where you can enjoy a walk through flower-filled terrace

gardens followed by tea and cake in the cafe. Or, stop off for a

brew at the beautiful 16th Century village inn ideally located

on the banks of the River Frome.

Getting there: Travel to Freshford train station with the


TheOldBellHotel

oldbell_hotel

Abbeyhousemanor

Abbeyhousemanor

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

uilding. From its elevated position there are fine views over

the river below.

Where to stay: The closest place to stay is Homewood, an

eclectic, luxurious and slightly eccentric hotel; think grand

Georgian country house and grounds filled with creative

artworks and ultra-modern indulgences including a spa and

heated outdoor swimming pool.

BLAISE HAMLET

For something a bit different, head four miles north of Bristol

to see this attractive hamlet - built to provide housing for

workers of Blaise Castle Estate in their retirement. The nine

comfortable cottages now seem almost ornamental, with

their tall chimneys and attractive thatched roofs. They were

commissioned in the 19th century by John Scandrett Harford,

a Bristol banker and prominent Quaker. See if you can read the

sundial on the village green.

Getting there: It's simple to reach Blaise Hamlet by train.

Hop on at Bristol Temple Meads to Sea Mills station taking

around 20 minutes. You can also cycle along the National

Cycle Network Route 4 via Henbury.

Where to stay: Stay at Best Western Henbury Lodge Hotel

or one of the many brilliant nearby accommodation options

in Bristol.

TISBURY

A little south of the Great West Way you’ll find Tisbury, one

of Wiltshire’s prettiest villages. It’s worth the trip for a view

onto the Nadder Valley - and both the Cranborne Chase and

West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

It’s fantastic for walkers, but also caters to those who prefer

to potter along a well-kept High Street, with its independent

boutiques and tea rooms. Other highlights include a

4,000-year-old yew tree and possibly the largest Tithe Barn in

existence in England. Oh, and it’s very close to Old Wardour

Castle of Robin Hood Prince of Thieves fame.

Getting there: Tisbury railway station is managed by South

Western Railway and is on the West of England Main Line.

Where to stay: Places to stay in and around Tisbury include

Wingmore, The Benett Arms and the Grosvenor Arms.

Click here to find out

more about purchasing

the Great West Way

Discoverer pass

Did you know?

With Sally

Narrowboats you

can plan your own

journey to see these

picturesque villages

by boat? Located on

the Kennet and Avon

Canal in Bradford

on Avon, Sally

Narrowboats offers

Canal Boat Holidays

for accommodation

that goes wherever

you go…

Click here to find

out more


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

JUNE

02

In Windsor the Platinum

Jubilee weekend begins with

the lighting of the Windsor

beacon and fireworks

14

Royal Ascot presents an

all-star cast, unparalleled

racing and exquisite fine

dining again this summer

2-5

JUNE

CITY OF BATH

1-5

JUNE

Kids Rule at Stonehenge

Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum

Jubilee with historic performers,

family fun and hands-on activities

Queens Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend

In celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in the

City of Bath there will be a city parade, a service at Bath

Abbey and a picnic in Royal Victoria Park

11-12

JUNE

Bradford on Avon Food & Drink Festival

Enjoy demonstrations from local

and celebrity chefs, markets, live

music and a dog show


FROM

01

JUNE

The Platinum Jubilee Tea at

Bite Me Burger, Marlborough

Enjoy Bite Me burgers,

homemade cupcakes,

burger cakes, scones with

clotted cream and jam,

petit fours, macarons, an

assortment of chocolates,

and caramel popcorn

served on a fabulous

millennium wheel

Until 30 June

Visit the Royal Crescent

Hotel & Spa in Bath to

see paintings by Alina

Maksimenko in a special

solo exhibition

23

JUNE

DANESFIELD

HOUSE HOTEL

A Right Royal Tea Party

Replicating Her Majesty's

favourite sandwiches and cakes

in celebration of the milestone

UNTIL

05

JUNE

WADDESDON

Waddesdon Colourscape

An extraordinary experience

of colour and light lands again

on the Waddesdon lawns

2-3 June

Love Saves the Day will

kickstart the Queen’s

Jubilee celebrations at

Bristol’s Ashton Court

while also celebrating its

10 year anniversary


75

Against the backdrop

of a renowned collection

experience critically acclaimed

exhibitions of historical and

contemporary art, lectures,

concerts, workshops and

events or indulge in our

Garden Café.

DON’T MISS

Love Life: David Hockney

Drawings 1963-1977

27 May to 18 September 2022

Rodin & Degas: Impressionist

Sculpture

3 September 2022 to 2 January 2023

2019 HIGHLIGHTS

George Shaw

A Corner of a Foreign Field

Édouard Vuillard

Against The the Poetry backdrop of the Everyday of a

renowned Lauren collection Child experience

critically The acclaimed Art of Illustration exhibitions

of historical and contemporary

Rembrandt

art, lectures,

A Life in

concerts,

Print

workshops

and events or indulge in our

Garden

Henri

Café

Matisse

Master of Line

Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4DB

www.holburne.org

Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4DB

www.holburne.org

Discover Pewsey Vale

One day or multi-day

walking & cycling itineraries

in the heart of the

north wessex downs

eat ~ drink ~ shop ~ stay

• Tours in Bath

• Trips from Bath

• Stonehenge Tours

• Custom Tours

• Unique Experiences

www.visitpewseyvale.co.uk

tranquil ~ spiritual ~ ancient

PRIVATE TOURS WITH A FRIENDLY AWARD-WINNING LOCAL GUIDE

www.bathinsidertours.co.uk

Arts and Events Cultural Calendar

JULY

UNTIL

17

JULY

The World of Stonehenge,

The British Museum

Shrouded in layers of

speculation and folklore,

Stonehenge towers

above the Wiltshire

countryside, and is

perhaps the world's

most awe-inspiring

ancient stone circle

28 June – 3 July

Henley Royal Regatta is

the most prestigious

rowing regatta in the world

a highlight of the Great

West Way social season

23

JULY

IFORD MANOR

Ray Gelato's Giants Jazz Festival

The Godfather of Swing, Ray

Gelato and his band, promise a

fun-filled evening of jazz tunes

10

JULY

LITTLEWICK GREEN

Maidenhead Bikeathon

A popular cycling event (it is

not a race!) with three

different routes available

25 June – 10 July

Bristol Pride will feature

a programme of events

across the city over two

weeks, while Pride Day

will take place on 9 July

returning to The Downs


77

Arts and Events Cultural Calendar

AUGUST

FROM

01

AUGUST

BRISTOL

A trail of large Globe sculptures in Bristol

The World Reimagined is a ground-breaking, national

art education project aimed at transforming how we

understand Transatlantic Slavery

07

The Sports Family Fun Race

Day at Windsor Racecourse

is a great day with live horse

racing and entertainment

28-29

AUGUST

The Joust, Berkeley Castle

Knights and their stunning steeds

from the Cavalry of Heroes battle it

out in a spectacular jousting display

27-28

The Bristol Botanic Garden

hosts a variety of events

throughout the year including

the Bee and Pollination

Festival which celebrates all

things related to bees and

pollination

5-6

AUGUST

THEATRE AT THE BOWL, SWINDON

A Midsummer Night's Dream - in the heart of the Town Gardens

The Fairy Kingdom is at War. Oberon and Titania's

marital mayhem unleashes chaos on four young lovers

with disastrous – and hilarious – consequences

11-14

AUGUST

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Bristol’s largest free fiesta returns

with over 100 hot air balloons at

Ashton Court Estate


SEPTEMBER

UNTIL

04

SEPT

Nature Detectives at Roves

Farm, Swindon

Take part in woodland

crafts, gather sticks, build

a den, follow the activity

trail, go on a bug hunt,

and join the farmer on

a tractor and trailer ride

of the farm. Plus, take

on the giant slides and

climbing ropes in the park

10 May – 25 September

Biscuit Town: 200 years

of Huntley & Palmers

in Reading exhibition at

The Museum of English

Rural Life

15-18

SEPT

Blenheim Palace International

Horse Trials

A world class international

equestrian event and day out

UNTIL

12

SEPT

THE HOLBURNE

Love Life: David Hockney’s Drawings

A sumptuous collection of rarely

seen drawings by one of our most

popular and recognisable artists

7 July – 26 September

In celebration of The

Queen's Platinum Jubilee,

Windsor Castle are

hosting a special display

commemorating Her

Majesty's Coronation


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

Great Bristol Food Tour with Cycle the City.

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 in a quaint country setting in Berkshire, it also

has a 30,000-bottle wine cellar and a fine dining

restaurant. Head chef Robby Jenks is at the helm of

this 3AA Rosette restaurant. Diners can choose from

an à la carte or a 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

Pony & Trap, Bristol

Run by brother and sister Josh and Holly Eggleton,

this Michelin Star pub, with exceptional views of

the stunning Chew Valley, offers an ever-changing

menu that focuses on fresh produce which is locally

sourced. Diners can choose from a tasting menu or

from the dinner and lunch menus where they can

enjoy dishes such as wood pigeon and ‘day boat’ fish.

Moorledge Road, Newtown, Chew Magna

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

for fine gastronomy and creative cooking. Diners


85

Gourmet Guide to Food and Drink

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

Casamia, Bristol

Casamia is a family run restaurant serving a multicourse

tasting menu within an intimate restaurant

setting of just nine tables. Chef Peter Sanchez-

Iglesias and his team create dishes which are

influenced by the individuality, multicultural and

creative vibes of their home city of Bristol.

The General, Lower Guinea Street, Bristol

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”.

East Chisenbury, Pewsey, Wiltshire


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

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

The Marco Pierre White Restaurant

at The Castle Hotel

Savour the flavour of seasonal menus at the Marco

Pierre White Restaurant at The Castle Hotel. Dishes

include Chicken Milanese and cheesy and creamy

Macaroni Cheese perfectly paired with a refreshing

Marco Pierre White wine.

mpwrestaurants.co.uk

The Monkey Island Brasserie at the

Monkey Island Estate

The cuisine here is a delectable modern take on

British classics, with produce freshly sourced from

the gardens and surrounding countryside. Choose

to dine in the elegant main dining room or on the

terrace with views of the River Thames, where the

surroundings are refined yet intimate and informal,

and steeped in history.

monkeyislandestate.co.uk

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, the Saints & Sinners restaurant at The

Old Bell Hotel serves 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


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


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

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

Pubs and Inns

From traditional thatched village inns to modern

gastropubs with spacious beer gardens perfect for

families to enjoy the summer sunshine

Red Lion Freehouse

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



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

whatleymanor.com


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, 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

Abbey Hotel, Bath

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

BRADFORD ON AVON

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

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


Set across seven acres, Monkey Island Estate features

27 exquisite guestrooms and three sumptuous suites.

There are six further Private Residences, set across

seven acres, two Grade I listed heritage pavilions,

beautifully landscaped gardens, luxury Floating Spa

and picturesque views of the River Thames.

monkeyislandestate.co.uk

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.

brooksguesthousebristol.com


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

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

The Bristol Wing part of YMCA

The Bristol Wing is a boutique hostel in Bristol city

centre. After an extensive restoration, they opened in

2018 in the Grade II listed old Police Headquarters.

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

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, venture inside hidden prehistoric

chambers at Gough’s Cave, wander along the clifftops

and experience spectacular panoramic views

from Jacob’s Ladder and the Lookout Tower.

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


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.

whatleymanor.com

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

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 amidst the hustle

and bustle of the capital.

roseatehotels.com

NEWBURY

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.

donnington-grove.com

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


Whately Manor Hotel & Spa, Malmesbury

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

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

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


101

The Kingsbury @ No7 & No8, Marlborough

SURREY

Pennyhill Park

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

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 – all ideal

for alfresco dining. Children and dogs welcome.

queensarmseastgarston.co.uk

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

WILTSHIRE, BRADFORD ON AVON


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


Surrounded by 14 acres of stunning grounds, Woolley

Grange is a Jacobean manor house located on the

edge of Bradford on Avon. The hotel offers a warm

welcome to families, has 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

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


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

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

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 (which dates back to the time of

Stonehenge) 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, 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

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


Rowley Cottage at Iford Manor, Bradford-on-Avon

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

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


105

Experience the new

menus by Executive Chef

Ricki Weston and his team

Bursting with flavour. Choose either the

Michelin-starred restaurant ‘The Dining Room’,

or Grey’s Brasserie.

Enjoy a one-night break with dinner in

Grey’s Brasserie from £449.

Or the Michelin star experience with

dinner in The Dining Room from £784.

Book online whatleymanor.com

or call reservations on 01666 822 888

Escape to the Cotswolds this Summer

Food bursts with flavour. Choose either the Michelin starred restaurant ‘The Dining Room’, or for a more relaxed experience

Grey’s Brasserie. Unwind in Aquarias Spa, and take a leisurely stroll around the 12 acres of English country gardens.

Whatley Manor welcomes children from the age of 12 and is dog friendly.

Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa Easton Grey Malmesbury SN16 0RB

whatleymanor.com

Biscuit-themed Events, Exhibitions and more:

VISIT-READING.COM/BISCUITTOWN

Official Travel Partner

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

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. East

Chisenbury is in a designated Area of Outstanding

Natural Beauty complete with the River Avon (Site of

Special Scientific Interest) running straight through

the tiny village, and is home to stunning countryside

views, Stonehenge, fly fishing and excellent walking

routes. 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 of 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. Each of the five unique

rooms has been individually decorated, very carefully

outfitted with all the best comforts and amenities

and boasts uninterrupted countryside views from a

private deck.


HAMPSHIRE

Lainston House

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

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. Our luxurious

and individually designed rooms and suites can

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

be hard to tear yourself away from, but when you

do you can enjoy beautiful walks and bike rides in

the grounds, inspiring cookery classes in Season

and delicious dining in The Avenue or our brand

new restaurant, The Wellhouse. Not to mention

outstanding afternoon teas in the drawing room

and casual dining in The Cedar Bar and on the

sun-drenched terrace. Head out to explore local

attractions, with the historic city of Winchester just

10 minutes drive, as well as the River Test, Bombay

Sapphire distillery, Marwell Zoo and Paultons Park

(and so much more) 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 Business Improvement District

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 & Gorge

Chertsey Camping and Caravanning

Club Site

Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre

Chippenham Town

Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm

Cholderton Youth Hostel


Clayton’s Kitchen

Cliffe Farm Dairy

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen

Corsham Town

Cotswold Water Park

Cricklade House Hotel

Crofton Beam Engines

Crop Circle Visitors Centre & Exhibition

Crown & Anchor

Cumberwell Country Cottages

Devizes Camping and Caravanning Club

Site

Devizes Town

Devizes Wharf Tea Room

Donnington Grove Hotel & Country Club

DoubleTree by Hilton

Dukes Hotel

Dyrham Park

Fashion Museum Bath

First Travel Solutions

Fisherton Mill

French Brothers

Galahad Tours

Great Western Railway

Great West Way Official Tour Operators

Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport

Hampton Court Palace

Henley Greenlands Hotel

Henley Rowing Association

Henley on Thames

Herongate Apartments

Hilton Reading

Hobbs of Henley

Holiday Inn, Salisbury - Stonehenge

Honey Street Mill Café & Boats

Hotel Novotel Reading Centre

Hungerford Town

Hungerford Wharf

Iford Manor Gardens

Jones’s Mill at The Vera Jeans Reserve

Kenavon Venture

Kennet & Avon Gateway

Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum & Village

Lainston House

Lido Spa & Restaurant

Live Escape Salisbury

London Wetland Centre

Longleat

Lower Moor Farm Nature Reserve

Lytes Cary Manor

Mad Max Tours

Maidenhead Heritage Centre

Malmesbury Town

Manor Farm Courtyard Cottages

Marlborough College Summer School

Marlborough Town

Marlow Town

Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein

McArthurGlen Designer Outlet

Merchants House

Mill Farm Glamping

Mompesson House


Montacute House

Museum of East Asian Art

MV Barbara McLellan

MV Jubilee

National Garden Scheme

National Trust

Newark Park, Ozleworth

Newbury Racecourse

No. 1 Royal Crescent


North Wessex Downs AONB

Novotel Reading Centre

Old Sarum

Oldbury Tours

Original Wild

Parkway Shopping Centre

Pennyhill Parkt

Pettifers Freehouse Hotel

Pewsey Vale of Tourism Partnership

Prior Park Landscape Garden

Reading Museum

Reading UK

Red Lion Freehouse

REME Museum

River & Rowing Museum

Rose & Crown Inn

Roseate House London

Royal Berkshire, Sunninghill

Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Salisbury Camping and Caravanning Club Site

Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury, Stonehenge and Sarum Tours

Sally Narrowboats

Savouring Bath

Shaw House

Sir Christopher Wren Hotel & Spa

Skydive Netheravon

South Western Railway

St Peter’s Church

Stay in Bath

Steeple Ashton

Stonehenge

Stonor Park

Stourhead

Strawberry Hill House & Garden

Studley Grange

Sulis Guides

Teashop by the Canal

Thames Lido

Thames Rivercruise

The Abbey Quarter

The Apartment Bath


The Bristol Wing/YMCA

The Chilterns View

The Courts Garden

The Crown & Anchor

The Engineman’s Rest Café

The Gainsborough Bath Spa

The Guild Wiltshire

The Holburne Museum

The Jane Austen Centre

The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust

The Kennet & Avon Trade Association

The Kingsbury @ No.8

The Langley

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 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

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

Waddesdon Manor

Walton on Thames Camping and

Caravanning Club Site

We The Curious

Wellington Arch

West Berkshire Museum

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum


Whitchurch Silk Mill

White Horse Inn

Wilton Windmill

Wiltshire Museum

Windsor Carriages

Windsor Castle, Royal Collection Trust

Windsor Duck Tours


Wyvern Theatre

YMCA Bath Group

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

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DISCOVER

YOUR WAY

Great West Way Travel Magazine | Issue 06

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