Great West Way® Travel Magazine | Issue 03

2020 Annual Edition

TRAVEL MAGAZINE | ISSUE 03

GreatWestWay.co.uk

Don’t follow

the herd.

Be Curious.

Be Responsible.

#EscapeTheEveryday

Follow the paths taken by generations of travellers through England’s idyllic countryside, quaint

villages and elegant towns on the Great West Way touring route between London and Bristol

DISCOVER BRISTOL

THE GREAT WEST WAY

DISCOVER BRISTOL

BRISTOL

THE THE GREAT GREAT WEST WEST WAY WAY ®

®

®

®

Clifton Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bridge, Bristol Bristol

Advertising based on a £24 Great West Way Discoverer one-day pass for the West zone. Correct as of 1 November 2019. Selected routes only. Visit GWR.com/GreatWestWay for ful

Clifton Clifton Suspension Suspension Bridge, Bridge, Bristol Bristol

Advertising based on a £24 Great West Way Discoverer one-day pass for the West zone. Correct as of 1 November 2019. Selected routes only. Visit GWR.com/GreatWestWay Clifton Clifton Suspension for full Bridge, terms and Bristol conditions. Bristol

Advertising based on a £24 Great West Way Discoverer one-day pass for the West zone. Correct as of 1 November 2019. Selected routes only. Visit GWR.com/GreatWestWay for full terms and conditions.

Advertising

Advertising

based

based

on a £24

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for the

for

West

the West

zone.

zone.

Correct

Correct

as of

as

1 November

of 1 November

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2019.

Selected

Selected

routes

routes

only.

only.

Visit

Visit

GWR.com/GreatWestWay

GWR.com/GreatWestWay

for full

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Advertising Advertising based based on a £24 on a Great £24 Great West West Way Discoverer Way Discoverer one-day one-day pass pass for the for West the West zone. zone. Correct Correct as of as 1 November of 1 November 2019. 2019. Selected Selected routes routes only. only. Visit Visit GWR.com/GreatWestWay for full for full terms terms and and conditions.

Visit Bristol and other picturesque destinations along

the Great West Way, a new touring route between

London and Bristol, with our combined rail and bus ticket.

Buy a Great West Way Discoverer pass from just £24.

Visit Visit Bristol Bristol and and other other picturesque destinations along along

Visit Visit

Visit Bristol Bristol

Bristol and and

and other other

other picturesque picturesque destinations destinations along along

the Visit the Great Bristol Great West and West Way, other Way, a new picturesque a new touring touring route destinations route between

along

the the

the Great Great

Great West West

West Way, Way,

Way, new a new

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touring route route

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London London and and Bristol, Bristol, with with our combined rail rail between and and bus bus ticket. ticket.

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London and and

and and Bristol, Bristol,

Bristol, with with

with with our our

Buy a Great West Way our our combined combined

combined pass rail rail

rail from rail and and

and and just bus bus

bus bus £24. ticket. ticket.

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Clifton Suspensi

Pictured Below: Blue Badge guide taking visitors on a tour of

Bath and a lady visiting Newbury

Before you start planning your next adventure along

the Great West Way, make sure you Know Before

You Go; please plan your trip carefully, check for

restrictions before you travel and book in advance

where necessary. Be curious, but be responsible.

DON'T FOLLOW THE HERD

BE CURIOUS. BE RESPONSIBLE.

WITH LOCKDOWN MEASURES being slowly

and tentatively relaxed, and new safety measures

introduced, we’re thrilled to see so many businesses

on the Great West Way able to open their doors

and welcome visitors back once more.

Tourist attractions, shops, places to stay,

activities and places to eat and drink are being

awarded their “We’re Good To Go” mark, a signal that they have

implemented Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines

and have a process in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social

distancing.

However, when it comes to enjoying a day out at a popular

visitor attraction, or dining in your favourite restaurant, prebooking

is almost always now essential. So careful planning for

your journey has therefore never felt more important.

We hope this updated Digital Special Edition of the Great West

Way Travel Magazine will be your indispensable ‘go-to’ guide for

planning your next Great West Way adventure. Please plan your

trip carefully, check for restrictions before you travel and book in

advance where necessary. Be curious, but be responsible.

And if you're not feeling ready to travel just yet, we

hope you enjoy taking a virtual trip along the route (see our

special page 12) - We look forward to welcoming you to

#EscapeTheEveryday with a holiday on the Great West Way.

Jessica x

Jessica Way

Editor-in-Chief, Great West Way Travel Magazine

Download your Great West Way map:

: GreatWestWay.co.uk/explore/maps

The Chilterns

North Wessex Downs

Brunel’s SS Great Britain

Bradford

on Avon

Trowbridge

Iford Manor

Gardens

Westbury


3

We’re proud to be the

Official Airport Ambassador

for the Great West Way ® .

Bristol Airport is the perfect place for you to

start your Great West Way journey. We’re just

8 miles from Bristol city centre and 19 miles

from the city of Bath.

We’ve invested £225m in developments that

have transformed the airport experience and

now offer more than 120 destinations to our

8.6 million loyal passengers.

www.bristolairport.co.uk

CONTENTS

2020 Annual | Edition 03

Pictured

left then

clockwise:

Cycling

through the

forest with

Swinley Bike

Hub; Tea and

cake from

Teashop By

The Canal and

Bozedown

Alpackers

DISCOVER OUR WAY

EXPLORE BY RAIL, BOAT, BIKE AND FOOT

08 57

THE WAY FORWARD

Highlights for autumn/winter and a look at

what’s new on the Great West Way

15 63

TAKE A VIRTUAL TRIP

Whether you're looking for inspiration before

your trip, or you're not feeling quite ready to travel

again, then let us bring the Great West Way to you!

47

ENGLAND'S PRETTIEST VILLAGES

The Great West Way has an array of adorable

villages. We hope you enjoy our selection and are

able to take time to visit them in your journey

THE WATERWAYS

From canoeing, paddleboarding and cycling

along the towpath to a enjoying a traditional cream tea

TRAVEL BY TRAIN

With the GWR Great West Way Discoverer

pass you can hop off at any station along the way

66

EXPLORE THE COUNTRYSIDE

The Great West Way perfectly lends itself to

the outdoors lifestyle, with open spaces of stunning

countryside, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty,

National Trails, Landscapes and Wildlife Trusts →


5

Escape the everyday,

discover the extraordinary.

2,000 years of history are waiting for you.

Booking essential romanbaths.co.uk

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Contista Media Ltd

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Hampshire, SO31 9HP

contistamedia.co.uk

In association with the Great West Way.

COVER IMAGE

Totteridge Farm

New adult-only Camping Pods ready for the

2021 season at Totteridge Farm, Littleworth,

Pewsey, Wiltshire

With a special thanks to:

Bristol Airport, Canal & River Trust,

GWR, and National Trust

Image copyright credits: Throughout ©GreatWestWay.co.uk / p3

©VisitEngland/Doug Harding / p9/p10-p11 ©Royal Collection

Trust/©Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II / p9/p105/p110-111

©nicksmithphotography.com / p12 ©Isabelle Plasschaert /Alamy

Stock Photo / p13 ©National Trust Images/Andrew Butler, © Douglas

Harding / p26/p27/p44/p45/p62 ©Jon Attenborough Photography

Ltd / p72 ©Paul Box, Westonbirt, The National Arboretum / p73-74 ©

Photographers listed on p74 / p75 ©Steve Russell Studios Ltd / p79

©2015 WWT. All rights reserved / P83 ©Colin Hawkins / P103/P105

©Casper Farrell / p117 ©VisitEngland/Iain Lewis

Follow us on

Twitter @theGreatWestWay

Facebook @GreatWestWay

Instagram.com/GreatWestWay

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

72

CAPTURING THE MOMENT

Photographers are never short of inspiration

for the perfect shot along the Great West Way. Vote

for your favourite capture for your chance to win!

76

HIDDEN GARDENS

From the world famous to the well-kept secrets,

here are some gardens along the Great West Way where

you won’t be able to help but stop and smell the roses

85

FIT FOR ROYALTY

The ancient route that inspired the Great West

Way was one of King Charles I’s Great Roads, with

many castles, hotels and places to visit bringing you

closer to England’s royal family heritage

89

EXPERIENCES AFTER DARK

From stargazing to light shows, there are plenty

of experiences to try even when the sun goes down

YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE

92

HOTEL STAYS

Many hotels across the Great West Way are

ready to welcome back guests once more, and there’s

an abundance of choice along the route

100

DYNAMIC CITY CULTURE

As everyone else heads for the

countryside, dare to be different and set your sights

on an unusually quiet city break instead

106

TIME FOR YOU

From keeping fit to taking it easy at a luxury

spa, there are some excellent ways to add a wellness

element to your Great West Way journey

110

MY GREAT WEST WAY

Three local business owners tell us what is

special to them, and what they love best about living

and working on the Great West Way

Pictured above:

Bath Street

Scene

PLUS DON’T

MISS WHEN

PLANNING

YOUR

JOURNEY

114

SHOPPING

GEMS

CULINARY

DELIGHTS

WHERE TO

STAY

120

126

134

JOIN THE FUN!

WHAT’S ON

Digital editions

available at:

GreatWestWay.co.uk/

digitaltravelmagazine

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.


7

THE WAY FORWARD

A look at some of the highlights and what’s new since

lockdown restrictions were lifted on the Great West Way

8-YEAR-OLD FUNDRAISING ZEBRA-LOVER, POLLY

RAISES ALMOST £11K FOR NOAH’S ARK ZOO FARM’S

ANIMAL SUPPORT FUND

It costs £8000 a month just to feed the hundreds of animals at

the zoo, and Polly Robertson, 8, wanted to help the zebra’s after

she received a birthday letter from the zebra with the same name.

Polly, the Zebra sent Polly, the human, a birthday letter, when she

heard that the little girl was unable to visit due to lockdown.

This prompted Polly to decide to walk 64 miles (a mile a day)

during lockdown to ‘walk the distance’ from her house to raise

£100 for Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm’s Animal Support Fund. Polly, who

was a guest on BBC Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine show, spoke to the

radio host about how she wanted to raise money to help feed

the animals at Noah’s Ark. After her appearance on the show, her

JustGiving page amount shot up to almost £11k, meaning that

Polly had helped the zoo feed the animals for a whole month!

› GreatWestWay.co.uk/plan-your-way/were-good-to-go

Pictured: Noah's Ark

Zoo being officially

re-opened by 8 year

old Polly Robertson.

Look out for the new official UK “We’re

Good To Go” mark to signal that a business

has implemented Government and industry

COVID-19 guidelines and has a process in

place to maintain cleanliness and aid social

distancing. Many tourist attractions, shops,

places to stay, activities and places to eat and

drink on the Great West Way have now been

awarded the mark, with many more in the

process of applying.

8 GreatWestWay.co.uk

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

BE PREPARED

Businesses on the Great West Way

have been working hard to make sure

everything is safe before opening

their doors and welcoming visitors

back once more. Things may look

slightly different though, so please

be patient as we all get used to new

ways of doing things. Check for

restrictions before you travel and

book in advance where necessary.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Did you know?

The new £20 note

launched in February

features J.M.W. Turner

- one of Britain’s most

important artists.

Turner designed his

house in Twickenham,

today a museum,

and you can visit

Wednesday-Sunday

to enjoy the events

planned in support

of the new note!

turnershouse.org

EXPERIENCE NEW ATTRACTIONS

› If you want to visit a particular

attraction, you may need to pre-book

a time slot (even if you are a member).

Check online before you set off.

› When planning your trip, check that

important facilities like toilets and car

parks are open before you travel.

› Some of the best known beauty

spots on the Great West Way are

likely to be extremely popular. Don't

follow the herd - get off the beaten

track and discover our hidden gems to

avoid the crowds.

ENGLISH HERITAGE’S

STONEHENGE SKYSCAPE

Stonehenge Skyscape is a new virtual

experience of the skies above the iconic

stone circle. With the help of Skyscape,

a website showing a live view, you can

explore how Stonehenge related to the

skies and what these celestial bodies

might have meant to Neolithic people,

learn about movements of the sun,

moon and planets - experience a live

sunrise over Stonehenge, and see the

journey of the stars and the moon from

within the stone circle.

› english-heritage.org.uk

THE INNER HALL,

WINDSOR CASTLE

Created in the 1820s by King George

IV, Windsor Castle's Inner Hall, which

has been closed for more than 150

years, is now open again for visitors

to use as an entrance hall, just as

official visitors to the Castle once

did. See the State Apartments, the

world's most famous dolls' house, or

pause and enjoy refreshments in the

new café. For guaranteed entry while

capacity is reduced, please book your

ticket in advance.

› rct.uk

› Keep 1 metre + apart from anyone

outside your household – this not

only applies to walking, but running,

cycling, sitting and sunbathing too.

› Wear your face covering at all times

when on public transport including

buses, trains, taxis, and minicabs.

› Make sure you have a bank card

as many outlets are currently not

accepting cash.

› Take hand sanitiser with you – you

don’t know where will be open for

you to wash your hands.

› Leave the car behind where possible

and visit nearby attractions by

walking or cycling.


9

MUST VISIT

PRINCESS BEATRICE’S WEDDING

DRESS DISPLAY AT WINDSOR CASTLE

Visitors to Windsor Castle this autumn/winter will

be able to see Princess Beatrice’s wedding dress in

a special display. Designed by Sir Normal Hartnell

and first worn by The Queen in the 1960s, the dress

was worn by Her Royal Highness for her wedding

to Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on 17 July 2020.

To update a dress first worn nearly 60 years ago,

Princess Beatrice made some clever alterations:

sleeves were added to the straps and the fullskirted

silhouette was softened to give a more

contemporary, simplified shape. You’ll be able to

see the dress, along with Her Royal Highness's

wedding shoes, made by Valentino, and a replica

bridal bouquet at the Castle until 22 November.

› rct.uk/whatson

GreatWestWay.co.uk 11

HOT HOTEL

MONKEY ISLAND

Monkey Island Estate lies on a

picturesque island in the River

Thames in the historic village of

Bray, Berkshire. The island has a

rich history, centuries old, and

has been the haunt of monarchs,

aristocrats and artists, along with

writers, famous performers and

Berkshire locals and now is home

to one of the finest hotels in Bray

- and the Great West Way. Due

to the ongoing situation with

COVID-19, Monkey Island Estate

remains temporarily closed until

October 31st 2020. Please check

their website for more details.

› monkeyislandestate.co.uk

You might also enjoy: Hotel Indigo Bath: A brand new luxury 166-bedroom boutique hotel located in the centre of Bath. The designs

of the stylish guest rooms and lounges has been inspired by the area’s rich architectural beauty, ready to delight guests with a true

feeling of this historic neighbourhood. Hotel Indigo Bath is accepting bookings ahead of its opening September 2020. hotelindigo.com

ANNIVERSARIES AND EVENTS TO CELEBRATE ON THE GREAT WEST WAY

HOBBS OF HENLEY

CELEBRATES 150 YEARS!

Enjoy an adventure on the

Thames in 2020 with this family

boating business and celebrate

their 150th anniversary. To mark

the occassion Hobbs of Henley

have also launched their very

own Gin 'Mr Hobbs'- a nod to

their founding father Harry

Hobbs who established their

family business in 1870. So

don't miss a sip or two of their

cherished family tipple too!

› hobbsofhenley.com

900TH ANNIVERSARY

OF READING ABBEY

2021 is the 900th anniversary

of the foundation of Reading

Abbey by King Henry I in 1121.

To celebrate there will be an

exciting mix of arts, culture and

heritage events across the town

including the 2021 Reading

Water Fest, taking place across

the weekend of the 19th/20th

June. Many of Reading's talented

local arts and community

groups will also be featured.

› readingabbeyquarter.org.uk

BRUNEL’S SS GREAT

BRITAIN'S BIG YEAR!

The world’s first great ocean

line and the most experimental

steam ship of her time, SS Great

Britain in Bristol, celebrates

two big anniversaries in 2020;

50 years since her epic salvage

and homecoming; and 175 years

since arriving in New York City,

becoming the largest and

most-efficient ship (at the time),

and being greeted by crowds

of New Yorkers.

› ssgreatbritain.org

Don't miss! We hope you

will notice our new welcome

town signs on your Great

West Way journey installed

in the historic market town

of Hungerford, famous for

its antique shops. Make

time to visit and take a boat

trip onboard MV Rose of

Hungerford from the Wharf,

stop for coffee and cake at

the Tutti Pole, or join one of

the expert-led walks.

› hungerford.co.uk


Pictured

above:

National Trust's

Runnymede

and Ankerwycke,

near

Old Windsor;

Pictured right:

Dyrham Park,

near the village

of Dyrham in

South

Gloucestershire

THE NATIONAL TRUST ARE 'GOOD TO GO'

Following lockdown restrictions being gently eased, more

than 135 gardens and parklands have opened again, including

Tyntesfield, Dyrham Park, Prior Park Landscape Garden, and

Lacock, along with many many cafés and shops - but you’ll

need to book your visit in advance, including some car parks.

2020 also marks the 125th anniversary of the National

Trust and to celebrate this special birthday year, you might

like to visit some of the properties and gardens along the

Great West Way throughout the Thames Valley, Berkshire,

Wiltshire, Bath and Bristol. Find everything you need to know

about how to book and what to expect from your visit online:

› GreatWestWay.co.uk/national-trust


13

Scale the rigging, clamber

through the cabins and

dive under the glass sea

to marvel at the ship

from below.

For the best ticket

prices, book online:

ssgreatbritain.org

TAKE A VIRTUAL TRIP

If you are looking for inspiration before planning your trip, or you're

just not feeling quite ready to travel again, then sit back and enjoy

these virtual tours - letting us bring the Great West Way to you!

Words: Samantha Rutherford

CLICK HERE

to step aboard the

stunning SS Great

Britain, Bristol with a

virtual tour of the

famous ship

BRUNEL’S

SS GREAT

BRITAIN


THERMAE

BATH

SPA

16

CLICK HERE

to take a virtual

tour of the stunning

rooftop spa at

Thermae Bath

Spa, Bath

CLICK HERE

to explore inside

We the Curious

museum, Bristol

with this fabulous

virtual tour

WE THE

CURIOUS


WESTONBIRT

ARBORETUM

CLICK HERE

to find out all you

need to know about

visiting this magical

tree garden in

Gloucestershire


19

THE

COTSWOLD

WATER

PARK

CLICK HERE

to take to the water

for sailing, stand-up

paddleboarding,

kayaking and

water skiing!

CLICK HERE

for a virtual tour of

Hampton Court

Palace, a Tudor

treasure built to

house monarchs

HAMPTON

COURT

PALACE


22

CLICK HERE

to discover lots of

fun activities and

videos and for a

virtual tour of

Aerospace

Bristol

AEROSPACE

BRISTOL

23

CLICK HERE

to float up, up and

away over Bath and

the stunning

surrounding

countryside!

BAILEY

BALLOONS


READING

ABBEY

REVEALED

CLICK HERE

to join over 18,000

people attending the

reopening festival of

Reading Abbey.


25

CLIFTON

SUSPENSION

BRIDGE

26

CLICK HERE

for virtual video

tours, educational

resources and

creative challenges

27

GET ON BOARD

TAKE OFF ON A SUPERSONIC

FAMILY DAY OUT

aerospacebristol.org

Bristol Aero Collection Trust: charity no. 1010632

TripAdvisor

CERTIFICATE of

EXCELLENCE

CLICK HERE

to see the stunning

interior of Bristol

Cathedral with a

360° virtual tour

BRISTOL

CATHEDRAL


29

WINDSOR

CLICK HERE

to learn more about

visiting the Royal

Borough of Windsor

and Maidenhead

for a day out


O N L I N E | M O B I L E | I N - S T O R E

Celebrating a special occasion

on your jourey? Mark the moment with a

Wylde Flower Diamond

# W Y L D E M O M E N T S

Q E D A

n i c h o l a s w y l d e . c o m

32

CLICK HERE

to learn more about

the Roman Baths and

Pump Room with

this informative

virtual tour

THE

ROMAN

BATHS

33

CLICK HERE

to browse a worldclass

collection of

contemporary and

historic dress at the

Bath Fashion

Museum

BATH FASHION

MUSEUM


IFORD

MANOR

CLICK HERE

to visit Iford Manor,

internationally

renowned gardens,

with a virtual tour

by the owner


35

CAEN HILL

LOCKS

CLICK HERE

to experience what

it's like to travel

through one of the

locks at Caen Hill

near Devizes


CASTLE

COMBE

CIRCUIT

CLICK HERE

to explore the racing

circuit at the West

Country's Home of

Motorsport, Castle

Combe Circuit


37

LONGLEAT

SAFARI

PARK

38

WITHIN EASY REACH OF

THE GREAT WEST WAY

CLICK HERE

to meet the animals

with Longleat's 3

part virtual safari

tour narrated by

Kate Humble!

39


THE GREAT WEST WAY


SALISBURY

CATHEDRAL

CLICK HERE

to explore this

stunning building

with a virtual tour

of their new Spirit

and Endeavour

exhibition


41


THE GREAT WEST WAY

BLENHEIM

PALACE

42

CLICK HERE

to explore Blenheim

Palace, Oxfordshire,

a masterpiece of

18th century Baroque

architecture

WINDSOR

CASTLE

CLICK HERE

to step inside the

family home of

British kings and

queens for almost

1,000 years!

44

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY

VIDEOS & MULTIMEDIA

› Keeping busy at home with Wiltshire Museum's new At

Home programme featuring do-it-yourself craft activities,

learning resources for kids, stories about intriguing objects

from their collections, interesting documents from the

libraries and more:

www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/donations/at-home/

› Take a Google Street View tour of the Roman Baths:

www.romanbaths.co.uk/walkthrough

Or have a go at these online games:

www.romanbaths.co.uk/online-games

› Test your fashion knowledge with the Fashion Museum

and Assembly Rooms online quiz: www.fashionmuseum.

co.uk/quiz and download some children's activities:

www.fashionmuseum.co.uk/childrens-page

› Keep an eye on the Youtube account for The Pounds

Art Centre, where they post videos of performances,

readings and more:

www.youtube.com/user/PoundArts/videos

› Pop in to virtual pub The Henry, launched by the

wonderful people at Wadworth Brewery, for live music,

pub quizzes and more:

www.facebook.com/groups/thehenry/about/

› For any foodies out there, you can now book a virtual

food tour of Bath to enjoy from your own home thanks

to Savouring Bath. You can even purchase a box of tasty

samples to eat during the tour, which will be delivered to

your door:

www.savouringbath.com/tours/virtual-food-heroes

Enjoy a live view of the ancient standing stones at

Stonehenge with their Stonehenge Skyscape tool.

Watch the sun rise and set and experience the

atmosphere and mystery of the iconic stone circle.

www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/

things-to-do/stone-circle/skyscape/

Admire the wonderful views from the hillfort at

Old Sarum (the site of the original Salisbury Cathedral)

with a 'Postcard from Old Sarum' from English

Heritage.

www.youtube.com/

watch?v=QhCZM9kXx8k&feature=youtu.be

45

MADE OF

ENGLAND

AT THE HEART OF

THE GREAT WEST WAY

Wiltshire is rolling green downs, ancient

woodlands and bustling market towns.

It’s parish churches, grand historic

houses and country inns.

Timeless monuments and contemporary luxury.

Local ales and picnics in the park.

The England you love in one County

Visit Wiltshire, at the heart of the Great West Way.

#EscapeTheEveryday

It’s Time for Wiltshire

www.visitwiltshire.co.uk

ENGLAND'S

PRETTIEST VILLAGES

As well as its colourful cities and towns, the Great West Way is

remarkable for its array of adorable villages. We hope you enjoy our

selection here - and are able to take time to visit them in your journey


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 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 20thcentury,

it was previously a

busy coffee tavern. Other

attractions in the village

include Lacock Abbey and

the Fox Talbot Museum - the

birthplace of photography.


47

THE COOKHAMS

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 wellheeled

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.


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.

49

PEWSEY

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 of the

village. It’s also an excellent

launchpad for some great

walks, (visitpewseyvale.

co.uk/things-to-do) as well as

bike rides along the Kennet &

Avon Canal.

But don’t be fooled into

thinking it’s all sleepy and

rural here - the Pewsey Vale

is known for its Carnival

every September and top

country pubs, many offering

accommodation.

50

51

Hungerford

The Heart of the North Wessex Downs

History, culture, scenic walks, antiques,

shopping, pubs and restaurants.

For a wonderful day out, Hungerford has

something for everyone.

www.visithungerford.com

RAMSBURY

Historic Ramsbury is just

a quick jaunt east from

Marlborough. The Bell, a

300-year-old coaching inn,

was awarded Pub of the Year

2017-18, with 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.


53

STEEPLE

ASHTON

Steeple Ashton is a

quintessential West Country

Village, offering visitors an

opportunity to marvel at

its historic architecture 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.

Starting life as a manorial

Village in the 9th Century,

in 1266 a Royal charter was

granted for the holding of a

weekly market and an annual

fair. By 1420 the village

had become a prosperous

settlement profiting from

the local cloth industry,

able to initiate the building

of a magnificent Church

which survives to this day

- despite ravages inflicted

by the English Civil War and

lightning strikes.

At the centre of the Village

is the green with its lock-up

gaol and market cross. A

variety of architectural styles

spanning 700 years can be

seen nearby, from the Manor

House to more humble

cottages.

In the former School House

is the Village Community

Shop, staffed by local

volunteers. Inside there is

a coffee shop which acts

as a hub for locals, visitors,

walkers and cyclists www.

steepleashtonvilageshop.

co.uk and on Facebook.

The surrounding

countryside offers scenic

walks to destinations such as

Luffenham Field, conserved

for public access by The

Friends of Steeple Ashton.

Keevil Airfield is also nearby,

still in use for military training

after serving in World War 2

as a fighter and glider base for

American and British forces

as well as the assembly of

Spitfire fighters. Guides to the

village and for local walks can

be purchased at the Village

Shop.

Explore at leisure from

Coachmans Self-Catering

Holiday Cottage, an idyllic

ground floor 2 bedroom

retreat for 2-3 guests at

the heart of the village. (Tel

01380 870764).

54

PLUS DON'T MISS!

Travelling the Great West Way is all about

discovering the real England, and alongside

the picturesque sights and seasonal events

there are all sorts of quirky customs and

traditional events that you can discover in this

vibrant swathe of England too!

Wassailing

An ancient pagan celebration performed in January

to encourage fruit trees to give a healthy harvest.

This ancient tradition still takes place in certain

village orchards, particularly in cider producing

country - and there is plenty of cider country along

the Great West Way!

Morris Men

Morris Men are one of the most well known of

England's ancient traditions. Troupes of Morris Men

dress in white with bells and ribbons and dance

traditional dances together, with much slapping of

knees and hitting of sticks! You'll likely see Morris

Men at local fairs and festivals taking place along

the Great West Way - a reminder that you're

undoubtedly in England.

Hocktide

The charming Berkshire market town of Hungerford

is reputed to be the only place in England where

locals still dress up to celebrate the medieval

festival of Hocktide. The residents of Hungerford

throw themselves into the many customs

surrounding Hocktide, which takes place annually

after Easter, including dressing up, decorating their

houses, welcoming the 'Tutti Men' and exchanging

oranges and kisses.

Swan Upping

In Windsor, the ancient custom of 'Swan Upping'

takes place in July each year, with uniformed 'Royal

Swan Uppers' travelling in traditional rowing skiffs

on the Thames to assess the health of the local

mute swans, which are by tradition the property of

the British monarch.

Oxford Traditions

Within easy reach of the Great West Way is the

university city of Oxford, which has a whole host of

quirky customs and traditions of its own, including

penny throwing, May day singing, and boat burning.

Don't forget to tag #GreatWestWay so

we can see your pictures!

55


THE WATERWAYS

Relax with a gentle stroll and traditional

cream tea, or for the more active there’s

an amazing variety of activities, from

canoeing and kayaking to paddleboarding

or cycling along the towpaths

Words: Charlotte White

THE RIVER THAMES and the Kennet & Avon Canal

meander their way through the heart of the Great

West Way route from London all the way to Bristol,

connecting at Reading.

Passing through towns and cities, the waterways offer

tranquil spaces in urban areas, as well as stopping-off points

to discover England’s heritage. The more rural sections offer a

wealth of wildlife and natural beauty and along their lengths

is living history. The waterways have also inspired festivals and

regattas through the ages.

KENNET & AVON CANAL

What do you love about autumn? The glow of leaves and their

crunch underfoot?

The romanticism of misty landscapes and jewel-like berries

that punctuate the hedgerows?

You can find these and so much more along the beautiful

Kennet & Avon Canal.

Autumn is a terrific time for foraging for blackberries,

elderberries and sloes and for the more adventurous, why not

collect some rose hips to make teas, jams and jellies.

As temperatures drop the canal is a great time to see birds

on the move. The hedgerows will start to empty as birds such

as warblers leave for warmer climes. It won’t be long before

fieldfare and redwing move in joined by greater numbers of

more common species – blackbird, robin and bullfinch.

Sparser winter vegetation makes it easier to spot deer and if

you’re out at dusk you may even see a fox. →


57

Take your

time on the

Kennet &

Avon Canal

Bewick and whooper swans are also winter visitors and

will gather in impressive flocks over the cold months.

Undoubtedly spending time by our waterways keeps us

mentally and physically well during these uncertain times.

You needn’t worry about visiting as we are supporting the

national effort to keep everyone Covid-safe.

We continually review and update the situation in line

with government guidance. Just please remember to keep

socially distanced from other towpath users and boaters.

The 87-mile long Kennet & Avon Canal is in fact the

River Kennet and the River Avon, linked by a central canal

section built in the Georgian period. Created originally as

a trading link between London and the west coast, it is

a masterpiece of engineering with 104 wide beam locks,

including the second longest continuous series of locks in

the country at Caen Hill, Devizes.

Despite this, the canal fell into obscurity and disrepair,

and was almost lost to the nation with competition from

the newly built railways. It took a passionate band of

dedicated volunteers to restore the waterway which is

now open for everyone to enjoy.

The Kennet & Avon Canal is a great way to travel the

route, with time to take in some magnificent sites (and

sights) from the Crofton Pumping Station to a World

Heritage Site and historic battlefield - not to mention 21

conservation sites, 14 Sites of Special Scientific Interest,

and many spectacular landscapes including Wiltshire and

(just a short detour off the route) the Northern Cotswolds.

The canal has awesome examples of canal

engineering too. The 16 locks of the steepest part of

the flight at Caen Hill are not only a scheduled ancient

monument, they are an Olympic-sized challenge for

every boater – so remember to take a snack with you, as

it will take 5-6 hours to pass through the locks. One of

the most impressive structures on Britain's waterways,

the Avoncliff Aqueduct at over 100 metres long and 18

metres wide, carries the Kennet & Avon Canal over the

River Avon. Cycle just over 2.5 miles (4k) up the towpath

and visit the equally magnificent Dundas Aqueduct,

opened in 1805 - both were built by the architect and

engineer, John Rennie. Or you could walk the other way

along the towpath, passing the Barton Farm Country

Park and you easily reach the bigger market town of

Bradford on Avon. →


59

THE RIVER THAMES

The Thames is the longest river in England with 45 locks.

It boasts three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

and is the only river in Europe with a national trail, The

Thames Path, along its entire length. Starting as a small

trickle in the Cotswolds, the River Thames travels over

210 miles through the heart of some of England’s loveliest

towns. The Thames offers an excellent array of riverside

locations to stay and play. It curves past some of the most

significant sites in history including Runnymede where

Magna Carta was sealed, the Royal Palaces at Windsor

and Hampton Court, and the Parliament buildings at

Westminster. It carried the bodies of Henry VIII and his

daughter Elizabeth I to their final resting places. While

a flotilla, led by the Havengore vessel, carried Winston

Churchill’s coffin up the Thames to Temple Pier, on the

first stage of his journey to Bladon near Blenheim Palace,

his final resting place. →

SOME TOWNS TO VISIT ALONG THE ROUTE

îBradford on Avon

This town offers a rare combination of river, canal

and architecture from the Romans, Saxons, Normans,

Georgians and Victorians, who have all left their mark.

Bradford-on-Avon Wharf is a Trip Advisor Traveller’s

Choice Winner for receiving consistently great reviews

from travellers.

Don’t miss The Bridge Tea Rooms, a double winner of

the UK Tea Guild's 'Top Tea Place', step into the newly

refurbished canal-side pub, the Canal Tavern, or board the

MV Barbara McLellan for a sightseeing boat trip.

îHenley on Thames

Discover the history of Henley, rowing and the Thames at

the River & Rowing Museum, then join a sightseeing cruise

along the Thames with Hobbs of Henley.

Head out of Henley (5.4miles/8.7kms) to Stonor Park,

dating back to the 12th century and take a tour inside and

walk through the gardens.

îReading

From boat trips along the Thames to its historic Reading

Abbey Quarter which covers the former precinct of one of

Europe's largest royal monasteries. Visit one of the town's

free museums, the Reading Museum or The Museum of

English Rural Life, also known as the MERL, before enjoying

its great shopping area and evening entertainment.


Bristol Packet Boats

Hear about the origins of the Floating Harbour and

Brunel's famous Bridge as you cruise underneath on an

Avon Gorge Cruise in Bristol, along the River Avon.

French Brothers

Celebrate a special occasion with a luxury cream tea

cruise on board a beautiful genuine steamboat.

Henley Rowing Association

For a unique experience on the Thames in Henley book

a Champagne Rowing Taster Session designed for ladies

who lunch!

Boat Trips on the Kennet and Avon Canal

Take a trip on the Kenavon Venture, a wide beam boat,

from The Wharf in Devizes, or The Jubilee, a traditional

narrowboat, from the Wharf in Newbury, or the Rose of

Hungerford trip boat from Hungerford.

Salter's Steamers

For an unforgettable experience while in Oxford try an

afternoon of punting on the River Thames.

Thames Rivercruise

Sit and relax as beautiful scenery glides by on a cruise

along England’s greatest river.


Explore Bristol by Boat!

Hop aboard our daily waterbus service or hire

out any of our boats for educational tours,

boat parties and much more!

bristolferry.com • 0117 927 3416 • @BristolFerry

Majestic Marlborough

visitmarlborough

The ancient market town that

packs a postcard-perfect punch

www.marlborough-tc.gov.uk/visitors

Roseate Hotels & Resorts, the uber luxury hospitality brand offers a new spectrum

of hospitality with well-appointed luxury rooms & suites, world-class Aheli Spa

and unique dining experiences at the European-cuisine inspired fine dining restaurant

‘The Hyde’ (Roseate House London), the award-winning restaurant ‘Cerise’ & in house

patisserie and boulangerie ‘Roasted by Roseate’(The Roseate Reading), opulent dining

space ‘Henrietta Bar’ (The Roseate Villa Bath).

Image: The Roseate Villa, Bath,

Some pictures

have been taken

pre-coronavirus,

please wear a face

covering when

travelling on

public transport.

R O S E A T E H O T E L S . C O M | +44 20 7479 6600 | #ROSEAT E H O T E L S | [email protected]

TRAVEL BY TRAIN

With the GWR Great West Way Discoverer pass you

can hop on and off at any station around the route

- Reading, Swindon, Chippenham and Bath Spa, or

London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central

Words: Jane Freeman

AH, THE ROMANCE OF THE

RAILWAY. The sound of the

whistle that announces the

train’s departure, the clackclack

rhythm of the rails as they pass

beneath the wheels, and the everchanging

view that passes by the

window. Settling in to a railway carriage

is a treat – one that heralds adventure

and can be accompanied by a steaming

cup of tea or a cooling bottle of beer, no

driving required.

Seeing the Great West Way by

train means becoming a part of its

history. Trains have chugged and

steamed along this route for over 175

years, bringing produce to market and

business to towns, holidaymakers to the

countryside and rural folk to the capital.

Join the story of England’s railways on a

journey along the Great West Way with

the GWR Great West Way Discoverer

Pass.

The Discoverer pass makes travelling

the route easy and hassle free. It includes

unlimited off-peak train travel from

London Paddington/Waterloo along the

route to Bristol Temple Meads via Reading

and/or Basingstoke circular routes with

options to branch off towards Oxford

and Kemble (bus only). It also includes

unlimited travel on the bus services along

the route.

THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY

One of England’s great long-distance

railway lines, the Great Western Railway

runs along the full distance of the Great

West Way – from London’s Paddington

station to Bristol Temple Meads. It’s

chief engineer was Isambard Kingdom

Brunel and you’ll travel the course he

plotted back in the 1830s, including

his Box Tunnel, infamously said to be

impossible to build. Before he built it.

In one go, the journey takes just

1 hour 40 minutes, but stopping en

route to explore the Great West Way is

far more fun. First stop is Reading, for

a cruise on the River Thames, a stroll

through Caversham Court Gardens and

the chance to watch a professional

football match at Reading FC’s Majedski

Stadium. Next stop is Swindon, →


63

There are three Great West

Way Discoverer routes

available, (East, West or all)

giving you the opportunity to

explore your chosen area in

one-day instalments or over

the duration of a week. The

Discoverer pass allows you

to travel flexibly. If you know

what trains you'll be aiming

for, reservations on particular

services can also be made in

advance.

Book online at gwr.com,

prices from just £24.

Visiting from overseas?

Three-day or seven-day

international passes can be

purchased (costing £98 /£129

respectively for adults) online

at ACPRail.com

home to STEAM, the Museum of the Great Western

Railway. Here you’ll see famous locomotives from

throughout the railway’s history, drive a train simulator and

work the signals in the interactive GWR signal box. Right

next door is the McArthurGlen outlet shopping village,

where more than 100 brands are on sale at up to 60% off.

Armed with your new skills – and perhaps a souvenir or

three to take home – head next to Chippenham, a historic

market town in the rural county of Wiltshire. On the banks

of the River Avon, Chippenham is a flourishing small town,

with an enticing market to explore on Fridays and Saturdays

on the High Street and plenty of proper English pubs.

It’s just 15 minutes by bus from here to Lacock, seen on

screen more often than Judi Dench. This picturesque village

has been the backdrop to film and TV titles such as Harry

Potter, Pride and Prejudice and Downton Abbey – see if

you recognise Lacock Abbey and the High Street from your

favourite scenes.

Your final calling point en route to Bristol is the

beautiful city of Bath. You’ll want plenty of time here, for a

stroll past honey-hued Georgian buildings and a dip in the

natural hot springs that bubble up from the ground.

Don’t miss the original Roman Baths, too, not to

mention the Jane Austen Centre, where afternoon tea is

served Regency style.

The Great Western Railway ends in Bristol, a vibrant

city where you can climb aboard the last Concorde ever

made (built right here in Bristol) at Aerospace Bristol, and

clamber up the rigging of one of Brunel’s other famous

creations, the SS Great Britain, the world’s first great ocean

liner. SS Great Britain celebrates two big anniversaries in

2020; 50 years since her epic salvage and homecoming;

and 175 years since arriving in New York City.

Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge is here too, beckoning

you on along the River Avon and out to Avon Gorge.

Set foot atop this world-famous bridge and quietly thank

Brunel for the journey he made possible – along the Great

West Way by rail.

EXPLORE TOWNS AND VILLAGES AT YOUR LEISURE

The Great Western Railway is far from just one main

line. Take an alternative rail journey and you can get off

the beaten track and out into more rural areas. Consider

returning to London via a different route, taking the train

from Bath to Bradford on Avon for example.

This glorious small town sits on the edge of The

Cotswolds and straddles the River Avon. Cross the waters

in ancient footsteps, on the 13th-century town bridge, and

stand dwarfed in the 14th-century Tithe Barn, its lattice of

timbers soaring for over 50 metres far above your head.

Change at Westbury and head east for Bedwyn, where

you can disembark for a stroll along the water’s edge on


TRAVELLING BY TRAIN

When travelling by train try to go at quieter times,

carry hand sanitiser with you and wash your hands

before and after your journey, and please remember

that you must now wear a face covering. Tickets

for the Great Western Railway can be bought from

ticket offices at stations along the route but to avoid

any queues we recommend buying in advance.

Stay alert, and travel safely.

For more info go to gwr.com/safety

the towpath of the Kennet & Avon Canal, which runs from

Bristol all the way to Reading. After just over two miles you’ll

encounter a surprise – the world’s oldest steam-operated

beam engines. The Crofton Beam Engines are fed by a handstoked

coal-fired boiler and are still capable of doing the

same job they were designed to do more than 200 years ago

– pumping water up to the highest point of the canal.

Back on the railway there are two other stops worth

making en route to Reading – at Hungerford and Newbury.

You’re travelling through the North Wessex Downs Area

of Outstanding Natural Beauty here so press that nose up

against the window and pick out the perfect place for a

stroll. There are several short loop walks from Hungerford

(an ancient town also known for its antique shops) or you

could walk the nine miles to Newbury along the canal.

Once you’re in Newbury you could stop for a flutter

– there’s a world-class racecourse here. While closer to

London, trains between Reading and London Paddington

call at Twyford, where you can change onto the line to

Henley-on-Thames, home to the famous regatta and

plenty of messing about in boats.

Trains also call at Slough, where you can catch a train

to Windsor to poke your head into the State Rooms of the

Queen’s favourite castle.

RIDE THE RAILS OF THE HERITAGE STEAM RAILWAYS

Savour the unmistakable sights, sounds and smells of steam

at the Didcot Railway Centre, as you relive the golden age

of the famous Great Western Railway. Find the entrance

through the ticket hall and original steam age subway of

Didcot Parkway railway station. Just outside Bristol is the

Avon Valley Railway, where you can ride three miles of

preserved track from the Victorian Bitton station through

the valley, listening to the puff and whistle of the steam

train. Reach Bitton by taking the Great Western Railway

from Bristol to Keynsham and following the brown signs on

foot for 1.5 miles. Near Swindon you’ll see the steam of the

Swindon & Cricklade Railway rising above the Taw Valley.

Ride the rails for more than two miles from Taw Valley Halt

to Blunsdon on a heritage steam train. You’ll need to take a

bus to get here, the number 15 from the centre of Swindon

stops at the Tawny Owl pub, close to Taw Valley Halt.

Did you know?

There are 200 bus

routes along the Great

West Way to help you

complete your journey

- Visit your nearest bus

station and/or tourist

information

JOURNEY TIMES BY RAIL

Based on average journey times:

London Paddington to Bristol î1hr 40 mins

London Paddington to Bath Spa î1 hour 11 minutes

London Paddington to Heathrow î35 mins

Reading to London Paddington (via Slough) î30 mins

Bristol to Bath î11mins

Bath to Salisbury î55mins

Salisbury to Stonehenge î33mins (bus)

Salisbury to Swindon (via Melksham) î90mins

Swindon to Reading î30mins

Reading to Windsor (via Slough) î35mins


65


EXPLORE THE

COUNTRYSIDE

The Great West Way

perfectly lends itself to

the outdoors lifestyle,

with open spaces of

stunning countryside,

Areas of Outstanding

Natural Beauty and

links to National Trails

Pictured leftright:

Couple

walking

their dogs in

Avebury;

Cycling in the

North Wessex

Downs

Words: Samantha Colbourne

If walking or cycling in nature,

exploring the roads and paths

less travelled, finding hidden

gems and a host of native

wildlife is your idea of the

perfect short break, then why

not plan a walking road trip

down the Great West Way over

the course of several days?

There are a host of fantastic

accommodation options

along the route, from bed and

breakfasts in quintessential

villages and rental options

in quaint cottages, to luxury

hotels in grand houses. Find

inspiration from our Where to

Stay article p78, or you can

find everything you need at

GreatWestWay.co.uk/stay

THE GREAT WEST WAY OFFERS a curated touring

route comprised of road, rail and water links

between London and Bristol. Direct it runs 125

miles - but if you include all the off-the-beaten

track walking and bike trails and other tempting detours

then there’s over 500 miles to explore. So where to begin?

Pick a starting point - any starting point - and that in

itself may uncover new realms of possibility. This route is all

about finding your own way. Embracing the unknown and

being open to whatever crosses your path.

Enjoy some of England's best national trails, three areas

of outstanding natural beauty, winding waterways, and

beautiful views. Feel inspired to enjoy some of England's

finest landscapes, breathe fresh air, relax and enjoy the

sights along the way.

And exploring the Great West Way by foot or bike, you

will never be far from a pub or café along the route for

lunch, afternoon tea or a refreshing drink at the end of your

day. Find time to explore and unwind without the need of

your car or public transport.

NATIONAL TRAILS

Your adventure might take you through one of the three

National Trails that cross the Great West Way, perfect for

day trips or for longer holidays. You might enjoy a river walk

along some of the 184 miles of Thames Path National Trail

passing Windsor Castle. This trail is mostly flat and

relatively gentle with water meadows, sleepy riverside

villages and nature reserves interspersed with historic

market towns. The Ridgeway National Trail is an 87-mile

National Trail follows Britain’s oldest road, a route that’s

been walked by travellers since prehistoric times. It passes

through the North Wessex Downs and the Chilterns. Along

the way you’ll glimpse remnants of the Iron, Bronze and

Stone Ages, passing stone circles, white horses and ancient

woodlands. If it's picturesque villages you are searching

for then you can't beat The Cotswold Way National

Trail offering just over 100 miles of magical walking, with

long distance views from the Cotswold escarpment, and

journeys past famous ancient sites. →


67

photo - Ash Mills

connect to The Stonehenge Tour from

Salisbury railway station regularly from London

thestonehengetour.info

Avebury and Stonehenge Private Guided Tours

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

Find out more online or call Laurence

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

69


There’s nothing

like a good map

to make you

feel like a true

adventurer.

With 125 miles

of twists and

turns and new

discoveries

along the Great West Way our map will

help you plan your journey,

and also includes 125 great things to do!

Of course, while these maps will steer

you towards incredible attractions,

beautiful landscapes and top places to stay,

eat and drink, please 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.

GreatWestWay.co.uk/explore/maps

NATIONAL TRUST LANDSCAPES

From ancient trees to butterflies and otters, National Trust look

after some wonderful landscapes, that are full of life. Try Bath

Skyline for example - only a short stroll from the city centre.

Explore the skyline hills above Bath and beyond, through six

miles of meadows and ancient woodlands to secluded valleys.

The limestone grassland slopes support a great variety of

plants and attract a number of butterflies, great for some

spring and summer wildlife spotting. This is a circular walk and

will take around three to four hours of moderate walking. For

a more exhilarating walking trail you might prefer Cheddar

Gorge & Caves dramatic 3-mile walk – 450ft above sea level

– with views over the Mendips. And it’s not just the landscape

out to impress. The gorge is a dedicated conservation area,

home to an abundance of rare plants and wildlife – see if

you can spot the Cheddar Pink (dianthus), which isn’t found

anywhere else in the world.

There are a variety of fascinating sites across Wiltshire

too, including parts of the Stonehenge and Avebury World

Heritage Site. At Avebury you’ll find the largest stone circle

in the world, a prehistoric artificial chalk mound, Silbury Hill,

as well as many other Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments,

including Windmill Hill, The Sanctuary and West Kennet

Long Barrow. A bit further afield, discover the Stonehenge

Landscape where there are remarkable prehistoric

monuments such as The Avenue, several Bronze Age barrow

cemeteries and the huge henge monument of Durrington

Walls, which contains the remains of a Neolithic village.

Just outside Marlborough, Lockeridge Dene and Piggledene’s

unusual sarsen boulder stream, creates a striking landscape,

from which the standing stones of Avebury were probably

sourced. At Cherhill there’s the white horse

on Calstone and Cherhill Downs. North of

Chippenham discover Sutton Lane Meadows, an

unspoilt natural wildflower meadow which blooms

in May and June. →

50. Step inside a fourteenth century tithe barn, complete

with a staggering timbe roof of wooden arches that

stretch for more than 50 metres above your head.

Bradford on Avon’s tithe barn is so historica ly important

that it’s protected by English Heritage. GRID REF: C4

51. Travel through the historic centre of Bath (B4) on a

stand-up paddleboarding safari with Original Wild, or

take a lesson in Bristol (A4) with SUP Bristol.

52. Play disc golf in the park, at Ashton Court in

Bristol – you’ l be trying to get a frisbee, not a ba l,

into each hole. GRID REF: A3

53. See paintings by English masters Thomas

Gainsborough and John Constable, housed together

at Bath’s Holburne Museum. GRID REF: B4

54. Climb to the top of Roundway Hi l and gaze down

into the “bloody ditch” – scene of the greatest Royalist

victory of the English Civil War, in 1643. GRID REF: D4

55. Tune into alien energies on the hunt for one of

Wiltshire’s infamous crop circles with a visit to the

Crop Circle Exhibition & Information Centre. Many

people think these large and often ornate pa terns

that appear overnight in the county’s wheat fields

are the work of extra-te restrials… GRID REF: E4

56. Walk along the River Thames on the Thames Path,

stro ling from Kew Gardens to the upscale London suburb

of Richmond, home to some great pubs. GRID REF: L3

57. Take a stroll through 45 acres of serene greenery

at Bristol’s Arnos Vale Cemetery, a Victorian garden

cemetery surrounded by unspoiled woodland and

home to numerous fascinating monuments. GRID REF: B4

58. Try a hot chocolate seventeenth-century style at

Dyrham Park – you might be surprised to learn that

it has cayenne pepper in it! GRID REF: B3

59. Scan the skies fo red kites in the Chilterns –

the bes time to see these glorious birds of prey

is between October and April and the best chance

of seeing them is in the far south of the Area of

Outstanding Natural Beauty. GRID REF: K1

60. Get a new insight into Shakespeare, at a

contemporary performance of the Bard’s best work

at Bristol Shakespeare Festival (July). GRID REF: A3

61. Find dazzling carpets of bluebe ls in the woods at

West Woods just outside Marlborough. April and May

are bluebe l season here. GRID REF: E4

62. Try Wiltshire cured ham in Calne, the town it

originated in back in the eighteenth century. It goes very

well with cheese and pickle! It’s also on the menu at

plenty of pubs along the Way, including the Queens Arms

at East Garston. GRID REF: D4

63. Find your next new favourite story in one of Bath’s

independent bookshops. Mr B’s Emporium and Topping &

Company both have great selections. GRID REF: B4

64. Watch for the colourful flash of a swooping kingfisher,

its orange and blue plumage catching your eye on a walk

through the marshland at Jones’s Mi l in Pewsey Vale (E4),

cared for by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. The Trust also has

sites at Blakehill Farm (D2) and Lower Moor (D2)

in north Wiltshire.

65. Wear out the kids at Bowood’s fabulous adventure

playground. There’s a pirate ship, aerial walkways and a

Flying Fox zip wire – kids up to the age of 12 wi l be hard

to drag away from here! GRID REF: D4

66. Walk acro s Brunel’s famous Clifton Suspension

Bridge, gazing acro s the dramatic Avon Gorge GRID REF: A4

67. Get up close and personal with the trees on

Westonbirt Arboretum’s Treetop Walkway. It runs

through the tree canopy for 300 metres and features

interactive information panels and telescopes to teach

visitors abou the collection a the national arboretum.

GRID REF: C3

68. Hear classical music echoing around an ancient

cathedral. Bristol Cathedral hosts regula recitals,

featuring classical music from both local and

international musicians. GRID REF: A3

69. Treat the whole family to a luxury stay at Woo ley

Grange, a hotel that puts family first – and even includes

two hours daily free childcare in its room rates. GRID REF: C4

70. Hear nothing but silence in the designated Silent

Space at Prior Park Landscape Garden, near Bath. This

was once the site of a Gothic temple; today it’s a serene

spot where mobile devices are banned and silence is

requested (every Thursday noon-3pm). GRID REF: C4

71. Take a dip al fresco at Thames Lido in Kings

Meadow (H3), Reading. This beautiful Edwardian

swimming baths has been fu ly restored and

o fers non-member swimming sessions every

weekday from 1-4pm. The same company operates

a Lido in Bristol (A4) too, which dates from the

Victorian era.

1. Sit in the Devil’s Chair – a natural seat sculpted

in stone at Europe’s largest stone circle, Avebury.

GRID REF: E4

2. Soak in the UK’s only natural hot springs at Thermae

Bath Spa – home to a rooftop al fresco pool with views

over the city’s ancient rooftops. GRID REF: B4

3. Fly down mountain biking trails that weave through

ancient woodland in Swinley Forest. The 13km Red

route is not for the faint-hearted – expect jumps,

drops and twists a l the way. GRID REF: J4

4. Count the deer in Richmond Park

(hint: there are hundreds!). GRID REF: L3

5. Wave to the Queen as she rides in the daily

Royal Proce sion at world-famous horseracing

event Royal Ascot (four days every June). GRID REF: J4

6. Feast in one of the world’s best restaurants, the

three Michelin star Fat Duck in Bray, where chef

Heston Blumenthal takes guests on a sensory

journey – all the way to the seaside. GRID REF: J3

7. See where the earliest surviving photographic

negative was taken, by Henry Fox Talbot in 1835

at Lacock Abbey. GRID REF: C4

8. Climb the rigging of a Victorian ship, the SS Great

Britain and reach heights of more than 25 metres above

Bristol Harbour! If you’re feeling rea ly brave you can

even walk out along the main yard. GRID REF: A4

9. Check ou the world’s oldest pot plant, a prickly

cycad that lives at Kew Gardens and was planted

in 1775. GRID REF: L3

10. Run a bath with natura ly ho thermal waters at

The Gainsborough Bath Spa hotel, where selected

rooms are plumbed directly into Bath’s thermal waters.

GRID REF: B4

11. Poke your nose into the world’s oldest and largest

inhabited castle at Windsor Castle, the home of the

Queen – and said to be her favourite castle.

GRID REF: K3

12. Learn the ropes on a rock-climbing le son at

the high limestone cli fs of Avon Gorge. There are

750 climbing routes here, some of them so physica ly

and menta ly cha lenging tha they’ve only been

climbed once. GRID REF: A4

13. Test your muscle power on a na row boating

journey up one of the longest continuous flights of

locks in England. You’ l rise 72 metres (237ft) in just

two miles at Caen Hi lock flight en route to the

market town of Devizes. GRID REF: D4

14. Soar like a bird above the Wiltshire Downs on a

paragliding le son. GRID REF: E4

15. Stand on the site of the sealing of the Magna Carta,

on the banks of the Thames at Runnymede. GRID REF: K4

16. Waterski on a private lake at Cotswold Water Park.

GRID REF: D2

17. Escape to an English country garden at The Bath Priory

hotel, where dinner is taken overlooking the kitchen garden

and your bedroom is named after a flower. GRID REF: B4

18. Swim in the pool that plunged the UK into chaos

at Cliveden – backdrop to the infamous Profumo A fair.

GRID REF: J3

19. Mount your steed and thwack a polo ba l acro s the

lawn on a half-day polo mastercla s at Coworth Park.

GRID REF: K4

20. Have a “meet and greet” with a red panda, one of

several behind the scenes experiences at Bristol Zoo.

GRID REF: A4

21. Dre s like Jane Austen, bonnet and a l, and dance

the night away a the Regency Costumed Masked

Ba l in Bath, part of the annual Jane Austen Festival

(September). GRID REF: B4

22. Ride the rails of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s

(arguably) greatest achievement, the Great Western

Railway from London to Bristol. GRID REF: A4

23. Se tle in for a traditional afternoon tea, served on a

tiered stand in the restaurant of one of England’s finest

country hotels. The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa (B4),

Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa (C3) and Cricklade House

Hotel (E2) are a l much-loved for their afternoon teas –

which can be served with Champagne.

24. Sail up into the sky in a hot air ba loon at

Europe’s largest annual meeting of hot air ba loons,

the Bristol International Ba loon Fiesta every August.

You needn’t wait for the fiesta though, Bailey

Ba loons o fer flights a l year round above both

Bristol and Bath. GRID REF: A4

Discover an essential strand of England on the

Great West Way. Based on one of the first Great

Roads commissioned by the Kings of England,

the Great West Way winds for 125 miles through

the very soul of England, from the capital city of

London to the vibrant western gateway of Bristol.

The Great West Way brings you to world-famou site such as Stonehenge,

Roman Bath and Windsor Castle, but the real joy is in discovering somewhere

different, a real slice of England that you can take back home with you – as

memories, as photographs, or even as a bottle of craft ale or piece of local art.

You can explore by road, by rail or by water. Slow right down to the pace of

two feet or two bike wheels, base yourself in one place for a while and find

your own story on the Great West Way.

72. Sme l the rhododendrons at Bowood’s Woodl

Gardens, open every spring during flowering seaso

Two miles of paths wind their way between the v

coloured plants, many of which have been pu ting

this display every year since 1854. GRID REF: D4

73. Spot a Banksy – an artwork by the anonymou

street artist – in the city he hails from, Bristol. You

also watch other street artists at work, painting th

as part of Europe’s largest street art and gra fiti fe

every July. GRID REF: A3

74. Get eyeball to eyeba l with some very cheeky

monkeys at Longleat Safari Park – as you drive thr

their habitat expect them to clamber onto your ca

po sibly to take some of it with them! GRID REF: C5

75. A tend the weekly ma s at Stonor Chapel, bui

late thirteenth century on the site of a prehistoric

circle and resolutely Catholic ever since. GRID REF: H

76. Seek out ghosts on a creepy walk around the

town of Devizes with local historian John Girvan.

Devizes Ghost Walk has been te rifying children a

alike for more than 20 years and includes a trip to

of the town’s old ga lows. GRID REF: D4

77. Step into the 1930s a the Atwe l-Wilson M

Museum in Calne, where a 1930s garage has b

reconstructed and fi led with classic cars. GRID

78. Drink English wine direct from the vineyard a

award winning Alder Ridge Vineyard (F4) or Aldw

in Bristol (A4). English sparkling wine is ge ting es

popular so be sure to give it a try.

79. Stro l through a “living work of art” at Stour

of England’s greatest landscape gardens. The be

to visit is the autumn, when the trees turn gold

at any time of the year you can seek out the cla

temple above the lake – a great shot for your In

GRID REF: B6

80. Discover the history of the shoe at the Fash

Museum in Bath, where you’ l find a co lection

runs from Georgian silk shoes to Nike trainers.

GRID REF: B4

81. Eat international street food in the heart o

The street food market runs year-round on Tue

and Fridays on Wine Street and has everything

Indonesian street food and vegan Thai snacks t

cooked doughnuts and Tibetan dumplings. GRI

25. Gawp a the super-elite school that educated

Princes Wi liam and Ha ry – as we l as 19 British

Prime Ministers. The tour of Eton College includes

the School Yard and Co lege Chapel. GRID REF: K3

26. Take the wheel of a Formula Ford 1600 or Lotus Elise

on a lap of Castle Combe Motor Racing Circuit. GRID REF: C3

27. Find out just what you can build with 42 million

LEGO bricks at LEGOLAND. GRID REF: K3

28. Get confe t in your hair at the u terly unique Devizes

Confetti Battle (August). GRID REF: D4

29. Visi the Wiltshire white horses, carved by local

people into chalky hillsides around the county. There

are eight that can be seen today including two in the

unspoiled countryside of beautiful Pewsey Vale, and

some are as old as 300 years! GRID REF: E4

30. Go organic with food from the farm at Helen

Browning’s Royal Oak (E3), where portions are

generous and as much as possible is home-grown.

You can visi the farm too, and buy delicious bacon

and sausages to take away. Also in Wiltshire you’ l

find Bu tle Farm (D4), where you can buy pork

and charcuterie, and Roves Farm (E3), home to an

extensive farm shop.

31. Ride a steam train kept alive and running by

volunteers, at Avon Valley Railway. GRID REF: B4

32. Lose yourself in the UK’s oldest surviving hedge

maze at Hampton Court Palace. GRID REF: L4

33. Taste local brew Good Old Boy in the Taproom

of the brewery that crafted it, West Berkshire Brewery.

GRID REF: G3

34. Sniff out the best cheeses at Winston Churchill’s

favourite cheesemonger Paxton & Whitfield in Bath.

GRID REF: B4

35. Watch the Changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle.

GRID REF: K3

36. Join the party at one of England’s biggest and

best-loved music festivals, Reading Festival (August).

GRID REF: H3

37. Shop while walking on water at Pulteney Bridge

in Bath. This gorgeous Georgian bridge is one of only

four worldwide to have shops lining both sides and

is a classical masterpiece. GRID REF: B4

38. Step aboard the last Concorde ever built at

Aerospace Bristol, on the site that built every

British Concorde ever made. GRID REF: B3

39. Climb a 120-foot Neoclassical tower built for

Europe’s wealthiest man at Beckford’s Tower just

outside Bath. GRID REF: B4

40. Shop for a bargain at McArthurGlen Designer

Outlet Swindon, where more than 100 designer

stores o fer discounts of up to 60%. GRID REF: E3

41. Discover Nordic walking on an introductory

session with Bristol Nordic Walking. GRID REF: A3

42. Mess about in boats on the Thame surrounded

by hundreds of others doing the same, at Henley

Royal Regatta (July). GRID REF: J3

43. Watch stately Shire horses deliver local beer to

the pubs of Devizes, fresh from Wadworth Brewery,

based in the town. GRID REF: D4

44. Stand in Harry Po ter’s footsteps in the very room

he first saw his parents, reflected in the Mi ror of

Erised (the Chapter House in Lacock Abbey).

GRID REF: C4

45. Come face to face – safely – with 33 di ferent

native shark species a the Bristol Aquarium.

GRID REF: A4

46. Peer down from steep cli fs into England’s

largest gorge before descending beneath this

dramatic landscape on a caving adventure at

Cheddar Gorge & Caves. GRID REF: A5

47. Discover Bath’s food scene on a tasty tour

with Savouring Bath – the “naughty but nice”

tour is especially indulgent, focusing on treats

and temptations. GRID REF: B4

48. Follow in Poldark’s footsteps on a stro l along

Corsham’s gorgeous honey-stoned High Street

– it appeared on screen as eighteenth century

Truro in the BBC drama. GRID REF: C4

49. Discover the gardens of legendary landscape

gardener ‘Capability’ Brown at Elizabethan mansion

house Corsham Court. There’s a glorious one-mile

Great Walk planted with cedars and planes,

a Gothic bath house and a ha ha to keep

the deer out without spoiling the view.

GRID REF: C4

START HERE.

Great things to do along the

Great West Way.

125

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123

tep inside a fourteenth century tithe barn, complete

a staggering timbe roof of wooden arches that

ch for more than 50 metres above your head.

dford on Avon’s tithe barn is so historica ly important

t it’s protected by English Heritage. GRID REF: C4

1. Travel through the historic centre of Bath (B4) on a

tand-up paddleboarding safari with Original Wild, or

ake a lesson in Bristol (A4) with SUP Bristol.

52. Play disc golf in the park, at Ashton Court in

Bristol – you’ l be trying to get a frisbee, not a ba l,

into each hole. GRID REF: A3

53. See paintings by English masters Thomas

Gainsborough and John Constable, housed together

at Bath’s Holburne Museum. GRID REF: B4

54. Climb to the top of Roundway Hi l and gaze down

into the “bloody ditch” – scene of the greatest Royalist

victory of the English Civil War, in 1643. GRID REF: D4

55. Tune into alien energies on the hunt for one of

Wiltshire’s infamous crop circles with a visi to the

Crop Circle Exhibition & Information Centre. Many

people think these large and often ornate pa terns

that appear overnight in the county’s wheat fields

are the work of extra-te restrials… GRID REF: E4

56. Walk along the River Thames on the Thames Path,

stro ling from Kew Gardens to the upscale London suburb

of Richmond, home to some great pubs. GRID REF: L3

57. Take a stro l through 45 acres of serene greenery

at Bristol’s Arnos Vale Cemetery, a Victorian garden

cemetery su rounded by unspoiled woodland and

home to numerous fascinating monuments. GRID REF: B4

58. Try a hot chocolate seventeenth-century style at

Dyrham Park – you might be surprised to learn that

it has cayenne pepper in it! GRID REF: B3

59. Scan the skies fo red kites in the Chilterns –

the bes time to see these glorious birds of prey

is between October and April and the best chance

of seeing them is in the far south of the Area of

Outstanding Natural Beauty. GRID REF: K1

60. Get a new insight into Shakespeare, at a

contemporary performance of the Bard’s best work

at Bristol Shakespeare Festival (July). GRID REF: A3

61. Find dazzling carpets of bluebe ls in the woods at

West Woods just outside Marlborough. April and May

are bluebe l season here. GRID REF: E4

62. Try Wiltshire cured ham in Calne, the town it

originated in back in the eighteenth century. It goes very

we l with cheese and pickle! It’s also on the menu at

plenty of pubs along the Way, including the Queens Arms

at East Garston. GRID REF: D4

63. Find your next new favourite story in one of Bath’s

independent bookshops. Mr B’s Emporium and Topping &

Company both have great selections. GRID REF: B4

64. Watch for the colourful flash of a swooping kingfisher,

its orange and blue plumage catching your eye on a walk

through the marshland at Jones’s Mi l in Pewsey Vale (E4),

cared for by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. The Trust also has

sites at Blakehi l Farm (D2) and Lower Moor (D2)

in north Wiltshire.

65. Wear out the kids at Bowood’s fabulous adventure

playground. There’s a pirate ship, aerial walkways and a

Flying Fox zip wire – kids up to the age of 12 wi l be hard

to drag away from here! GRID REF: D4

66. Walk across Brunel’s famous Clifton Suspension

Bridge, gazing across the dramatic Avon Gorge GRID REF: A4

67. Get up close and personal with the trees on

Westonbirt Arboretum’s Treetop Walkway. It runs

through the tree canopy for 300 metres and features

interactive information panels and telescopes to teach

visitors abou the co lection a the national arboretum.

GRID REF: C3

68. Hear classical music echoing around an ancient

cathedral. Bristol Cathedral hosts regula recitals,

featuring classical music from both local and

international musicians. GRID REF: A3

69. Treat the whole family to a luxury stay at Woo ley

Grange, a hotel that puts family first – and even includes

two hours daily free childcare in its room rates. GRID REF: C4

70. Hear nothing but silence in the designated Silent

Space at Prior Park Landscape Garden, near Bath. This

was once the site of a Gothic temple; today it’s a serene

spot where mobile devices are banned and silence is

requested (every Thursday noon-3pm). GRID REF: C4

71. Take a dip al fresco at Thames Lido in Kings

Meadow (H3), Reading. This beautiful Edwardian

swimming baths has been fu ly restored and

o fers non-member swimming sessions every

weekday from 1-4pm. The same company operates

a Lido in Bristol (A4) too, which dates from the

Victorian era.

72. Sme l the rhododendrons at Bowood’s Woodland

Gardens, open every spring during flowering season.

Two miles of paths wind their way between the vibrantly

coloured plants, many of which have been pu ting on

this display every year since 1854. GRID REF: D4

73. Spot a Banksy – an artwork by the anonymous

street artist – in the city he hails from, Bristol. You can

also watch other street artists at work, painting the wa ls

as part of Europe’s largest street art and gra fiti festival,

every July. GRID REF: A3

74. Get eyeba l to eyeba l with some very cheeky

monkeys at Longleat Safari Park – as you drive through

their habitat expect them to clamber onto your car, and

possibly to take some of it with them! GRID REF: C5

75. A tend the weekly mass at Stonor Chapel, built in the

late thirteenth century on the site of a prehistoric stone

circle and resolutely Catholic ever since. GRID REF: H3

76. Seek out ghosts on a creepy walk around the market

town of Devizes with local historian John Girvan. The

Devizes Ghost Walk has been te rifying children and adults

alike for more than 20 years and includes a trip to the site

of the town’s old ga lows. GRID REF: D4

77. Step into the 1930s a the Atwe l-Wilson Motor

Museum in Calne, where a 1930s garage has been

reconstructed and fi led with classic cars. GRID REF: D4

78. Drink English wine direct from the vineyard at the

award winning Alder Ridge Vineyard (F4) or Aldwick Estate

in Bristol (A4). English sparkling wine is ge ting especia ly

popular so be sure to give it a try.

79. Stro l through a “living work of art” at Stourhead, one

of England’s greatest landscape gardens. The best time

to visit is the autumn, when the trees turn golden, but

at any time of the year you can seek out the classical

temple above the lake – a great shot for your Instagram.

GRID REF: B6

80. Discover the history of the shoe at the Fashion

Museum in Bath, where you’ l find a co lection that

runs from Georgian silk shoes to Nike trainers.

GRID REF: B4

81. Eat international street food in the heart of Bristol.

The street food market runs year-round on Tuesdays

and Fridays on Wine Street and has everything from

Indonesian street food and vegan Thai snacks to freshly

cooked doughnuts and Tibetan dumplings. GRID REF: A4

82. Bet on the horses at Newbury Racecourse, which has

race days year-round. GRID REF: G4

83. Check ou the largest co lection of Americana

outside the US, including some fascinating ancient maps

and more than 200 quilts, a the American Museum and

Gardens in Bath. GRID REF: C4

84. Get geeky about local ales with the helpful bar sta f at

the Beer Emporium, in the heart of Old Bristol and se ling

beers from local craft breweries. The bottle shop upstairs

has loads to take away too. GRID REF: A4

85. Shop for local goodies at the twice-weekly market

in Marlborough, set along the second widest high street

in the UK. GRID REF: E4

86. Wait for Corsham’s free-roaming peacocks to fan out

their bright coloured tails – then take the perfect picture.

You might even spot them admiring themselves in the

shop windows of the High Street. GRID REF: C4

87. Join the debate over Silbury Hi l, part of the prehistoric

complex at Avebury. Just why did ancient man build a

mound as large as a contemporary Egyptian pyramid?

GRID REF: E4

88. Take your seats for a performance of local

talent a the Barn Theatre in Cirencester (D2), one

of England’s best regional theatres and home to

state-of-the-art facilities. Or se tle in for a jazz

concert a the Wiltshire Music Centre (C4) in

Bradford on Avon.

89. Haggle for a bargain at Hungerford Arcade Antiques,

home to more than 100 antique dealers – and plenty of

weird and wonderful finds. GRID REF: F4

90. Se tle in for some pub grub with a di ference at The

Hand and Flowers in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, the first

UK pub to be awarded two Michelin stars. GRID REF: J3

91. Saddle up for a trek along the Ridgeway, riding through

the North We sex Downs to reach the River Thames in the

Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. GRID REF: H2

92. Spot bri liant blue poison dart frogs, one of the

world’s most brightly coloured animals, in the Lowlands

glasshouse at the Living Rainforest in Berkshire.

GRID REF: G3

93. Work the signals in the interactive GWR signal box

and drive a train simulator at STEAM, the Museum of

the Great Western Railway, in Swindon. GRID REF: E3

ever built at

built every

REF: B3

al tower built for

kford’s Tower just

rthurGlen Designer

than 100 designer

o 60%. GRID REF: E3

on an introductory

Walking. GRID REF: A3

the Thame su rounded

ng the same, at Henley

REF: J3

horses deliver local beer to

h from Wadworth Brewery,

REF: D4

ter’s footsteps in the very room

s, reflected in the Mi ror of

ouse in Lacock Abbey).

ce – safely – with 33 di ferent

s a the Bristol Aquarium.

m steep cli fs into England’s

re descending beneath this

pe on a caving adventure at

& Caves. GRID REF: A5

th’s food scene on a tasty tour

Bath – the “naughty but nice”

ly indulgent, focusing on treats

ons. GRID REF: B4

Poldark’s footsteps on a stro l along

orgeous honey-stoned High Street

ed on screen as eighteenth century

e BBC drama. GRID REF: C4

ver the gardens of legendary landscape

‘Capability’ Brown at Elizabethan mansion

orsham Court. There’s a glorious one-mile

alk planted with cedars and planes,

ic bath house and a ha ha to keep

er out without spoiling the view.

EF: C4

94. Take a guided tour of the picture-postcard

fifteenth-century Great Chalfield Manor and check

out its beautiful Arts and Craft style garden, complete

with some very we l-manicured topiary. GRID REF: C4

95. Se tle in for an authentic English pub experience. There are

hundreds of traditional pubs along the Great West Way, where

you can play pub games in the beer garden in summer, or cosy

up by the open fire in winter. We love the Three Tuns Freehouse

in Great Bedwyn (F4), The Old Be l in Malmesbury (C3), the

Royal Oak in Ya tendon (C3), The Red Lion Freehouse in East

Chisenbury (E4) and The Newbury Pub in Newbury (G4).

96. Pootle along the Kennet & Avon Canal on your

very own na rowboat, mooring up at pub gardens

and in market towns along the route and feeling the

pace of life slow. Boats can be hired just for the day

from Devizes Marina (D4) or for a longer holiday from

Honeystreet Boats (E4). Don’t fancy driving yourself?

Take a na rowboa tour instead, on the Jubilee from

Newbury Wharf (G4), The Rose of Hungerford from

Hungerford (F4), the Kenavon Venture from Devizes

Wharf (D4) or the Barbara McLe lan from Bradford on

Avon (C4).

97. Check in to England’s oldest hotel, The Old Be l

Hotel in Malmesbury. It’s Grade I listed and stands

right nex to the twelfth century Abbey. Fu ly restored,

it o fers elegant modern accommodation and relaxed

dinners.GRID REF: C3

98. Take a horse-riding lesson with Rein and Shine in

Swindon. There are horse riding experience packages

of two and three hours, including the chance to learn

about stable management. GRID REF: E3

99. Marvel a the world’s oldest working steam

engines, the Crofton Beam Engines. Fed by a

hand-stoked coal-fired boiler, they’re sti l plugging

away at the job they were designed to do more than

200 years ago – pumping water up to the highest

point of the Kennet & Avon Canal. GRID REF: E4

100. Bring the binoculars for some winter

birdwatching at Cotswold Water Park. Look out

for great crested grebes, tufted ducks, coots and

pochards. GRID REF: D2

101. Check ou the work of English twentieth century

painter Sir Stanley Spencer in the eponymous ga lery on

the high street in Cookham, the Thameside vi lage he

lived and worked in for many years. GRID REF: J3

102. Go orchid spo ting in Hartslock Nature Reserve,

home to the rare monkey orchid which flowers here in

May or early June. There is also a hybrid of the monkey

and lady orchids here, the only place in Britain tha this

has been recorded. GRID REF: H3

103. Pose for the perfect postcard-worthy shot on

the arched stone bridge in the heart of Castle Combe.

This protected vi lage is like a time capsule, with not a

modern building in sight. No surprise then that it has

appeared on screen numerous times – in Spielberg’s

War Horse and the original Dr Dooli tle film to name

jus two. GRID REF: C3

104. Canoe the Kennet & Avon Canal, pushing o f in

a Canadian canoe at Bradford on Avon and paddling

eastwards to Seend Cleeve and the canalside Barge

Inn, where you can moor up for a pub lunch before

the return journey. GRID REF: D4

105. Bring a blanket and se tle in for an al fresco

performance of a Shakespearean play at Dyrham

Park (August). GRID REF: B3

106. Take a turn around the organic gardens at

Highgrove, home to the Prince of Wales. Book a

champagne tea tour and you’ l finish with afternoon

tea and a glass of Highgrove Champagne. GRID REF: C3

107. Lace up your skates for a spin around the rink at

one of the Great West Way’s winter ice rinks. There are

rinks at Mi lennium Square in Bristol (A4), Royal Victoria

Park in Bath (B4), Alexandra Gardens in Windsor (K3) and

Hampton Court Palace (L4) (November-January).

108. Ge the stones (almost) to yourself by booking

the Inner Circle tour at Stonehenge and rising early to

be inside the stone circle before it opens to the public.

You sti l can’ touch the stones, but you wi l get some

great pictures of them. GRID REF: E6

109. Stoop to enter West Kennet Long Ba row, a

Neolithic tomb built around 5,650 years ago. You can

walk along inside for about 13 metres before reaching

the final chamber. Bring a torch! GRID REF: E4

110. Set out on foot through the Cotswolds on the

102-mile Cotswold Way, one of England’s national trails.

You’ l start at Bath Abbey (B4) and head north along the

Cotswold escarpment, stro ling through idy lic vi lages

and passing ancient churches, abbeys and mansions set

in some of the country’s most celebrated – and best

protected – countryside.

111. Eat a traditional ploughman’s lunch – a pla ter of

local cheese, pickle and onions accompanied by bread and

(usua ly) a salad. Try it at the twelfth century Castle Inn

in Castle Combe (C3) or at Beese’s in Bristol (A4).

112. Have a proper English cup of tea – served strong

with milk of course – in a traditional tearoom. There

are hundreds of tearooms along the Great West Way

but some of our favourites are St Peter’s Co fee Shop in

Marlborough (E4), The To lgate in Dyrham (B3), the Teapot

in Cookham (J3) and The Tu ti Pole in Hungerford (F4).

113. See a 2,000-year-old lime tree, sti l going strong

in Silk Wood at Westonbirt Arboretum. GRID REF: C3

114. Test your navigational ski ls on the orienteering

trails at Ashton Court in Bristol. There are three to try

– pick up a map from the golf kiosk. GRID REF: A4

115. Cycle along an old railway track, fo lowing the

13-mile Bristol & Bath Railway Path between the

two cities. This was once the route of the Midland

Railway and some evidence of its life as a railway

i sti l visible. The route is tarmac, tra fic-free and

almost entirely level – making it a breeze for

a l levels of ability. You could even try it on a

tandem, hiring a two-seater bike from Bristol

Tandem Hire. GRID REF: B4

116. See the cave where two giants, Goram and

Ghyston, are said to have once made their home.

You can walk to this sma l cave overlooking Avon

Gorge in Bristol from the Observatory above it,

through a tunnel carved in the nineteenth century

by artist Wi liam West. GRID REF: A4

117. Go bu terfly spo ting in the rare chalk grasslands

of the Chilterns, the perfect habitat for a wide variety

of wildflowers – and the butterflies that love them.

GRID REF: H3

118. Play a round of golf on one of England’s best

parkland courses. Try Richmond Park Golf Course in

West London, North Wilts Golf Club in Wiltshire or

Bristol & Clifton Golf Club.

GRID REF: L3

119. See what’s biting in the Kennet & Avon Canal

– home to some of England’s most bankable angling

spots. Fishing is permi ted along much of the towpath

here, bu two of the best places for a bumper catch

are Bathampton near Bath (C4) and Hungerford in

Berkshire (F4). Contac the local angling association

for a permit.

120. Discover the area’s military might with a visit

to REME, the museum of the Royal Electrical and

Mechanical Engineers, at MoD Lyneham. See large

armoured vehicles, listen to soldiers’ stories and get

hands-on with the recovery task simulator. GRID REF: D3

121. Indulge yourself by booking a mind-melting

in-water massage – or watsu. Bath’s Thermae Spa

o fers these dreamy treatments in the natural thermal

waters of the Hot Bath. Just don’t plan anything too

strenuous for afterwards! GRID REF: B4

122. Wild swim in the Thames at Cock Marsh near

Cookham, where you’ l find sandy beaches to paddle

out from and clear, clean waters. GRID REF: J3

123. Go behind the scenes at Downton Abbey with a

visi to Highclere Castle, the building Julian Fe lowes

i said to have had in mind when he wrote the TV

drama. The Victorian castle remains the family home

of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, and visitors

can see the Great Ha l, backdrop to much of Mary and

Ma thew’s romance, and the Dining Room, scene of

many a family drama and plenty of acerbic comments

from the Dowager Countess. GRID REF: G5

124. Have a crack at clay pigeon shooting in the

grounds of Donnington Grove in Berkshire. GRID REF: G4

125. Learn how stop animation works in Bristol, home

to Aardman Animations, the Academy Award winning

studio who brought the world Wa lace and Gromit.

We the Curiou science centre hosts model making

workshops with experts from the studio – you’ l even

ge to take home a plasticine Gromit. GRID REF: A4


START HERE.

England

for the Curious

31

86

13

66

123

2

In partnership with:

Great West Way and England’s Great West Way are registered

trade marks. A l rights reserved.

Recommended accommodation

Abbey Hotel, Bath

abbeyhotelbath.co.uk GRID REF: B4

Apex City of Bath Hotel, Bath

apexhotels.co.uk GRID REF: B4

Avalon Lodge Bed & Breakfast, Devizes

bed-breakfast-devizes.co.uk GRID REF: D4

Bath Apartment Breaks

bathapartmentbreaks.co.uk GRID REF: B4

Bath Self Catering

bathselfcatering.com GRID REF: B4

Beanhi l Farm B&B, Chippenham

beanhi lfarm.net GRID REF: D3

Best Western Plus Angel Hotel, Wiltshire

bestwestern.co.uk GRID REF: C4

Brooks Guest House, Bath

brooksguesthouse.com GRID REF: B4

Buttle Farm, Wiltshire

bu tlefarm.co.uk GRID REF: D4

Church Farm Country Cottages, Wiltshire

churchfarmco tages.com GRID REF: C4

Cricklade Hotel, Wiltshire

crickladehotel.co.uk GRID REF: E2

Cumberwe l Country Cottages, Wiltshire

cumberwe lcountryco tages.com GRID REF: E2

Devizes Marina Vi lage, Wiltshire

devizesmarina.com GRID REF: D4

Donnington Grove, Newbury

donnington-grove.com GRID REF: G4

DoubleTree by Hilton, Swindon, Wiltshire

doubletree3.hilton.com GRID REF: E3

The Farm Camp, Wiltshire

thefarmcamp.co.uk GRID REF: C4

Great Northern Hotel, London

gnhlondon.com GRID REF: M3

Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport, Bristol

hamptoninn3.hilton.com GRID REF: A4

Helen Browning’s Royal Oak, Wiltshire

helenbrowningsorganic.co.uk GRID REF: E3

Heritage Bed & Breakfast, Wiltshire

heritagebandb.co.uk GRID REF: D4

Holiday Inn Salisbury–Stonehenge, Wiltshire

hisalisbury-stonehenge.co.uk GRID REF: E6

The Langley, Buckinghamshire

ma rio t.com GRID REF: K3

MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel

macdonaldhotels.co.uk GRID REF: B4

Manor Farm B&B, Wiltshire

manorfm.co.uk GRID REF: E5

Meadowbank House Bed & Breakfast, Wiltshire

meadowbankhouse.com GRID REF: E3

The Old Be l Hotel, Malmesbury, Wiltshire

oldbe lhotel.co.uk GRID REF: C3

The Old Chapel, Wiltshire

airbnb.co.uk/rooms/29073443 GRID REF: E4

Queens Arms, East Garston, Berkshire

queensarmseastgarston.co.uk GRID REF: F4

The Red Lion and Troutbeck, East Chisenbury

redlionfreehouse.com GRID REF: E5

The Roseate Villa, Bath

roseatehotels.com/bath/theroseatevi la GRID REF: B4

Roseate House, London

roseatehotels.com/london/roseatehouse GRID REF: L3

The Roseate, Reading

roseatehotels.com/reading/theroseate GRID REF: H4

The Royal Oak, Yattendon, Berkshire

royaloakya tendon.co.uk GRID REF: C3

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath

royalcrescent.co.uk GRID REF: B4

The Swan, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire

theswanbradford.co.uk GRID REF: C4

Totteridge Farm, Pewsey, Wiltshire

to teridge-farm.website GRID REF: E4

Tucking Mi l, Bath Apartments & Cottages

bathselfcatering.net GRID REF: B4

Whatley Manor, Wiltshire

whatleymanor.com GRID REF: C3

Woo ley Grange Hotel, Wiltshire

woo leygrangehotel.co.uk GRID REF: C4


BE CURIOUS. BE RESPONSIBLE

We've put together some further pointers to help you respect,

protect and enjoy our lovely English countryside while you

travel the Great West Way.

AREAS OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY

The Chilterns, the North Wessex Downs and the

Cotswolds offer exceptional landscapes, and thanks

to their legal protection they are perfect countryside

playgrounds for cyclists and ramblers.

If you are starting your journey from London,

you will be close to the southern section of The

Chilterns - a section of the 324 square miles which

fall within the Great West Way corridor. It’s a haven

for wildlife. Keep an eye out for red kites - the

bird of prey now thrives in the region, having been

reintroduced in 1989.

It is likely you may have heard of the North

Wessex Downs - it is the third largest Area of

Outstanding Natural Beauty in Britain (there are

46 AONBs in total). The area lies at the heart of the

chalk band that stretches across southern England

and was once under a warm sea. Its landscape is very

diverse; as well as the chalk habitats, there is a rich

mosaic of woodland, pasture, heath and common

land.

It is an ancient landscape etched by the impact of

humans for over 5,000 years, including fascinating

features such as the World Heritage Site at Avebury,

eight Chalk White Horses, Savernake Forest,

Highclere Castle, historic market towns and the

Kennet & Avon Canal.

Or you might find yourself walking some of the

Cotswold Way which really is England at its prettiest.

Here you could cover more ground with a leisurely

Sunday road cycle through the sleepy Cotswolds

villages before stopping for a well-earned roast dinner

in one of the many pretty pubs or award-winning

restaurants.

Whichever direction you take, be it by bike,

foot, water, or a mix of all three remember to slow

down to enjoy the journey as much as you do the

destination!

Be Curious

The Great West Way is perfect

place to be curious and explore

the great outdoors by getting

off the beaten track. But don’t

forget to:

Respect our local landscapes and

communities as you discover the

many hidden delights of the Great

West Way. There are hundreds

of miles of stunning countryside

for curious travellers to explore

along the route, but please stick

to Public Right of Ways as you

wander and do not picnic or

exercise on private land.

Protect yourself and others by

avoiding busy beauty spots that

might attract crowds. Don’t

follow the herd. Instead, explore

off the beaten track to find a

quiet, peaceful spot away for

others where you can maintain

social distancing. Be prepared

to go elsewhere if you arrive at

a destination and find that too

many other people have had the

same idea!

Enjoy discovering and supporting

our small local businesses. From

pub takeaways to village shops,

many businesses are now open

again and waiting for you to

discover them. Please support

our local businesses by shopping

with them and abiding by their

social distancing protocols.

Be Responsible

As Lockdown restrictions start to

ease, remember the guidelines

that are in place to help keep

you safe and to look after our

wonderful countryside:

Respect our wildlife and

landscapes. Please tread carefully

and keep an eye out for wildlife

that may have moved into

unexpected places during the

lockdown. Keep dogs on a lead

and do not stray from footpaths

and bridleways, as you might

disturb ground nesting birds

and other wildlife. Take all litter

home with you and follow the

countryside code when exploring

rural areas.

Protect yourself and others

by maintaining strict social

distancing and staying 1 metre+

away from anyone outside your

household whilst exercising,

sitting and socialising. Avoid

parking too close to other people's

houses and remember to wash

your hands regularly. Some

historic towns and villages along

the Great West Way have narrow

streets that make it hard to

maintain social distancing - plan

in advance to avoid these areas.

Enjoy the glorious countryside

of the Great West Way. Here

curious travellers will find

rolling green hills, peaceful

forests, pretty nature

reserves, picturesque villages,

quaint canals, glorious open

countryside, charming historic

towns and more. Please follow

any specific guidelines from our

friends and partners, including

the National Trust, Forestry

Commission, English Heritage,

The Canal and River Trust,

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, North

Wessex Downs AONB, Wildfowl

& Wetlands Trust, and local

councils. Plan ahead before you

travel and check which facilities

are open. Some car parks may

need to be booked in advance.

Please stay curious and stay

responsible while you explore

this area of quintessentially

English beauty, and plan carefully

before visiting.


CAPTURING

THE MOMENT

Photographers are never short of inspiration for the perfect shot along

the Great West Way. Vote for your favourite capture from our ten

finalists for your chance to win a luxury short break for two to Bristol!

THANK YOU to all the wonderful For the opportunity to

photographers out there who have make the finalists of our

been helping build our Great West Capturing the Moment 2021

Way Instagram page. With so Competition follow our

many wonderful shots it has been difficult

Instagram page

to narrow down the photos to a top 10

instagram.com/GreatWestWay

of finalists. Readers - I hope these images

and tag @GreatWestWay

inspire you and thank you for helping us to

choose our Capturing the Moment

or use the hashtag

Photography Competition 2020 winner!

#GreatWestWay


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WINNERS PRIZE

Our Capturing the

Moment Photography

Competition 2020 winner

will not only be featured

in our next issue, on our

website, and across our

social media platforms but

will win a hamper of tickets

to visit five of the best Great

West Way attractions!

PICTURE CREDITS

îKew Gardens

1 @angelacoomey 6

îClifton Suspension Bridge

2 @tobypickardphotography 7

îBradford on Avon

3 @wordyelaine 8

îWilton Windmill

4 @declan.spreadbury 9

îPulteney Bridge, Bath

5 @ellisreed 10

îRoyal Crescent

@balazsromsics

îRichmond, Surrey

@veevs

îAlton Barnes White Horse

@declan.spreadbury

îWindsor Castle

@alfs_ig

îCaen Hill Locks

@esined636


WIN!

The talented winner of our

Capturing the Moment

Photography Competition

2020 will be spoilt for choice of

places to visit on the Great West Way -

hopefully still with their camera in hand!

We will be providing them with free

family tickets to visit Westonbirt, The

National Arboretum in Gloucestershire,

English stately home Longleat in

Wiltshire, Cheddar Gorge & Caves,

Britain’s highest, inland limestone

cliffs rising up 450ft, in Somerset, and

Berkeley Castle, with origins dating back

to the 11th century, in Gloucestershire.

Plus, they will also be treated to a

Bombay Sapphire Cocktail Masterclass

experience, for themselves and up to

three guests!

And that's not all. As a thank you for

voting we are offering you the chance to

win an overnight stay for two, staying

in the stylishly boutique, Brooks Guest

House, situated in the heart of Bristol's

old town (next to St Nicholas Market)

within easy walking distance of Bristol's

city centre.

The lucky winners will also receive

tickets to visit Brunel's SS Great Britain,

the world’s first great ocean liner, as

well as enjoying a private guided tour,

discovering Bristol's famous street art,

with Graft! To find out more about

Bristol please visit visitbristol.co.uk

HOW TO ENTER

îVote for your favourite finalist

for your chance to win

Help us to choose our Capturing the

Moment Photography Competition 2020

winner and you will be automatically

entered into our competition! Simply

visit our website to submit your entry:

îGreatWestWay.co.uk/competition

Closing date for all entries is 31 December

2020. The winner will be announced in

January 2021. Terms and conditions apply,

please see website page for details.


75


HIDDEN GARDENS

Scenic gardens with lashings of space and fresh air make the

ideal day out post-lockdown. Avoid the crowds and feel safe

outdside in these socially distanced times. From the world

famous to the well-kept secrets, here are some gardens along

the Great West Way where you won’t be able to help but

stop and smell the roses



77

Moments to to

remember

made with the

National Trust

Visit Visit the the National Trust Trust places along the the the

Great West West Way® for for for spaces to to to relax, relax, gardens

and and countryside to to to explore and and and stories stories to to discover. discover.

These are the places that make us.

These These are are the the places places that that make make us. us.

nationaltrust.org.uk/south-west

nationaltrust.org.uk/south-west

© National

© National

Trust

Trust

2019

2019

. Registered

. Registered

charity,

charity,

No.

No.

205846.

205846. ©

National

National

Trust

Trust

Images

Images

\Alana

\Alana

Wright.

Wright.

© National Trust 2019 . Registered charity, No. 205846. © National Trust Images \Alana Wright.

Pictured

left then

clockwise:

Stourhead;

Strawberry

Hill House;

Cliveden

House;

London

Wetland

Centre.

ENGLAND IS RENOWNED for its stately homes

and gardens and many of the finest lie along the

Great West Way. Here's our pick of some of the

best from east to west!

CLIVEDEN HOUSE

The gardens of 300-year-old Cliveden House hold

just as much interest as the house - itself known for

exuberant high society parties, political scandals

and, most recently, its connection to a certain royal

wedding. Meander through the six acre Parterre,

with its distinctive triangular beds, be uplifted by the

fragrant intermingling of fresh spring flowers and

classical statues in the Long Garden and come over

all romantic amid 900 roses in the heavenly-scented

Rose Garden.

LONDON WETLAND CENTRE

London Wetland Centre, an award winning nature reserve,

brings the countryside to London. Although close to the

heart of the capital it is a haven of tranquility for both

wildlife and people.

The lakes, pools and gardens are home to kingfishers

nesting in a bank, sand martins zipping over the ponds,

wading birds searching for food at the lake edges and

ducklings waddling after their mother in the spring. For

keen bird watchers there are bitterns in the winter and

yellow wagtails on the grazing marsh in summer. It’s a

wonderful place for a relaxing walk through the scenic

paths that meander among the lakes and gardens.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW

For an unforgettable horticultural experience, make a

beeline for Kew Gardens - a UNESCO World Heritage

Site. Hop aboard the Kew Explorer Land Train, which

will wizz you round the main sites in around 40

minutes. Current highlights of any tour include the

Palm House, built with a rainforest climate to nurture

the plant life brought back by Victorian botanists;

The Hive, an immersive experience that echoes the

life going on inside a real beehive; and The Princess of

Wales Conservatory, which is packed with all sorts of

prickly curiosities from cacti to carnivorous plants.

HAMPTON COURT PALACE

As host of the prestigious RHS Hampton Court Palace

Flower Show, with 500 years of royal gardening

experience, Hampton Court Palace is certainly no

amateur. The gardens you see now are all a product

of its rich history - the Baroque-style Great Fountain

Garden for instance was executed by King William III and

Queen Mary II’s gardener, in the shape of a goose foot

as was fashionable then. Elsewhere you can navigate The

Maze, which featured in Jerome K. Jerome’s novel, Three

Men in a Boat, and tour the immaculate Royal Kitchen

Garden with its heritage vegetables.

STRAWBERRY HILL HOUSE

Strawberry Hill House, the former summer residence

of Horace Walpole, author of ‘The Castle of Ontranto’,

is famous for being Britain’s finest example of Georgian

Gothic Revival architecture. →


Pictured

left then

clockwise:

The Savill

Garden;

Bowood

House &

Gardens;

Stonor

Park

You can visit the house and gardens in Twickenham - it

has been open to visitors for over 250 years! Inspired by

William Kent and the ideas behind the English Landscape

Movement, Horace Walpole created a romantic garden to

complement his Gothic castle. Formal borders mixed with

groves of trees and shrubs crossed by winding paths, and

flowers and fragrance, a fine lawn, an open terrace and

meadows that led straight to the River Thames.

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

to its original appearance using Eighteenth-Century

maps and paintings as well as Walpole’s own writing. It is

Grade II listed and of national importance as a reminder

of a fascinating period in garden history. It is a charming,

compact garden full of a variety of beds, borders, walks,

groves, lawns and woodland.

Learn more about its history by joining one of the

experienced guides on a garden tour at 1pm every

Wednesday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from March

until October.

THE SAVILL GARDEN

Starting life in the 1930s, these 35-acres of gardens are

home to a whole spectrum of flora and fauna, from glades,

woodlands and winter beds to spring bulb meadows and a

Mediterranean garden. See flaming stars shine bright orange

along the herbaceous border, spot purple globes of alliums in

the dry garden and watch as the Summer Gardens become

a circus of life and colour in season. But that’s not all - other

gardens, also part of Windsor Great Park, include The Valley

Gardens, Virginia Water and The Long Walk and Deer Park.


STONOR PARK

Set in a valley in the Chiltern Hills, Stonor Park offers a lush

mix of ponds, fountains and pleasure gardens. Stroll amid the

neat box hedges, and see if you can find the hidden Japanese

retreat. Or head to the Old Kitchen Garden, laden with

bounty in summer, and be inspired to grow-your-own back

home. The estate even has its own arboretum, which is a

treat to visit during spring when the cherry blossoms fall - the

ideal scene for budding photographers.

BOWOOD HOUSE & GARDENS

Fashionable 18th-century gardener ‘Capability’ Brown has

become synonymous with manicured English landscapes.

He worked his magic on 100 acres of parkland at Bowood

House, and it is now widely held to be the best preserved of

his masterpieces. Sit for a while by the mile-long lake, behold

the sweeping lawns from the terrace and learn more about

the highly skilled designer, and his work, on a themed tour.

Other highlights include an arboretum, woodland gardens

and Lord and Lady Lansdowne’s secret walled garden - best

in early summer when it blossoms with fragrant swathes of

lavender, honeysuckle and peonies.

WESTONBIRT, THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM

Home to 2,500 different species from the far corners of the

globe and five national tree collections and the STIHL Tree

Top Walkway. Enrich your visit to Westonbirt, The National

Arboretum by pre-booking a seasonal guided walk with

an experienced guide for only £50 (plus admission fees).

A guided walk of the Arboretum (up to an hour and a half)

unpicks all the myths and stories behind the trees and

the Arboretum’s history, as well as capturing the garden's

magical seasonal highlights along the way. →

Westonbirt The

National Arboretum

Explore the world’s finest

woodland garden, and

discover trees and plants

from all over the globe at

the National Arboretum.

forestryengland.uk/westonbirt

Make memories in Marlow

Situated along the new 125 mile

touring route Great West Way, the

charming and characterful town

of Marlow awaits you. Welcomed

by the iconic suspension bridge

spanning the River Thames,

soak up the idyllic riverside by

boat or on foot, mooch about

the boutique high street shops,

enjoy impressive, award-winning

food and drink or explore the

quintessential English villages that

lie on the doorstep…

www.GreatWestWay.co.uk

www.VisitThames.co.uk

Explore the Marlow

Midsomer Murders Locations Trail

Follow the local discovery trail based on

locations used in the popular TV detective

series Midsomer Murders in and around Marlow

and the picturesque Hambleden Valley.

The 17-mile trail starts in the historic market town

of Marlow and you will very quickly find yourself

immersed in scenes from Midsomer Murders.

Following the trail you can sample local beer and

wine, taste fine food, spend the night in a filming

location and walk the Chiltern Hills of Midsomer.

Download a copy from:

www.visitbuckinghamshire.org/midsomer

Group enquiries: [email protected]

Bradford on Avon

is perfectly set in the

dramatic Avon valley

in Wiltshire and only

a few miles from the

World Heritage City of Bath; it is

a combination of river, canal and

architecture of true character.

From small weavers’ cottage to

grand clothiers’ houses; handsome

public buildings, medieval barns,

ancient places of worship and

meandering alleyways making it

the perfect place to explore!

Explore BoA visitor centre: 01225 865797

www.bradfordonavon.co.uk

eboa ad 091219.indd 1 09/12/2019 12:45

www.corsham.gov.uk/visit

Come

and

discover

Wiltshire’s

hidden treasure

History, heritage, arts and crafts, great places to

eat and drink and lots of independent shops –

plus Poldark was filmed here too.

Just 8 miles from Bath on the A4, 4 miles from the

M4 (J17), or 3 miles from Chippenham Station.

IMAGE CREDIT: MAMMOTH MEDIA

PLUS DON'T MISS!

Pictured

above then

clockwise:

Visitor to

The Courts

Garden;

Hidden

Gardens of

Bath

The National Garden Scheme

There are hundreds of private gardens

to explore on the Great West Way not

usually open to the public, hosting special

open days, thanks to The National Garden

Scheme. Visit unique gardens during special

open days and as a paying visitor you will

also be contributing to charity. Simply go

to their website (ngs.org.uk) and search

for your perfect garden - pre-booking is

essential. Fancy having it all to yourself?

Following the coronavirus pandemic a

number of gardens are offering private

visits. One of the safest, most comfortable

and most enjoyable places for a a family

get-together, or meet up with friends.

The Hidden Gardens of Bath

Behind the honey-coloured stone facades

of Bath’s houses and hotels lie beautiful

private gardens, rarely seen. With The

Hidden Gardens of Bath guided tours, you

can explore these hidden gems meeting

their creative, passionate and hard-working

owners before then sitting down to enjoy a

quintessentially English afternoon tea!

THE COURTS GARDEN

This garden, near Bradford on Avon, offers an

enchanting glimpse of the quintessential English

country garden. Less well known than some of the

others on this list, it’s a lovely place to spend a summer

afternoon. The formal garden, with its topiary and jolly,

tulip-lined borders juxtaposes beautifully with the

wilder arboretum and quiet lily pond. Keep your eyes

peeled for benches, placed in perfectly peaceful spots

around the garden. Alternatively, treat yourself to a

sugary something in The Rose Garden Tea Room.

AMERICAN MUSEUM & GARDENS

This is the only museum of American decorative and folk

art outside the US. Take a journey through the history of

America, from its early settlers to the twentieth century,

and delve into the museum’s remarkable collections.

Located in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the

hilltop site of the Museum’s home, Claverton Manor,

takes full advantage of the spectacular views over the

Limpley Stoke Valley and River Avon. Remnants of the old

Italianate style manorial pleasure gardens and parkland,

dating from the 1820s, can be seen within the grounds,

including period features such as the balustrade and

curtain walling, as well as ornamental stone work.

THE PETO GARDEN

At Iford Manor Estate’s remarkable gardens you will find

Cypress trees, sweet-smelling lilies and draping branches

of wisteria. Set on a steep hillside, the garden offers

inspiring views of the Wiltshire countryside. For a unique

way to enjoy this special place, join one of their guided

tours, or attend a health and well-being workshop.

PRIOR PARK

At this elegant 18th-century garden in Regency Bath,

it’s easy to imagine parasolled ladies walking over the

Palladian bridge in their flowing gowns. But there’s much

more to see in real life, silky white snowdrops and bright

yellow daffodils, swans floating around together in the

lakes, and tiny wild raspberries emerging in the woods.

STOURHEAD

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

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

most famous gardens on the list. Its classical architecture

includes a grotto, used to escape the summer heat, a

gothic cottage and its own Temple of Apollo - built in 1765

to rival the Temple of the Sun at Kew Gardens, which was

then destroyed by a storm in 1916. It’s also known for its

colourful rhododendrons.


83

Explore one of the

greatest royal

residences ever built

Walk in the footsteps of Henry VIII and discover

the magnificence of Hampton Court Palace

www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace -

FIT FOR ROYALTY

The ancient route that inspired the Great West Way was one of

King Charles I’s Great Roads, with many castles, hotels and places

to visit bringing you closer to England’s royal family heritage

Words: Dominic Parkes

Pictured: Her Majesty the

Queen at Windsor Castle

ALONG THE GREAT WEST WAY you can trace the

history of the nation, from neolithic times to the

present day, riding The Great Western Railway,

a marvel of Victorian ingenuity, to walking the

ancient Ridgeway National Trail - or why not head out on

an ancient road trip of your own along the A4 Great West

Road, with a plethora of royal attractions to visit along

the way? We hope you enjoy our pick of the best...

CASTLES, COUNTRY HOUSES AND GARDENS

îSet in the heart of royal London, Wellington Arch was

built as an original entrance to Buckingham Palace, later

becoming a victory arch proclaiming Wellington's defeat of

Napoleon. Visit this spectacular landmark and feast on the

glorious panoramas over London from its balconies.

Next, visit Hampton Court Palace, a short journey

upstream from central London. It’s a towering testament

to King Henry VIII’s power complete with a complex of

Tudor kitchens, a Great Hall and jousting tournaments in

the gardens. Or head to Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and

Kew Palace - King George III’s summerhouse.

In Bath, a city famed for its Georgian-era architecture and

Royal Crescent, you can visit the Victoria Art Gallery →


85

Pictured

left-right:

The Great

Park by

horse

drawn

carriages

with

Windsor

Carriages;

The Royal

Crescent,

Bath

opened in 1900 for Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee. While

in Bristol you can head back further in time to the reign of

Queen Elizabeth I, who found St Mary Redcliffe ‘the fairest,

goodliest, and most famous parish church in England.’ Inside

the church there is a colourfully-painted wooden sculpture

of her, believed to be painted by a contemporary.

Head 30 minutes north of Bristol and visit Berkeley

Castle. Considered by many as a hidden gem, it was built in

1153 by the Berkeley family, who still live there today! Over

the centuries it has changed from a forebidding fortress to

a welcoming family home. Henry II gave the Castle to the

family in 1153 and it has received royal guests ever since:

Edward II, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, the Countess of Wessex

and the late Queen Mother have all visited Berkeley Castle.

Travel throughout time and history, from the Keep with its

dungeon, the room where Edward II is said to have been

murdered, to the Drawing Rooms with their fine upholstery,

chandeliers and silver lamps. Finally, if you have time to

explore more of the Cotswolds, the Prince of Wales and

The Duchess of Cornwall live at Highgrove, near Tetbury,

Gloucestershire. You can visit their impressive gardens on

selected dates, and also pop into the Highgrove Shop in

Tetbury which sells luxurious souvenirs and organic treats

inspired by the gardens.

EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS

îWhile kings and queens of England were traditionally

educated by a personal tutor at home, times have changed.

Both Prince Harry and Prince William went to Eton College,

which you can visit on a guided tour between May and

September. While the Duchess of Cambridge went to

Marlborough College - stop for afternoon tea at the café

she used to visit with friends, The Polly Tea Rooms. A

little off the Great West Way, there’s the esteemed Oxford

Colleges. King Edward VII and King Edward VIII are both

alumni. As one of the best universities in the world, it also

attracts royals from other countries. Both HM King Abdullah

II of Jordan and Harald V, King of Norway studied there.

SOVEREIGN PLACES

îMalmesbury is England’s oldest borough with its stunning

12th Century Abbey still very much in use today. Visit the

original Market Cross, the Norman Abbey with its tomb of

King Athelstan and the free Athelstan Museum.

And have you noticed that some place names in England

have ‘royal’ in the title? Although the prime minister and

organisations can request the addition, for either their royal

heritage or current royal connections, it is ultimately a gift

bestowed by the queen. Along the Great West Way you can

visit the Royal Borough of Windsor and the Royal County

of Berkshire - thanks to the location of Windsor Castle,

one of the Queen’s three official residencies. Take some time

out here to visit the Castle's wartime pantomime pictures

revealed in the Waterloo Chamber, or to experience Great

Park by horse drawn carriages with Windsor Carriages -

The only carriages licensed to operate tours throughout the

Great Park. There’s also the Royal Borough of Kingston

Upon Thames, as well as Royal Wootton Bassett, near RAF

Lyneham - the most recent place to receive the Queen’s

blessing. Be sure to visit Jubilee Lake when you’re there.

A BED FIT FOR A KING OR QUEEN

îSometimes nothing but a 4-poster bed and some

medieval tapestries on the wall will do. See what it’s like to

live like a royal by staying at a hotel with royal connections.

There’s the effortlessly elegant Cliveden House Hotel,

where Meghan Markle - now the Duchess of Sussex -

got ready for her wedding to Prince Harry. There’s The

Georgian House, which although built as humble kitchens

for George, Prince of Wales in 1719, occupies a privileged

position in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace.

In Bath, The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa has often

found its opulent interiors and prime setting in the World

Heritage City attractive to visiting royals. And a short

journey from Bristol you’ll find Gloucestershire’s Thornbury

Castle - where Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn stayed when

they visited in 1535 (ask for the Duke’s Bed Chamber).


The stunning film location of...


Poldark Wolf Hall The White Princess Johnny English Strikes Again

Poldark · Wolf Hall · The White Princess · Johnny English Strikes Again

Berkeley Castle

A Family home for almost 900 years!

Berkeley Castle


Poldark · Wolf Hall · The White Princess · Johnny English Strikes Again

A

Family

Family

home

home

for

for

almost

almost

900

900

years!

years!

Berkeley Castle

A Family home for almost 900 years!

The oldest Castle in England still lived in by the family that built

The oldest Castle in England still lived in by the family that built it!

The

The Free oldest

oldest Castle Castle

Castle Guided in

in

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England Tours still

still • 8 Acres lived

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Free Castle Guided Tours • 8 Acres of landscaped Gardens & Grounds

Free Fabulous Castle paintings 16th Century Tapestries • Historical artefacts

Fabulous Guided paintings Tours • 16th Century Acres of Tapestries landscaped • Historical Gardens artefacts

Grounds

Free

Wire

Castle

Wire Guided Tours

Sculpture Trail •

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Fabulous paintings 16th Century Family

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Yurt Events Tearoom

• Gift Shop

• Historical

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•• Plant

Gift

Saleartefacts

Shop the Year • Plant Sale

WWW.BERKELEY-CASTLE.COM

01453 810303 • INFOBERKELEY-CASTLE.COM

WWW.BERKELEY-CASTLE.COM

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30 mins

10 mins from M5

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6 miles from Cam &

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SatNav GL13 9PJ

Wire Sculpture Trail • Family friendly Events throughout the Year

Tropical Butterfly House Yurt Tearoom Gift Shop Plant Sale

Tropical Butterfly House • Yurt Tearoom • Gift Shop • Plant Sale

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Start your adventure at the Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport

A 201 room, contemporary hotel based just steps away from Bristol Airport

FREE HOT BREAKFAST INCLUDED IN EVERY STAY

BOOK DIRECT FOR OUR BEST PRICE GUARANTEE

North Side Road, Bristol, BS48 3AQ | 01275 405 966 | [email protected]

EXPERIENCES AFTER DARK

From stargazing to swimming, spooky city tours to light shows,

there's plenty of experiences to try even when the sun goes down


BE PREPARED

Coronavirus Changes

Event information may have

changed or been cancelled

due to the coronavirus

(COVID-19). While we have

tried to bring you the most

up-to-date information

available when publishing

please confirm details with

event organisers. Check

websites for the latest

information on new booking

procedures, event timings and

safety requirements.

Be Curious. Be Responsible.

1

ILLUMINATED LIGHT TRAIL

BLENHEIM PALACE

20TH NOVEMBER 2020 - 3RD JANUARY 2021

The Heart of the Stars are scattering shards of light

across the lawns of Blenheim Palce with a scented

fire garden that adorns the Water Terrace. Walk towards

dynamic, colour-changing neon tunnels, lakeside

reflections and onto a mesmerising place where, beneath

the branches of a sprawling tree, softly glows the fairy-fire

known as Will-o-the-Wisps. blenheimpalace.com →


89

LAND OF LIGHT

INDULGENCE AT DUSK

THE ROMAN BATHS

Visit Bath's iconic Roman bathing place in the evening and walk on the

22000 year-old pavements. Take in the magical atmosphere of the

graceful columns and intricate stonework lit by torchlight. All tickets must be

pre-booked in advance - please see website for further details and availability.

LONGLEAT SAFARI PARK

Illuminate your senses in a dazzling

4 land of light, this winter (7th November

to 10th January 2021). The Longleat Estate

will spring to gleaming life, creating a

spellbinding sensory walk of discovery for

everyone to enjoy. A myriad of magical light

installations will emerge across the Park

and its sprawling grounds in seven unique

zones. In the Land of Light, you can discover

motion-detected splashes of playful colour

and movement and immerse yourselves in

enveloping blankets of soft, synchronised

light and sound.

STARGAZING

WILTSHIRE COUNTRYSIDE

On a clear evening, there’s nothing better than a spot of stargazing.

3 Wiltshire being a predominantly rural county lends itself to stargazing

with the advantage of less light pollution than more urban areas.

Try Stonehenge, described by the National Trust one of their top

stargazing spots in the south west of England, or with minimal street

lighting and being surrounded by countryside, the village of Lacock.

Cranborne Chase is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with plans

to achieve ‘Dark Sky Status’, and there are plenty of other places that are

perfect for enjoying the night skies including Tollard Royal (and the area

near to the Larmer Tree Gardens), Broad Chalke and Dinton.

FULL MOON SPECIAL

MARLBOROUGH DARK SKIES FEST

A jam-packed programme of events

5 and exhibitions weaving science and art

together to celebrate our dark skies is due to

take place September/October 2021.

This Marlborough Town Council event is in

partnership with North Wessex Downs Area

of Outstanding Natural Beauty - and will see

stargazing Workshops and Solar Astronomy

Prof. Chris Lintott, and interactive Planetarium.


PLANETARIUM NIGHTS

NIGHT SWIMMING

THAMES LIDO

Book a Late Swim Lido & Dine package and use the pool and spa

6 facilities (outdoor hot tub and saunas) followed by a 2 course a la carte

dinner in the poolside restaurant. Swim from 7.30pm, and dine at 9pm.

WE THE CURIOUS

9

Re-opening in November, every Thursday

night, wander into the giant silver ball

at We The Curious, Bristol for your very

own evening tour of the known universe.

Enjoy stories of ancient stargazers as you fly

to far away galaxies and admire the views

from distant and newly discovered planets.

Whether you are an amateur astronomer or

completely new to stargazing, you'll be able

to escape the everyday and leave inspired to

discover the night sky for yourself.

RETAIL THERAPY

LATE NIGHT SHOPPING

The evening is a great

8 opportunity to start or

complete your Christmas

shopping. Pick up a bargain

while also enjoying the festive

entertainment and why not treat

yourself afterwards with a meal

in one of the many restaurants

or bars. Try Parkway in Newbury,

or The Oracle in Reading.

CHRISTMAS CHEER

WILTSHIRE VILLAGES LIGHT UP

Flicking the switch to turn

7 on the Christmas lights and

town decorations is a big event

in in many Wiltshire towns and

villages, including Trowbridge,

Corsham, Marlborough, Warminster,

Chippenham, Bradford on Avon,

Swindon and Melksham. Check the

websites and get in the festive spirit

as Wiltshire lights up with sparkling,

glorious Christmas decorations!

MOVIE MOMENTS

SALISBURY DRIVE-IN THEATRE

Get ready for a cinema experience

10 like no other! Enjoy your favourite

movies from the comfort of your own

car - perfect for social distancing! Drive-In

Theatre is showing movies such as Love

Actually, Bohemian Rhapsody and The

Greatest Showman. Located at the Southern

Counties Auctioneers, just 3 miles away

from the center of Salisbury accessible from

the A3094. Safe family entertainment from

the comfort of your own car, with contact

less booking, swift entry, spaced out car

positioning, a bag of popcorn and your

favourite movie makes the perfect evening!

For further inspiration, follow and share:

#EscapeTheEveryday


91

HOTEL STAYS

Hotels across the Great West Way have been working tirelessly

to implement new government procedures and guidelines

before opening their doors safely once more. Many are now ready

to welcome back guests, and there’s an abundance of choice

along the route. Here are just some of our favourites...


THE ROYAL

CRESCENT HOTEL

& SPA

Bath

A world of hidden delights

awaits your discovery behind the

door of No. 16 Royal Crescent at

the iconic Royal Crescent Hotel

& Spa. This Georgian gem has 45

luxurious suites and bedrooms,

award winning restaurant,

The Dower House, elegant

champagne and cocktail bar,

The Montagu bar, tranquillity

spa with 12m relaxation pool

and not forgetting the acre of

private gardens. Enjoy afternoon

tea in the garden, a treatment

followed by a swim in the indoor

pool, or of course overnight

accommodation in one of the

sumptuous suites.

Prices from £350 per room, per

night: royalcrescent.co.uk


THE MITRE

Hampton Court

One of the UK’s most exciting hotel openings this

year, The Mitre is the closest hotel to Hampton Court

Palace, located on the bank of the River Thames. As

beautiful and impressive as its prestigious location,

the hotel is a Grade II-listed property built-in 1665 by

order of King Charles II to house some of the King’s

Courtiers who could not find accommodation in the

Palace. Each of the hotel’s 36 bedrooms and signature

suites are unique. Choose from aprivate terrace and

jacuzzi, your own courtyard and fire pit, to hand forged

copper bath tubs, with views over the River Thames,

Hampton Court Palace and or the picturesque internal

courtyards. Each room is named after historical

references linked to the hotel, such as King King

Charles II’s wives, The Gardener’s Hut, Penny Farthing,

and Catharine Parr Suite.

You might enjoy dining in the 1665 restaurant, a

brasserie, boasting a huge outdoor patio terrace for ‘al

fresco’ dining at its best, or The Coppernose

restaurant, which takes its name from King Charles

II who was nicknamed “Coppernose” after he issued

cheap currency. The Mitre even has its own riverside

jetty and boat for hire, perfectfor a picnic and gentle

jaunt along this beautiful stretch of the river. Popular

trips include Richmond-Upon-Thames and up to

the Tower of London and back. Not to mention

the world’s first stand-alone whispering angel hut,

perfect for sundowners on the terrace, and a place

to watch the boats sail by along the River Thames

with a cold glass in hand. Rooms from £200 a night:

mitrehamptoncourt.com


93

From quintessential cottages and country houses

to quirky windmills and lighthouses…

Find your special place

along the Great West Way

A portfolio of over 550 luxury, self-catering

holiday properties in the UK and Ireland.

Call for our brochure 01386 897 959

View the properties ruralretreats.co.uk

12 July to 8 August 2020

From Creative Arts to Science, History and Culture

to Life Skills and Wellbeing, Summer School offers

learning experiences and entertainment for all ages.

Request a brochure today and discover

over 500 courses waiting for you.

01672 892388 | summerschool.co.uk

OLD BELL HOTEL

Wiltshire

The Old Bell Hotel & Restaurant is

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.

With crackling log fires, cosy

corners, squashy sofas, plump

duvets, fine linen and fabulous food

and wine - this is pure indulgence.

oldbellhotel.co.uk

BAILBROOK HOUSE

Bath

A unique country house, one of

the only two Grade II Listest hotels

in the city. It started as a private

residence in the early 1790s and

retains all the glories of that era,

thanks to £10m restoration in

2013. The hotel is set in 20 acres of

grounds just minutes from the city

centre with free car parking. Perfect

for Bath weekend breaks or a day of

indulgence away from the hustle and

bustle.

handpickedhotels.co.uk


95

WHATLEY

MANOR

The Cotswolds

Whatley Manor is a luxury

getaway set in 12 acres of

gardens with 26 distinctly

different areas. Try Grey’s

Brasserie for a leisurely

lunch, dinner or chilled glass

of wine. Or the innovative

tasting menu with specially

selected wines by their

sommelier in The Dining

Room. Discover The Green

Room where chefs prepare

small plates of expertly

crafted food in front of

you. Immerse yourself in

tranquillity at Aquarias Spa

featuring Natra Bissé Pure

Air Bubble Suite, or simply

cosy up watching a film in

their cinema room. Prices

from £363.50 per night:

whatleymanor.com

CRICKLADE HOUSE HOTEL

Wiltshire

Standing in over 30 acres of peaceful, secluded

grounds on the edge of the Cotswolds,

Cricklade House Hotel offers a traditional,

warm and friendly welcome for those in search

of tranquility, comfort, good food and wine,

with extensive recreational facilities.

This beautiful and dignified country house,

built at the turn of the last century, has been

tastefully restored and carefully extended.

Perhaps the most impressive addition is the

magnificent Victorian-style glass conservatory

which runs the full length of the original

building, making the most of the hotels

elevated position, with wonderful panoramic

views over Wiltshire countryside. Prices from

£70 per room, per night: crickladehotel.co.uk


REME MUSEUM

PRINCE PHILIP BARRACKS, LYNEHAM,

CHIPPENHAM, SN15 4XX

ENJOY A FASCINATING DAY EXPLORING THE HISTORY OF THE BRITISH ARMY’S

ROYAL ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS (REME)

▶ the award winning museum has 8 modern, interactive galleries

▶ displays include huge armoured vehicles, medals, uniforms and weapons

▶ discover incredible stories; how reme saved volkswagen, why the museum has the brass boots

from mussolini’s statue and so many more.

▶ there is a large free car park and the excellent crowns café for refreshments.

WITH EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR FURTHER DETAILS

WWW.REMEMUSEUM.ORG.UK | [email protected] | 01249894869

Roseate Hotels & Resorts, the uber luxury hospitality brand offers a new spectrum of hospitality

with well-appointed luxury rooms & suites, world-class Aheli Spa and unique dining experiences

at the European-cuisine inspired fine dining restaurant ‘The Hyde’ (Roseate House London), the

award-winning restaurant ‘The Reading Room’ & in house patisserie and boulangerie ‘Roasted by

Roseate’(The Roseate Reading) and opulent dining space ‘Henrietta Bar’ (The Roseate Villa Bath).

We have remodeled and enhanced our standard operating procedures to provide greater care

and ensure a safe environment to our valued guests. As we plan and prepare to serve you, our

new initiatives of ‘care’ will be curated in a way such as to provide our guests unparalleled

experience and utmost satisfaction keeping all hygiene and safety standards in place.

ROSEATEHOTELS.COM | +44 1189 527 770 | #ROSEATEHOTELS | [email protected]

ROSEATE READING

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. The hotel

prides itself on it's attention to

detail, to the facilities available

to make a stay cherished and

memorable.

roseatehotels.com/reading/

theroseate/

PENNYHILL PARK

Surrey

Set in 123 acres of rolling Surrey parkland, this

elegant 19th-century manor house features

124 luxury 5-star bedrooms, state-of-the-art

bathrooms, one of the UK's best spas and a finedining

restaurant. Dating from 1849, the sumptuous

rooms at Pennyhill Park have free WiFi, four-poster

beds, quality linens and a pillow menu. The beautiful

bathrooms have fluffy robes, bespoke toiletries and

rain showers.

The award-winning Spa features 8 pools, including

the impressive ballroom with underwater music.

Guests can relax in the spa bath, thermal cabins or

award-winning treatment rooms.

exclusive.co.uk/pennyhill-park/


99

DYNAMIC CITY CULTURE

As everyone else heads for the countryside, dare to be different

and set your sights on a city break instead. Take the opportunity to

visit and discover the bright lights beyond London at this unusual

time when city life will be much, much quieter than usual

Words: Katherine Holt


101

V

ISITORS HAVE BEEN travelling the Great West

Way, visiting cities and embracing the varied

culture at each place, for hundreds of years.

London, of course, needs no introduction. As the

country’s capital it may be where you begin your journey.

But just a short train ride west lie some of the most

exciting cities in the UK, like Bath and Bristol.

Bristol, the city furthest away on the touring route,

is only a 1 hour 45 minute train ride from London. Take

your time to enjoy the diversity of each city, with its own

artisan produce, independent shops, artists, museums,

bars and restaurants.

A twin-city break Bristol to Bath (or Bath to Bristol)

is just 12 minutes by train. Your Great West Way City

Culture journey could begin simply by hopping on a train

at London Paddington to Bath, (1 hour 11 minutes), or you

might prefer to fly directly to Bristol airport. From here

you could take the Airport Flyer Express Link to Bristol

City Centre, Bristol Harbourside, Bristol Temple Meads

Station, Bristol Bus Station, or Clifton.

Unlike many a metropolis, in Bath the pace of life is

gentle. Or should that be genteel. For Bath is a dignified,

fashionable sort of place. It has been since its most

famous former resident, Jane Austen’s day. Given that

so much of the handsome golden architecture from the

Regency period remains, you might wonder if anything

has changed. But spend a day here and you’ll realise it’s as

contemporary as it is classic.

Given the compact layout of the city, and its UNESCO

World Heritage status, a self-guided walking tour is highly

recommended. So grab a flat white and a croissant at one

of the hip cafés in the centre - Colonna & Small’s perhaps

- and take a leisurely stroll to get your bearings.

Without too much ado you should pass sights

including The Circus, Pulteney Bridge, Bath Abbey,

Bath Assembly Rooms and the arc of golden homes

synonymous with the city: the Royal Crescent. The latter

was specifically designed to give city residents the feeling

of living in the countryside.

Treat yourself to a leisurely lunch at one of Bath’s cafés

or a tour of Bath’s culinary delights with Savouring Bath.

There’s a buoyant foodie scene in the city so you won’t

be short on options. Amid the selection of vegan Indian

wraps, Filipino chicken boxes and modern British salads,

you’re bound to find a favourite.

Fully energised, it’s time for some culture. Bath is

blessed with some amazing museums. Highlights include

the Fashion Museum (where you can dress up), the Jane

Austen Centre (where you can meet Mr Darcy) and some

very respectable art, design and history museums in the

form of The Holburne Museum, Victoria Gallery and No 1

Royal Crescent - a time capsule back to the 1770s.

Some more niche options include Bath Museum of

Architecture, the Museum of East Asian Art and the

American Museum in Britain - the only American folk art

museum outside the US is in an elevated position on the

outskirts of the city.

If you’re here in the summer, have a torchlit dinner at

the Roman Baths. Then, tired and happy, relax back at

your hotel.

There are some really interesting places to stay in Bath,

ranging from the University of Bath campus in summer,

just a short bus ride from the centre, to the literarythemed

Tasburgh House where Jane Austen once slept.

As the ‘capital of the Southwest’, Bristol has a very

different feel to Bath. In some ways it more closely

resembles London, with its distinct, characterful

neighbourhoods to explore - from the leafy avenues of

Clifton Village to the graffiti-splashed streets of Stokes

Croft. Since one of Bristol’s most famous sons is Banksy,

start your day with a Bristol Street Art Tour.

Or, better yet, arrive early enough for brunch at one of

the Harbourside cafes, and then go on one of the weekend

walking tours. Choose between a heritage tour, where


you explore the history of the city, or a street art tour,

where you are taken to see a mix of brand new and wellpreserved

artworks - including some Banksy originals.

If your legs are in need of a bit of a rest Bristol Insight

will show you around their wonderful city from a seat on

one of their lovely bright red buses!

You could then take a leisurely stroll around the

Regency streets of Clifton Village and visit its stylish

boutiques. Or head to Bristol Shopping Quarter and flit

between High Street staples and one-off wonders

If retro and vintage tickle your fancy then leave some

time for exploring the alternative shops of Stokes Croft

and Gloucester Road – the latter boasts Europe’s longest

street of independent shops!

Bristol does street food lunches very well. So,

depending on what day you’re visiting, some options to

try include St Nick’s Market, The Harbourside Market

and the Tobacco Factory Market. Vendors inevitably

change, but there’ll always be a great mix of global

cuisine to try, from Jamaican curried goat to Nepalese

momos. You could also check out Cargo, a cool new

container development at Wapping Wharf where you

can get delicious bites to grab and go, like chip-stuffed

Greek wraps, fresh Indian curry boxes and melty cider

and cheese toasties. When you’re suitably stuffed,

discover Bristol’s other famous son: Isambard Kingdom

Brunel. Although the Victorian engineer may not seem

to have much in common with Banksy, he too was a

brave pioneer. You can visit one of his most remarkable

achievements, the SS Great Britain - the world’s first great

ocean liner - and get a feel for how the passengers from

steerage to first class experienced long voyages across the

Atlantic. Included with your ticket price is the new Being

Brunel exhibition, an immersive experience which takes

you inside the brain of the man himself.

If you have time, venture up to Clifton Suspension

Bridge - another of his projects that, sadly, he didn’t live

to see finished. The arts are alive in all their guises in this

creative, cutting-edge city. After dinner at one of Bristol’s

many independent restaurants, seek some of it out.

Depending on your tastes, you could catch some

theatre at the Bristol Old Vic, which is thankfully back →

Pictured top left

then clockwise:

UNESCO World

Heritage status,

Bath; The Mild

Mild West Mural

by graffiti artist

Banksy; Stall

Street, Bath.

103

BY DAY OR NIGHT

COME RAIN OR SHINE...

Relax in the warm, mineral-rich waters of Bath’s

natural thermal Spa. Bathe in the open-air rooftop

pool and indoor Minerva Bath, refresh your senses

in the multi-sensory Wellness Suite and choose from

over 40 spa treatments and packages.

Open daily from 09.00 – 21.30

(pools & Wellness Suite close at 21.00)

01225 33 1234

www.ThermaeBathSpa.com

COME AND SEE

and live again following the coronavirus pandemic - this

is the oldest continuously open theatre in the Englishspeaking

world, even throughout its exciting recent

renovations.

You could also enjoy live music, see stand-up comedy or

do something thoroughly subversive like go an immersive

dining experience in a mystery location.

Local go-tos for experimental entertainment include

Old Market Assembly and Tobacco Factory Theatres.

If you have time, venture a little off the Great West

Way to find Salisbury, a city that embraces everything arts

and culture. Visit Mompesson House, the 18th-century

property featured in the all-star film version of Jane

Austen’s Sense and Sensibility (1995).

There’s also Salisbury Playhouse, Salisbury Museum and

Salisbury Cathedral - or pop into the Old Sarum Airfield

Museum where you can sit in more aircraft cockpits than

anywhere else in the UK! And of course those sacred stones

aren’t too far away… If you’re heading north, don’t miss

the learned university city of Oxford. Of course, it’s not

all lounging around in the the Bodleian Library, pretending

to study. Discover some of the city’s more unexpected

attractions, like the Pitt Rivers Museum, full of alarming

anthropomorphic artefacts, or The Eagle and Child pub,

where C.S. Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien used to meet and swap

stories. There’s also bikes, board game cafés and strange

sculptures to find - including a curious headless shark.

Please remember that since reopening their doors

in light of the current government advice in relation to

COVID-19 many attractions mentioned in this article will

have new booking and safety procedures in place.

Whilst we are updating information as much as

possible, we would advise you to check directly with the

relevant venues for the most up to date information.

Pre-booking is almost always essential so please prepare

before you visit and abide by Government social distancing

guidelines at all times, travelling together safely.

Did you know? Bristol has its own currency, the

Bristol Pound, which helps boost local businesses.

You can buy the colourful notes at the Tourist

Information Centre on the Harbourside...

Pictured top left

then clockwise:

Clifton Suspension

Bridge; Bristol

Harbourside;

Brunel’s SS Great

Britain Mast; The

Oracle, Reading

Or that Reading is the UK’s largest town much thought of

as a defacto city? Soak up the energetic atmosphere at

The Oracle Shopping Centre, or visit the independent

and craft stores in the nearby streets or Harris Arcade


105

TIME FOR YOU

Whether you’re keen on keeping fit or prefer taking it easy in

a luxury spa, there are some excellent ways to add a wellness

element to your Great West Way journey. So remember to

take some time out for yourself along the route.

Words: Sarah Caswell

THE ULTIMATE BATH SPA DAY

At the atmospheric Roman Baths you’ll get to see the

steamy Great Bath, the cold plunge pool and even have

a nosy in the crumbling old changing rooms! You might

also bump into a few Romans. The costumed characters

who roam the complex, including a soldier and a travelling

merchant, are based on real characters who frequented the

Roman Baths around 2,000 years ago. Enjoy an elegant

lunch (or afternoon tea) at The Pump Room, followed by a

shot of mineral-rich water from the spa fountain. It may well

be good for you, but as you’ll soon discover - it definitely

has a distinct taste! There are lots more lovely cafés and


Did you know? Although we’ve discovered a lot about

what is in Bath’s famous spring water 42 different

minerals including sodium and magnesium to this day

no one is quite sure where exactly it originates from.

restaurants around the city too, with some excellent vegan

and vegetarian-friendly places such as The Green Rocket

and Acorn. Take a daytime or twilight dip at Thermae Bath

Spa, followed by one of their indulgent treatments. Watsu,

perhaps, where a therapist stretches and guides your body

through flowing movements in the warm water. Or the

Roman Trilogy, which includes a salty body scrub, a soothing

body massage and an invigorating facial.

Continue your pampering with an overnight stay at a

luxury spa hotel. You might enjoy The Gainsborough Bath

Spa, just a short stroll from Thermae Bath Spa, where

you can experience the original thermal springs in natural

thermal pools at their award-winning Spa Village, or try

No.15 Great Pulteney Street and relax in their luxurious

cedar wood hot tub and sauna.

FINDING WELLNESS IN BRISTOL

Bristol is a city that normally makes waves for its edgy art

scene, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a wellnessthemed

break in the city. You might even find yourself

embracing a totally new approach to exercise.

Try for example a stand-up paddleboard lesson with SUP

Bristol on Bristol’s Floating Harbour or a swim at Clifton’s

Victorian Lido. Later on, once you’ve refuelled at one of the

many health-conscious, flexitarian-focused restaurants - No

1 Harbourside, Watershed Café & Bar, Thali Café to name a

few - try something totally different.

There’s a class for just about everything, from circus skills

workshops to Beyoncé-inspired jazz dance. Not to mention

all the yoga and holistic therapies that are hugely popular in

Bristol. Wild Wolf’s Yoga, Bristol City Yoga and Bristol Yoga

Space are all fairly central.

A SPIRITUAL TRAIL

If the wellness you seek is spiritual, you’ll find plenty of

absorbing sacred spaces along the Great West Way. Early

travellers between London and Bristol would surely have

found comfort in these places, as every journey was a leap

of faith that came with the threat of highwaymen and

unforeseen hazards.

Some suggest Stonehenge was constructed as a place of

healing, and that the smaller bluestones used were dragged

all the way from south Wales because they were imbued

with healing powers from nearby hot springs.

Or visit one of the almighty cathedrals on or near the Great

West Way. There’s the inimitable Bath Abbey, perfect for →

Pictured

left then

clockwise:

Aheli Spa

at The

Roseate

Reading;

Spa Village

at The

Gainsborough

Bath

Spa; spa at

No.15 Great

Pulteney

Hotel &

Spa


Make memories

with your loved ones

as you discover

England’s only koalas

Book online and

save up to 15%

plus group discounts

are also available

Follow the paths taken by generations of travellers…

Longleat is within easy reach of the Great West Way


108


The Great West Way boasts an exciting

abundance of new experiences assured to

leave you feeling inspirited and rejuvenated...

but please check websites as information

may have changed or been cancelled due to

the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Winter Solstice at Stonehenge

Each year in December visitors gather at

Stonehenge early in the morning to mark the

Winter solstice and to see the sunrise above the

stones. We hope to see you there for sunrise!

pondering higher spiritual planes, as well as Bristol, Wells,

Salisbury and Gloucester Cathedrals. Amid those, you’ll also find

churches, temples and mosques.

Or why not feel the power of England’s pagan past with a lesserknown

wellbeing experience at Stanton Drew? Pagan rituals are

held on the four Fire Festivals usually on Saturday 11am for an hour.

Park at the Druid's Arms, upper level, (by kind permission). You

don't need to be a pagan to attend, and ritual dress is optional.

HEALTH RETREATS

Find balance in body and mind at a Casterley Barn Wellness

Retreat, Pewsey with their series of retreats focusing on self-care

and mindful living. Danesfield House Hotel & Spa, Marlow-On-

Thames offers three, five or seven-day retreats based around

healthy eating, conscious movement, bodyweight exercises,

personal training, relaxation and yoga.

In Hungerford you could buy a day pass to the Herongate Club

and take part in an aerobics class before enjoying a fresh juice

from their first-floor lounge café.

LUXURY SPA STAYS

If lounging about in a robe at a nice hotel, with a glass of bubbles

in one hand and a magazine in the other sounds like just what you

need then try an overnight stay (or three!) at one of the spa hotels

along the Great West Way (see p126 for more).

You might enjoy breaking up your journey with a stay at The

Roseate Reading where they have recently unveilled a new spa.

If you really want to splash out, make like a princess (or prince)

for a spa retreat at Cliveden House Hotel. As well as various

enticing pools, flotation experiences and treatments, they offer

a Garden Oasis Purifying Experience - a combination of body

brushing, massage and reflexology that promises to tease you

back to tip top condition.

Moored on the banks of Monkey Island in the historic village

of Bray this first-of-its-kind floating luxury spa is the ultimate

escape, while on the edge of the Cotswolds, a short detour from

the route, both Cricklade House and Woolley Grange Hotel offer

spa hotels in scenic locations too.

A Hot Air Balloon Ride

Fancy an adventure? Why not watch the world go

by from a different perspective for a while and take

flight with Bailey Balloons or Bristol Balloons.

Wild Swimming in The Thames

Take a dip in fresh waters at Cock Marsh near

Cookham, where you'll find sandy beaches to

paddle out from and clear, clean waters

A Tandem 1300ft Skydive

From the thrill of your first jump, right through

to the exhiliration for those who take it to the

extreme with Wingsuit flying, this sport has it all!

Climbing an 120-foot Neoclassical Tower

Built for Europe's wealthiest manclimbing

Beckford Tower, just outside Bath is an

experience you won't forget!

Yoga on a Stand Up Paddleboard

Take to the water for a yoga session! Experts SUP

Bristol and Original Wild will show you the ropes

Exclusive use of The Cross Baths

You might want to upgrade your Thermae Bath

Spa experience for a more intimate open-air

thermal bath, located just across the street

Fly an exciting Spitfire flight simulator

One of only two in the UK, and of very few such

devices found anywhere in the world can be found

and flown at Maidenhead Heritage Centre

Meeting some animals

Visit the big cats, giraffes, zebras, curious

monkeys, rhinos and more at Cotswold Wildlife

Park, Bristol Zoo Gardens, Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

or Longleat Safari Park

Taking a road and river adventure

Take a trip through scenic Windsor and enjoy

fantastic views of Windsor Castle from the

water with Amazing Duck Tours

109

MY GREAT WEST WAY

Whether you want to indulge in a splash of Edwardian

opulence, down a chilled glass of Britain’s finest fizz or take a

ride in a Rolls Royce phantom, these three locals hold the keys

Words: Belinda Richardson


TOM NEWEY IS STILL reeling at the success he

has had with his Alder Ridge vineyard, eleven

years on from its launch. “Times are changing,”

he says. “Who would have ever thought they’d

find an internationally recognised vineyard along the

Great West Way?” Critics said it was too hairbrained

and wouldn’t work so Tom set out to prove them

wrong and was rewarded with the cat’s whiskers when

he went and won silver for his Blanc de Noirs at the

International Wine Challenge in 2016 - not bad for his

very first vintage.

“Of course we have had our ups and downs, not

least, with the challenge of dealing with the ongoing

situation of COVID-19, and the weather will no doubt

continue to surprise us with its uncertainty. I watch the

weather a lot more than I used to but for the time being

– and I hate to say this – global warming is working in

our favour. The chalky ridge and the flinty topsoil have

many of the key characteristics of the Champagne

region, which not only means strong grapes but a

beautiful place to live.

Visitors are welcome to come and explore our

stunning Southerly facing vineyard over the summer

months. We host a series of vineyard tours between

June and September - so please book with us for 2021."

(Private tour packages start at £35pp) › alderridge.co.uk

Tom's best thing about the Great West Way:

It promotes slow travel, which means we get our heads

out of our sat navs and take time to appreciate our

surroundings on our journey”.

Tom's favourite day out: “A gentle browse – and a spend

- in my favourite town Marlborough while I am waiting for

my electric car to charge, followed by a wander in Great

Bedwyn and lunch at The Three Tuns.” →


111

RICHARD ALDHOUS HAS been a car enthusiast all

his life. Now a director of Calne’s Atwell-Wilson

Motor Museum, he started working here as a car

parking attendant. “Back then, we were three

staff, now we are a grand nine,” he says. “We will never

be as big as Beaulieu or Haynes but we don’t want to be,

we are quite happy being small but spectacular. We have

everything here from the expected to the unexpected,

including all those makes you can remember from being a

kid, like the Trojan, Morris Minor, Model T Ford, Austin 7s,

gleaming Daimlers, a prototype Mini – you name it.”

Refreshingly free from the glitz and the trailer queens,

Atwell-Wilson is packed to the rafters with a whacky

collection of about 100 everyday classic cars (some

available to hire), lorries, motorcycles, mopeds and push

bikes from days gone by, set against the backdrop of a

1930s garage. Pretty much all the vehicles are in useable

condition rather than being pampered showpieces and

poking round them is like taking a casual, rather fun stroll

through motoring history.

“I feel as happy as a sandboy living and working here in

Calne,” says Richard. “There is so much here to discover.

Calne has always been a place of discovery – first you had

Priestley discovering oxygen in Bowood, which in turn led to

discovering the process of photosynthesis. Not forgetting

the good old pigs and the Wiltshire cure, invented here

by the Harris family in the eighteenth century. When we

lost the pigs, it is fair to say that Calne had a good 15 years

of depression but now we have fallen back in love with

ourselves and our community is as strong as any.

At the time of publishing, in order to protect volunteers

and visitors, the Museum remained closed. Please check

website for further details › atwellwilson.org.uk →

Richard's best thing about the Great West Way:

“I love that it focuses travellers on a route but then guides

them north and south of it too, which means they do

actually find little gems like us”.

Richard's favourite day out: “Cycling the track from

Avebury to Calne and out to Chippenham with a stop off

at The Lansdowne Arms on the way and dinner back in

Calne at the Italian restaurant (Antica Roma) that’s always

booked up”.

Pictured

top-left then

clockwise:

Richard

Aldhous,

Director

of Calne’s

Atwell-

Wilson Motor

Museum; the

museum;

The Red Lion

Avebury;

Cycling on the

Great West

Way; Calne

High Street


MARK THWAITES, DIRECTOR at Thames Lido, has

come up trumps with his restoration of both

Bristol and Reading lidos, leading the charge in

the renaissance of some of our finest Edwardian

outdoor pools. “Thankfully our lee-dos are not what most

people remember as lie-dos from childhood – all floating

plasters, empty crisp packets and wagon wheel wrappers,

“he says. “These are much more grown up – escapist places

to be pampered and well-fed.” With his background in the

fitness industry and his half Finnish heritage, Mark and

Swedish developer Arne Ringner, have created glamorous

outdoor oases, delightfully free of lane ropes, flags and pace

clocks, secluded in glass-walled courtyards, with steam

gently rising from the ambient 25 degrees C water.

Scandi-style saunas and massage rooms and a chi-chi

restaurant complete the picture. Both the Thames and

Bristol Lido have re-opened, please see websites for further

details › thameslido.com, lidobristol.com

Pictured

top then

clockwise:

Thames

Lido; Mark

Thwaites,

Director at

Thames Lido;

Bristol Balloon

Fiesta

Mark's best thing about the Great West Way:

“All the beauty and variety and tranquility you find along the

way. Thames Lido has a natural place in this market since

unwinding and being calm is at the heart of what we do.”

Mark's favourite day out: “Much as I like Reading, it would

have to be in Bristol. For a long time Bristol battled against

Bath for tourism but at last Bristol has broken through as

a mecca for great music, culture, arts and restaurants –

namely our very own at the Bristol lido”

Discover new themed itineraries from canal

boating to exploring the beautiful great outdoors

of the North Wessex Downs on our website:

GreatWestWay.co.uk /plan-your-way


113

SHOPPING

GEMS

From antique stores and

independent shops to stylish

shopping centres and malls

SOUVENIR HUNTING

Shop like the Victorians and go in search of the ultimate

memento of your travels. Books by local authors,

artworks, traditional crafts and handmade memorabilia.

You’ll find independent bookshops, such as the

award-winning Hungerford Bookshop at the heart of the

historic town, stores and pop-up boutiques such as We

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

products by local artists and designers, hidden in all

corners of the Great West Way.

Bath is a fantastic shopping destination for

independents - whether you’re into antique jewellery,

antiquarian books, bohemian interiors or fine cheeses,

you can take home some really unique finds. Head to

Milsom Place to discover a fantastic mix of both famous

names and breakthrough brands.

Don’t dismiss the gift shops at top tourist attractions

or tourist information offices either. Stonehenge gift

shop, for instance, sells striking lino prints of the stones

by local artist Caroline Day. Or pop into The Mill Shop

following your visit to Whitchurch Silk Mill for exclusive

silk gifts that have been woven right there at the Mill.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

In line with the latest guidance from the Government

The way we all shop is going to feel different for a while

due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Please expect one-way

systems, signage to help guide you while you shop, hand

sanitiser stations and enhanced cleaning procedures around

the centres. Face coverings are compulsory throughout the

centres, including in all stores. Shops and car parks will only

accept card or contactless payments. Please respect the

need to social distance, and avoid shopping in large groups.

Look for shops in unexpected locations, too. St Peter’s

Church in Marlborough is now home to a craft shop

selling all sorts of cute, colourful gifts. Or visit for their

twice-weekly market, located on the High Street - one

of the widest in the UK and lined on both sides with

characterful old buildings housing an array of chic cafés

and independent shops.

In Bristol, the Christmas Steps Arts Quarter is a

hidden-away haven for one-offs including musical

instruments, herbal remedies and fine spirits. There’s also

some marvellous markets selling everything from local

crafts to artisan delicacies. Check out the Charter Market

in Salisbury on Tuesdays and Saturdays or St Nick’s Market

in Bristol, every day except Sunday.

Did you know? Bath has its own Gift Card that is

accepted across the city in shops and restaurants,

hotels and bars, museums and manicurists. The

best of Bath in one little card! To find out more visit

bathgiftcard.com


Pictured top

left then

clockwise:

The Oracle,

Reading;

visitors

to Bath;

Marlborough

High Street;

Henley on

Thames

DESIGNER FASHION

The Great West Way is proud to be home to one

of the largest covered designer outlets in Europe -

McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon, or a short

detour from the route, Clarks Village, Somerset are

great places to pick up discounted top name brands like

Hobbs, Jack Wills, Molton Brown, North Face and Osprey.

Then there’s Kilver Court Designer Village, a short

distance south of Bath, where as well as fashion there are

luxurious lifestyle brands like Liberty London, known for

its iconic floral prints, plus a gorgeous garden to explore.

For a truly personalised service, and exclusive couture

clothing, visit one of the posh boutiques along the

touring route. Fluidity in Henley-on-Thames attracts

high flyers near and far and is rumoured to be former

Prime Minister Theresa May’s favourite.

For jewellery, consider getting a bespoke piece

made by a local jeweller. Goldsmith Paul Newton in

Malmesbury crafts exquisite pendants, earrings and

rings set with dazzling jewels (good to know if you’re

thinking of making a proposal while you’re away!). Or

for sensational silver jewellery, go to Tundra Jewellers in

Devizes, or visit Deacons Jewellers in Swindon.


115

A SEASON OF

SURPRISES

Somerset Outlet Shopping; discover

up to 60% off gifts, fashion and more.

VINTAGE, ART & ANTIQUES

There’s no better way to buy a piece of art than direct

from the artist - and at Reading’s art events, including

Whiteknights Studio Trail, Caversham Arts Trail, and Artline

art market, you can do just that.

Or why not head to Previous, a wildly eclectic vintage

shop (and café) located on Corsham High Street, for one-off

homewares and quirky retro items. Then wander across the

road to explore Paul Martin from BBC’s Flog It! antiques

shop - The Table Gallery.

If you’re mainly in the market for antiques, you’re sure to

stumble upon more rare finds in Marlborough, Chippenham,

Bradford on Avon, Marlow and Tetbury.

Head to Pewsey and call in at Crystal Clear – a gemstone

of a shop, located on the High Street, and be charmed

by unique natural crystal jewellery, crop circle artwork,

crystals and minerals, and hand made gifts. There’s also the

delightful McNeill Gallery, located in market place, and a

leading contemporary gallery, or try Woodborough Yard, full

of independent shops, workshops and cafés.

For original artworks you can’t beat Turville Studios

located in the picturesque village of Turville, the filming

locations for Midsomer Murders, Vicar of Dibley, Chitty

Chitty Bang Bang and most recently Killing Eve.

If you’re happy to travel a short distance north of the

Great West Way, you should definitely have a rummage at

Antiques on High, an Oxford institution where you’ll find

original oil paintings to adorable writing desks. →

Pictured top

left then

clockwise:

Parkway

Shopping

Centre,

Newbury;

McArthurGlen

Designer

Outlet

Swindon;

McNeill

Gallery;

Shopping at

The Oracle,

Reading


117

Back in the beautiful city of Bath, their Vintage & Antiques

Market, held on the last Sunday of every month at Green

Park Station, has a good mix of everything - mid-century

furnishings, jazzy retro frocks and one-of-a-kind antiques.

While Vintage to Vogue can style you in top quality

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

specifically to your shape. Very dapper! And there are

exceptional restaurants to stop and refuel wherever the need

takes you - keep an eye out for The Circus, Acorn and The

Olive Tree at The Queensberry Hotel.

Nearby Bristol is known for its alternative outlook,

making it a go-to place for vintage and offbeat fashion finds.

Established in 1743 St Nicholas Market is the oldest and best

loved market in Bristol, famous for some of the best food in

the city, or head to Stokes Croft and adjoining Gloucester

Road - the longest street of independent shops in the UK.

There you’ll discover artfully-curated charity shops

alongside intriguing second-hand stores (with lots of hip

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

Love tea? Learn all about the art of tea blending and tea

tasting at a Bird & Blend Tea Masterclass.

Good to know: If you’re a guy or gal who likes Americana,

Uncle Sam’s on Park Street is the best place to find a pair of

cowboy boots or classic Levis you can cherish forever.

SUSTAINABLE FASHION

Try and catch one of the Duck Pond markets, which take

place regularly in various scenic locations not far from

London such as Henley-on-Thames and Chalfont St Giles.

Their ethos is local, ethical and sustainable, so you can

feel good about supporting the planet as well as local

businesses when you buy.

Pictured top

left then

clockwise:

Signage while

shopping in

Bath;

St Nicholas

Market,

Bristol;

Shopping

at Corsham

street market


IN THE KNOW

There’s much to explore at McArthurGlen Designer

Outlet Swindon – let us show you around

Discover over 90 coveted designer labels

and iconic brands like Ted Baker, Reiss, Levi’s,

Molton Brown and many more. The best bit?

They’re all up to 60% less than the RRP.

1. ICONIC BRANDS

VISIT US

Find out why we’re Wiltshire’s premier shopping

destination, just 50 minutes drive from Bath and Bristol.

Find us off the M4 motorway, junction 16.

Visit us online to discover our latest opening times and

any additional measures in place to help plan your trip.

2. A GREAT LOCATION 3. DINE & UNWIND

Housed in a beautiful Grade II listed building,

the centre was once home to the bustling

workshops of Great Western Railway Works

and boasts original brick arches and features.

Take some time out to relax and unwind at

our great range of restaurants and cafés

including popular favourites like including

popular favourites like Wagamama, Giraffe,

Five Guys and Starbucks.

swindondesigneroutlet.com

CULINARY

DELIGHTS

The Great West Way is home to some

of England’s best foodie experiences

THERE’S A TANTALISING buffet of food and drink

experiences along the Great West Way. Discover

award-winning high-end restaurants and cosy,

traditional pubs, with a galaxy of Michelin stars

and plenty of local food heroes serving up everything

from vegetables hand grown in the kitchen garden to

just-baked homemade cakes.

7 OF THE FINEST RESTAURANTS

HAND AND FLOWERS, MARLOW

The first pub to achieve two Michelin stars, a relaxed

place to settle in for some proper English dishes,

including a fabulous Sunday roast. Chef Tom Kerridge

serves up sophisticated yet familiar dishes – think half

roast chicken with oak gravy and pork belly with roasted

pineapple and chorizo mayonnaise.

› thehandandflowers.co.uk

SINDHU RESTAURANT BY ATUL KOCHHAR,

MARLOW

Overlooking the banks of the River Thames in beautiful

Marlow, Sindhu restaurant by twice Michelin-starred

chef Atul Kochhar offers contemporary Indian cuisine

featuring vibrant flavours, subtle blends of spices and

incredible aromas. Located in The Compleat Angler

Hotel, a stone’s throw from Marlow station.

› sindhurestaurant.co.uk

CLAYTON’S KITCHEN, BATH

Clayton’s Kitchen is a perennial favourite for local foodies

and discerning travellers. Robert Clayton, the restaurant’s

Chef Patron, creates uncomplicated dishes that explore

and showcase the freshest and very best ingredients. He

is inspired by Mediterranean and modern French cuisine.

Robert ensures that every dish is prepared, cooked and

presented to perfection.

› claytonskitchen.com

Pictured

above then

clockwise:

Koffmann &

Mr. White’s

English

and French

Brasserie,

Bath; Whatley

Manor Hotel &

Spa, Wiltshire;

Dessert at

The Fat Duck,

Bray; Hand

and Flowers,

Wycombe;

Dessert at

Hand and

Flowers,

Wycombe


Crown I n, To ldown, Dyrham, Somerset

Try beers brewed with pa sion

Bird in Hand, Knowl Hi l, Reading, Berkshire

EAT, DRINK & STAY WITH

ALONG THE GREAT WEST WAY ®

To discover more, visit GreatWestWay.co.uk

Wadworth Brewery, Devizes, Wiltshire

Bear Hotel, Devizes, Wiltshire

Black Swan, Devizes, Wiltshire

GGW advert.qxp_Layout 1 19/11/2019 15:26 Page 1

A proper English afternoon tea is far more than just

a hot beverage. In fact, it can be a whole meal in

itself, no to mention a thoroughly pleasant way to

jam and cream, and cakes. Most people ea them

in that order, but since many of the most upmarket

places will keep replenishing each level, you could

switch back and forth for hours.

Afternoon tea was invented in England, in the 19th

century when the fashion for having dinner later

(around 8pm) took hold among the upper classes

lon

M et our working shire horses

George I n, Norton St Philip, Bath, Somerset

Enjoy great food from pub cla sics to a special treat

W W W.WA D W O R T H.C O.U K

WHATLEY MANOR

days and includes plenty of child-friendly activities.

HUNGERFORD FOOD FESTIVAL (F4)

EAT READING (H4)

Broad St and Market Place, Reading, June

livingreading.co.uk

Two-day festival showcasing Reading’s best foodie

businesses, featuring live cookery demonstrations,

street food tastings, cocktail mixology and a popup

street café.

Hungerford Town Ha l and High St, October

hungerfordfoodfestival.com

Fu l-day event featuring street food sta ls, talks

and live cooking demos. Sustainability is a key

GREAT BRITISH FOOD FESTIVAL

Englefield, Reading (H4), June and

Westonbirt House (C3), August

greatbritishfoodfestival.com

This touring festival brings artisan producers and

street food vendors together over two or three

that includes tastings, chef demonstrations, film

screenings and the finale Riverside Fiesta with

street food and a floating gin bar.

A fortnight o feasting, with a line-up of events

ABBEY HOTEL (B4)

abbeyhotelbath.co.uk

APEX HOTEL (B4)

apexhotels.co.uk

BAILBROOK HOUSE HOTEL (B4)

handpickedhotels.co.uk/bailbrookhouse

THE PUMP ROOM RESTAURANT (B4)

Roman Baths, Bath BA1 1LZ 01225 444477

ROSEATE HOUSE (L3)

roseatehotels.com/london/roseatehouse

THE ROSEATE VILLA BATH (B4)

roseatehotels.com/bath/theroseatevi la

THE ROYAL CRESCENT HOTEL & SPA (B4)

16 Royal Crescent, Bath BA1 2LS

THE FAT DUCK (J3)

High St, Bray SL6 2AQ

THE HAND AND FLOWERS (J3)

126 West St, Marlow SL7 2BP

Great West Way and England’s Great West Way are registered trade marks. A l rights reserved.

If you can, time your visit for one of the food and

drink-focused events along the Great West Way.

Some of the bigger ones include the Great Bath

Feast, Bristol Food Connections, Longleat Food and

Music Festival and the Great British Food Festival.

There are also hundreds of sma ler events, alongside

weekly produce and street food markets in market

towns throughou the touring route. You might even

stumble upon Chippenham’s Pancake Races!

Enjoy dining while trave ling the route by train

with our Great West Way Discoverer pass.

Great Western Railway serve delicious produce

from their at-sea tro ley service, from classic

CULINARY DELIGHTS

IN MICHELIN STARRED

RESTAURANTS

BRADFORD ON AVON FOOD FESTIVAL (C4)

Victory Field, Bradford on Avon, 30 May

scrumptiousfoodfestivals.co.uk

snacks and swee treats, to tasty sandwiches

and wraps. Plus, a great range of soft drinks,

beers, and wines to accompany your journey.

LONGLEAT FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL (C5)

Longleat, Warminster 4 and 5 July

longleat.co.uk

Join Longleat on the 4th and 5th July 2020 for a

harmonious festival sure to tantalise your taste

buds. You’ l enjoy diverse food and drink stalls,

demonstrations by celebrity chefs, plus live music

from an a ray of artists taking to the stage with

Longleat House as the backdrop; each day’s line-up

wi l be announced closer to the event.

FOOD ON THE MOVE

FABULOUS FOOD &

DRINK FESTIVALS

ale along the Great West Way.

TEA ROOMS & CAFÉS

NATIONAL TRUST SEASONAL EATING,

DRINKING AND SHOPPING

Did you know that 187 of National Trust’s cafés,

DYRHAM PARK, GLOUCESTERSHIRE (B3)

The Tea-room and Tea Garden

PRIOR PARK, BATH (C4)

Kennet and Avon Canal Trust work in partnership

with cafés along the canal at Bradford on Avon,

Devizes, Crofton Beam Engines and Newbury,

so you can be sure of some tasty refreshments

whenever you visit. For more information on their

cafés see katrust.org.uk/attractions

ALDERMASTON TEA ROOMS (H4)

katrust.org.uk/attractions

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

p

glorious views of the estate from its windows and

hearty dishes such as guinea fowl and lamb loin on

its menu. There’s also a fu l vegetarian and vegan

menu and exce len traditional Sunday roasts.

Malmesbury, SN16 0BW,

01666 822344 • oldbe lhotel.co.uk

The Old Be l Hotel & Restaurant is reputed to

be the oldest purpose-built hotel in England and

Grade 1 listed. The Refectory and Bar uses fresh,

local and seasonal produce accompanied by a

wide selection of drinks.

THE NEWBURY

SHELBURNE RESTAURANT, BOWOOD

HOTEL, SPA & GOLF RESORT (D4)

Derry Hi l, Calne SN11 9PQ, 01249 822228

bowood.org/bowood-hotel-resort

The classy restaurant a this luxury hotel has

THE WHITE HORSE INN (D4)

whitehorse-comptonbassett.co.uk

AEROSPACE BRISTOL CAFÉ (B3)

Hayes Way, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5BZ

aerospacebristol.org/cafe

Whilst enjoying a relaxing Spa, be sure to add extra

time to your spa session so you can enjoy afternoon

tea or a tasty meal at your leisure.

THE SWAN BRADFORD ON AVON (C4)

ALDWICK ESTATE VINEYARD

PLUM + SPILT MILK, GREAT NORTHERN

HOTEL (M3)

gnhlondon.com

prepared hot and cold refreshments. Food is

prepared and cooked onsite, whils the fresh bread

is from Hobbs House Bakery and made using local

Shipton Mi l flour from nearby Long Newnton.

WINDSOR CASTLE UNDERCROFT CAFÉ –

OPENING 2020 (K3)

rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle

RICK STEIN, MARLBOROUGH (E4)

rickstein.com/eat-with-us/marlborough

COBBS FARM SHOP

theswanbradford.co.uk

WOOLLEY GRANGE HOTEL (C4)

woo leygrangehotel.co.uk

ALDWICK ESTATE VINEYARD (A4)

01934 864404 • aldwickestate.co.uk

COBBS FARM SHOP & KITCHEN,

ENGLEFIELD (H4)

cobbsfarmshops.co.uk

ALDER RIDGE VINEYARD (F4)

01488 686770 • alderridge.co.uk

A’BECKETT’S VINEYARD (D5)

01380 816669 • abecketts.co.uk

THE OLD BELL HOTEL (C3)

ROVES FARM SHOP (E3)

Rovesfarm.co.uk/farmshop

The chalk soils and temperate climate of the south

are pretty perfect for crisp, white, bubbly varieties,

and English wines are winning international awards.

Take a vineyard tour with one of the wine producers

on the Great West Way.

DINING RESTAURANTS

while autumn means squash and pumpkin.

The café uses the same produce where possible

and serves breakfasts and lunches including

Wiltshire cured ham and homemade quiche.

Down the road in Englefield, Reading you wi l

find another Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen with

a whole host of local produce.


HUNGERFORD (F4)

Cobbs Farm, Bath Rd, Hungerford RG17 0SP,

CHOLDERTON CHARLIE’S FARM SHOP

(E5)

Choldertoncharliesfarm.com/farm-shop

One of the greatest pleasures of a drive

through the English countryside is stopping

at a farm shop café for a cup of tea and some

tasty local produce. You’ l happen upon them

Corsham Farmers’ Market 3rd Sat of month

Harbourside Street Food Market Broad Quay,

Bristol, every Wed & Thur

Newbury Farmers’ Market 1st Sun of month

01488 686770 • cobbsfarmshops.co.uk

This exce lent farm shop se ls produce from

the su rounding farm. Expect asparagus and

rhubarb in spring and soft fruits in summer,

as you travel along the Great West Way.

ENGLISH WINE

FARM SHOPS

BUTTLE FARM (D4)

buttlefarm.co.uk

Salisbury 1st & 3rd Wed of month

BATH ARTISANS MARKET

BRISTOL BEER FACTORY

MOOR BEER

WEST BERKSHIRE BREWERY

BATH ARTISANS MARKET

FOOD & DRINK TOURS & TASTINGS

MARVELLOUS FOOD MARKETS

(E5)

BEAU’S BAR AND RESTAURANT AT

DONNINGTON GROVE HOTEL &

COUNTRY CLUB (G4)

donnington-grove.com

CLAYTON’S KITCHEN (B4)

claytonskitchen.com

CLOISTERS RESTAURANT,

BAILBROOK HOUSE HOTEL (C4)


DAN MOON AT THE GAINSBOROUGH

RESTAURANT (B4)

GEORGE INN, NORTON ST PHILIP (C5)

georgeinnnsp.co.uk

city and su rounding countryside. Quench

your thirst in tap rooms, fantastic beer

shops and traditional pubs, or fo low the

lead of the local tour guides at Bristol

Brewery Tours or Bristol Hoppers.

visitbristol.co.uk/beer

Bristol is one of the UK’s leading craft beer

destinations and is brimming with bri liant

breweries – there are more than 20 in the

BEAR, DEVIZES (D4)

thebearhoteldevizes.co.uk

BIRD IN HAND, KNOWL HILL (J3)

birdinhand.co.uk

WADWORTH EAT,

DRINK AND STAY

ON THE GREAT

WEST WAY

BLACK SWAN, DEVIZES (D4)

blackswandevizes.co.uk

CROWN, TOLLDOWN (B3)

thecrownto ldown.co.uk

BRISTOL

KOFFMANN & MR WHITE

FRENCH BRASSERIE (B4)

castlehotelwindsor.com

monkeyislandestate.co.uk

THE MOONRAKER HOTEL (C

moonrakerhotel.com

THE OLD BELL HOTEL (C3)

Malmesbury, SN16 0BW,

VISIT SAFELY

Protect yourself and others

Businesses have been working

hard to make sure everything is

safe for both staff and visitors.

Things may look slightly different,

so please be patient as we all get

used to new ways of doing things.

Websites and businesses will

be displaying new certification,

including the Nationallyrecognised

"We're Good to

Go" mark to demonstrate the

measures they have in place to

protect us all from COVID-19.

THE FAT DUCK, BRAY

A simply superlative restaurant from highly regarded English

chef Heston Blumenthal. Awarded three Michelin stars for its

creative menu, which takes guests on a sensory journey to

the seaside and begins before you even arrive, with a phone

consultation. Expect to be dazzled – and to be talking about it

for years. Bookings essential, and well in advance.

› thefatduck.co.uk

THE DINING ROOM, WHATLEY MANOR

HOTEL & SPA, MALMESBURY

The Dining Room at Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa has recently

been awarded their second Michelin star, just two years after

earning their first. Executive Chef, Niall Keating, who previously

worked around the world at some of the finest Michelin starred

restaurants was awarded a coveted Michelin star in less than

a year of joining Whatley Manor. Niall draws inspiration from

many different cuisines, including Korean, Japanese and classic

French. Niall’s cuisine is very much ‘of the moment’.

› whatleymanor.com

CASAMIA, BRISTOL

An impressive Grade II listed former Victorian hospital on

the harbour-side, overlooking Bathurst Basin, at Casamia

the menu of seasonal dishes, from Wiltshire rainbow trout

to Spanish winter truffle, are regularly changing, and are

presented to you at your table by the chefs themselves.

Vaulted arches give this innovative restaurant a light, airy feel

and the state-of-the-art open kitchen acts as the focal point.

› casamiarestaurant.co.uk

KOFFMANN & MR. WHITE’S ENGLISH AND

FRENCH BRASSERIE, BATH

A delightful English and French all day dining city centre

brasserie created by culinary legends Pierre Koffmann and

Marco Pierre White. The menu is homage to their 36 yearold

friendship; a culinary combination of the chefs’ personal

favourites, careers and homelands. Set within Bath's historic

Abbey Hotel, the restaurant boasts an idyllic and classic setting.

› mpwrestaurants.co.uk →

Bristol Airport’s cafes, bars and restaurants

stay open until the final flight of the day,

so you can fuel up before you take off, with

anything from a tasty snack to a sit down meal.

Our pick is Cabin Bar - premium bar with rooftop

te race. The Cabin, o fers fine wine, craft beers

and loca ly sourced food in a relaxing environment

– and includes a stylish outdoor te race with

retractable roof.

If its award-winning you’re looking for then you’re

in for a treat. There are numerous celebrity chefs

along the route and top-notch country pubs such as

The Red Lion Freehouse. Listed are some of the best

restaurants.

RED LION FREEHOUSE (E5)

East Chisenbury, Pewsey SN9 6AQ,

01980 671124 • redlionfreehouse.com

Thatched country pub with food so good it holds a

Michelin star. There’s pub grub such as ham, egg and

chips as we l as the more refined main menu which

changes daily and focuses on what’s in season.

THE DINING ROOM, WHATLEY MANOR

HOTEL & SPA (C3)

Easton Grey, Malmesbury SN16 0RB,

01666 822888 • whatleymanor.com

A Michelin-sta red tasting menu from the kitchen of

executive chef Nia l Keating is served in this friendly

but formal dining room. There’s often charcuterie

from the manor to start, fo lowed by a creative lineup

of modern British dishes.

KOFFMANN & MR WHITE’S ENGLISH AND

FRENCH BRASSERIE (B4)

mpwrestaurants.co.uk

THE MARCO PIERRE WHITE RESTAURANT

AT THE CASTLE HOTEL (K3)

castlehotelwindsor.com

THE MONKEY ISLAND BRASSERIE AT THE

MONKEY ISLAND ESTATE (J3)

monkeyislandestate.co.uk

THE MOONRAKER HOTEL (C4)

moonrakerhotel.com

THE DOWER HOUSE RESTAURANT, THE

ROYAL CRESCENT HOTEL & SPA (B4)

16 Royal Crescent, Bath BA1 2LS,

01225 823333, royalcrescent.co.uk

This formal but friendly restaurant serves both

tasting menus (one is vegetarian) and á la carte

dishes, with a focus on seasonal British cuisine.

The dining room overlooks the hotel’s gardens,

where you can dine al fresco in summer.

You’ l find many of the restaurants along the

Great West Way are dining rooms within our

Ambassador hotels, many of which source their

ingredients from sma local producers. You’ll also

find several celebrity chefs including Rick Stein,

Pierre Ko fmann and Marco Pie re White. There’s

also plenty of di ferent cuisines to tempt you.

BEAU’S BAR AND RESTAURANT AT

DONNINGTON GROVE HOTEL &

COUNTRY CLUB (G4)

donnington-grove.com

THE BRASSERIE AT SIR CHRISTOPHER

WREN HOTEL (K3)

sirchristopherwren.co.uk

CEDAR AT THE LANGLEY (K3)

thelangley.com

CLAYTON’S KITCHEN (B4)

claytonskitchen.com

CLOISTERS RESTAURANT,

BAILBROOK HOUSE HOTEL (C4)


DAN MOON AT THE GAINSBOROUGH

RESTAURANT (B4)

thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk

THE DISPENSARY, NO 15 GREAT

PULTENEY (B4)

no15greatpulteney.co.uk

GUYERS HOUSE HOTEL

& RESTAURANT (C4)

guyershouse.com

THE HARROW AT LITTLE BEDWYN (F4)

theharrowatlittlebedwyn.com

HEYWORTH RESTAURANT, HENLEY

GREENLAND’S HOTEL (H3)

hospitalityuor.co.uk

Richmond Duck Pond Markets every Sat & Sun

Swindon Farmers’ Market Swindon Designer

Outlet, every Sun

Thames Va ley Farmers’ Market Ascot, 3rd Sun

of month; Newbury, 1st Sun of month; Reading 1st

& 3rd Sat of month; Windsor, 1st Sat of month

Trowbridge Weaver’s Market 2nd Saturday of

the month (not winter)

Wiltshire Farmers’ Market Devizes, 1st Sat of

month; Royal Wootton Bassett 4th Sat of month;

Salisbury 1st & 3rd Wed of month

SAVOURING BATH (B4)

savouringbath.com

THAMES LIDO (H4)

thameslido.com

THAMES RIVERCRUISE (H4)

thamesrivercruise.co.uk

VAUGHAN’S KITCHEN (D4)

vaughanskitchen.co.uk

WILTON WINDMILL (F4)

wiltonwindmi l.co.uk

Join one of the Great West Way’s best food

experiences to rea ly ge to grips with the local

cuisine. There are plenty of places to try homegrown

tipples. Beer, wine and gin are a l made along the

Great West Way. You can take a brewery, vineyard or

disti lery tour, try a hands-on foodie experience like a

cookery school, or take a city food tour.

AROUND AND ABOUT BATH (B4)

aroundandaboutbath.com

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE DISTILLERY (G5)

disti lery.bombaysapphire.com

BRISTOL PACKET BOAT TRIPS (A4)

bristolpacket.co.uk

FRENCH BROTHERS (K3)

frenchbrothers.co.uk

HOBBS OF HENLEY (H3)

hobbsofhenley.com

LIDO BRISTOL (A4)

lidobristol.com

The Great West Way runs through some of

England’s most fertile agricultura land, so it’s no

surprise that you’ l find regular farmers’ markets

along the route. Check ou these markets for fresh

local food and drink, direct from the producers.

Bath Farmers’ Market Green Park Station,

every Sat

Bristol Farmers’ Market St Nicholas Market,

every Wed

Bristol Street Food Market St Nicholas Market,

every Tue & Fri

Corsham Farmers’ Market 3rd Sat of month

Harbourside Street Food Market Broad Quay,

Bristol, every Wed & Thur

Henley Farmers’ Market 2nd Sat, 4th Thur &

5th Sun of month

Maidenhead Farmers’ Market 2nd Sun of month

Malmesbury Artisan and Farmers’ Market

every Fri

Newbury Farmers’ Market 1st Sun of month

One-day event featuring food sta ls from local artisan

producers, cookery demonstrations by professional

chefs and a children’s activity area.

BRISTOL FOOD CONNECTIONS (A4)

Bristol, June • bristolfoodconnections.com

A citywide line-up of events over almos two weeks,

including talks on food and health, lunchtime boat

trips and cooking demonstrations.

THE COFFEE HOUSE PROJECT (A4)

The Passenger Shed, Bristol, September

thecoffeehouseproject.co.uk

Bristol’s first co fee festival celebrates local, artisan

roasters and independent food and drink retailers over

two days.

DEVIZES BEER FESTIVAL (D4)

The Wharf, Devizes, July • camra.org.uk

Long-running one-day beer festival with more than

100 real ales and ciders served up canalside. Live

music too.

theme.

PUB IN THE PARK (BATH B4 / MARLOW J3)

Marlow, May and Royal Victoria Park, Bath,

June • pubintheparkuk.com

Celebrity chef Tom Ke ridge combines tastings,

chef demonstrations, masterclasses and music

from top live acts in his ‘ultimate pub garden’ over

three lively days.

THE SURREY FOOD FESTIVAL (L3)

Old Deer Park, Richmond, April

surreyfoodfestival.com

A weekend o foodie fun, with talks, tastings and

demos in the marquee and an extensive line-up

o food and drink sta ls, plus live music and a kids’

zone.

TASTE OF CORSHAM (C4)

Corsham, June • corsham.gov.uk

Fu l-day celebration of Corsham’s local food

producers, with food and drink sta ls lining the

High Street, live music and a silent disco.

TASTE HERE.

GreatWestWay.co.uk/food-and-drink

FOOD &

DRINK

Great places to savour along the

Great West Way.

The Great West Way roams between London and

Bristol, passing through some of England’s most

idyllic countryside and weaving a pathway from

ancient market town to quaint village, thatched pub

to beamed tearoom.

This slice of quintessential England is home to some of the country’s best

agricultura land, and with that comes exce lent local produce, from fresh

fruits and vegetables to fine wines. Farms rear animals and nurture crops,

breweries experiment with craft beers, and kitchen gardens cultivate seasonal

veggies. While pubs and restaurants selec the best of it all for their menus,

and family-run tea rooms whip up fresh cakes daily.

A l of this adds up to one very tasty journey along the Great West Way. From

farm shops, international cuisine, Michelin starred restaurants, tours, tastings,

cookery schools and more take a look at our pick of the best places to visit.

START HERE.

DEVIZES FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL (D4)

Devizes, September-October

devizesfoodanddrinkfestival.info

Week-long celebration of local food and drink

products, including a food market in the Market

Place and visits to producers including a goat farm

and vineyard.

EAT! FOOD FESTIVAL HENLEY (H3)

Henley on Thames, June • eatfoodfest.co.uk

With so many great places to

savour along the Great West

Way, from thatched pubs to

beamed tearooms in ancient

market towns to quaint villages,

you might find you first need

one of our food maps

GreatWestWay.co.uk/

explore/maps

THE NEWBURY

137 BARTHOLOMEW ST, NEWBURY RG14

5HB, 01635 49000 • thenewburypub.co.uk

The Newbury offers an exciting British à la carte

menu and fantastic atmosphere. It is also the

home of 137 Gin, where multi-award winning

Lumber’s Bartholomew Gin is disti led.

Landlord Pete’s vision is at the heart of The

Newbury and 137, from the distinctive branding

to the stunning décor.

BEER & BREWERIES

Beer has been brewed in England for thousands

of years – a fermented mixture of water, hops,

malt and yeast. Although beer itself wasn’t

invented here, the English have developed their

own unique style which is quite unlike what

you’ l find in other countries.

This is called ‘real ale’, a name first coined in the

1970s by CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale)

to describe traditional draught cask beers that

contain live yeast. Real ale is a living product,

the yeast continuing to ferment until the beer is

served – generally from a traditional hand-pu l

pump mounted on the bar. This gives real ale

bags o flavour and a natural light carbonation

that is very di ferent from the more ubiquitous

lagers and highly carbonated beers produced by

the large international brewers.

You’ll find real ale in almost a l pubs along

the Great West Way. It comes in numerous

varieties including IPA (India Pale Ale), bi ter,

mild, stout, porter and golden. Flavours can

vary significantly within varieties, so don’t be

afraid to request a taste first – and always ask

for what’s local.

These are some of the best places to drink real

BREWERIES

THE BATH BREW HOUSE (B4)

thebathbrewhouse.com

WADWORTH BREWERY (D4)

Northgate Brewery, Devizes SN10 1JW,

01380 723361 • wadworth.co.uk

Stately red-brick brewery in Devizes town centre,

producing a range of real ales including the widely

distributed 6X. Ca l in to the Harness Room Bar

for a taste and don’t leave without checking out

the Brewseum.

WEST BERKSHIRE BREWERY (G3)

The Old Dairy, Frilsham Farm, Yattendon RG18

0XT, 01635 767090 • wbbrew.com

A menu of homemade pizzas, burgers and salads

soak up the beers in the Taproom of this modern

brewhouse. You’ll have views into the brewery on

one side and out over the Berkshire countryside

on the other.

BARS AND PUBS SERVING

REAL ALES

HELEN BROWNING’S ROYAL OAK (E3)

helenbrowningsorganic.co.uk/royal-oak/

THE NEWBURY (G4)

thenewburypub.co.uk

THE PRINCE STREET SOCIAL (B4)

princestreetsocial.com

QUEENS ARMS, EAST GARSTON (F4)

queensarmseastgarston.co.uk

THE ROYAL OAK YATTENDON (G3)

royaloakyattendon.co.uk

THE ROYAL WINDSOR PUB (K3)

theroyalwindsor.co.uk

THE SWAN BRADFORD ON AVON (C4)

theswanbradford.co.uk

THREE TUNS FREEHOUSE (F4)

tunsfreehouse.com

WADWORTH EAT,

DRINK AND STAY

ON THE GREAT

WEST WAY

BEAR, DEVIZES (D4)

thebearhoteldevizes.co.uk

BIRD IN HAND, KNOWL HILL (J3)

birdinhand.co.uk

BLACK SWAN, DEVIZES (D4)

blackswandevizes.co.uk

CROWN, TOLLDOWN (B3)

thecrowntolldown.co.uk

GEORGE INN, NORTON ST PHILIP (C5)

georgeinnnsp.co.uk

BRISTOL

visitbristol.co.uk/beer

Bristol is one of the UK’s leading craft beer

destinations and is brimming with brilliant

breweries – there are more than 20 in the

city and surrounding countryside. Quench

your thirst in tap rooms, fantastic beer

shops and traditional pubs, or fo low the

lead of the local tour guides at Bristol

Brewery Tours or Bristol Hoppers.

MOOR BEER

BRISTOL BEER FACTORY

ENGLISH WINE

The chalk soils and temperate climate of the south

are pre ty perfect for crisp, white, bubbly varieties,

and English wines are winning international awards.

Take a vineyard tour with one of the wine producers

on the Great West Way.

FARM SHOPS

One of the greatest pleasures of a drive

through the English countryside is stopping

at a farm shop café for a cup of tea and some

tasty local produce. You’ l happen upon them

as you travel along the Great West Way.


HUNGERFORD (F4)

Cobbs Farm, Bath Rd, Hungerford RG17 0SP,

01488 686770 • cobbsfarmshops.co.uk

This exce lent farm shop se ls produce from

the su rounding farm. Expect asparagus and

rhubarb in spring and soft fruits in summer,

while autumn means squash and pumpkin.

The café uses the same produce where possible

and serves breakfasts and lunches including

Wiltshire cured ham and homemade quiche.

Down the road in Englefield, Reading you will

find another Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen with

a whole host of local produce.

BUTTLE FARM (D4)

buttlefarm.co.uk

CHOLDERTON CHARLIE’S FARM SHOP

Choldertoncharliesfarm.com/farm-shop

COBBS FAR

ENGLEFIELD

cobbsfarmsho

ROVES FARM

Rovesfarm.co.

A’BECKETT’S V

01380 816669 •

ALDER RIDGE V

01488 686770 •

ALDWICK ESTAT

01934 864404 •

THE LANGLEY (K3)

thelangley.com

Experience an authentic Afternoon Tea in the

classic decor of the Drawing Room. Appointed

with historic features, original artwork and

contemporary furnishings, this is the perfect

spo to view our landscaped gardens and lake

while enjoying our contemporary afternoon tea.

AFTERNOON TEA

BOWOOD HOTEL, SPA & GOLF RESORT (D4)

Calne, Wiltshire SN11 9PQ 01249 822228

bowood.org/bowood-hotel-resort

Finger sandwiches, scones and colourful cakes

served in the Shelburne Restaurant, Bar and

Library. Fire in winter.

CRICKLADE HOUSE HOTEL (E2)

crickladehotel.co.uk

THE BRIDGE TEA ROOMS (C4)

thebridgetearooms.co.uk

NO 15 GREAT PULTENEY (B4)


restaurants and tea-rooms have received the

Food for Life Served Here Award? The award

recognises tha they serve fresh, local food that

is ethica ly and sustainable produced. There

are seven National Trust places you can find on

the Great West Way and eight more which are

within easy reach of it, so if you’re looking for an

afternoon tea, a picnic or a food hamper to take

back there should be something to tempt your

tastebuds.

AVEBURY, MARLBOROUGH (E4)

The New Circles Restaurant

Avebury Manor Tearoom

Coach House Café

Refuel in the café whilst on a visi to Aerospace

Bristol. This light and airy café serves a delicious

range of light meals, snacks and drinks. Produce is

loca ly sourced where possible.

THE BRIDGE TEA ROOMS (C4)

thebridgetearooms.co.uk

GARDEN CAFÉ AT THE HOLBURNE MUSEUM (C4)

holburne.org

HONEYSTREET BOATS AND CAFÉ (E4)

honeystreetmi lcafe.co.uk

SPRING’S CAFÉ AND RESTAURANT (B4)

Thermae Bath Spa, Bath, BA1 1SJ

01225 331234 • thermaebathspa.com

MARVELLOUS FOOD MARKETS

The Great West Way runs through some of

England’s most fertile agricultura land, so it’s no

surprise that you’ll find regular farmers’ markets

along the route. Check ou these markets for fresh

local food and drink, direct from the producers.

Bath Farmers’ Market Green Park Station,

every Sat

Bristol Farmers’ Market St Nicholas Market,

every Wed

Bristol Street Food Market St Nicholas Market,

every Tue & Fri

Richmond Duck Pond Markets every Sat & Sun

Swindon Farmers’ Market Swindon Designer

Outlet, every Sun

Thames Va ley Farmers’ Market Ascot, 3rd Sun

of month; Newbury, 1st Sun of month; Reading 1st

& 3rd Sat of month; Windsor, 1st Sat of month

Trowbridge Weaver’s Market 2nd Saturday of

the month (not winter)

Wiltshire Farmers’ Market Devizes, 1st Sat of

month; Royal Woo ton Basse t 4th Sat of month;

121

DINING RESTAURANTS

You’ll find many of the restaurants along the

Great West Way are dining rooms within our

Ambassador hotels, many of which source their

ingredients from sma local producers. You’ l also

find several celebrity chefs including Rick Stein,

Pie re Ko fmann and Marco Pie re White. There’s

also plenty of di ferent cuisines to tempt you.

while away an afternoon.

romanbaths.co.uk/pump-room-restaurant

An elegant space at the Roman Baths where a

range of teas is served, from the smaller cream tea

The Tea Shed

THE TUTTI POLE (F4)

thetuttipole.co.uk

Henley Farmers’ Market 2nd Sat, 4th Thur &

5th Sun of month

THE BRASSERIE AT SIR CHRISTOPHER

WREN HOTEL (K3)

mpwrestaurants.co.uk

There is always tea, of course. Usua ly this is served

to the fu l tiered stand of treats.

TYNTESFIELD, BRISTOL (A4)

Cow Barn Restaurant

WESTONBIRT, THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM (C3)

sirchristopherwren.co.uk

THE MARCO PIERRE WHIT

AT THE CASTLE HOTEL (K3

by the pot and made from tea leaves, poured

through a strainer into a bone china cup. A tiered

cake stand is the mos traditional way to serve the

accompanying food: sandwiches, scones served with

THE ROSEATE (H4)

roseatehotels.com/reading/theroseate

Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8QS

0300 067 4890 • Forestryengland.uk/Westonbirt

The Westonbirt Restaurant o fers tasty, freshly

Maidenhead Farmers’ Market 2nd Sun of month

Malmesbury Artisan and Farmers’ Market

every Fri

CEDAR AT THE LANGLEY (K3)

thelangley.com

THE MONKEY ISLAND BRA

MONKEY ISLAND ESTATE (J

and made the gap between

01225 823333 • royalcrescent.

Take a se

CAN

Royal Co lection Trust is in

FOOD & DRINK TOURS &

Join one of t

thegainsboroug

01666 822344 • oldb

FEELING THIRSTY? OKTOBERFEST

SWINDON IN OCTOBER AND BRISTOL

CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL IN SEPTEMBER

ARE BOTH GREAT FUN.

PUBS, BREWERIES AND DISTILLERY TOURS

Village pubs along the route are a great place to head for

tasting British food traditions passed down generations, such

as Sunday roasts and Friday fish and chips, or simply bread,

cheese and pickles, known as the ‘ploughman’s lunch’.

Gastropubs offer newer cuisines and often their

restaurants are recognised with a Michelin star or two. And

there are also plenty of homegrown tipples to try too. Beer,

wine and gin are all made along the Great West Way. Take a

brewery, vineyard or distillery tour or just pull up a stool at

the village pub and see what’s on tap.

The Three Tuns Freehouse, Great Bedwyn is Sawdays

“Most Authentic Pub” 2018/19. The Michelin starred

Red Lion Freehouse, Pewsey offers private dining with a

window into the kitchen to watch the team prep. Pigs,

pies, pints and pillows is supplied by Helen Browning's

Royal Oak, Bishopstone, set in the middle of an organic

farm. Take lunch on a Friday and sample the fish menu at

award-winning The Queen’s Arms, East Garston. The Swan,

Bradford on Avon offers both Pub Classics or its Thai Chilli

Restaurant. The Crown & Anchor, set at the foot of the

North Wessex Downs has recently reopened following a

three year refurbishment. Serving Royals and residents alike,

be sure to pop into the Royal Windsor pub with spectacular

views of Windsor Castle, specialising in handmade liquor

and premium craft beers, including a house-brewed Royal

Windsor Pint. You could plan your visit with a stay at The

Royal Oak, Yattendon, a country inn with traditional British

food, to coincide with a drinks festival, and taste their very

own gin distilled on the premises in ‘Harry’ their still.

There's also a'Beckett's Vineyard making english sparkling

and still wines along with cider and apple juice from

their vineyard near Devizes in Wiltshire. Or try The West

Berkshire Brewery at Yattendon and Wadworth Brewery at

Devizes, offering tours and tasting of their award-winning

ales. You might also enjoy Wadworth's 'Eat, Drink, Stay' trail

from their Brewery in Devizes, to their four pubs along the

route - The Bear and The Black Swan in Devizes, The Crown

in Tolldown, and The George Inn in Bath.

The Bombay Sapphire Distillery at Whitchurch is at the

forefront of the English gin resurgence while the Newbury

pub is host to Newbury’s first ever gin distillery thanks to

a working micro distillery and private dining room open all

year for tastings. →

122

Pictured

top-left then

clockwise:

Red Lion

Freehouse;

The West

Berkshire

Brewery at

Yattendon;

Crown &

Anchor, Ham,

Wiltshire; The

Royal Oak,

Yattendon

GIN MAKING

Explore the magic of gin-making. We are reinstalling

an appreciation for gin-making through a fun,

hands-on experience. Enjoy tasting, distilling, and

creating your very own bespoke gin blend.

The Newbury is an imposing grade II listed gastro

pub in the centre of Newbury. It is a multi-award

winning venue which prides itself on its exciting

British a la carte menu, a great selection of ales,

extensive wine list & fabulous service.

UNEXPECTED READING

CAFÉS, LUNCH AND AFTERNOON TEAS

While travelling the Great West Way you are never too far away from

a café or farm shop for lunches, afternoon tea or a drink at the end of

the day. Drive through the North Wessex Downs AONB to Cobbs Farm

Shop for lunch and enjoy a glass of wine from their vineyard, Alder Ridge,

Hungerford.

For those heading to Bath, stop off at the Bridge Tea Rooms in

Bradford on Avon. Double winner of the UK Tea Guild's 'Top Tea Place',

and one of the UK's finest spots for afternoon tea with a list of regal

afternoon teas including the Queen Victoria. A Hansel and Gretel-style

exterior leads onto the cosiest of dining rooms, filled with homely

trinkets, hefty wooden beams and the soft chink of fine bone china.

Clayton’s Kitchen in Bath serves seasonal British fine dining in a

traditionally appointed 4-storey Georgian townhouse.

In Bristol visit Prince Street Social, a welcoming modern-style

British Brasserie located in the centre, or stop for lunch alongside the

picturesque harbourside at Spoke & Stringer for a delicious home-made

Shakshuka, or at Stokes Croft Restaurant for a quirky Pieminister Pie;

everyone from Kate Moss to the Queen has tried one. The Tutti Pole,

Hungerford is a tea shop and family restaurant and was originally the

place where ‘Tutti Poles’ were made for an historic local ceremony, still

continued today.

At Whatley Manor, Nr Malmesbury traditional afternoon tea is served

with a glass of Champagne Deutz. Other places for indulgent afternoon

teas include The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa and The Abbey Hotel,

Bath, The Old Bell Hotel, Malmesbury, Monkey Island Estate, Bray or

The Langley, Near Windsor. Or why not take tea by the Kennet & Avon

Canal, there’s plenty of choice including the Aldermaston Tea Room, Canal

Trust Café, Honeystreet Mill Café, The Engineman’s Rest Café, The Tea

Shop by the Canal and the Wharf Tea Rooms.

Or for a unique culinary experience in Devizes, book yourself a place on

one of Vaughan's Kitchen Cookery School Masterclasses.

Pictured

top-left then

clockwise:

Afternoon Tea

at Whatley

Manor Hotel

& Spa; Bridge

Tea Rooms in

Bradford on

Avon; Cobbs

Farm shop

& Kitchen,

Hungerford;

hot chocolates

being served

at Wharf

Tea Rooms,

Devizes


125

WHERE

TO STAY

The Great West Way offers plenty of

choice when it comes to places to stay

WHETHER YOU PREFER the excitement of

a buzzing city or a more rural countryside

retreat, from a stylish boutique hotel, to

a cool gastro pub – there’s always a great

place to stay along the Great West Way. From 5-star

city hotels, country house hotels, to boutique bed and

breakfasts, to camping and glamping retreats, we hope

you will find what is right for you.

IN THE CITY

Starting your Great West Way journey from London?

You might enjoy a stay at Roseate House London just a

short walk from Hyde Park.

Roseate Hotels has two further luxury boutique

hotels along the Great West Way; The Roseate Reading,

described by the Evening Standard as ‘UK’s Sexiest

Townhouse Hotel’; and located in the centre of Bath

The Roseate Villa Bath. Stopping at Reading? The Bird

In Hand Hotel, at Knowl Hill, recently acquired by

Wiltshire brewer Wadworth, is a delightful 14th Century

Inn with a history that spans 600 years.

In Bath you are spoiled for choice of luxury hotels, but

it could be claimed, none quite as grand and spectacular

as The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa. Built between 1767

and 1775 this is a fine example of Georgian architecture,

located in the most famous crescent in the world.

Effortlessly combining AA Five Red Star service, an

award-winning Spa and beautiful gardens.

In the heart of Bath, Abbey Hotel Bath is an

experiential art-driven hotel, for people seeking true

Bathonian encounters - inspired by the city’s most

celebrated icons - it blends the new with the old,

the refined with the comfortable and the local with

the worldly. Guests are immersed in rich history,

architectural beauty, regional artistry and craftsmanship.

Built in 1739, the building composed part of John Wood’s

vision for Bath - essentially the playground for the

pleasure-loving visitors of the Georgian haute monde.

The Gainsborough Bath Spa occupies two Grade II Listed

buildings, centred around the natural thermal, mineralrich

waters. Dukes Hotel, occupies two magnificent

Georgian Townhouses on Great Pulteney Street, or try the

Apex Hotel, Bath’s largest hotel, close to Thermae Bath

Spa. Bailbrook House Hotel is a Grade II listed hotel,

also in the city, set in 20 acres - here you can enjoy the

historic Cloisters restaurant or contemporary dining in

The Conservatory.

Desire your own holiday home? The Apartment

Bath is an award-winning two-bedroom luxury property

in a fantastic central location, or try Bath Apartment

Breaks. For a selection of independently owned holiday

properties search online with the help of Stay in Bath,

Tucking Mill Holidays in Bath and Bath Area Self

Catering. For an elegant and vivacious new boutique

townhouse hotel located on the grandest street in Bath

head to No. 15 Great Pulteney.

GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE

Coronavirus Safety

If you develop Covid-19 symptoms whilst on holiday,

please arrange a test using your holiday address. You can

order a test from www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119. You

MUST notify your accommodation provider immediately.

If you are contacted by Test & Trace whilst on holiday you

MUST notify your accommodation provider immediately

that you have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace

and asked to self-isolate. If you are well enough to return

home by private transportation then please do so and

self-isolate at home. Do not use public transport.


BEFORE YOU BOOK

Coronavirus Changes

Hotel information may have

changed or been cancelled due

to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Please check websites for

the latest information on

new booking procedures and

safety requirements and visit

responsibly.

Accommodation in Bristol is as colourful and varied as the

city itself. From a city centre hostel attached to a vintage

bowling alley to a luxurious lodge in the grounds of a

zoo, you’ll find somewhere special to suit you. The city’s

distinct neighbourhoods each offer different experiences,

so it depends what type of trip you’re hoping for…

For something unconventional, check into one of

Brooks Guesthouse’s rooftop airstreams for a spot of

urban glamping in the Old City. Right next to St Nicholas’

Market, you’ll be in prime position for perusing local

craft stalls and tucking into the delicious street food it’s

renowned for, from sausage baps to falafel wraps.

If it’s dining, drinking and nightlife you’re after, check

out Rock & Bowl Motel right in the city centre, The

Bristol Wing, a boutique hostel in the Grade II listed old

Police Headquarters, or The Full Moon - a backpacker

hostel adjoining the lively Attic Bar in arty, alternative

Stokes Croft.

If you would prefer somewhere more serene,

close to University of Bristol Botanic Garden, opt for

somewhere in Clifton. Although it has a village feel,

independent shops, cosmopolitan restaurants and the

iconic Suspension Bridge are all within walking distance.

Number Thirty Eight, a boutique hotel in a refurbished

Georgian merchant’s house, is in prime position. Relax

in a room with a roll top bath or soak up panoramic park

views. Alternatively, go for a really wild stay at Bristol

Zoo Gardens. The Lodge is a super stylish apartment

with safari-themed rooms and a private terrace looking

onto the zoo’s glorious gardens.

And if you’re just in Bristol for a flying visit - where

could be more convenient than Hampton By Hilton

Bristol Airport?

IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

Sitting proudly next to the 12th Century Abbey in the

centre of the historic, vibrant and charming Wiltshire

market town of Malmesbury, England’s oldest hotel The

Old Bell Hotel has recently been restored to the height of

elegance, glamour and English charm. Beechfield House

also in Wiltshire, is a stunning 4 AA red star, 2 AA rosette,

relaxed country house hotel offering a truly opulent

place to stay. Or try The Manor House, a 14th Century

luxury hotel and golf club in Castle Combe, part of the

Exclusive Collection along with Pennyhill Park, surrey and

Royal Berkshire, on the outskirts of Ascot. Or for a lovely,

secluded and unique cottage on a working farm head to

Cliffe Farm Dairy with beautiful views of the steep chalk

escarpment leading up to Salisbury Plain.

Another gorgeous countryside retreat is the five-star

Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa, in the Southern Cotswolds

set in 12 acres of gardens. If you are travelling with

children Woolley Grange Hotel in Bradford on Avon →

Pictured

top-left then

clockwise: The

Gainsborough

Bath Spa;

Brooks

Guesthouse,

Bristol, rooftop

airstreams;

new bedrooms

at The Abbey

Hotel;

swimming pool

at Beechfield

House.


127

is a beautiful Jacobean manor house on the edge of the

Cotswolds offering a very warm welcome to families.

Or try The Langley, Buckinghamshire - the former country

estate of the third Duke of Marlborough has a wonderful spa,

exceptional dining and Capability Brown designed gardens.

Guyers House Hotel & Restaurant, Corsham is a traditional

country house with an award-winning restaurant.

If you’re looking to stay somewhere quieter, away from the

hustle and bustle, with farm-fresh produce on the table, and a

‘home from home’ feel, then a cosy countryside B&B or selfcatering

cottage make a great option.

The Coachmans Self-Catering Holiday Cottage is an

idyllic retreat in the heart of Steeple Ashton - a delightful

quintessential village, with award-winning village shop,

magnificent church, and beautiful historic architecture

spanning 700 years, set amidst beautiful Wiltshire

countryside. For an opulent and elegant stay close to the

North Wessex Downs, Heritage Luxury B&B is perfectly

placed on the Great West Way in Calne.

Kingsbury @ No 8 is a boutique-hotel style B&B close

to the centre of Marlborough’s historic high street. Stay

here and dine at Rick Stein’s restaurant in Lloran House

and enjoy a menu that features some of Rick’s most iconic

seafood dishes like Indonesian seafood curry, Dover sole a la

meunière and turbot hollandaise.

Or you could try The White Horse Inn, Calne, a

traditional country pub in the Wiltshire countryside with

two AA Rosette restaurant and Gold award Bed & Breakfast

accommodation.

Donnington Grove Hotel & Country Club, Newbury

is set in 500 acres of countryside and offers countryside

pursuits such as fishing and clay pigeon shooting, while just

a short drive away, in the picturesque farming village of

Hampstead Norreys, are Manor Farm Courtyard Holiday

Cottages luxuriously-appointed self-catering cottages.

Church Farm Country Cottages offer self-catering

cottages on a working sheep farm between Bath and

Bradford on Avon with an indoor heated pool.

Cumberwell Country Cottages, Bradford on Avon, have

converted an old Tythe Barn into luxurious self-catering

cottages. Or try Beanhill Farm B&B, Chippenham - located

on a farm with prize-winning cattle and sheep. Lorne

House, near Corsham, the childhood home of Thomas the

Tank Engine author, Reverend W.V. Awdry, is today a large

Victorian villa with elegant charm. Stay as a B&B guest, or

hire the entire house.

You might enjoy having your own private Manor House

wing? Try Sheephouse Manor Cottages, situated between

Maidenhead and Cookham. →

Pictured

top-left then

clockwise:

The Langley;

Guyers House

Hotel &

Restaurant;

Lorne House

B&B

128

Experience Wiltshire at its Best!

Adult-only Glamping in a glorious part of rural England

CLOSED

Due to Covid-19

For reopening

updates please

check website

Totteridge Farm Camping Pods

Pewsey +44 (0)7917 573407 Wiltshire

www.totteridge-farm.website

- BOUTIQUE BED & BREAKFAST -

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villa in the lovely Wiltshire 07779 650729

Avalon Lodge Bed & Breakfast, Devizes has countryside

views and south facing balconies, free ranging hens and

ducks and two rescue donkeys.

There are also many pubs offering B&B in great locations,

such as Troutbeck Guesthouse, East Chisenbury for boutique

accommodation by the River Avon and the nearby Red Lion

for food. The Royal Oak, Yattendon is a traditional English

country pub with Michelin rated food, luxurious bedrooms,

award-winning real ales, log fires and a walled garden.

The Queens Arms, East Garston, is an award-winning pub,

restaurant and hotel with large bar and log fire, dining room

and covered terrace and garden.

Or try Helen Browning’s Royal Oak, Bishopstone, a dining

pub with rooms in the middle of an organic farm on the edge

of the Wiltshire Downs.

CAMPING & GLAMPING

For those who really want to get in touch with their

surroundings The Camping and Caravanning Club with sites

in Salisbury, Walton on Thames, Cheddar Mendip Heights,

Devizes and Chertsey is a great option - as is The Chilterns

View, Wallingford's Luxury lodge accommodation in the

village of Ewelme, South Oxfordshire, overlooking the

beautiful Chilterns Hills.

Mill Farm takes luxury camping to a whole new

level with their high end luxury accommodation, set on

their organic farm in the heart of the glorious Wiltshire

countryside.

Or head to The Farm Camp, an off grid, eco-friendly,

luxury campsite near Bath offering plenty of activities.

Totteridge Farm in the heart of the Vale of Pewsey, is an

adult-only campsite with five glamping pods and spectacular

views from the hills on either side of the Vale.

Buttle Farm, Compton Bassett, has stunning barn

conversions on a rare breed pig farm and runs charcuterie

experiences. While Shillingridge offer Luxury Glamping

Safari Lodges, nestled in the Chiltern Hills by the stunning

riverside town of Marlow on Thames in Buckinghamshire. →

Pictured

top-left then

clockwise:

Avalon

Lodge Bed &

Breakfast; Mill

Farm; Helen

Browning’s

Royal Oak

131

Pictured

top-left then

clockwise:

Canal boats

on the river;

Henley

Greenlands

Hotel;

Honeystreet

Boats

ON OR BY THE WATER

On the River Thames, Henley Greenlands Hotel, once home

to the WH Smith family, is set within the 30 acre Henley

Business School estate in the Oxfordshire countryside, while

Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa is a 4-star comprising

several characterful buildings clustered around a historic

cobbled street by Eton Bridge and Windsor Castle, with a

gym, spa treatments, outdoor whirlpool and sauna.

The stunning hotel is located right on the River Thames,

within easy walking distance of Windsor’s restaurants, shops

and attractions including Windsor Castle. The world-famous

Eton College is a seven-minute walk from the hotel, just over

Eton Bridge and down the High Street. Also in Windsor, both

Castle Hotel MGallery and Sir Christopher Wren Hotel & Spa

offer spectacular views of the Thames and Windsor Castle.

Thought boats were just for day trips? Well, along the

Great West Way you can sleep on them too. You’ll never

forget waking up on the water, peering through portholes at

passing ducks as you prepare to rise and shine.

Canal boat hire in England is easy to organise and

incredibly rewarding, enabling you to fully experience the

pleasures of the wildlife-rich waterways, including such

delights as Caen Hill Locks and Bathampton. The Canal and

River Trust can give you all the information you need about

how to take to the waters. Along the River Thames and the

Kennet & Avon Canal you can hire your own boldly painted

boat and take the journey at your own pace.

Consider a boating holiday on a self-drive barge or

motor cruiser, or for a more relaxing break a river cruise on a

hotel boat. Honeystreet Boats provides friendly canal boat

holidays on the Kennet & Avon Canal. Sally Narrowboats, in

the Bradford on Avon Marina, is great to cruise to Bath in a

westerly direction and Reading in the east. Hobbs of Henley

has 2 luxury Linnsen motor cruisers to cruise from Henley

to Oxford or Henley to Reading. While Bruce Boats at Great

Bedwyn Wharf, Kennet & Avon Canal, offers canal holidays

for older people and Devizes Marina Village offer selfcatering

lodges with hot tubs and fantastic views.

Or for somewhere where there’s quite literally water,

water everywhere, visit the Cotswold Water Park, just a short

detour off the route, and enjoy 40 square miles, with more

than 150 lakes set in beautiful countryside.

Fun fact:

People who

like observing

England’s canal

life from the

sidelines are

affectionately

called

‘gongoozlers’.

132

Visit

Chippenham

Visit and stay in Chippenham as part of your Great West Way® journey of discovery.

Find out more at GreatWestWay.co.uk

www.chippenham.gov.uk

Open all day for

breakfast, afternoon tea,

freeze shakes and dinner.

Bite Me Burger, No 7 Kingsbury Street, Marlborough.

Tel: 01672 514776

www.bitemeburger.com

JOIN THE FUN!

From confetti battles to book festivals, canoe races

to country shows and big-ticket exhibitions


BE PREPARED

Coronavirus Changes

Event information may have

changed or been cancelled due

to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

While we have tried to bring

you the most up-to-date

information available when

publishing please confirm

details with event organisers.

Check websites for the latest

information on new booking

procedures, event timings and

safety requirements.


Pictured

left-right: Pub

in the Park,

Marlow and

The Bradford

on Avon annual

Duck Race

** Please note that many events along the Great West Way are in the process of planning in light of the current

government advice in relation to COVID-19. Whilst we are endeavouring to keep all information up to date,

we would advise you to check directly with the relevant venue for the most up to date information. **

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2021

JAN / FEB / MARCH 2021

Celebration of light, Bristol

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021

This illuminating new annual

event will celebrate the creative talents

of local, national and international

designers and collaborators in a playful

outdoor gallery of light installations

that will bring vivid colour to Bristol city

centre's public spaces at a traditionally

quiet and dark time of the year.

îvisitbristol.co.uk

Cecily Brown Art Exhibition at

Blenheim Palace

SEPTEMBER 2020-JANUARY 2021

Made up entirely of new works inspired

by the Palace’s collection, this is a major

solo exhibition by acclaimed British

Artist Cecily Brown. The exhibition of

new work has been created in response

to the Palace’s history as an English

country estate and as the home to

successive generations of the Spencer-

Churchill family and their collection of

paintings, tapestries and decorative arts.

îblenheimpalace.com

Wonder

FEBRUARY 2021

A new year-round programme and

festival of children’s book events in

Bath, Bristol and beyond that will

capture imaginations and inspire future

storytellers. Wonder’s aim is to not

only bring some of the biggest selling

children’s authors and illustrators on the

planet to our cities, but also to celebrate

emerging talent, offer workshops and to

bring the magic of stories into creative

spaces that spark kids’ imagination.

îvisitbath.co.uk


APRIL / MAY / JUNE 2021

Devizes to Westminster

International Canoe Race

APRIL 2021

This is the world’s longest non-stop canoe

race, which starts in Devizes, following

the Kennet & Avon Canal and joining

The Thames, finishing just downstream

of Westminster Bridge, opposite the

Houses of Parliament, a total distance of

125 miles, 77 portages. îdwrace.co.uk

Howard’s Day at Castle Combe

Circuit, APRIL 2021

Easter Monday is the traditional start

to the motor racing season at Castle

Combe Circuit and is marked by this

popular race day.

îcastlecombecircuit.co.uk

The Bradford on Avon Duck

Race, APRIL 2021

At this the famous annual

Duck Race over a 1000 ducks are

launched into the river from the Town

Bridge, where Rowing Club kayakers

wait at the finish line to retrieve the

lucky winners of many amazing prizes

to be won!

îbradfordonavontowncouncil.gov.uk

The Bath Festival

MAY 2021

Having recently celebrated its 70th

birthday, this 10-day festival celebrates

music and literature, bringing

prominent writers, musicians and

cultural figures to the city.

îbathfestivals.org.uk

Highclere Country Show

MAY 2021

The estate better known as Downton

Abbey, Highclere hosts one of

England’s best country shows, with

falconry, gundog displays and the

chance to have a go at clay shooting.

îhighclerecountryshow.co.uk

The North Wessex Downs

Walking Festival, JUNE 2021

Featuring over 20 guided walks across

the North Wessex Downs AONB

and giving everyone an opportunity

to explore this stunning landscape

in the company of friendly and

knowledgeable guides.

înorthwessexdowns.org.uk/walkingfestival.html

Calne Summer Carnival

JUNE 2021

The Calne Summer Carnival draws in

over 5000 visitors to its historic town

centre, with activities from live music to

street entertainers, food stalls to local

crafters, and the marvellous carnival

procession. îcalne.gov.uk

The Little Welly Obstacle

Course & Festival, Henley on

Thames, JUNE 2021

Let your kids Go Wild, Get Muddy and

enjoy tackling the 3km landscaped

course with over 30 big obstacles –

involving water, foam and of course

plenty of MUD!

îthelittlewelly.co.uk

Royal Ascot

JUNE 2021

Arguably England’s most famous – and

grandest – horse racing event, with five

days of races each kicked off by a royal

carriage parade.

This is your chance to wave at the

Queen and to wear a fabulous hat!

îascot.co.uk →


135

JULY / AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2021

Henley Royal Regatta

JULY 2021

Established in 1839, this annual regatta attracts rowing

crews from around the world to its five days of head to head

knockout competitions and is regarded as an integral part of

the English social season. îhrr.co.uk

Kew the Music

JULY 2021

Kew Gardens hosts five nights of laidback picnic concerts,

from big names in every genre of music from pop and

rock to classical and jazz. Headliners include Craig David,

Beverley Knight and Jools Holland. îkewthemusic.org

Bristol Harbour Festival

JULY 2021

Bristol’s largest annual event fills the harbour from the

SS Great Britain to the city centre with tall ships, music

stages, dance areas and food markets. Expect water

displays and circus acts too. îbristolharbourfestival.co.uk

Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford

JULY 2021

Few events can rival the intensity, drama, and spectacle

on offer at one of the world's greatest airshows. Over

300 aircraft typically take part in the flypasts and aerial

acrobatics. îairtattoo.com

WOMAD, Malmesbury

JULY 2021

Global fiesta of music, dance, art and food that started in

Charlton Park, Malmesbury and has since taken the party

to more than 27 countries worldwide including Australia,

Chile and Spain. îwomad.co.uk

Marlborough College Summer School

JULY-AUGUST 2021

Established in 1974, this annual event is one of Europe’s

largest multi-generational learning experiences; its

popularity underpinned by the phrase “something for

everyone”. The College’s historic grounds are conveniently

located to enjoy Marlborough’s famous High Street and

host over 500 courses encompassing the creative arts,

history, science, body and mind, life skills, sport and

country pursuits..! îsummerschool.co.uk

Bath Carnival

JULY 2021

Bath’s biggest party features a procession of more than

1,000 dancers and musicians through the city plus plenty

of world music on the sound systems and at Party in the

Park in Sydney Gardens. îbathcarnival.co.uk

Bristol Pride

JULY 2021

Bristol Pride is an annual celebration of the LGBT+

community. A series of events that take place across Bristol

ranging from theatre, comedy, dance and their award

winning film festival, Queer Vision. An incredible 40,000

took part in their 10th-anniversary celebrations last year!

îbristolpride.co.uk

Malmesbury Carnival & Festival

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2021

Malmesbury Carnival been going for over 100 years! The

Carnival is now a whole month of events. It changes every

year, with events ranging from open gardens to open mic,

bands to beer festivals, high jinks to history talks, wine

tasting to wine bluffing and of course the Carnival Parade!

îmalmesburycarnival.co.uk


Pictured

left-right:

Marlborough

High Street;

fun at Devizes

Festival; and

Jane Austen

Festival, Bath

Festival of British Eventing, Gatcombe Park

AUGUST 2021

Held at the spectacular home of the Princess Royal

and her family, incorporating the British Open,

Intermediate and Novice Championships, as well

as the Amateur Championship, The Corinthian Cup.

îfestivalofbritisheventing.com

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

AUGUST 2021

Europe’s largest annual meeting of hot air balloons brings

colour to the sky above Bristol with twice-daily mass balloon

launches and the chance to take a ride yourself.

îbristolballoonfiesta.co.uk

Pewsey Carnival

SEPTEMBER 2021

A fortnight of madcap events and music, leading up to the

finale which is the fabulous Carnival Procession – one of

the oldest carnivals in the country. îpewsey-carnival.org.uk

The Colour Rush and Confetti Battle, Devizes

SEPTEMBER 2021

Nobody knows why it started but Devizes’ Confetti Battle

is surely the most fun you can have with torn up bits of

coloured paper. Get stuck into the battle in the marketplace

and stay for the fireworks! îdocadevizes.org.uk

Jane Austen Festival, Bath

SEPTEMBER 2021

2020 marks the 20th anniversary of The Jane Austen

Festival. Get your top hats, bonnets and lace out for

this 10-day celebration of all things Austen to include a

costumed Promenade through the city, and the Regency

Costumed Masked Ball, with dancing in the Pump Room of

the Roman Baths. îjaneaustenfestivalbath.co.uk

Heritage Open Days

SEPTEMBER 2021

This national event sees normally hidden and closed

places throw their doors open to the public. Highlights

along the Great West Way include Reading Synagogue,

Sevington Victorian School in Wiltshire and the Rolls-

Royce Heritage Trust in Bristol - with many more besides!

îheritageopendays.org.uk

Mini Action Day, Castle Combe Circuit

SEPTEMBER 2021

Things go pocket-sized for Mini Action Day – the UK’s

oldest, best and only track-based Mini event.

Prepare to marvel at the hundreds of both old and new

examples of this iconic car that make the venue their

home for the day.

îminiactionday.co.uk

Henley Literary Festival

SEPTEMBER – 4 OCTOBER 2021

Bringing together punters and pundits from far and wide,

last year’s line-up included Theresa May, Sir Alastair

Cook, Kate Atkinson and Mary Berry, so expect an equally

diverse and stellar line up for 2020.

îhenleyliteraryfestival.co.uk

Cliveden Literary Festival

SEPTEMBER 2021

Cliveden House has been at the centre of British political,

royal and literary life since it was first built, and in the

1960s became notorious as the setting for the Profumo

Affair that brought down a government and changed

Britain forever. Today Cliveden’s annual literary festival

attracts writers from the world.

îclivedenliteraryfestival.org →


137

5 JULY 2020 TO

3 JANUARY 2021

GP_MARCH_HALF—1.indd 1 19/02/2020 11:20

- SHOP - EAT - DRINK -

A warm welcome awaits you in Calne! Look no further and

discover Calne’s Heritage Quarter with two hours free parking

in the Church Street Car Park, and explore what Calne has to

offer with a host of options to eat, drink and stay.

- WALK - DISCOVER - UNWIND -

Calne Town Crier

Mark Wylie

Discover Calne’s

Heritage Quarter

Calne

Town

Council

Discover more at

VisitCalne.co.uk

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY!

VIRTUAL EVENTS 2020

This is the Tale that River Told

Team London Bridge

A jaunt through time along one of the most famous

stretches of the River Thames. The stretch of water

between London Bridge and Tower Bridge holds many

stories and treasures. From a Bronze Age burial mound,

to Frost Fairs to the development of law and order in

London.

Wed 23rd Sep 2020, 1pm - 2pm

Free tickets booked via Eventbrite, the event will

stream live via Zoom.

thamesfestivaltrust.org/whats-on

Pictured: Windsor high street

at Christmas

Henley Literary Festival Online

The Festival will take place online this year from

Saturday 26 September – Sunday 4 October, 2020.

They also hold one-off events throughout the year so

check their What’s On page regularly for details.

henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021

LEGOLAND Fireworks Spectacular

NOVEMBER 2021

Make your visit to Legoland even more magical by timing it

to coincide with the annual fireworks spectacular, part of the

theme park’s spooky Halloween season.

îlegoland.co.uk

Cary Grant Comes Home Festival

NOVEMBER 2021

Bristol puts on a weekend of events celebrating the life and

work of one of the city’s most famous sons: the Hollywood

actor and style icon Cary Grant.

Cary Comes Home for the Weekend Festival is a

celebration of Cary Grant’s Bristol roots, with the aim to

develop new audiences for his films and recreate the much

loved golden age of cinema-going.

îcarycomeshome.co.uk

Hobbs of Henley Christmas Party Nights

DECEMBER 2021

Celebrate the start of the festive season in style by setting

sail with Hobbs of Henley on a Thames Christmas Party

Cruise. Guests are handed a welcome drink on arrival, enjoy

a 3 course meal and spend the rest of the night dancing

away to their resident DJ.

îhobbsofhenley.com/christmas-party-nights

Christmas at Kew

LATE NOVEMBER 2020 -EARLY JANUARY 2021

A show-stopping trail of festive light installations. More

than a million teeny glittering lights are installed along the

route with a fantastic light show grand finale at the iconic

Temperate House, plus enjoy festive treats such as spiced

cider and toasted marshmallows. îkew.org

Windsor On Ice

DECEMBER 2021

Alexandra Gardens plays host to two ice rinks – one indoor

and one outdoor. You’ll also find the UK’s biggest dodgem,

Bungees, Twister, Race-o-Rama, the Waltzer, the Toy ride,

Mini planes, Helicopters and Santa's Sleigh roller coaster!

îwindsoronice.com

Bath Christmas Market

DECEMBER 2021

One of the country’s biggest Christmas markets, consisting

of 180 stalls, set amongst Bath’s Georgian streets, the

market sells hand-made ceramics, glassware, jewellery and

local produce should be back for 2021 and is a must visit.

îbathchristmasmarket.co.uk

To discover more events on the

Great West Way visit GreatWestWay.co.uk

/see-and-do/festivals-and-events


139

AT THE HEART OF THE GREAT WEST WAY

Luxury for

the curious

bathgiftcard.com

Enjoy your gift card across Bath

Food & Drink • Health & Beauty

Museums & Galleries • Hotels & Shops

The best of Bath in one little card

An elegant and

vivacious boutique

townhouse hotel

and spa on the very

grandest street in

Bath, No.15 Great

Pulteney is well

known for its

curious collections,

warm hosting and

unique personality.

15 Great Pulteney Street,

Bath BA2 4BR

01225 807015


4_Doc_Fix_120x96mm_v1.1.indd 1 11/02/2019 16:36

THE ONLY MOTOR MUSEUM IN WILTSHIRE!

Stay in a Jacobean

manor on your Great

West Way journey!

HOTEL | SPA | RESTAURANT

■ A small, friendly museum just off the A4 in Calne

■ 100+ exhibits - many are vehicles from the 1920s onwards

■ Apr-Oct (Tues-Sun11-5) Nov, Feb-March (Thurs-Sun 11-4) Dec-Jan (Sat-Sun 11-4)

www.atwellwilson.org.uk

01225 864705 | woolleygrangehotel.co.uk

Woolley Green, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1TX


Family Days

at Stonor

House • Play Park • Park & Gardens

Stonor Park

Henley-on-Thames

RG9 6HF

www.stonor.com

EXPLORE THE GREAT WEST WAY ®

WITH AN EXPERT GUIDE

Chauffeur driven tours with a Blue Badge Guide

www.bbhtours.co.uk | [email protected] | 01985 840049


AWARD WINNING SMALL GROUP DAY TOURS FROM BATH

STONEHENGE * COTSWOLDS * GLASTONBURY

Tel +44(0)7990 505970 | www.madmaxtours.co.uk

THE BRIDGE TEA ROOMS

ONE OF THE FINEST SPOTS

FOR AFTERNOON TEA

Step back in time to the glorious Victorian era,

double winner UK’s ‘Top Tea Place’, and one of the

finest spots for afternoon tea. Based in a former

blacksmith’s cottage the Hansel & Gretel-style

exterior leads onto the cosiest of dining rooms.

A wonderful and atmospheric venue for groups.

From morning tea or coffee, mini Cream Tea to an

extended visit for Empire Full Afternoon Teas.

24a Bridge Street, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1BY

+44 (0)1225 865537

www.thebridgetearooms.co.uk

Honeystreet Mill Café

THE FRIENDLY CANALSIDE CAFÉ

Homemade · Freshly Made · Locally Sourced

Breakfast · Light lunch · Afternoon Tea

Snacks · Drinks · Wine, Beer and Cider

OPEN Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm

Sunday 10am-5pm

www.honeystreetmillcafe.co.uk

01672 851155

Honeystreet Mill, Honeystreet Village, Pewsey Vale, Wiltshire, SN9 5PS

Self Drive Classic Car Hire

Based in Wiltshire

with

Vintage

Classics

Where? Windsor, Henley, Reading, Kennet and Avon Canal,

River Thames, Chiltern Hills, North Wessex Downs

How? Waterways trips, town and countryside walking tours,

coach tours, themed tours

Who? Graham Horn, GREAT WEST WAY® Ambassador,

experienced Blue Badge Guide, local knowledge

Contact me to enhance your GREAT WEST WAY® tour

• www.tours2order.com

• [email protected]

■ Classic Car Rental

■ Classic Car Tours

SEE WILTSHIRE, THE COTSWOLDS & WEST COUNTRY

WHILST DRIVING AN ICONIC CLASSIC CAR!

BOOKINGS MUST BE MADE AT LEAST 7 DAYS IN ADVANCE OF HIRE

BOOKING LINE: 01225 703377

View our fine range of classics online: www.vintage-classics.co.uk

Q

ueens

HOTEL • PUB • RESTAURANT • PRIVATE ROOMS • GARDEN

Perfect place for

long, lazy weekends!

Daily Telegraph

East Garston • Berkshire • RG17 7ET

Tel: 01488 648 757

[email protected]

www.queensarmseastgarston.co.uk

3 miles off J14 of M4 (Hungerford & Lambourn)

TOUR & EXPLORE

with Anne Bartlett

Anne is an experienced

Cotswold based Blue Badge

Tourist Guide and Tour

Director who provides a

friendly, professional guiding

service for groups exploring

the Great West Way.

Email: [email protected]

tourandexplore.com

Ambassador for The Great West Way

0617006 A5 1pp.indd 1 27/06/2017 14:13


STAY MEET DINE CELEBRATE

HENLEY GREENLANDS HOTEL

100 bed hotel afternoon tea

riverside restaurant fine dining

weddings meeting & conference rooms

private jetty

www.hospitalityuor.co.uk/henley-greenlands-hotel

Greenlands

Greenlands

Henley-on-Thames

Henley-on-Thames

Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire

RG9

RG9

3AU

3AU

Over 147 years of River and Boating Service

Over Over Over 147 150 147 years of of River and Boating Service

Over 147 years of River and Boating Service

A great family

day out come

rain or shine!

Luxury Passenger Boat Charter

Luxury Passenger Boat Charter

Self Self Drive Adventure

Luxury Passenger Boating Boat Holidays

Charter

Luxury Passenger

Self Drive Adventure

Boat Charter

River Trips

Self Luxury Drive Boating Adventure

Holidays

Moorings and Storage

River Trips

Edwardian Luxury Chauffeured Boating Holidays Launches

Edwardian

Moorings

Chauffeured

and StorageLaunches

Edwardian River Chauffeured TripsLaunches

For bookings and enquiries please contact Hobbs of Henley

For bookings For on bookings 01491 and Moorings 572035 and enquiries or [email protected]

please

and

contact

Storage

Hobbs Hobbs of Henley of Henley

on Edwardian 01491

on

572035

01491 572035

Chauffeured or

or [email protected]

Launches

For bookings and enquiries please contact Hobbs of Henley

on 01491 572035 or [email protected]

0617006 A5 0617006 1pp.indd A5 1pp.indd 1 1 27/06/2017 27/06/2017 14:13 14:13

www.rovesfarm.co.uk

Sevenhampton, Swindon, Wilts, SN6 7QG 01793 763939


The Tutti Pole Tea Shop

Hungerford

DIDCOT RAILWAY CENTRE

Explore the Living Museum of the Great Western Railway

Breakfasts, Morning Coffee,

Sunday Roasts, Luncheons, Snacks

Cream Teas & Afternoon teas.

now open

RG170DN Tel: 01488 682515

but with reduced

please

Traditional Family Run Tea Shop check website

A Delicious www.thetuttipole.co.uk

Stop Along Great West Way

for details

hours due to Covid-19

GET OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

VISIT THE VALE OF PEWSEY IN WILTSHIRE

TRANQUIL SPIRITUAL ANCIENT

WWW.VISITPEWSEYVALE.CO.UK

• 20 former GWR steam locomotives,

including 2 replica broad gauge (7 ft)

locomotives, 40+ GWR coaches, 50+

GWR wagons, a working turntable,

with demonstrations on steam days, a

railway-themed playpark and a small

relics museum.

• Original (working) GWR locomotive

shed, & many other original GWR

buildings and infrastructure.

• Special events include Day Out With

Thomas (and to meet Father Christmas),

special gala events and also non-railway

related themed events.

PHONE OR SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS OF STEAMDAYS AND OTHER EVENTS

OPEN EVERY WEEKEND

DIDCOT, Oxfordshire, England, OX11 7NJ TEL: 01235 817200

E-MAIL: [email protected]

Entrance at Didcot Parkway rail station signed from M4 (junction 13) & A34

LEARN TO SKYDIVE

TANDEM SKYDIVE,

ACCELERATED FREE FALL & FIRST JUMP

COURSES

FLY FROM BATH, BRISTOL, GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND SOMERSET!

WWW.BRISTOLBALLOONS.CO.UK

Skydiving vouchers — from Tandem to Solo

Simply the best gift for every occasion!

Near Hungerford Real Ale & and Craft Marlborough

Beers

Real Ale & Craft Beers

Restaurant Real Ale & Craft Private Beers Dining

Restaurant & Private Dining

Delicious Food Locally Sourced

Restaurant Delicious & & Private Freshly Food Locally Prepared Dining Sourced

& Freshly Prepared

8 Luxurious en-suite Bedrooms

Delicious Food 8 Luxurious Locally en-suite Sourced

Bedrooms

Walker, Cyclist and Dog Friendly

& Freshly Walker, Prepared

Cyclist and Dog Friendly

[email protected]

8 Luxurious en-suite Bedrooms

01488 50 30 40

Walker, Cyclist www.crownandanchorham.co.uk

Dog Friendly

01488 01488 50 3050 4030 40

OPENING HOURS

OPENING HOURS Monday: Closed

Tuesday - Saturday:

Monday: Closed

11am—11pm

Tuesday - Saturday:

11am—11pm Food served

ONE OPENING DAY, ONE HOURS JUMP, ONE AMAZING ADVENTURE!

Monday: Closed

Tuesday - Saturday:

11am—11pm

12 noon— 2.30pm Food served

&

12 Home noon— of the 2.30pm ARMY PARACHUTE ASSOCIATION

& 6pm — 9.30pm

6pm — 9.30pm Home of the Red Devils & with some of the best Military Instructors anywhere

Sunday:

Sunday:

6pm — 9.30pm

12 noon—6pm

12 noon—6pm

Military discount on Tandems & Courses on request

Food served 12 noon—3pm

Learn with the best!

crownandanchorham.co.uk Sunday:

T: 01980 670734 12 noon—6pm

www.netheravon.com E: [email protected]

Food served Airfield 12 Camp, noon—3pm Netheravon, Wiltshire, SP4 9SF

Food served

12 noon— 2.30pm

Food served 12 noon—3pm

crownandanchorham.co.uk

SKYDIVE NETHERAVON

[email protected]

01488 50 30 40

crownandanchorham.co.uk

WITHIN EASY REACH OF THE GREAT WEST WAY

Inspiring a passion for

traditional weaving in Britain’s

oldest working silk mill, in

beautiful, rural Hampshire

Explore the home of Bombay Sapphire

in the heart of Hampshire

BOOK YOUR GIN EXPERIENCE TODAY: DISTILLERY.BOMBAYSAPPHIRE.COM

www.whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk

Accessible by train and shuttle bus from Overton and Micheldever Stations.

Bombay Sapphire Distillery | Whitchurch | Hampshire

[email protected] | 01256 890090

THE BISHOP'S PALACE

FIND

YOUR

HAPPY

PLACE

THE BISHOP'S PALACE

& GARDENS, WELLS

SOMERSET

FIND

YOUR

HAPPY

PLACE

01749 01749

988 988

111

111

WWW.BISHOPSPALACE.ORG.UK

WWW.BISHOPSPALACE.ORG.UK

Tarr Farm Inn

Tarr Steps, Dulverton, Exmoor, TA22 9PY

Telephone: +44 (0)1643 851507

Email: [email protected]

www.tarrfarm.co.uk

THANK YOU TO

THANK YOU THOSE TO OUR WHO AMBASSADORS

HELPED

US ALONG THE WAY

Title Ambassadors

Bristol Airport

Canal & River Trust

Great Western Railway

National Trust

Destination Ambassadors

Bath Business Improvement District

Bradford on Avon Town

Calne Town

Chippenham Town

Corsham Town

Cotswolds Tourism

Devizes Town

Henley on Thames Town

Hungerford Town

Malmesbury Town

Marlborough Town

Marlow Town

North Wessex Downs AONB

Reading UK

Royal Borough of

Windsor & Maidenhead

Steeple Ashton Village

Heritage Site

Swindon Town

Tourism South East

Trowbridge Town

Vale of Pewsey

Visit Bath

Visit Bristol

Visit Thames

VisitNewbury

VisitRichmond

VisitWiltshire

Designated Attraction

& Hotel Ambassadors

Aerospace Bristol

Bowood House & Garden, Calne

Cheddar Gorge & Caves

Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen,

Hungerford

Longleat, Warminster

McArthurGlen Designer Outlet,

Swindon

The Old Bell Hotel, Malmesbury

The Roman Baths, Bath

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa,

Bath

Stonehenge

Thermae Bath Spa, Bath

Wadworth Brewery & Tours, Devizes

West Berkshire Brewery, Yattendon

Westonbirt, The National

Arboretum, Tetbury

Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa,

Malmesbury

Windsor Castle

Discover more about

our Ambassadors at:


Gateway Ambassadors

Devizes Camping and Caravanning Club Site REME Museum, Lyneham

A Taste of England

Devizes Marina

River & Rowing Museum, Henley on Thames

Title Ambassadors

a’Beckett’s Vineyard, Devizes Gateway Ambassadors Devizes Marina Day Devizes Boat Hire Marina

Roman Prior Bath Park Private Landscape Hire Garden

Abbey Hotel, Bath

Devizes Wharf Tea room Devizes Marina Day Boat Hire The Rose Queens of Hungerford Arms, East Garston

Bristol The Airport Abbey Quarter, Reading Abbey Hotel Didcot Railway Centre Devizes Wharf Tea room Roseate Reading House Museum London, Tyburnia

Canal & Active River Trust England

The Abbey Quarter Donnington Grove, Newbury Didcot Railway Centre

The Roseate The Red Reading Lion East, Chisenbury

Great Western Alder Ridge Railway Vineyard, Hungerforda’Beckett’s Vineyard DoubleTree by Hilton, Donnington Swindon Grove

The Roseate REME Museum Villa Bath

National Trust

Active England

DoubleTree by Hilton, Swindon

River & Rowing Museum

Aldermaston Tea Rooms, Reading

Dukes Hotel, Bath

Roves Farm, Sevenhampton

Aldermaston Tea Rooms,

Dyrham Park

Roseate House London

Aldwick Estate, Bristol

Destination Ambassadors

Visitor Centre, & ShopDyrham Park, Chippenham The Engineman’s Rest Café Royal Berkshire, The Roseate Sunninghill Villa, Bath

Alison Howell’s Foottrails Aldwick Estate The Engineman’s Rest The Café, Farm Crofton Camp

The Royal The Oak, Roseate Yattendon Reading

Bath Business All Saints Improvement Church, Alton District Priors Alison Howell’s Foottrails Fashion Museum, Bath French Brothers

The Royal Rose Windsor of Hungerford Pub

Bradford American on Avon Town Museum & Garden, Bath Alton Priors Church French Brothers, Windsor Glenside Hospital Museum Salisbury Roves Camping Farm and Caravanning Club Site

Calne Town The Apartment Bath

Apex Hotel, Bath The Gainsborough Bath Great Spa Northern Hotel

Salisbury Royal Cathedral Oak, Yattendon

Chippenham Town

Arnos Vale Cemetery

Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport Salisbury Cathedral

Apex Hotel, Bath

The George Inn,

Salisbury, Stonehenge and Sarum Tours

Corsham

Around and About Bath

Hampton Court Palace

Salisbury, Stonehenge and Sarum Tours

Cotswolds Apsley Tourism House, London

Aspley House Norton St Philip Harrow at Little Bedwyn Sally Narrowboats, Salters Steamers Bradford on Avon

Destination Arnos Bristol Vale Cemetery, Bristol

Devizes Around Town and About Bath

Atwell-Wilson Motor Guyers Museum House Hotel, Helen Corsham Browning’s Royal Oak

Avalon Lodge Bed and Hampton Breakfast by Hilton Henley Bristol Greenlands Airport Hotel

Salters Savouring Steamers, Bath Reading

Shaw House Shaw House

Henley Atwell-Wilson Thames Motor Museum, Calne Avebury Landscape Wiltshire Hampton Court Palace, Heritage East Bed Molesey & Breakfast Sheephouse Skydive Manor Netheravon Cottages, Maidenhead

Hungerford

Avalon

Town

Lodge Bed and Breakfast,

Avon

Devizes

Valley Adventure

Helen

& Wildlife

Browning’s

Park

Royal

Hobbs

Oak,

of Henley

Bishopstone Sir Christopher

Stonor Park

Wren Hotel & Spa, Windsor

Malmesbury Town

Bailey Balloons

The Holburne Museum

South West Heritage Tours

Avebury Landscape

Henley Greenlands Hotel

Skydive Netheravon

Marlborough Town

Bainton Bikes

Holiday Inn, Salisbury - Stonehenge South Western Railway

Marlow Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Barbara Park, Bristol McLellan Henley Rowing Association Honey Street Boats & Café South Western Stourhead Railway

North Wessex Bailbrook Downs House AONB Hotel, Bath

Reading Bailey UK Balloons, Bristol

The Barn Theatre

Barrington Court

Heritage Bed & Breakfast, Hungerford Calne Wharf and Kintbury

Herongate Fitness & Iford Wellbeing, Manor Gardens Hungerford

Stay in SUP BathBristol

Stonehenge The Swan, and Bradford Avebury on World Avon Heritage Site

Royal Borough The Barn of Theatre, Windsor & Cirencester Bath Apartment Breaks The Hidden Gardens Inspirock of Bath

Stonehenge Swinley Landscape Bike Hub

Maidenhead

Barrington Court, Ilminster

The Bath Brew House

Hobbs of Henley

Jane Austen Centre

Stonor

Thames

Park, Henley

Lido

on Thames

Stonehenge & Avebury WHS

Bath Bus Company

Kenavon Venture

Thames Rivercruise

Bath Apartment Breaks

The Holburne Museum, Bath

Stourhead, Stourton

Swindon Town

Bath Self Catering

Koffmann & Mr. Whites

Three Tuns Freehouse

Tourism Bath South Area East Self Catering

Beanhill Farm B&B Holiday Inn, Salisbury English – Stonehenge and French Brasserie Strawberry Tintinhull Hill House Garden& Garden,

Trowbridge Bath Town Bus Company

Berkeley Castle Honey Street Mill Café Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Twickenham Totteridge Farm

Vale of Beanhill Pewsey Farm B&B, Chippenham Best Western Plus Angel Hotel Hotel, Novotel Reading Museum Centre and village

Sulis Guides Tour and Explore

Visit Bath The Bear Hotel, Devizes Chippenham Hungerford Wharf The Langley

The Swan Tours Hotel, 2 Order Bradford on Avon

Visit Thames

Berkeley Castle

Bombay Sapphire

Iford Manor Gardens,

Lido

Bradford

Bristol

on Avon

Swinley

TransWilts

Bike Hub

Community

Swinley Forest’s

Rail Partnership

Trail Centre,

Visit Newbury

Bozedown Alpacas

Lytes Cary Manor

Troutbeck

Visit Richmond

Best Western Plus Angel Hotel, Chippenham

Bristol Blue Glass

The Jane Austen Centre,

Macdonald

Bath

Hotel & Spa Bath

Bracknell

Tucking Mill Self catering

VisitWiltshire The Bird in Hand, Knowl Hill Bristol Cathedral The Kingsbury @ No.8, Maidenhead Marlborough Heritage Centre Teashop Tutti By Pole The Canal, Newbury

The Black Swan Hotel, Devizes Bristol Community Ferry Koffmann Boats & Mr White’s Manor English Farm B&B French

Thames Tyntesfield Lido, Reading

Designated Blenheim Attraction Palace, Woodstock Bristol Packet Boats Brasserie, Bath Marlborough College Summer School Thames University Rivercruise, of Bristol Reading Botanic Garden

& Hotel Bombay Ambassadors Sapphire, Whitchurch Bristol Tandem Hire Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot The Matthew Museum Of and Bristol Village Three Tuns Vaughan’s Freehouse, KitchenGreat Bedwyn

Bristol Zoo Gardens

Meadowbank House

Vintage Classics

Boscombe Down Aviation Collection, Salisbury The Langley, Slough

Tintinhull Garden

Aerospace Bristol

Brooks Guest House B&B, Bath

Merchants House

The Watermill Theatre

Alder Ridge

Bozedown

Vineyard

Alpacas, Reading

Bruce Branch Boats

Liberty Car Tours, Bath

Mompesson House

Totteridge

Wellington

Farm Camping

Arch

Pods, Pewsey

Bowood The House Bridge & Gardens Tea Rooms, Bradford on Brunel’s Avon SS Great Britain Lido Spa & Restaurant, Montacute Bristol House

Tour and West Explore Berkshire Museum

Cheddar Bristol Gorge Blue & Caves Glass

Buttle Farm Lytes Cary Manor The Museum of English Rural Life Tours 2 We Order The Curious

McArthurGlen Bristol Cathedral Designer Outlet, Swindon Canal Trust Café Maidenhead Heritage MV Centre Jubilee

TransWilts Whitchurch Community Silk Mill Rail Partner

Fashion Bristol Museum Community Bath Ferry Boats Castle Combe Circuit Manor Farm Courtyard Newark Cottages, Park Thatcham Troutbeck Wiltshire Guest landscape, House, East Stonehenge Chisenbury

Longleat

Cheddar Gorge

The Newbury Pub

Wiltshire Museum

Bristol Packet Boats

The Manor House, Castle Combe

Tucking Mill View, Midford

The Roman Baths

The Chilterns View

Newbury Racecourse

Wiltshire Music Centre

Royal Crescent

Bristol Tandem

Hotel & Spa

Hire

Chippenham Museum

Marlborough College

No.

Summer

1 Royal Crescent

School

Turner’s

Wiltshire

House,

Wildlife

Twickenham

Trust, Blakehill Farm

Stonehenge The Bristol Wing

and Heritage Centre The Matthew of Bristol Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm

The Tutti Wiltshire Pole, Hungerford

Wildlife Trust, Lower Moor

Thermae Britain’s Bath Spa Best Heritage Tours Church Farm Country The Cottages Merchant’s House, The Marlborough

Old Bell, Malmesbury Tyntesfield, Wiltshire Wraxall Wildlife Trust, Jones’s Mill

Wadworth Brooks Brewery Guest & House Tours B&B, Bath Clifton Suspension Bridge Mill Farm Glamping, The Poulshot Old Chapel

University Woolley of Bristol Grange Botanic Hotel Garden

West Berkshire Brooks Guest Brewery House B&B, Bristol& Visitor Centre Mompesson House, Old Salisbury Sarum

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum Cobbs Farm Shop

Oldbury Tours

Bruce Branch Boats, Marlborough

Monkey Island Estate, Bray

Whatley Manor

Compass Holidays

Parkway Shopping, Newbury

Windsor Brunel’s Castle SS Great Britain, Bristol The Courts Garden Montacute House Pound Arts

Buttle Farm, Compton Bassett Cricklade Hotel Museum of East Asian Practical Art, Bath Car and Motorhome

Canal Trust Café,

Bradford on Avon

Crofton Beam Engines The Museum of English hire, Rural Chippenham Life, Reading

Cumberwell Country MV Cottages Barbara McLellan, Prince Bradford Street on Social Avon

Castle Combe Circuit, Chippenham

MV Jubilee, Newbury

Castle Hotel, Windsor

MV Kenavon Venture, Devizes

Cheddar Camping and Caravanning Club Site National Garden Scheme

Cheddar Gorge

Newark Park, Ozleworth

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

Chertsey Camping and Caravanning Club Site

The Chilterns View, Wallingford

Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre

Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm, Salisbury

Church Farm Country Cottages, Bradford on Avon

Clayton’s Kitchen, Bath

Cliffe Farm Dairy, West Lavington

Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol

Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen, Englefield

Compass Holidays, Cheltenham

Cotswold Water Park, South Cerney

The Courts Garden, Trowbridge

Cricklade House Hotel, Swindon

Crofton Beam Engines, Crofton

The Crown & Anchor, Ham

The Crown, Tolldown

Cumberwell Country Cottages, Bradford on Avon

The Newbury Pub

Newbury Racecourse

No. 1 Royal Crescent, Bath

No.15 Great Pulteney, Bath

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, Wraxall

Old Sarum, Salisbury

Oldbury Tours

Original Wild, Bath

Parkway Shopping Centre, Newbury

Pennyhill Park, Bagshot

The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham

Practical Car & Van Hire, Chippenham

The Prince Street Social, Bristol

Prior Park Landscape Garden, Bath

The Queens Arms Hotel, East Garston

Reading Museum

Red Lion Freehouse, East Chisenbury

Vaughan’s Kitchen, Devizes

Vintage Classics, Melksham

Visit Hillbrush, Mere

Waddesdon Manor

Walton on Thames Camping and

Caravanning Club Site

The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor

The Wave, Bristol

We The Curious, Bristol

Wellington Arch, London

West Berkshire Museum, Newbury

Whitchurch Silk Mill

White Horse Inn, Compton Bassett

Wilton Windmill

Wiltshire Museum, Devizes

Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon

Windsor Carriages

Windsor Duck Tours

Woolley Grange Hotel, Bradford on Avon

WWT Blakehill Farm Nature Reserve,

Swindon

WWT Jones’s Mill at the Vera Jeans Reserve,

Pewsey

WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes

WWT Lower Moor Farm

Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

YMCA, Bath

Begin your next adventure at


WHICH WAY NEXT?


Great West Way® Travel Magazine | Issue 03

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