Great West Way Travel Magazine | Issue 04

2021 Annual Edition

TRAVEL MAGAZINE | ISSUE 04

GreatWestWay.co.uk

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 WILTSHIRE THE GREAT WEST WAY

Explore picturesque Pewsey Vale and historic Bradford on Avon along the Great West Way touring route.

Find out more at GWR.com/GreatWestWay

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Pictured Below: Family enjoying the canal life in Newbury; Couple at Windsor Royal Station planning their journey.

WELCOME TO SAFE TRAVEL

BE CURIOUS. BE RESPONSIBLE. IT HAS BEEN SIX MONTHS since we launched our first virtual edition of the Great West Way Travel Magazine, and yet despite the challenges faced since, businesses along the route have achieved so much.

From award-winning restoration projects, new paddle boarding tours along the Bradfordon-Avon river to the launch of Bridgerton-themed holiday itineraries. There’s even a new Banksy - unexpectedly unveiled on the walls of the disused Reading jail - along with yet many more new immersive, and self-guided, experiences.

Alfresco dining options, and other safety measures have been introduced at our hotels, attractions, restaurants, and pubs and the Great West Way team have kept innovating too.

We hope you will enjoy our new Kennet & Avon Canal map, with 87 miles of magnificent sites and spectacular landscapes to explore by water. We have new branded signage along the route, and have just launched a new video campaign travelling the entire length from London to Bristol virtually.

Our 2021 edition is full of yet more inspiration, from Unforgettable Experiences (p42) to Striking Architecture (p56), Gourmet Guide (p84), Museum Gems (p90) and so much more.

As we wait for travel restrictions to be lifted, and continue to bring the Great West Way to you, we hope that planning your future staycation will have never been easier - and we look forward to offering you the warmest of welcomes once travel returns.

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.

Jessicax

Jessica Way Editor-in-Chief, Great West Way Travel Magazine Download your Great West Way map: : GreatWestWay.co.uk/explore/maps

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Brunel’s SS Great Britain

Bradford on Avon Iford Manor Gardens

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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 2021 Annual | Edition 04

Pictured left then clockwise: The Kennet & Avon Canal meanders through the market town of Newbury; Marlborough College Summer School; and Burbage village in Wiltshire

DISCOVER OUR WAY

EXPLORE THE ROUTE

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THE WAY FORWARD A look at some of the highlights and what’s new on the Great West Way for 2021.

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AERIAL VISTAS Enjoy the Great West Way from a bird's-eye view with our selection of scenic virtual tours and captivating drone footage.

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MY GREAT WEST WAY Discover the Great West Way through the eyes of a local, Communications Manager in charge of the UK's largest town, Alex Brannen.

ENJOYING THE RIVER The Great West Way flows along with wonderful waterways, offering plenty of opportunities to splash about in the water.

PHONE TOURS 39 SMART Discover the Great West Way at your own

pace with these easy-to-follow smartphone apps.

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10 UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES Packed with hidden gems and unexpected treasures, there’s something for everyone to experience along the Great West Way.

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Pictured: Cyclists at Windsor Castle

PUBLISHED BY

Contista Media Ltd Mitchell House, Brook Avenue, Warsash, Southampton, Hampshire, SO31 9HP contistamedia.co.uk Brought to you by the Great West Way

COVER IMAGE

Woodland walk in Wiltshire Family and their dog enjoy a picturesque walk along the river in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

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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!

ARCHITECTURE ON THE GREAT WEST WAY 56 STRIKING There are many impressive styles of architecture to see on the Great West Way. How many in our list have you visited?

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GARDENS THROUGH THE SEASONS The gardens of the Great West Way are beautiful whatever the season, but here are the must-sees throughout the year..

78 With a special thanks to: Bristol Airport, Canal & River Trust, GWR, and National Trust

Image copyright credits: Throughout ©GreatWestWay.co.uk / Marlborough College p5: Pete Davies Photography. Windsor, p12, Bath, p45, STEAM, p90: @nicksmithphotography.com. SS Great Britain, p92: © Adam Gasson. Stonor p21: Paul Upward Photography.

Bath, p50: ©VisitBritain/Simon Winnall. Architecture p59: Great Pagoda Jeff Eden © RBG Kew. Playing croquet on the lawn at Tyntesfield, Somerset, p72: ©National Trust Images/Trevor Ray Hart. Bristol Science Centre: P93 ©VisitBritain / Pawel Libera.

Wellness p98: Getty Images/iStockphoto. Thermae Bath Spa, p101: ©jon@attenborough.net. Hotel Stays, p108: ©VisitBritain / Joanna Henderson. Monkey Island Estate, p113: Credit: Isabelle Plasschaert / Alamy Stock Photo.

Follow us on Twitter @theGreatWestWay Facebook @GreatWestWay Instagram.com/GreatWestWay

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.

HISTORIC STOPS: TRAIN TRAVEL Making tracks on the Great West Way can point you at endless amounts of history and fun facts to be discovered along its length from London to Bristol.

YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE

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GOURMET GUIDE: FOOD & DRINK Discover a wealth of hidden culinary delights and epicurean experiences on the Great West Way.

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MUSEUM GEMS The Great West Way is home to some of England’s most fascinating heritage sites and unmissable museums to visit on your journey.

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MIND, BODY AND SOUL Take some time out for yourself and re-energise by adding some wellness to your trip.

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POST-COVID HOTEL STAYS From the city, riverside, to the countryside - a safe and warm welcome awaits.

Wonders await

those who venture off the beaten path...

Royal patronage, rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture and beautiful natural scenery along a 20 mile stretch of the River Thames. Add to this an abundance of places to stay from 5 star resorts to riverside camping, quaint villages, one-ofa-kind shops and a culinary scene headed by the likes of Heston Blumenthal and you’ll have a reasonable idea of the treats in store for you in and around Windsor.

#RoyalBoroughUnlocked www.windsor.gov.uk

THE WAY FORWARD A look at some of the highlights and what’s new on the Great West Way

LOCKDOWN MIGHT HAVE PUT A STOP TO MANY THINGS, BUT IT HASN’T STOPPED HOTELIERS PREPARING TO ENSURE A VERY WARM WELCOME ONCE IT IS SAFE FOR VISITORS TO RETURN. For the ultimate city break you would be hard pushed to find a better place to stay than the new Townhouse at the Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel. The TV series Bridgerton had us swooning over the ravishing city of Bath, used as a location, and now there’s this. Offering the best of both worlds – ultra luxurious self-catering for up to five people, plus the hotel next door for dining out or using the spa. The real wow factor facility here, however, is private access to the Cross Bath. This sacred open-air bath taps in to the city’s thermal waters and beats a hot tub any day! Prices start from £183 per night.  thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk

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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.

IN NEED OF A LUXURY SPA BREAK IN A REMARKABLE LOCATION TO RECOVER THE MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT? Perfectly sited adjacent to Windsor Great Park and The Savill Garden, this regal country estate is destined to be the UK’s leading wellness retreat comprising a sprawling world-class spa spanning 2,500 square metres with indoor and outdoor pools, 18 treatments rooms, a salt room, Hamman and Japanese foot spa. Set in beautifully landscaped gardens, the new hotel resembles an English countryside sanctuary following a multi-million-pound redevelopment of the former Savill Court Hotel. A home away from home, with 200 spacious guestrooms and suites with modern interiors using natural stone and soft textures, and with many offering sweeping views of the surrounding gardens.

There’s also a Library club and even a barbershop under license from the iconic St. James’s based Truefitt & Hill – the oldest Barbershop in the world.  fairmont-windsorpark.com

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

› 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.

› 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.

THE LUNA DRIVE-IN CINEMA IS BACK FOR THE SUMMER!

With the government roadmap in place, The Luna Cinema is giving movie lovers the chance to experience new and classic movies in a nostalgic, socially distanced setting. From May, hosted at Blenheim Palace, everyone’s favourite cult films from Legally Blonde to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, as well as classics like The Goonies, Grease, Back to the Future and Dirty Dancing will be screening.

For further details and screen times visit:  lunadriveincinema.com/blenheim-palace

› 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.

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Take your time on the Kennet & Avon Canal

FANCY AN URBAN ADVENTURE TO ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S HIPPEST CITIES, STAYING IN A BOUTIQUE HOTEL WITH A DIFFERENCE?

Arty micro chain Artist Residence is set to open its fifth hotel in a former boot factory in Bristol’s Portland Square.

An eclectic mix of art and vintage, the new venue includes 28 quirky bedrooms alongside a café, bar and events space. Your home from home in the heart of creative Bristol, with comfy beds and a stylish decor of industrial, vintage and bohemian collections. Book the spacious Artist Suite – it features original Georgian cornicing, super king size bed, open bathroom with free-standing roll-top bathtub and powerful rainfall shower.  artistresidence.co.uk/our-hotels/bristol

VISIT THE WORLDS FIRST AND ONLY HORROR EXPERIENCE DEDICATED TO AUTHOR MARY SHELLEY AND HER CREATION, FRANKENSTEIN!

Extending over four atmospheric floors, including a dank foreboding basement, Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein is a new visitor attraction located in Bath's Gay Street. The experience promises to be scarily atmospheric, multi-sensory and fully immersive, "If I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear" Shelley once said.

Afterwards, take a short (8-10 minutes) stroll down to the Abbey Churchyard, where she wrote the majority of Frankenstein, whilst living in lodgings - now home to the iconic Pump Room (next to The Roman Baths).  houseoffrankenstein.com

STAY CONNECTED

BANKSY ARTWORK ON THE WALL OF READING PRISON

Reading’s former Grade II-listed prison, where Wilde was held between 1895 and 1897, has been causing a bit of a media stir. It is yet to be decided if the site is going to be knocked down for a housing or redeveloped into an exciting new cultural hub for the town. We are hopeful for the latter, and it seems both Banksy, whose prisoner artwork appeared on the side of the prison wall, possibly resembling famous inmate Oscar Wilde - escaping on a rope made of bedsheets tied to a typewriter – and Kate Winslet, who grew up in Reading, are too. Kate has been showing her support by supporting theatre company Rabble who have plans for an immersive new theatre space.

CLICK HERE

TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-NEWSLETTER

 livingreading.co.uk

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e li n on l g ia i n nt ok sse Bo e

Explore ancient chambers and sacred springs in the heart of Bath.

Book your slot online at: romanbaths.co.uk

V I RT UAL SPECIAL

AERIAL VISTAS Enjoy the Great West Way from a bird's-eye view with our selection of stunning panoramic virtual tours and captivating drone footage!

Words: Samantha Rutherford

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CLICK HERE

WINDSOR

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OLD SARUM

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READING 18

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BATH

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BAILEY BALLOONS

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STONOR

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BRISTOL

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BLENHEIM PALACE 24

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MY GRE AT WE ST WAY :

ALEX BRANNEN

Discover the Great West Way through the eyes of a local, the Communications Manager in charge of the UK's largest town So, we hear it is an exciting year for Reading with plans for a potential new cultural hub and an anniversary to celebrate – tell us more?

Alex: Yes, Reading’s disused Victorian prison, where Oscar Wilde was convicted after his affair with Lord Alfred Douglas was exposed, is hopefully going to be given approval for an exciting redevelopment plan of the area into a new diverse cultural and arts hub.

The prison is also part of the Abbey Quarter area, which celebrates 900 years this year and it is possible that King Henry I of England is buried under what is the car park of the Prison. The Abbey Ruins are separated from the Prison by one high wall, so this is part of a huge cultural area's potential regeneration.

You must be busy then?!

Alex: Always! However, there has been plenty of support from passionate locals and artists too. The prison has been used for cultural events for a number of years now, with many celebrities performing in 2016 including Ralph Fiennes and Patti Smith, as well as our ArtAngel exhibition which features the work of people such as Steve McQueen. Professional theatre company Rabble have some exciting ideas to bring to the redevelopment – Banksy has recently claimed a new piece of wall art on the side of the Prison wall and Kate Winslet has already promised to perform on opening night if the plans became a reality. →

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Pictured left-right: Maiwand Lion - - one of the biggest cast iron statues in the world. Reading's Abbey Quarter; The Oracle Shopping Centre, Reading's Riverside; Reading Prison: the restored Edwardian Thames Lido.

What’s a typical day like for you?

Alex: I work with hotels, museums, river boat companies, shops and other tourism businesses to make sure Reading puts on its best face for visitors.

Reading is a bit of an undiscovered gem, but through the Great West Way, visitors are beginning to see the breadth of what we have to offer. We are blessed with the rivers Thames and Kennet and surrounding lakes used for boating, swimming, SUP, jet ski-ing and inflatable fun. Reading is a great outdoor destination as well as a historic urban stopover.

What do you love most about your job?

Alex: I love taking people around Reading and telling them the story of this fascinating place. Many people don’t know that Oscar Wilde and Jane Austen have strong links with Reading or that England’s last undiscovered King, Henry I, was buried here. The UK’s most famous biscuit manufacturer, Huntley and Palmers, owned half the town in Victorian times and we have glorious stretches of the River Thames and Kennet flowing through the heart of the town. And there’s loads more…not least a vibrant cultural scene.

How did you get started?

Alex: I started off my working life in tourism in London in the 1990s, which was such an exciting time for the Capital. After doing a variety of other jobs, I am really enjoying sharing my enthusiasm again for the place in which I live. Living and working in one place means you really get the measure of what makes it tick.

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What achievements are you most proud of?

Alex: I trained for the 2018 Reading Half Marathon, a race that attracts 14,000 people to run through the streets of the town every spring. I had never been a runner but the whole of Reading turns out to support the runners on Marathon Day – there’s a great atmosphere - and you get the chance to run round many of Reading’s main streets closed to traffic and finish in the Madejski Stadium, home of the Royals, Reading Football Club. Sadly, freak snow led to the cancellation of the race and I had to use my training to run the 22 km elsewhere, but I managed it!

What do you find inspiring day-to-day? What keeps the enthusiasm going?

Alex: There is a real sense of pride in Reading about our town – our heritage - both the buildings and the people, our cultural scene, dynamic business environment and neighbourliness. We are a welcoming place that wants to share what we have with people more widely. We think visitors will agree.

Any interesting or funny anecdotes related to your role or your experiences with visitors that you can share?

Alex: Not funny but maybe useful when you get here.

The pronunciation of Reading is like the colour Red in ‘Redding’ not like ‘reading’ a book. Locals sometimes refer to the town as ‘the Ding’ and if you are looking for Reading on twitter, search #rdguk.

What does slow travel mean to you?

Alex: I cycle to work in Reading town centre every day – Reading is a good scale for cycling. We also have lovely footpaths along the Thames and Kennet, river boat companies, the UK’s best bus company and a £900 million train station in the heart of the town. For me, slow travel is any journey where you don’t have to take the car. Any of those would be THE BEST way to visit Reading.

What do you think makes the Great West Way special?

Alex: I know when I travel on holiday that a trail type itinerary that brings together a diverse experience and range of places really helps me explore under my own steam. I think the Great West Way will provide great ideas for exploring a special part of England and allow visitors to see a number of different sides of our country, from charming countryside and villages to gritty multicultural urban landscapes – all within really easy travelling distance of each other.

Do you have any insider tips or advice for travellers who want to experience the touring route ‘like a local’?

Alex: Chat to people when you are visiting/travelling.

Diffident British people probably won’t make the first move to talk to you but if you ask their opinion or start the ball rolling they’ll be delighted to share their knowledge and experience with you. My best holiday memories have always involved local people so treat

every pub, train journey or shopping trip as a chance to make a new friend.

Describe your perfect adventure on the Great West Way: Alex: I think it is the diversity of any one day on the Great West Way that makes it special. If you were in Reading, that could involve a guided tour of the Abbey Ruins, open air swimming at the restored Edwardian Thames Lido, watching Reading FC in action at the ‘Mad Stad’, afternoon tea at The Roseate or a great live band at one of Reading’s many live music venues.

What’s your favourite thing to eat or drink along the touring route, a meal, a local delicacy or a favourite tipple perhaps? And any cafes, restaurants or pubs you can recommend?

Alex: Many first time visitors to the UK are surprised by how multicultural our country is. 150 languages are spoken in Reading schools, for example. For food and drink fans, one of the benefits of our multicultural society is the amazing choice of food on offer. In Reading, you could try the Spanish/North African influence at Thames Lido, the new Ethiopean café in Palmer Park, Modern Indian at Clays Hyderabadi or the non-licensed Lebanese Bakery House or take your pick on the Wednesday/Friday street food markets.

Fans of ‘bitter’ (British ale/beer) should head for one of the best pubs in the south of England, the Nags Head or one of the new taprooms springing up around Reading. →

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Connecting Wiltshire’s Communities

NEW! TransWilts Walking and Cycling leaflets from  transwilts.org Bike hire available from  Melksham Station

arrowdown

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

The joy of the Great West Way is that every traveller’s experience is different.

Every journey is exceptional in its own way.

Are you a city, town or country person?

Alex: Definitely a city person. Having said that, as a family we walk in the nearby lovely Chiltern Hills just north of Reading whenever we can, and we enjoy a ramble round the walls of the abandoned Roman city of Silchester, south of Reading. But I never tire of the buzz of people so it’s a city life for me.

If you could choose one must-visit attraction along the Great West Way, what would it be and why?

Alex: Perhaps not strictly an attraction, but the River Thames from London to Reading is a majestic waterway and its many twists and turns tell the story of this part of the world. Take some time to walk, cycle, take a cruise, hire a boat, row or even swim!

Can you pick a place along the Great West Way that best represents you and what you do?

Alex: I have lived and worked in London, Wiltshire and Reading along the Great West Way so I know the territory well. I’ve travelled much further afield too but London remains for me the greatest city I have ever explored. If the scale of London might be a bit overwhelming, Reading offers many of the advantages of big city life without the drawbacks. If I were to choose a weekend away on the trail, I’d head to Bristol.

A great maritime history, University city and urban grit, Bristol wears its green credentials proudly and is a great cultural destination as well.

What do you think will surprise first-time visitors about the Great West Way? Alex: The Great West Way is dense with things to do and places to visit. You might think you are going to ‘skate’ through it in no time, but you could easily spend several weeks! The route is particularly rich in great specialist museums. In Reading, try the museum of food and the countryside - the Museum of English Rural Life, or seek out the Huntley Palmer biscuit tin collection at the Reading Museum.

Are there any English stereotypes or traditions you’d like to set straight?

Alex: I think visitors sometime have an outdated concept of what England and the English are like. Like every country, our history and culture has evolved in recent decades, but we have done a good job in protecting the best of our countryside and built heritage. On the Great West Way, you’ll be able to find a traditional view of England often depicted in films, but you will also find a vibrant, cosmopolitan place that celebrates the best of the world in a harmonious co-existence.

What’s your preferred mode of transport: train, car, bus or boat? Why? Alex: I would choose bike – you can set your own pace, stop where you like, get off the beaten track and you just see so much more than you do through a window.

Oh, and it’s good for you!

Read more interviews with the people who make the Great West Way so special - chefs, gardeners, tour guides and more.

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ENJOYING THE RIVER Since the Great West Way flows along with wonderful waterways, opportunities to splash about in the water abound Words: Samantha Rutherford

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LONG THE GREAT WEST WAY there are plentiful opportunities to mess about in boats – or in canoes, or on a paddle board perhaps. And, with the Kennet & Avon Canal linking the River Thames in the east with the River Avon in the west, the Great West Way can even be travelled without setting foot on dry land!

For a sedate sort of water sport, try one of the many types of boating trips. You could hire a rowing boat at Henley-on-Thames and gently row downstream, past rafts of fluffy ducklings. Or kayak carefully down the Thames, past the Houses of Parliament and other equally big sites, on an alternative tour of London. Or even go stand-up paddle boarding on Bristol's Floating Harbour.

Water sports aren’t just for lakes or oceans, the rivers and harbours along the way are ideal waterways to cool down in and try something new. Paddle past Brunel’s SS Great Britain whilst on a tour of Bristol Harbour - or tackle the Giant SUP from Original Wild which fits up to 9 people, as well as kayaking, canoeing and raft building. It’s a great bonding experience and totally hilarious, there’s nothing like a bit of laughter therapy! You can also swim in the river at designated places such as Warleigh Weir near Bath and north of Dundas Aqueduct.

The Great West Way’s scenic waterways support various water sports too. Canoeing, kayaking, canal boat riding, stand-up paddle boarding… Viewing the touring route from the water will give you a whole different perspective on the landscape and its natural inhabitants. Just watch out for the blue flash of a kingfisher as it dips down to catch a fish. (Speaking of which, there are many places in the Great West Way to go fishing too.)

There are some more heart-pumping options as well, such as Cotswolds Water Park, comprised of 150 lakes, ideal for people who like being by - or more specifically on or in - the water. You can kayak, canoe, windsurf, waterski, wakeboard, sail or brave the chilly waters and go for a refreshing open water swim. Or you can just hire a great big inflatable and have a laugh in the water with family and friends.

The Thames might be London’s river, but it is away from the city, further west on the Great West Way, that the waterway is at its most beautiful. The River Thames flows through Windsor, Henley-on-Thames, Reading and Oxford (where it is called the Isis). Did you know that at 215 miles, it is the longest river entirely in England and the second-longest in the UK, after the River Severn? Climb aboard one of the Thames River Boat’s vessels at Kew to →

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“Cruise upsteam through Boveney Lock passing The Willows, Bray Film Studios and Monkey Island enjoying the wonderful views of Windsor Castle.”

Richmond and Hampton Court and spot wildlife while cruising down the river. On this relaxed journey you’ll pass Kew Gardens and Richmond Park before sailing on through the locks at Richmond, past the imposing Palladian villa of Marble Hill House and the splendid 17th-century Ham House, to reach the historic royal palace at Hampton Court.

Further upriver, there are boat trips with French Brothers departing from Windsor Promenade. You’ll cruise upsteam through Boveney Lock passing The Willows, Bray Film Studios and Monkey Island enjoying the wonderful views of Windsor Castle during the return journey.

Or, you might enjoy hiring a boat in Henley or join Salters Steamers along the Thames from Reading to Henley, Wind in the Willows style. Or why not head along the Kennet & Avon Canal on a Canadian canoe from Towpath Canoe Hire, Bradford on Avon?

The Kennet & Avon Canal is 87 miles of beautiful waterway from Reading to Bristol. No matter where you are along the stretch, there are plenty of chances to get out on the water. Hop on Jubilee, The Rose of Hungerford, Kenavon Venture or Barbara Mclellan for a relaxing boat trip. If you want to have a go at being captain and explore the canal for longer, you can hire you own canal boat at Honeystreet Mill Boats and Café, Bruce Accessible Boats and Sally Narrowboats.

Cyclists might prefer flowing along the Kennet & Avon Canal on two wheels along the cycle paths

from Bath to Reading. The 85mile cycle route is packed with amazing attractions, incredible countryside and an abundance of wildlife. Highlights along the way include Bradford on Avon’s Tithe Barn, the Pewsey White Horse and the dramatic flight of locks at Caen Hill. For a day ride that’s not overly challenging, the Bath to Devizes section (22 miles) is almost completely traffic-free. Why not start your bike ride in Reading and finish in the spa city of Bath where you can treat yourself to a hot soak at Thermae Bath Spa!

If you don’t want to travel the Great West Way entirely by canal and river, there are numerous places along the route for getting out on the water for the day or even just for an hour or two. South Oxfordshire is an area full of natural beauty, picturesque villages, shops to browse and places to stay and to eat. Book a stay in Henley-on-Thames, home to the world’s most famous rowing event, the annual Henley Royal Regatta.

The regatta first took place in 1839 and now every July the stretch of →

the river that runs through this attractive town on the Berkshire-Oxfordshire border hosts races that attract the very best international crews. A channel of the river stays open to spectators throughout the event – this is a great time to take to the water and see world-class rowing up close.

The rest of the year there are cruises with Hobbs of Henley on the same stretch of water, including short sightseeing cruises, wildlife spotting trips, gin and jazz nights and even Christmas cruises to meet Santa.

The other side of the North Wessex Downs you will come to the Caen Hill Lock Flight, known in narrowboating circles as one of the biggest and best challenges in English canal cruising. This flight of locks on the Kennet & Avon Canal runs for just over two miles up the eponymous hill into the market town of Devizes. On this stretch the canal rises 237 feet (72 metres), using 29 locks to manoeuvre boats up and down the hill. Tackling the lock flight – in either direction – takes at least half a day. Each lock must be manually opened and closed using heavy wooden gates, each time allowing the water to either fill the lock or drain away from it to change the water level and keep you climbing up or down.

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Standing atop your boat and feeling the water rise or fall around you is one of any narrowboating holiday’s most memorable moments – that and mooring up at the pub afterwards, of course. You can visit or stay at the nearby Devizes Marina Village, where you hire a canal boat to tackle the locks yourself. If you don’t fancy doing the grunt work yourself, you can leave your narrowboat at Foxhangers at the bottom of the hill and walk up to the town along the towpath, watching others hard at work as you go.

The Kennet & Avon Canal continues to travel along the Great West Way from Newbury in the east to Bath in the west. One of the prettiest sections of this historic waterway is the section between the delightful Wiltshire town of Bradford on Avon and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath. Bath Narrowboats have electric boat and canoe hire from Brassknocker Basin, five miles outside Bath, and one day is ample time for exploring this quiet stretch of water with its canalside pubs and tea gardens. Allow some time in Bradford on Avon itself too, this pretty town has Medieval and Georgian buildings tumbling down the hillside to the water’s edge, many of them now excellent delis, cafés and boutiques.

In the south of The Cotswolds and just north of Swindon is an extensive area of watery playground.

Over some 40 square miles, more than 150 lakes pool across the landscape, offering myriad ways to get out on the water. This is the best place on the Great West Way to try your hand at waterskiing, wakeboarding or windsurfing or to have a go at the latest watersports craze, stand up paddleboarding.

You can learn to sail here too, and there are canoes, kayaks and rowing boats for hire, as well as thrilling rides atop massive inflatables that are sure to put a smile on your face.

Rather just have a swim? Head to Cotswold Country Park and Beach where the South Lake has an extensive beach and a paddling area for children, plus pedalos and rowing boats for hire.

In Bath, Original Wild has stand up paddle boarding tours leaving from Pulteney Bridge, which will introduce the city from a very different angle, standing on a board afloat in the Avon.

Along the river at Forester Road, Bath Boating Station hire out canoes, kayaks, skiffs and punts so that you can explore at your own pace.

Or, you could cruise along the River Avon to Bathampton, a pretty village just two miles east of Bath, or into the city as far as Pulteney Bridge. If you’d rather stick to easier waters, the more placid Kennet & Avon Canal meets the Avon in Bath and there are narrowboats for hire by the day from Bath Narrowboats.

At the end of the route Bristol’s Floating Harbour offers not only one of the best ways to get around the city by ferry, with boats running from Temple Meads train station into and around the city centre and Floating Harbour, but there are also cream tea cruises on the River Avon with Bristol Packet.

Bristol Ferries run cruises out to Beese’s Tea Garden for lunch, dinner or afternoon tea, and you can also paddle board around with SUP Bristol.

Bristol Packet and Bristol Ferries also offer cruises from the Floating Harbour to Avon Gorge and Wapping Wharf, where you’ll sail along the River Avon beside Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s SS Great Britain, and beneath the Clifton Suspension Bridge, another of the great engineer’s imposing and unmissable designs.

Have you a copy of our new Kennet & Avon Canal map?

Slow down and enjoy 87 miles of the Kennet & Avon Canal with our Great West Way map to include places to visit, recommended accommodation, waterside restaurants and more.  GreatWestWay.co.uk/explore/maps

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MADE OF ENGLAND

AT T H E H E A R T O F T H E G R E AT W E ST 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

FIV E OF T HE BE ST

SMART PHONE TOURS

Discover the Great West Way at your own pace with these easy-to-follow smartphone apps

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BANKSY BRISTOL TRAIL

Fans of street art will love this new self-guided smart phone tour in Bristol dedicated to the famous pseudonymous street artist, Banksy. The tour takes you to see his works of art around the Floating Harbour, Park Street, Stokes Croft and Montpelier, and includes Valentine, the new artwork that only appeared in Bristol last year.

CLICK HERE

TO DOWNLOAD ON THE APP STORE OR GET IT ON GOOGLE PLAY

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CLICK HERE

TO FIND OUT MORE AND TO BOOK THE BATH AND WILTSHIRE TOUR

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WALKING TOURS, BATH

Lose yourself without getting lost with the must-have app when visiting Bath.

Available from the iTunes App Store or Google Play to your mobile phone or tablet this app offers a large choice of themed sightseeing walks to include Bath’s museums, coffee shops and shopping gems, to where to find Jane Austen.

CLICK HERE

TO DOWNLOAD GPSMYCITY

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BRUNEL TOUR, BRISTOL

When in Bristol, The Boat and the Bridge: an audio tour about the creations and genius of Brunel, offers a fantastic selfguided insight into the creations and genius of Brunel. Wind your way along the river Avon, on a route that’s almost entirely pedestrianised, and end at the Clifton Suspension Bridge’s official viewpoint.

CLICK HERE

TO DOWNLOAD THE BOAT AND THE BRIDGE

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SELF-GUIDED WALKS

Take your self-guided exploration to the next level with an organised walking holiday. Socially distancing yourself from others is made easy when you are going solo, and with the experts taking care of your itinerary, maps and downloadable tours all you need to worry about is enjoying the journey. Try Cotswolds Walks self-guided five night Bath and Wiltshire tour, visit the World Heritage Site of Bath with Roman Baths and Spa, and see the iconic villages of Castle Combe and Lacock with its magnificent Abbey.

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NATIONAL TRUST APP

If you plan to visit one of the beautiful National Trust properties on the Great West Way, Basildon Park, The Courts Garden or Tyntesfield perhaps, then be sure to download the free National Trust - Days Out App. Plan and enhance your visit by staying up to date with events throughout the year, download maps, keep a record of the places you’ve visited, and make a wish list for where to go next. Plus, everything you need is available offline, so you can use the app even in the most remote and off-grid locations!

CLICK HERE

TO DOWNLOAD THE NATIONAL TRUST APP ON THE APP STORE OR GET IT ON GOOGLE PLAY

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TEN OF T HE BE ST

UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES The Great West Way is packed with hidden gems and unexpected treasures. There’s something for everyone, and we hope you enjoy our top ten unmissable adventures

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FOR THE CYCLIST

Did you know the National Cycle Network route can take you the entire length of the Great West Way, and beyond? In total, from Greenwich, London to Fishguard, Wales it’s an epic 432 miles.

Whether you choose to challenge yourself to a week-long tour of the entire route from London to Bristol (Route 4) or prefer to explore sections of the Great West Way at a more leisurely pace, you will be sure to find your perfect ride. The rural

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charm of the touring route, including three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, makes it a dreamy destination for any bike tour. There are plenty of family-friendly woodland paths, long distance cycle routes and exhilarating downhill mountain bike trails. There are even lots of cute bike-friendly B&Bs to stay in on your way. Experiencing the route on a bike or e-bike is a fabulous option for a charity challenge, a rewarding solo adventure or an unforgettable family day out.

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.

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Did you know?

The Great West Way route passes through three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In London, the southern section of The Chilterns’ 324-miles makes a great start to the route, The Wiltshire White Horses and the White Horse at Uffington will be a joy to spot ambling in the North Wessex Downs, or start your tour from Bath and follow The Cotswold Way north, for 102 more, glorious miles.

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FOR THE WALKER

Why not try the Great West Way six-day walking and sightseeing tour? If you love nothing more than exploring by foot then this fabulous themed itinerary, taking you to some of the very best locations along the route, will be sure not to disappoint. Highlights include walking to Ancient Avebury and Jones’s Mill Nature Reserve, through pretty villages including Calne and Devizes, and visiting attractions to include Westonbirt, The

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National Arboretum, The Roman Baths’ Great Bath by the light of flickering torches and Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Worried you won’t keep up?

The walks are mainly flat and vary in length from a reasonable four-nine miles. There are plenty of pubs and cafés along the route for lunches, afternoon tea or a drink at the end of the day. You can book this tour with Great West Way Official Tour Operators, Active England, Alison Howell’s Foot Trails or Compass Holidays.

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FOR THE BOOKWORM Fancy stepping into the scene from one of your favourite classic novels by getting dressed up and joining in the fun of the Jane Austen Festival? This annual celebration of everything Austen lures Janeites from all over to the beautiful city of Bath each September. It’s definitely one of the more eccentric things to do in Bath, but don’t be shy -

come with your frilliest frock, reticule and parasol and prepare to be thrilled (in a most elegant way, naturally). The programme is different each year, but past events have included costumed promenades, etiquette talks, book readings, dance workshops and masked balls. Surrounded by Bath’s historic golden architecture you’ll feel totally immersed in the era

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FOR THE MOTORIST

Car enthusiasts will love the experience of going behind the wheel of a Formula Ford 1600 or Lotus Elise and driving laps of the Castle Combe circuit racetrack, or for something extra special, consider hiring a classic car. Some much-adored, iconic choices include the Jaguar E-Type, the nippy MGB Convertible and the Austin-Healey.

You can choose and hire your special wheels from Vintage Classics and spend your day driving

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stylishly through some of the prettiest villages in England. Take your time as you cruise past the quaint limestone cottages of Castle Combe, play spot the chalky White Horse as you head to the characterful village of Pewsey, and pass through Tiddleywink, an adorable Wiltshire hamlet consisting of just eight cottages - one of which is historically known to serve beer to passing cattle drovers. Don’t forget your camera, this will be a day to remember.

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FOR THE HORTICULTURALIST

For an unforgettable horticultural experience, make a beeline for Kew Gardens. For a quick and easy way to see the vast 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.

Did you know?

At Kew you can travel the world with ‘The Huntress of Flowers’, Marianne North? The boundary-breaking Victorian botanist who travelled solo around the world faithfully recording the exotics plants she encountered has an exhibition showing displaying extraordinary oil paintings - 833 of them, in geographical order - at her eponymous gallery.

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FOR THE FOODIE

Bons vivants will love the Great West Way for its superior gourmet offering – especially given it is the only place where you can experience all five of the UK's Three Michelin Starred restaurants. Now there’s a tasty challenge to add to the bucket list!

This incredible gastronomic journey will take you on a special and indulgent tour sampling signature dishes from some of the world’s finest chefs, with equally impressive hospitality, at their British

restaurants. If you are starting your journey in West London, your first stop should be Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, followed by Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester, and Sketch Lecture Room and Library.

Next head to Berkshire for an incredible fine dining experience at The Waterside Inn. Then last, but by no means least, Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck will be unforgettable too – although this depends on if you have been fortunate enough to book a table reservation. Be sure to book in advance.

For the ultimate epicurean experience, book a stay at Bray Cottages Lavender House, and enjoy Heston Blumenthal’s son, Jack Blumenthal and Scott Perkins as your own private chefs! Yes, that’s right, the talented pair launched their delicious private dining experiences at Bray Cottages in the heart of the village, during lockdown.

You might wish to stay for a few extra nights, as there are seven Michelin starred restaurants within walking distance of the cottage, to include, Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck and The Waterside Inn, Alain Roux’s The Waterside Inn and Roux at Skindles, plus The Crown at Bray and Caldesi in Campagna.  braycottages.com and jackandscott.com

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FOR THE ZOOPHILIST

For the ultimate overnight wildlife experience, the recently opened Camp Baboon at Wild Place Project is an absolute must. Think behind-thescenes animal encounters, twilight tours of the park and fully heated cosy wood cabins. Head into the woods for a range of fun and exciting bush craft activities, spot the native wildlife, and when the gates close and you’re the only guests on-site, toast marshmallows round a crackling fire before

settling down for sleep surrounded by amazing animals from all around the world, including the flamboyantly-furred Gelada Baboons! Wake up to a special sunrise tour of the enclosures, and enjoy feeding animals breakfast - just watch out for those cheeky ring-tailed lemurs! Then enjoy free entry to Camp Baboon’s sister property Bristol Zoo Gardens, home to over 400 species set within 12 acres of beautiful gardens, including undercover animal houses and wonderful picnic spots.

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FOR THE STYLIST

The fashion-conscious won’t want to miss a trip to one of the designer shopping outlets, McArthur Glen, Swindon, Kilver Court Designer Village, or a short detour off the route, Clarks Village. While lovers of homeware, book worms and art collectors should keep their eyes open for one-of-a-kind pieces in the many independent boutiques, gift shops and museums along the route. From a glass bauble at Bristol Blue Glass, a stylish sarsen necklaces at Stonehenge to Rose Nisbet handmade ceramics in Bristol, it is very

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easy to come away with something unique and special as a momentum of your Great West Way holiday. For an all-encompassing super special stylist shopping treat however Bath is the place to be. The high street is made for fashion gurus, while the smaller independent shops offer an eclectic selection of unique finds. Mark the moment with a unique piece of jewellery from Nicholas Wylde, stop off at the Roman Baths to pick up a souvenir or admire fashion through the ages at the Fashion Museum Bath.

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FOR THE CHILDREN

Little ones will love the experience of getting lost (and found) in the world’s largest hedge maze!

Longleat’s epic hedge maze is a short journey south of the Great West Way (so parents please try not to get lost before you get there). It was created

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FOR THE COMPETITOR

If you love a challenge then why not try your hand at playing a game of Aunt Sally?! The Cotswolds remains a stronghold for this traditional English game that can be traced back to the 17th century.

The skittle-like lark is popular in country pubs, especially in Oxfordshire, and involves teams

with 16,000 English yew trees, and more than two miles of pathways, so it’s no easy feat reaching the central observation tower. It’s a strangely satisfying challenge to set yourself, but don’t take too long - there’s a whole safari park to explore, not to mention a glorious Elizabethan stately home.

aiming wooden batons at a ‘doll’, which used to resemble an old aunt. It can get competitive, there’s even a world championship (singles knock out) competition for it which takes place annually (although not in 2020) a little north of the Great West Way at Charlbury Beer Festival. Just don’t try this one at home folks.

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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 prize to go here!

T

HANK 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 2022 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 inspire you and thank you for helping us to and tag @GreatWestWay or use the hashtag choose our Capturing the Moment #GreatWestWay Photography Competition 2021 winner!

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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!

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PICTURE CREDITS

1 2 3 4 5

îThe Roman Bath

@ni.co.let.ta îBath @daragh_cuthbert îThe Circus, Bath @her.grand.tour îWiltshire @dansramblings îSunflowers @casperfarrellphoto

Marlborough 6 î@pixiemarmalade Pulteney Bridge 7 î@emilymckay90 Vale of Pewsey 8 î@stephen_davis_photos Bristol 9 î@matthewpriceartist Avebury Stones 10 î@eagleeyeaerialphotography

CAST YOUR VOTE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE! îVote for your favourite finalist

and you will be automatically entered into our competition to win a luxury weekend in Bath for two staying overnight with breakfast in a Superior Room at Apex City of Bath Hotel!

SIMPLY VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY: îGreatWestWay.co.uk/competition Closing date for all entries is 31 December 2021. The winner will be announced in January 2022. Terms and conditions apply, please see website page for details.

CAPTURING THE MOMENT PHOTOGRAPHY WINNER

WIN!

Bradford on Avon @wordyelaine

2020

OUR 2020 WINNER!

îCongratulations to Elaine Abbott,

(@wordyelaine on Instagram) the talented winner of our Capturing the Moment Photography Competition 2020! Elaine has won free family tickets to a host of iconic attractions along the Great West Way, plus a Bombay Sapphire Cocktail Masterclass experience!

The winner of our 2021 competition will win free tickets to include Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm and an afternoon tea for two at The Reading Room, situated within The Roseate Reading hotel.

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STRIKING

ARCHITECTURE TO SEE ON THE ROUTE

There are many impressive styles of architecture to see on the Great West Way. How many in our list here have you visited?

Words: Samantha Rutherford

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CLIFTON SUSPENSION BRIDGE BRISTOL

Be sure to stroll across Bristol's famous Clifton Suspension Bridge. One of Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s most striking works, it straddles the dramatic Avon Gorge.

Pop into the Visitor Centre in Leigh Woods to find out more about the people who built, maintain and treasure it.

Entrance to the Visitor Centre is free, although donations are appreciated.

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GREAT PAGODA KEW

Kew’s Pagoda was completed in 1762 as a gift for Princess Augusta, the founder of the Gardens. It was one of several Chinese buildings designed for Kew by Sir William Chambers, who had spent time travelling and studying the architecture of East Asia. A popular ‘folly’ of the age, it offered one of the earliest and finest bird’s eye views of London – which you can enjoy today, thanks to a major restoration project. The Great Pagoda will re-open for pre-booked guided tours from 5 June 2021 - so enjoy climbing up the Great Pagoda and seeing those spectacular views across the capital.

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BOMBAY SAPPHIRE DISTILLERY HAMPSHIRE

Based at Laverstoke Mill in rural Hampshire, just 15 miles from Winchester, the Bombay Sapphire Distillery is in a conservation area with over 1000 years of history. For over 225 years, the Victorian and Georgian buildings set astride the crystal-clear River Test produced bank note paper for the Bank of England and the British Empire. Now, Laverstoke Mill is a state-of-the-art sustainable distillery, which produces every drop of Bombay Sapphire gin.

Chart hundreds of years of Laverstoke Mill’s illustrious history, married with the fascinating heritage of gin and Bombay Sapphire.

Watch the production of gin behind the scenes in the Dakin Still House, and uncover the secrets of Bombay Sapphire’s unique vapour-infusion distillation process.

Discover your personal taste profile in the Dry Room, then use your profile to order a complimentary cocktail from the Mill Bar suited to your tastes.

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BRISTOL CATHEDRAL BRISTOL

Bristol’s beautiful and historic Cathedral is located on College Green in the West End of the city. A church has almost certainly stood on the site for over a thousand years, but it came to prominence in 1140 when Robert Fitzhardinge founded the Abbey of St Augustine.

The Chapter House and Abbey Gatehouse remain clear to see, and the other remains are to be found within Bristol Cathedral School. The eastern end of the Cathedral, especially in the choir, gives Bristol Cathedral a unique place in the development of British and European architecture.

The nave, choir and aisles are all the same height, making Bristol Cathedral the major example of a hall church in Great Britain and one of the finest to be found anywhere in the world.

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THE CIRCUS BATH

Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Bath is home to some of the most impressive architectural sights in the world including the Royal Crescent, the Circus and Pulteney Bridge. It is no wonder then that this golden city has been welcoming visitors for over 2,000 years

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CABOT TOWER BRISTOL If you’d like to experience a slightly less well-known architectural experience, take a trek up Brandon Hill to the 105ft Cabot Tower - then climb up the tower’s spiral staircase, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the city and further architectural delights, to include Clifton Suspension Bridge and Bristol Cathedral.

Cabot Tower was built to commemorate John Cabot’s voyage from Bristol to the continent of North America over four hundred years ago.

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WILTON WINDMILL WILTSHIRE

Enjoy a guided tour and find out about how a Victorian miller would have lived and how the windmill works.

Built in 1821 and set high in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Wilton Windmill is the only working windmill in the Wessex region. Picnic area and site accessible all year round. Guided tours, refreshments and stone ground flour available during opening times. Fabulous walking and great views – a very special place.

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THE BRIDGE TEAROOMS BRADFORD ON AVON

The afternoon ritual of serving tea has been developed to a fine art here, and is so accomplished that the Bridge Tea Rooms has been recognized as excellent by the prestigious UK Tea Guild for many years. Delicate bone china, the finest leaf teas, and friendly staff in Victorian costumes serving home-made cakes, pastries and sandwiches. Housed in a former blacksmith's cottage dating from 1502, the Bridge Tea Rooms positively oozes atmosphere, and the classical music playing gently in the background sets a tranquil tone.

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THE PUMPKIN TOWER TROWBRIDGE

The Pumpkin Tower is in the heart of Trowbridge, the county town of Wiltshire, with a rich industrial heritage.

As well as visiting the intriguing Pumpkin Tower, said to be the creation of local business owner Thomas Rothschild, named after the nickname he had for his daughter, pop into the Information Centre and pick up a copy of the Trowbridge Ted’s Terrible Town Trail. The team can offer advice on how to get the most out of your stay, and the map will take you around the town, exploring the more gory side of Trowbridge’s history!

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BRISTOL OLD VIC BRISTOL

The oldest continuallyrunning theatre in the English-speaking world can be found, perhaps unsurprisingly, down the cobbled King Street of Bristol. Yet despite its storied, tiered interior, the shows here are as contemporary as they come. Be challenged by modernday interpretations of Shakespeare classics, hear top thinkers talk and see fresh ideas expressed through dance. A whole cast of famous actors learnt to walk the boards at the Old Vic Theatre School, including Daniel Day-Lewis and Peter O’Toole. Did you know?

Since autumn 2018 you’ve been able to enjoy a pretheatre meal in front of the theatre’s original facade at the 1766 Bar & Kitchen.

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STRAWBERRY HILL HOUSE TWICKENHAM

Strawberry Hill House & Garden has been open to visitors for over 250 years.

Created by Horace Walpole in the 18th century, Strawberry Hill is internationally famous as Britain's finest example of Georgian Gothic revival architecture.

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THE ROMAN BATHS BATH

Bath was founded upon natural hot springs with the steaming water playing a key role throughout its history. Lying in the heart of the city the Roman Baths were constructed around 70 AD as a grand bathing and socialising complex. It is now one of the best preserved Roman remains in the world.

1,170,000 litres of steaming spring water reaching 46°C still fill the bathing site every single day. The Romans believed that this was the mystical work of the Gods but we now know that the water source, which comes from the King’s Spring, fell as rain water around 10,000 BC. Visit The Great Bath, the magnificent epicentre to the complex and walk on the ancient pavements as the Romans did 2,000 years ago. The Great Bath that lies below street level can also be viewed from the Terrace, which is adorned with statues and shadowed by the great Abbey. Other chambers to explore include the remains of the ancient heated rooms and changing rooms as well as tepid and plunge pools.

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YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY CASTLES ON THE GREAT WEST WAY

› Highclere Castle, or ‘The Real Downton Abbey’ as it is now known, is where most of Downton Abbey the TV series and movie were filmed. Highclere Castle is currently home to the eighth Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.

Throughout the year, Highclere Castle holds tours and events open to the public where you can explore the Estate and the various filming locations that have appeared on our screens. › Berkeley Castle is considered by many as a hidden gem; it was built in 1153 by the Berkeley family, who still live there. Over the centuries it has changed from a foreboding fortress to a welcoming family home. 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. Featured in The White Princess, Wolf Hall, Poldark, The Hollow Crown, The Spanish Princess and Johnny English Strikes Again. › Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. It has been the family home of British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years and is today one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen.

In 2018, the Castle provided a spectacular backdrop to two royal weddings, which took place in St George’s Chapel.

Find more inspiration from our website:  greatwestway.co.uk/see-and-do/attractions

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Pictured above: The Savill Building, Savill Garden, Windsor Pictured below left-right: Stonor Park, Wonder Woods; Playing croquet on the lawn at National Trust's Tyntesfield, Somerset

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GARDENS THROUGH THE SEASONS The gardens of the Great West Way are beautiful whatever the season, but here are the must-sees throughout the year Words: Adrienne Wyper

SPRING SPLENDOURS

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!

• SAVILL GARDEN This 35-acre garden in Windsor Great Park’s grounds is home to a glorious spring display of award-winning rhododendrons, in the sunken woodland garden. Trumpet-like flowers appear in every shade: pure white, pale cream, lemon, apricot, shocking pink, purple and flaming scarlet – many of them scented.

• BLENHEIM PALACE Formal gardens include Water Terraces, an Italian Garden, and the Rose Garden.

Gardens manager Hilary Wood says: ‘The Secret Garden bursts with fresh life and colour, from narcissus, snowdrops, hellebores and magnolias. Vastly different from the main formal gardens, the tranquillity of this garden, with its winding pathways and waterways, is a lovely place to sit, listen to the birds singing and take time to just relax.’

• TYNTESFIELD Cocooned in the Somerset countryside, Tyntesfield is a Victorian Gothic country house and estate. Spring is special: in the naturalistic orchard, apple, pear and plum blossom appears, and tulips brighten urns and beds along the terraces. And in the kitchen garden, says Senior Gardener Marianne Closius, ‘a spring highlight for me is the blossom covering the wall-trained fruit.’

• STONOR PARK Set in a valley in the Chilterns, described

by Lord Gibson, former National Trust Chairman, as: ‘Possibly the most beautiful setting for any house in England’, there’s a lush mix of ponds, fountains and pleasure gardens. Stroll amid neat box hedges, and seek out the hidden Japanese retreat. The estate’s arboretum is a treat during spring when the cherry blossom appears. →

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Pictured left-right: Bowood House and Gardens roses and fountain on The Terrace; Flowers at Bowood; Bowood House, The Courts Gardens, National Trust; Stourhead; and Westonbirt Arboretum

SUMMER SENSATIONS • CLIVEDEN HOUSE The gardens of 300-year-old Cliveden House hold as much interest as the house – 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 flowers and classical statues in the Long Garden and come over all romantic amid 900 roses in the heavenly scented Rose Garden.

• BOWOOD HOUSE Fashionable 18th-century gardener ‘Capability’ Brown worked his magic on 100 acres of parkland here, widely hailed as his best-preserved masterpiece. Sit by the mile-long lake, admire sweeping lawns from the terrace and learn more about the designer on a summer tour with head gardener David Glass. Other highlights include an arboretum, woodland gardens and Lord and Lady Lansdowne’s secret walled garden – swathed in early summer with fragrant lavender, honeysuckle and peonies.

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• BERKELEY CASTLE Henry II gave the Castle to the Berkeley family in 1153. Below the gatehouse is a bowling green, where Queen Elizabeth I is believed to have played. In the terraced gardens the focus is on fragrance, and June’s roses are a delight. Seize the rare opportunity to walk among free-flying butterflies in the Tropical Butterfly House.

• HAMPTON COURT PALACE Beside the Thames, at Henry VIII’s residence, the Royal Horticultural Society's Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival (5-11 July 2021) is the world’s largest annual horticultural show. This year’s design themes include Scandinavian and sustainable.

Make time for the rose marquee, where the rose of the year is revealed.

The setting for the Festival is a product of the Palace’s rich history - the Baroquestyle Great Fountain Garden, The Maze, and Royal Kitchen Garden with its heritage vegetables.

AUTUMN GLOWS • WESTONBIRT

• BRISTOL

With 15,000 trees from around the world, including five national collections, autumn is spectacular here. Dendrologist Michal Dvorak says: ‘With our world-renowned maples taking centre stage, it’s easy to miss lesser-known gems.

The smoke bush is a feast of colour, including fiery yellows, reds, peaches and purples. The Persian ironwood is another one not to miss in autumn as its leaves turn crimson and gold.’ Don’t miss the step-free STIHL Treetop Walkway, and download a fun kids’ activity booklet, including creating leaf crowns and hunting acorns.

Fascinating displays tell the story of plants in several zones. The evolution collection boasts species dating back 200 million years. Two medicinal herb gardens – Chinese and Western – display useful plants.

On chilly days, take shelter in the tropical zone glasshouse, marvel at giant waterlilies, and admire edible crops such as cocoa, vanilla, sugar cane, banana, pineapple and ginger.

ARBORETUM

• STOURHEAD In south Wiltshire, Stourhead is one of the Great West Way’s most famous gardens. Described as ‘a living work of art’ when it opened in the 1740s, its classical architecture includes a grotto, a gothic cottage and its own Temple of Apollo. For Alan Power, head gardener, his favourite time of year here is autumn: ‘the garden, the architecture, the plants and the trees all perform perfectly together.

It’s like an encore before the rest for winter.’

GARDEN

BOTANIC

• THE COURTS

GARDEN

Poet-in-residence John Bond (20182019) summed up the beauty of the season in this English country style garden, open until the end of October in Melksham: ‘…death, for once, shows nature at its best, and leaves outdo the flowers by a mile in beauty’. As well as the arboretum, topiary treats include the line of yews called ‘the dancing bears’ plus peaceful water gardens and unexpected vistas.→

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Come and discover Wiltshire’s hidden treasure Just 8 miles from Bath on the A4, 4 miles from the M4 (J17), or 3 miles from Chippenham Station.

IMAGE CREDIT: MAMMOTH MEDIA

www.corsham.gov.uk/visit

History, heritage, arts and crafts, great places to eat and drink and lots of independent shops – plus Poldark was filmed here too.

Pictured left-right: Christmas at Kew; and The Hidden Gardens of Bath

WINTER WONDERS • ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW See the stunning gardens in a whole new light with Christmas at Kew, a show-stopping annual trail of festive light installations. More than a million tiny bulbs and flickering flames light up the night, as rainbow reflections shimmer on the water and trees are drenched in dazzling hues. Along the route try festive hot food and treats such as spiced winter warmers and hot chocolate.

• MONTACUTE HOUSE One of very few Elizabethan gardens retaining the compartmentalised design of the period, each with a distinct feel, from the East Court’s stone balustrades and foliage planting, to yews and views in the North Garden, and wide-open spaces on the Cedar Lawn.

• PRIOR PARK LANDSCAPE GARDEN At this elegant 18th-century landscape garden south of Bath, designed by Capability Brown, the Palladian bridge and waterway are a focal point. In winter the bare branches reveal views that aren’t visible at other times of year, but greenery still abounds, with glossy laurels and evergreen shrubs, succeeded by drifts of delicate snowdrops.

• WADDESDON MANOR In winter the grounds are transformed by dazzling colour and light displays, bathing trees and manor alike in beautiful hues. Wrap up warm and follow the trail, wending its way past imaginative illuminated installations.

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY 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!

Find out more about all the gardens on the Great West Way and and inspiration from Head Gardeners from our website:  greatwestway.co.uk/discover-our-way/ gardens

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HISTORIC STOPS

TRAIN TRAVEL Making tracks on the Great West Way can point you at endless amounts of history and fun facts to be discovered along its length from London to Bristol Words: Geoff Moore

T

AKING TO THE TRACKS is certainly one way to explore locations and the history of the Great West Way. In one go the journey is just 1hr 40min, but stopping en route to explore the route in your own time is 'slow travel' at its best.

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.

Setting out west from Paddington, how about making the first stop at Windsor and Eton Central?

It was here where a race to impress a real Royal took place just outside her castle in the town. Two opposing rail companies ‘The Great Western’ and ‘The London and South Western Railway’ set out to be the first to provide the monarch with a rail service.

In 1840 Queen Victoria encouraged by Prince Albert took a trip from Slough - which was then the nearest

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station to the castle - to Paddington. And today parts of the original elegant façade can still be seen indicating its former short lived Royal connection.

The GWR line extension was built to almost within touching distance of the castle walls. With the two companies frantically making progress to Windsor it was the Great Western that finally won the race.

Although they had to build a massive curving brick arch viaduct over the ‘playing fields of Eton’, plus bridge the Thames in order to get into the centre.

For the London and South Western Railway, a bridge failure disrupted their attempt to win and still the town has two stations within 600 metres of each other.

Windsor and Eton Central and Windsor Eton Riverside.

GWR’s central station has an expansive metal and glass roof that almost mimic’s Paddington’s. This was to allow the Queen’s mounted soldiers to wait undercover before escorting her back to the castle.

Today, you can enjoy an alfresco cocktail in the stations All Bar One restaurant and bar, the exact location where in March 1882 the last (of eight) assassination attempts on Queen Victoria took place.

Pictured: The Great Western Railway built the grand Windsor & Eton Railway Station in 1897.

THE DISCOVER PASS ROUTE MAP

→ GreatWestWay.co.uk

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Pictured: It might be possible that Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed his two-mile long Box Tunnel with his own birthday in mind! It is claimed that on the 9th April, the sun shines directly down the length of the tunnel - a theory which was tested a few years ago by Great Western Railway and Network Rail when a rare chance to observe it came about due to the line being shut on the date because of upgrade work.

Trains from London Paddington also call at Twyford, changing onto the line to Henley-onThames, home to the famous regatta.

Disembark in Reading and enjoy 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.

Here you have a choice, you might like to take the south-west route (see opposite page), or travel the route via Swindon, 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 – next stop on the line is 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!

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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.

Heading further west passing Chippenham on the train to Bath there is the renowned ‘Box Tunnel’.

Here the rail line dives underground through Box Hill for nearly two miles. Another of Brunel’s great feats on the GWR. Located on the outskirts of Corsham the tunnel project was thought to be impossible to build by fellow engineers of the time. However, after starting in December 1838 the one mile and three quarters long subterranean construction was completed by Brunel in June 1841.

The entrance to it on the Bath side is ornate and built of Bath Stone in a grand classical style but the eastern entrance quite austere.

The tunnel itself also hides, adjacent to its dank darkness, a Cold War secret. Constructed alongside underground is a series of subterranean roads and passages. Complete with communication bunkers, offices, food and fuel storage, the complex was designed in the 1950’s and 60’s to house the Prime Minister and the Government plus military officials in case of a nuclear attack.

When Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Box Tunnel was first built, despite his own certainty, there were many who feared disaster, believing that the Box Tunnel was a health hazard, likely to prove fatal, that the noise of two trains passing each other in the tunnel would shake your nerves, and that if you travelled over a certain speed you wouldn't be able to breathe!

There was talk that this huge bomb proof selfsufficient complex was in fact a ruse to fool the Russians, and that the real contingency plan had the Government spread around England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland under the code name Python!

The final stop on this route before reaching Bath is the glorious Bradford-on-Avon. This small town sits on the edge of The Cotswolds and straddles the River Avon.

Cross the waters in ancient footsteps, on the 13thcentury town bridge, and stand dwarfed in the 14thcentury Tithe Barn, its lattice of timbers soaring for over 50 metres far above your head.

SOUTH WEST ROUTE

Rather than taking the north-west route to Swindon from Reading, you might choose to take the southwest route towards Bath via Newbury and Hungerford, travelling through the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Great Western Railway is far from just one main line – and this line is a perfect example of an alternative rail journey where you can get off the beaten track and out into more rural areas.

There are several short loop walks from Hungerford, an ancient town also known for its antique shops, or you could get off the train a stop earlier and walk the nine miles from Newbury along the canal, stopping first for a flutter – there’s a world-class racecourse here.

At Hungerford a short walk from the station will find you at the Hungerford Wharf. Here the ‘Rose of Hungerford’ operates canal boat trips with dedicated volunteers of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust with their trips starting May 22nd. Their passenger barge can take around 50 people (in non Covid-19 times) complete with wheelchair lift.

You might enjoy a scenic boat trip to Kintbury or Great Bedwyn gliding through several locks. With an onboard café and toilets too. →

Pictured: Visiting Bradford on Avon means the visitor gets the best of everything, shopping, accommodation; restaurants and inns; river; canal and most of all an amazing history that can be found at every turn.

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Make time in Great Bedwyn to visit the world’s oldest operating steam driven beam engines, still in their original building. The Crofton Beam Engines are fed by a hand-stoked coal-fired boiler and are still plugging away at the same job they were designed to do more than 200 years ago – pumping water up to the highest point of the canal in order to keep the barges and boats moving and the locks full.

The next stop on this line is Pewsey. From the station it is a half mile walk north to Pewsey Wharf. Take the towpath to the west (left) for a charming easy flat walk to what has become the UK’s crop circle central! Or, The Barge Inn at Honeystreet. A sign at the pub proclaims ‘twinned with Roswell, New Mexico’!

The Barge Inn has been a meeting place for ‘Crop Circle’ enthusiasts as many have appeared in the surrounding valley over the years. The inn plans to open from April 12th. This delightful circular rural stroll will take you back past Lady’s Bridge at Wilcot, a grand stone regency bridge built by the canal engineer John Rennie in order to placate the land owner for letting the canal pass over his land.

Returning to Pewsey, you may spot a series of World War II pill boxes and tank defences on some crossing points like at Church Lane Bridge. This was all part of

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what was called the GHQ line where if there had been an invasion in World War 2 a major defensive action was planned.

Today the towpath carries 21st century communication too. Fibre optic cables run along much of it. You may spot the ‘Fibreway ’signs.

Change at Westbury and head to Bedwyn, where you can disembark for a stroll along the water’s edge on the towpath of the Kennet & Avon Canal, which runs from Bristol all the way to Reading.

Your final calling point en route to Bristol, whichever direction you have taken to get here, is Bath - a city so beautiful its centre has been UNESCO World Heritage listed. 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.

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) and clamber up the rigging of one of Brunel’s other famous creations, the SS Great Britain. His Clifton Suspension Bridge is here too, beckoning you along the River Avon and out to Avon Gorge to set foot atop this world-famous bridge and quietly thank Brunel for the journey he made possible – along the Great West Way by rail.

Pictured left: Walk along the Kennet & Avon Canal and you'll encounter a surprise - the world's oldest working steam engines. The Crofton Beam Engines fed by a hand-stoked coal-fired boiler are still plugging away at the same job they were designed to do more than 200 years ago - pumping water up at the highest point of the canal.

Right: Passenger on the Avon Valley Railway; Steam train; Swindon and Cricklade Railway.

Did you know? Popular urban myth was that if you travelled faster than a horse could gallop, your head would explode! It took Prince Albert, who himself was a keen engineer, one year to persuade Queen Victoria to go on a train. Once she had experienced the 25 minute journey from Windsor to Paddington she was charmed and impressed

CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND TO DOWNLOAD THE GREAT WEST WAY DISCOVERER PASS

STEAM ENGINES

Although England has lost many of its railways over the years, the country has long been ensconced in a love affair with steam and there are passionate volunteers still running heritage steam railways on the Great West Way. 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 there, the number 15 from the centre of Swindon stops at the Tawny Owl pub, close to Taw Valley Halt.

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Pictured: Making a toast at The Newbury, Berkshire over cocktails and homemade pizzas.

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GO URME T GUID E

FOOD & DRINK Discover a wealth of hidden culinary delights and epicurean experiences on the Great West Way Words: Karyn Noble

S

ure, you could travel the Great West Way from London to Bristol in an afternoon, but epicureans know the reward is in the discovery, and we’ve got 500 miles of delicious detours for you! Linger as long as you can, because this stretch of English countryside needs to be savoured, and slow travel is the best way to experience it.

This slice of quintessential England is home to some of the country’s best agricultural land, and with that comes excellent 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, hotels and restaurants select the best of it all for their menus, and family-run tea rooms whip up fresh cakes daily. All of this adds up to one very tasty journey along the Great West Way. From thatched pubs to beamed tearooms, farm shops to Michelin starred restaurants, and food tours to cookery schools – we hope you enjoy our pick of the best places to visit along the route from east to west.

Starting the route from London and heading towards Windsor, thoughts may immediately turn to stately matters. Apart from admiring Windsor Castle, it’s only proper to take an elegant afternoon tea here.

Push the boat out (or watch the Windsor Duck Tours and French Brothers boat cruises) from the terrace overlooking the Thames River at Sir Christopher Wren Hotel & Spa, with warm scones, jam and Cornish clotted cream. Or you could nibble your Highland oak smoked salmon and cream cheese finger sandwiches by the roaring fire in their Drawing Room.

For hearty pub food, The Bird in Hand at Knowl Hill beckons. Renowned for its 28-day dry-aged-on-thebone steaks, this is the kind of place that reverentially namechecks all its local suppliers; the Great British Sunday Roast is definitely worth booking. If you fancy climbing the gastronomic echelons, Bray-on-Thames is a must - truly the most exciting ‘foodie’ village to visit in the UK, home to The Fat Duck (yes, of Heston Blumenthal fame) The Waterside Inn, and other Michelin starred gems you will want to add to your special-night-out list. (see page 48).

Cap it off with a reservation at Monkey Island Estate, a luxury hotel on a private island in Bray, perhaps with a nightcap in the Whisky Snug accessed via a secret staircase.

In the counties of Buckinghamshire and North Hampshire, head for The Five Arrows restaurant, located at the gates of the grand Waddesdon Manor →

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Pictured left-right: The Red Lion Freehouse, Pewsey; The Carpenters Arms, Windsor; Wadworth Brewery Shires.

in Aylesbury for a taste of beef from the estate, its very own ale, and seasonal vegetables from the kitchen garden. If you’re still in the mood for luxury, then the Grade-II listed Langley Hotel in Iver is the place to retire to its Churchill bar for cosy Cognacs.

Gin fans will want to deviate to the Bombay Sapphire Distillery in Whitchurch, where there has been a mill since AD903. Here you can drink the likes of Vespear Martinis alongside the River Test, or take a masterclass to expand your cocktail repertoire. Finish up with a Hampshire Charcuterie and Cheese platter at the Mill Café for a tasty introduction to local produce.

Next county stop along the route is Wiltshire. If your ambition is to eat ham in the village of Ham, then consider it done. Perhaps pressed ham hock and pigeon terrine at the stylishly refurbished Crown & Anchor pub with rooms, a traditional inn dating back to the 1840s. Or a Michelin-starred version of ham, egg and chips from the Red Lion Freehouse (a thatched country pub with a boutique guest house) in Pewsey. Extend yourself to ham in Chippenham, with a sandwich from the tea room at Dyrham Park before strolling 270-acre ancient parkland around the baroque beauty of its mansion house at the western edge of the Cotswolds. Don’t miss picking up some of ‘the Wiltshire cure’ at Buttle Farm in Compton Bassett: a traditional technique for curing their freerange rare-breed pork and ham.

Farm shops are not only a highlight of the Great West Way, but your source of excellent edible souvenirs. At Roves Farm in Sevenhampton, you can indulge in farm-raised fare at the Woolly Sheep Café and also take home free-range eggs, sausages, pies and other treats. True gourmands should head straight to the butchery for the highest quality homereared meats.

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DID YOU KNOW? IN THEIR HEYDAY, MORE THAN 40 SHIRES WERE USED BY WADWORTH BREWERY TO DELIVER THEIR ALREADY FAMOUS BEERS TO LOCAL INNS AND HOSTELRIES? A TRADITION AT WADWORTH – AND THEIR GENTLE GIANTS ARE AS MUCH A PART OF THE WADWORTH HERITAGE AS THE CLOSELY GUARDED REAL ALE RECIPES!

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.

Renowned for its apples and magnificent dairy produce, Somerset is where you simply must eat cheese in the village of Cheddar, either before or after (or both!) exploring the famous Cheddar Gorge & Caves. The city of Bath will easily enchant with its Roman and Georgian charms, but set aside plenty of time for gastronomic exploration too.

One of the youngest chefs to win a Michelin star, Rob Clayton of Clayton’s Kitchen, prepares delicate Mediterranean-influenced dishes, with some good-value set menus. You can also dine in style in the neo-classical salon of the Roman Baths’ Pump Room Restaurant or in the opulent surrounds of The Gainsborough Bath Spa, the only hotel in the country where you can experience Bath’s thermal waters.

Pack an extra stomach for Bristol: the city has had quite the renaissance in the food world, with its many multicultural influences, and an especially thriving street food scene. Pick up a coffee at Prince Street Social or head to Bristol Lido, where you could really kickstart your day with breakfast at the poolside restaurant, enjoying hot smoked salmon and soft-boiled eggs, served with a Mimosa of Prosecco and Chase marmalade vodka (best not to swim afterwards!).

If you need a relaxing afternoon tea, you can glide down the River Avon on Bristol Packet Boat Tours’ two-hour Cream Tea Cruise. But to ensure your trip is truly ship-shape and Bristol fashion, try to time your visit for a Wednesday, Thursday or weekend, when the Harbourside Street Food Market is in full swing. →

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FUN FACTS • IT TAKES 36 PIECES OF FRUIT TO MAKE ONE GALLON OF APPLE CIDER. • IN A YEAR WEST BERKSHIRE BREWERY BREW AN IMPRESSIVE 2.6 MILLION PINTS. • THERE HAS BEEN A MILL WHERE BOMBAY SAPPHIRE DISTILLERY IS SINCE AT LEAST AD903.

FABULOUS FOOD & DRINK FESTIVALS

If you can, time your visit for one of the food and drink-focused events along the Great West Way.

MAY • BRADFORD ON AVON FOOD FESTIVAL

One-day event featuring food stalls from local artisan producers, cookery demonstrations by professional chefs and a children’s activity area.

JUNE • BRISTOL FOOD CONNECTIONS

A citywide line-up of events over almost two weeks, including talks on food and health, lunchtime boat trips and cooking demonstrations.

• EAT! FOOD FESTIVAL

HENLEY

A fortnight of feasting, with a line-up of events that includes tastings, chef demonstrations, film screenings and the finale Riverside Fiesta with street food and a floating gin bar.

• PUB IN THE PARK Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge combines tastings, chef demonstrations, masterclasses and music from top live acts in his ‘ultimate pub garden’ over three lively days.

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• EAT READING Two-day festival showcasing Reading’s best foodie businesses, featuring live cookery demonstrations, street food tastings, cocktail mixology and a pop-up street café.

• GREAT BRITISH FOOD

FESTIVAL

June (Englefield, Reading) and August (Westonbirt House) This touring festival brings artisan producers and street food vendors together over two or three days and includes plenty of child-friendly activities.

• TASTE OF CORSHAM Full-day celebration of Corsham’s local food producers, with food and drink stalls lining the High Street, live music and a silent disco.

JULY • THE SURREY FOOD FESTIVAL

A weekend of foodie fun, with talks, tastings and demos in the marquee and an extensive line-up of food and drink stalls, plus live music and a kids’ zone.

• DEVIZES BEER FESTIVAL One-day beer festival with more than 100 real ales and ciders served up canalside. Live music too.

• LONGLEAT FOOD & MUSIC

FESTIVAL

A harmonious festival sure to tantalise your taste buds with diverse food and drink stalls, demonstrations by celebrity chefs and live music from an array of artists taking to the stage.

SEPTEMBER • THE COFFEE HOUSE PROJECT

Bristol’s first coffee festival celebrates local, artisan roasters and independent food and drink retailers over two days.

• DEVIZES FOOD AND DRINK

FESTIVAL

Week-long celebration of local food and drink products, including a food market and visits to producers including a goat farm and vineyard.

OCTOBER • HUNGERFORD FOOD FESTIVAL

Full-day event featuring street food stalls, talks and live cooking demos.

Sustainability is a key theme.

There are also hundreds of smaller events, alongside weekly produce and street food markets in market towns throughout the touring route.

You might even stumble upon Chippenham’s Pancake Races!

Pictured leftright: Family fun at Pub in the Park; Vineyard at the Aldwick Estate, a sumptious afternoon tea at Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa, Malmesbury

AFTERNOON TEA

WINDSOR CASTLE UNDERCROFT

nice cup of tea.

partnership Kennet and Avon Canal Trust work in on Avon, with cafés along the canal at Bradford Devizes, Crofton Beam Engines and Newbury, so you can be sure of some tasty refreshments on their whenever you visit. For more information cafés see katrust.org.uk/attractions

Sat & Sun Richmond Duck Pond Markets every Designer Swindon Farmers’ Market Swindon Outlet, every Sun 3rd Sun Thames Valley Farmers’ Market Ascot, Reading 1st of month; Newbury, 1st Sun of month; of month & 3rd Sat of month; Windsor, 1st Sat of Trowbridge Weaver’s Market 2nd Saturday the month (not winter)

MARVELLOUS FOOD MARKETS

George Inn, Norton St Philip, Bath,

THE MARCO PIERRE WHITE AT THE CASTLE HOTEL (K3) castlehotelwindsor.com

RESTAURANT

AND KOFFMANN & MR WHITE’S ENGLISH FRENCH BRASSERIE (B4) mpwrestaurants.co.uk

DINING RESTAURANTS

Enjoy great food from pub classics to

RED LION FREEHOUSE (E5) East Chisenbury, Pewsey SN9 6AQ, 01980 671124 • redlionfreehouse.com it holds a Thatched country pub with food so good ham, egg and Michelin star. There’s pub grub such as menu which chips as well as the more refined main in season. changes daily and focuses on what’s

THE

Somerset

Wadworth Brewery, Devizes, Wiltshire

Crown Inn, Tolldown, Dyrham, Somerset

Bear Hotel, Devizes, Wiltshire

Try beers brewed with passion

CULINARY DELIGHTS IN MICHELIN STARRED RESTAURANTS

THE NEWBURY

a special treat

Black Swan, Devizes, Wiltshire

Bird in Hand, Knowl Hill, Reading,

EAT, DRINK & STAY WITH ® ALONG THE GREAT WEST WAY

then you’re If its award-winning you’re looking for chefs in for a treat. There are numerous celebrity pubs such as along the route and top-notch country of the best The Red Lion Freehouse. Listed are some restaurants.

WHATLEY MANOR

THE HAND AND FLOWERS (J3) 126 West St, Marlow SL7 2BP

THE FAT DUCK (J3) High St, Bray SL6 2AQ

THE WHITE HORSE INN (D4) whitehorse-comptonbassett.co.uk

THREE TUNS FREEHOUSE (F4) tunsfreehouse.com

(C4) THE SWAN BRADFORD ON AVON theswanbradford.co.uk

THE ROYAL WINDSOR PUB (K3) theroyalwindsor.co.uk

THE ROYAL OAK YATTENDON (G3) royaloakyattendon.co.uk

(F4) QUEENS ARMS, EAST GARSTON queensarmseas tgarston.co.uk

THE NEWBURY (G4) thenewburypub.co.uk

of the south The chalk soils and temperate climate varieties, are pretty perfect for crisp, white, bubbly awards. and English wines are winning international wine producers Take a vineyard tour with one of the on the Great West Way.

MOOR BEER

(E3) HELEN BROWNING’S ROYAL OAK helenbrowningsorganic.co.uk/royal-oak/

BRISTOL

BARS AND PUBS SERVING REAL ALES

COBBS FARM SHOP & KITCHEN, HUNGERFORD (F4) 0SP, Cobbs Farm, Bath Rd, Hungerford RG17 01488 686770 • cobbsfarmshops.co.uk from This excellent farm shop sells produce and the surrounding farm. Expect asparagus rhubarb in spring and soft fruits in summer, while autumn means squash and pumpkin. possible The café uses the same produce where and serves breakfasts and lunches including quiche.

Wiltshire cured ham and homemade you will Down the road in Englefield, Reading with find another Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen a whole host of local produce.

CROWN, TOLLDOWN (B3) thecrowntolldown.co.uk

BLACK SWAN, DEVIZES (D4) blackswandevizes.co.uk

BIRD IN HAND, birdinhand.co.uk

WADWORTH BREWERY (D4) 1JW, Northgate Brewery, Devizes SN10 01380 723361 • wadworth.co.uk centre, Stately red-brick brewery in Devizes town the widely producing a range of real ales including Room Bar distributed 6X. Call in to the Harness out for a taste and don’t leave without checking the Brewseum.

KNOWL HILL (J3)

BEAR, DEVIZES (D4) thebearhoteldevizes.co.uk

WADWORTH EAT, DRINK AND STAY ON THE GREAT WEST WAY

One of the greatest pleasures of a drive through the English countryside is stopping some at a farm shop café for a cup of tea and them tasty local produce. You’ll happen upon as you travel along the Great West Way.

FARM SHOPS S FOOD MA

BREWERIES

SHOP CHOLDERTON CHARLIE’S FARM (E5) Choldertoncharliesfarm.com/farm-shop BUTTLE FARM (D4) buttlefarm.co.uk

(C5) GEORGE INN, NORTON ST PHILIP georgeinnnsp.co.uk

WEST BERKSHIRE BREWERY (G3) RG18 The Old Dairy, Frilsham Farm, Yattendon 0XT, 01635 767090 • wbbrew.com and salads A menu of homemade pizzas, burgers this modern soak up the beers in the Taproom of brewery on brewhouse. You’ll have views into the one side and out over the Berkshire countryside on the other.

ALDWICK ESTATE VINEYARD (A4) 01934 864404 • aldwickestate.co.uk A’BECKETT’S VINEYARD (D5) 01380 816669 • abecketts.co.uk ALDER RIDGE VINEYARD (F4) 01488 686770 • alderridge.co.uk

ENGLISH WINE

ROVES FARM SHOP (E3) Rovesfarm.co.uk/farmshop

COBBS FARM SHOP & KITCHEN, ENGLEFIELD (H4) cobbsfarmshops.co.uk

COBBS FARM SHOP

MARVELLOU

A’BECKETT ’S 01380 81666 VINEYARD (D5) 9 • abecketts.c o.uk ALDER RIDG 01488 6867 E VINEYARD (F4) 70 • alderr idge.co.uk ALDWICK ESTATE VINE 0193 4 8644 YARD (A4) 04 • aldwickest ate.co.uk

ESTATE VINEY

RKETS

The Great West England’s most Way runs throug h some surprise that fertile agricultural land, of Richmond you’ll Duck Pond along the route. find regular farme so it’s no Markets every rs’ Swindon Farme Sat & Sun local food and Check out these marke markets rs’ Market ts drink, direct Outlet, every Swindon Design from the produfor fresh Sun Bath Farme er cers. rs’ Market Thames Valle Green Park every Sat y Farmers’ Station, of month; Newb Market Ascot , 3rd Sun ury, 1st Sun Bristol Farme & 3rd Sat of rs’ Market month; Winds of month; Reading 1st every Wed St Nicholas or, 1st Sat of Market, Trowbridge month Weaver’s Marke Bristol Stree the month t 2nd Saturd (not winter ay of every Tue & t Food Market St Nicho ) Fri las Market, Wiltshire Farme rs’ Market Corsham Farme month; Royal Devizes, 1st rs’ Market 3rd Sat of month Salisbury 1st Wootton Bassett 4th Sat Sat of Harbourside & 3rd Wed of month; of month Bristol, every Street Food Market Broad Wed & Thur Quay, Henley Farme rs’ Market 5th Sun of month 2nd Sat, 4th Thur & Maidenhead Farmers’ Marke t 2nd Sun of Malmesbur month y Artisan and every Fri Farmers’ Marke t Newbury Farme rs’ Market 1st Sun of month BATH ARTISANS

MARKET

DINING RES

TAURANTS

You’ll find many of the restau Great West Way are dining rants along the Ambassado r hotels, many rooms within our ingredients of which source from small their local find several celebrity chefs producers. You’ll also Pierre Koffm ann and Marco including Rick Stein, also plenty Pierre White of different cuisines to tempt . There’s BEAU’S BAR you.

DONNING AND RESTAURANT AT TON GROV COUNTRY E CLUB (G4) HOTEL & donnington -grove.com THE BRAS SERIE AT SIR WREN HOTE CHRISTOP HER sirchristoph L (K3) erwren.co.u k CEDAR AT THE LANG LEY (K3) thelangley.c om

THE BATH BREW HOUSE (B4) thebathbrewhouse.com

ALDWICK ESTATE VINEYARD

BRISTOL BEER FACTORY

visitbristol.co.uk/beer beer Bristol is one of the UK’s leading craft destinations and is brimming with brilliant the breweries – there are more than 20 in city and surrounding countryside. Quench your thirst in tap rooms, fantastic beer the shops and traditional pubs, or follow lead of the local tour guides at Bristol Brewery Tours or Bristol Hoppers.

THE PRINCE STREET SOCIAL (B4) princestreetsocial.com

NE

The chalk soils are pretty perfecand temperate climat e of the south t for crisp, and English wines are winninwhite, bubbly varieties, Take a vineya g internationa rd l awards. on the Great tour with one of the wine producers West Way.

FABULOUS DRINK FES FOOD & TIVALS

COBBS FARM ENGLEFIEL SHOP & KITCHEN, D cobbsfarms (H4) hops.co.uk ROVES FARM SHOP (E3) Rovesfarm. co.uk/farm shop

ALDWICK

food and If you can, time your visit for one of the West Way. drink-focused events along the Great Great Bath Some of the bigger ones include the Food and Feast, Bristol Food Connections, Longleat Festival.

Music Festival and the Great British Food alongside There are also hundreds of smaller events, in market weekly produce and street food markets You might even towns throughout the touring route.

Races! stumble upon Chippenham’s Pancake (C4) BRADFORD ON AVON FOOD FESTIVAL May Victory Field, Bradford on Avon, 30 scrumptiousfoodfestivals.co.uk local artisan One-day event featuring food stalls from professional producers, cookery demonstrations by chefs and a children’s activity area.

(A4) BRISTOL FOOD CONNECTIONS Bristol, June • bristolfoodconnections.comweeks, two A citywide line-up of events over almost boat including talks on food and health, lunchtime trips and cooking demonstrations.

THE COFFEE HOUSE PROJECT (A4) The Passenger Shed, Bristol, September thecoffeehouseproject.co.uk local, artisan Bristol’s first coffee festival celebrates retailers over roasters and independent food and drink two days.

DEVIZES BEER FESTIVAL (D4) The Wharf, Devizes, July • camra.org.uk than more Long-running one-day beer festival with Live 100 real ales and ciders served up canalside. music too.

FABULOUS FOOD & DRINK FESTIVALS

longleat.co.uk 2020 for a Join Longleat on the 4th and 5th July your taste harmonious festival sure to tantalise stalls, buds. You’ll enjoy diverse food and drink live music demonstrations by celebrity chefs, plus stage with from an array of artists taking to the day’s line-up Longleat House as the backdrop; each will be announced closer to the event.

(C5) LONGLEAT FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL Longleat, Warminster 4 and 5 July

S & CAFÉS

AEROSPAC NATIONAL E TRUS T SEAS Hayes Way, BRISTOL CAFÉ (B3) DRINKING Patchway, AND SHOP ONAL EATING, Bristol, BS34 aerospaceb Did you know PING ristol.org/c 5BZ afe Refuel in the restaurants that 187 of National Trust’ café whilst and tea-rooms s cafés, on Bristol. This Food for Life light and airy a visit to Aerospace Served Here have received the range of light café serves recognises that Award? The a award locally source meals, snacks and drinks delicious is ethically and they serve fresh, local . Produce is d where possib food that sustai nable le. are seven Natio produced. There THE BRIDGE the Great West nal Trust places you can TEA ROOM thebr find Way S (C4) on idgetearoom and eight more within easy s.co.uk reach of it, so which GARD EN CAFÉ aftern oon tea, if you’re lookin are AT THE HOLB a picnic or a g for an holburne.or back there should food URNE MUSE g be something hamper to take UM (C4) tastebuds.

HONEYST to tempt your REET BOAT S AND CAFÉ honeystreet millcafe.co.

(E4) AVEBURY, uk MARL The New Circle BOROUGH (E4) SPRING’S CAFÉ AND Avebury Mano s Restaurant RESTAURA Thermae Bath NT (B4) Coach House r Tearoom 01225 33123 Spa, Bath, BA1 1SJ Café 4 • thermaebat Whils t enjoyi hspa.com DYRHAM PARK ng a relaxin g Spa, be sure time to your , GLOU The Tea-ro spa session to add extra om and Tea CESTERSH IRE (B3) so you can enjoy tea or a tasty Garden meal at your aftern oon PRIOR PARK leisure.

THE TUTT The Tea Shed , BATH (C4) I POLE (F4) thetuttipol e.co.uk TYNTESFIE LD, WESTONBI Cow Barn Resta BRISTOL (A4) RT, THE NATIONAL urant Westonbirt ARBO , Tetbu 0300 067 4890 ry, Gloucestershire, RETUM (C3) GL8 8QS The Westonbirt • Fores tryengland Kennet and .uk/Weston Avon birt prepared hot Restaurant offers tasty, with cafés along Canal Trust work in and cold refres freshly partnership prepared and Devizes, Crofto the canal at Bradford cooked onsite hments. Food is on is from Hobbs , whilst the so you can be n Beam Engines and NewbAvon, Shipton Mill House Bakery and made fresh bread whenever you sure of some tasty refres ury, flour from nearb using hments y Long Newn local cafés see katruvisit. For more information ton.

WINDSO st.org.uk on their

LONGLEAT FOOD Longleat, Warm & MUSIC FESTI VAL (C5) inster 4 and longleat.co.

5 July uk Join Longleat on the 4th and harmonious 5th July 2020 festival sure for a buds. You’ll to tantalise your enjoy divers e food and drink taste demonstrat ions from an array by celebrity chefs, plus stalls, live music Longleat Houseof artists taking to the stage with will be annou as the backdrop; each day’s line-u nced closer p to the event.

THE NEWB

URY

ARD

CULINARY DE IN MICHELIN LIG HTS STARRED RES TAURA NTS

GreatWestWay.co.uk

CLAYTON’ S claytonskitc KITCHEN (B4) hen.com CLOIS TERS RESTAURA BAILBROOK NT, handpickedh HOUSE HOTEL (C4) ot

THE NEWBURY RG14 137 BARTHOLOMEW ST, NEWBURY .co.uk 5HB, 01635 49000 • thenewburypub à la carte The Newbury offers an exciting British also the menu and fantastic atmosphere. It is winning home of 137 Gin, where multi-award Lumber’s Bartholomew Gin is distilled.

THE MOONRAKER HOTEL (C4) moonrakerhotel.com

AT THE MONKEY ISLAND BRASSERIE MONKEY ISLAND ESTATE (J3) monkeyislandes tate.co.uk

the You’ll find many of the restaurants along our Great West Way are dining rooms within their Ambassador hotels, many of which source also You’ll ingredients from small local producers.

Rick Stein, find several celebrity chefs including There’s Pierre Koffmann and Marco Pierre White. you. also plenty of different cuisines to tempt AT BEAU’S BAR AND RESTAURANT DONNINGTON GROVE HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB (G4) donnington-grove.com THE BRASSERIE AT SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN HOTEL (K3) sirchristopherwren.co.uk

1st Sat of Wiltshire Farmers’ Market Devizes, of month; month; Royal Wootton Bassett 4th Sat Salisbury 1st & 3rd Wed of month FACTORY

DEVIZES FOOD Devizes, Septe AND DRINK FES mber-Octo devizesfoo danddrinkfe ber stival.info Week-long celebr products, includ ation of local food a Place and visits ing a food market in t and vineyard. to producers including EAT! FOOD FESTIVAL HENLEY (H3 Henley on Thames, June A fortnig ht • eatfo odfe of that includ es feasting, with a line-up o tastings, chef screenings and demo the finale Rivers nstrat street food ide Fiest and a floatin g gin bar.

EAT READ ING Broad St and (H4) livingreadin Market Place, Reading, g.co.uk Ju Two-day festiva l showcasing businesses, Reading’s featuring live street food cookery demobe tastin up street café. gs, cocktail mixology ns If you can, time and your visit for drink-focuse GREAT BRITI d events along one of the food and SH FOOD Some of the Engle field, FESTIVAL bigger ones the Great West Way. Reading (H4), includ e the Feast, Bristo Westonbir Great l Food Conne t House (C3), June and Music Festiv ctions, Longle Bath greatbritis al hfoodfestiv August There are also and the Great British Foodat Food and al.com This touring festival brings weekly produ hundreds of smaller events Festival. street food artisan produ ce vendo towns throug and street food marke , alongside days and includ rs together over two cers ts in market hout the tourin or thre es plenty of stumble upon child-friend Chippenham g route. You might even ly act HUNGERF ’s Pancake Races ORD FOOD BRADFORD Hungerford !

FESTIVAL ON AVON (F4) Town Hall Victory Field, FOOD FESTI and High St, hungerfordf oodfestival Octob scrumptiou Bradford on Avon, 30 VAL (C4) Full-day event .com sfoodfestiv May als.co.uk One-day event and live cookin featuring street food stalls, g demos. Sustai talk producers, cookefeaturing food stalls from theme. nability is a local ry demo key artisan chefs and a nstrat children’s activit ions by professional PUB IN THE y area.

PARK (BATH BRISTOL FOOD Marlow, May B4 / MARL CONNECTIO Bristol, June June • pubin and Royal Victoria Park,OW J3) NS (A4) • bristolfood theparkuk.c Bath, A citywide line-u connections Celebrity chef om Tom Kerridge including talks p of events over almos .com chef demonstrat combines tastin t on two ions, maste weeks, gs, trips and cookin food and health, luncht from top live g demonstrat acts in his ‘ultimrclasses and music ime boat three lively ions. ate pub garde days.

THE COFF n’ ove EE The PassengerHOUSE PROJECT (A4) THE SURR EY Shed, Bristo thecoffeeh Old Deer Park,FOOD FESTIVAL (L3) l, September ouseproject Richmond, .co.uk Bristol’s first surreyfoodf coffee festiva estival.com April roasters and l A weekend independen celebrates local, artisan of t food and drink two days. demos in the foodie fun, with talks, tastin marqu retailers over of food and drink ee and an extensive gs and DEVIZES BEER line-up stalls, plus live zone.

FESTIVAL music and a The Wharf, kids’ Devizes, July (D4) Long-runnin TASTE OF • camra.org.u g CORS 100 real ales one-day beer festival with k Corsham, June HAM (C4) and ciders served more music too.

Full-day celebr • corsham.gov.uk up canalside. than Live producers, withation of Corsham’s local food food and High Street , live music drink stalls lining the and a silent disco.

of The Landlord Pete’s vision is at the heart branding Newbury and 137, from the distinctive to the stunning décor.

CEDAR AT THE LANGLEY (K3) thelangley.com CLAYTON’S KITCHEN (B4) claytonskitchen.com

ENGLISH WI

MOOR BEER BRISTOL BEER

BEER & BREWERIES

THE DINING ROOM, WHATLEY MANOR HOTEL & SPA (C3) Easton Grey, Malmesbury SN16 0RB, 01666 822888 • whatleymanor.com the kitchen of A Michelin-starred tasting menu from in this friendly executive chef Niall Keating is served charcuterie but formal dining room. There’s often a creative linefrom the manor to start, followed by up of modern British dishes.

TEA ROOM

THE SWAN BRADFORD theswanbra dford.co.uk ON AVON (C4) THREE TUNS FREEHOUSE tunsfreeho (F4) use.com THE WHIT E HORSE INN whitehorse -comptonba (D4) ssett.co.uk

l

of The Great West Way runs through some so it’s no England’s most fertile agricultural land, markets surprise that you’ll find regular farmers’ for fresh along the route. Check out these markets local food and drink, direct from the producers.

Bath Farmers’ Market Green Park Station, every Sat Market, Bristol Farmers’ Market St Nicholas every Wed Market, Bristol Street Food Market St Nicholas every Tue & Fri month Corsham Farmers’ Market 3rd Sat of Quay, Harbourside Street Food Market Broad Bristol, every Wed & Thur Thur & Henley Farmers’ Market 2nd Sat, 4th 5th Sun of month Sun of month Maidenhead Farmers’ Market 2nd Market

BATH ARTISANS MARKET

FOOD ON THE MOVE

THE OLD BELL HOTEL (C3) Malmesbury, SN16 0BW, 01666 822344 • oldbellhotel.co.uk to The Old Bell Hotel & Restaurant is reputed and be the oldest purpose-built hotel in England uses fresh, Grade 1 listed. The Refectory and Bar by a local and seasonal produce accompanied wide selection of drinks.

15:26 Page 1 GGW advert.qxp_Layout 1 19/11/2019

TASTE OF CORSHAM (C4) Corsham, June • corsham.gov.uk food Full-day celebration of Corsham’s local lining the producers, with food and drink stalls High Street, live music and a silent disco.

THE SURREY FOOD FESTIVAL (L3) Old Deer Park, Richmond, April surreyfoodfestival.com and A weekend of foodie fun, with talks, tastings line-up demos in the marquee and an extensive and a kids’ of food and drink stalls, plus live music zone.

EAT READING (H4) June Broad St and Market Place, Reading, livingreading.co.uk best foodie Two-day festival showcasing Reading’s businesses, featuring live cookery demonstrations, and a popstreet food tastings, cocktail mixology up street café.

GREAT BRITISH FOOD FESTIVAL Englefield, Reading (H4), June and Westonbirt House (C3), August greatbritishfoodfestival.com and This touring festival brings artisan producers or three street food vendors together over two activities. days and includes plenty of child-friendly (F4) HUNGERFORD FOOD FESTIVAL October Hungerford Town Hall and High St, hungerfordfoodfestival.com talks Full-day event featuring street food stalls, is a key and live cooking demos. Sustainability theme.

J3) PUB IN THE PARK (BATH B4 / MARLOW Bath, Marlow, May and Royal Victoria Park, June • pubintheparkuk.com tastings, Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge combines and music chef demonstrations, masterclasses garden’ over from top live acts in his ‘ultimate pub three lively days.

EAT! FOOD FESTIVAL HENLEY (H3) uk Henley on Thames, June • eatfoodfest.co. of events A fortnight of feasting, with a line-up film that includes tastings, chef demonstrations, with screenings and the finale Riverside Fiesta street food and a floating gin bar.

and vineyard.

(D4) DEVIZES FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL Devizes, September-October devizesfoodanddrinkfestival.info drink Week-long celebration of local food and the Market products, including a food market in a goat farm Place and visits to producers including

N TEA

THE PUMP A proper Englis ROOM REST Roman Baths AURANT (B4) a hot bevera h aftern oon tea is far more than just ge. In fact, it romanbath , Bath BA1 1LZ 01225 itself, not to can s.co.uk/pum 444477 mention a thoroube a whole meal in An elegant while away ghly pleasant space at the p-room-res taurant an aftern oon. way to Roman Baths range of teas where a is There is alway to the full tieredserved, from the smalle r cream tea stand of treats by the pot ands tea, of course. Usually this is served . throug h a strainmade from tea leaves THE ROSE , poured er into a bone ATE cake stand (H4) china cup. is the most roseatehot traditional way A tiered els.com/rea accompanyin ding/thero g to seate jam and cream food: sandwiches, scone serve the ROSEATE HOUSE (L3) in that order, , and cakes. Most peopl s served with roseatehot e eat them els.com/lon but since many places will keep don/roseat of the most ehouse replenishing THE ROSE upmarket switch back ATE VILLA each level, you and forth for BATH (B4) roseatehot could hours. els.com/ba Aftern oon th/theros

TO DOWNLOAD

BUTTLE FARM (D4) buttle farm. co.uk

CHOLDERT ON CHARLIE’S (E5) FARM SHOP Chold erton charliesfarm .com/farmshop

gs,

Malmesbury Artisan and Farmers’ every Fri

of month

Meet our working shire horses

Bristol Airport’s cafes, bars and restaurants day, stay open until the final flight of the off, with so you can fuel up before you take down meal. anything from a tasty snack to a sit with rooftop Our pick is Cabin Bar - premium bar beers terrace. The Cabin, offers fine wine, craft environment and locally sourced food in a relaxing with – and includes a stylish outdoor terrace retractable roof.

AFTERN OO

BRISTOL

visitbristol .co.uk/beer Bristol is one of the UK’s destinations leading craft and is brimm beer breweries – ing with brillian there t city and surrou are more than 20 in the your thirst in nding countryside. Quenc tap shops and traditi rooms, fantas tic beer h onal pubs, or lead of the follow the local Brewery Tours tour guides at Bristo l or Bristol Hopp ers.

drink real These are some of the best places to ale along the Great West Way.

Newbury Farmers’ Market 1st Sun

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

by train Enjoy dining while travelling the route pass. with our Great West Way Discoverer produce Great Western Railway serve delicious classic from their at-seat trolley service, from snacks and sweet treats, to tasty sandwiches drinks, and wraps. Plus, a great range of soft journey. beers, and wines to accompany your

PLUM + SPILT MILK, GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL (M3) gnhlondon.com RICK STEIN, MARLBOROUG H (E4) rickstein.com/eat-with-us/marlborough

CLOISTERS RESTAURANT, BAILBROOK HOUSE HOTEL (C4) handpickedhotels.co.uk GH DAN MOON AT THE GAINSBOROU RESTAURANT (B4) thegainsboroug hbathspa.co.uk THE DISPENSARY, NO 15 GREAT PULTENEY (B4) no15greatpulteney.co.uk

To discover more, visit GreatWestWay.co.uk

THE LANG LEY thelangley.c (K3) om Experience an classic decor authentic Aftern oon Tea of in the with historic the Drawing Room. Appoi features, origin nted contempora al artwork ry spot to view furnish ings, this is the and perfec our landscaped while enjoyi gardens and t ng our conte mporary aftern lake oon tea.

ABBEY HOTE abbeyhotel L (B4) bath.co.uk APEX HOTE L apexhotels. (B4) co.uk BAILBROOK handpicked HOUSE HOTEL (B4) hotels.co.u k/bailbrook house BOWOOD HOTEL, SPA Calne, Wilts & hire SN11 9PQGOLF RESORT (D4) bowood.or 01249 82222 g/bowood-h 8 Finger sandw otel-resort iches, scone served in the s and Shelburne Restau colourful cakes Library. Fire rant, Bar and in winter.

CRICKLAD E crickladeho HOUSE HOTEL (E2) tel.co.uk THE BRIDGE thebridgete TEA ROOMS (C4) arooms.co.u k NO 15 GREA no15greatp T PULTENEY (B4) ulteney.co .uk

BLACK SWAN blackswand , DEVIZES (D4) evizes.co.uk CROWN, TOLL thecrowntol DOWN (B3) ldown.co.uk GEORGE INN, NORTON georgeinnn ST PHILIP sp.co.uk (C5)

SHOP

for what’s local.

SAVOURING savouringbath.com

S FOOD & DRINK TOURS & TASTINGBATH (B4)

W W W.WA D W O R T H .C O.U K

E.

BAR S AND PUBS SERV ING REAL ALES

HELEN BROW helenbrown NING’S ROYAL OAK ingsorganic .co.uk/roya (E3) l-oak/ THE NEWBURY (G4) thenewbury pub.co.uk THE PRINCE princestreet STREET SOCIAL (B4) social.com QUEENS ARMS , EAST GARS queensarms TON (F4) eastgarsto n.co.uk THE ROYA L royaloakyat OAK YATTENDON (G3) tendon.co.u k THE ROYA L WINDSOR theroyalwi ndsor.co.uk PUB (K3)

COBBS FARM

COBBS FARM SHOP & HUNGERF ORD (F4) KITCHEN, Cobbs Farm, 01488 6867 Bath Rd, Hungerford RG17 0SP, 70 This excellent • cobbsfarmshops. co.uk the surroundingfarm shop sells produce from rhubarb in springfarm. Expect asparagus and and soft fruits while autum in summ n The café uses means squash and pump er, the same produ kin. and serves breakf ce where possib asts le and Wiltsh ire cured lunches includ ing Down the road ham and homemade quiche in Englefield, Readin . find another g you Cobbs Farm a whole host Shop & Kitche will of local produ n with ce.

thousands Beer has been brewed in England for hops, of years – a fermented mixture of water, wasn’t malt and yeast. Although beer itself their invented here, the English have developed what own unique style which is quite unlike you’ll find in other countries. in the This is called ‘real ale’, a name first coined Real Ale) 1970s by CAMRA (the Campaign for that to describe traditional draught cask beers product, contain live yeast. Real ale is a living the beer is the yeast continuing to ferment until hand-pull served – generally from a traditional real ale pump mounted on the bar. This gives bags of flavour and a natural light carbonation that is very different from the more ubiquitousby lagers and highly carbonated beers produced the large international brewers. along You’ll find real ale in almost all pubs the Great West Way. It comes in numerous bitter, varieties including IPA (India Pale Ale), can mild, stout, porter and golden. Flavours don’t be vary significantly within varieties, so ask afraid to request a taste first – and always

AEROSPACE BRISTOL CAFÉ (B3) 5BZ Hayes Way, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 aerospacebristol.org/cafe Aerospace Refuel in the café whilst on a visit to a delicious Bristol. This light and airy café serves Produce is range of light meals, snacks and drinks. locally sourced where possible.

(H4)

All rights reserved.

START HER

CLICK HERE

WERIES

Beer has been of years – a brewed in England for thous ferme malt and yeast. nted mixture of water ands , hops, invented here, Although beer itself wasn’t own unique the English have develo style which ped their you’ll find in is other count quite unlike what ries.

This is called ‘real ale’, a name 1970s by CAMR A (the Camp first coined in the to describe traditional draug aign for Real Ale) contain live ht cask beers yeast. that the yeast contin Real ale is a living product, served – genera uing to ferment until the beer is pump moun lly from a traditional hand-pull ted bags of flavou on the bar. This gives real that is very r and a natural light carbon ale differe lagers and highly nt from the more ubiquation itous carbon ated the large intern ational brewe beers produced by rs.

You’ll find real the Great Westale in almos t all pubs along varieties includ Way. It comes in nume mild, stout, ing IPA (India Pale Ale), rous porter bitter, vary significantly and golden. Flavou rs can afraid to reque within varieties, so don’t for what’s local.st a taste first – and alway be s ask These are some ale along the of the best places to drink Great West real Way.

S

TEA ROOMS & CAFÉS

THE BRIDGE TEA ROOMS (C4) thebridgetearooms.co.uk MUSEUM (C4) GARDEN CAFÉ AT THE HOLBURNE holburne.org (E4) HONEYSTREET BOATS AND CAFÉ honeystreetmillcafe.co.uk

THE THE DOWER HOUSE RESTAURANT, (B4) ROYAL CRESCENT HOTEL & SPA 16 Royal Crescent, Bath BA1 2LS, 01225 823333, royalcrescent.co.uk both This formal but friendly restaurant serves á la carte tasting menus (one is vegetarian) and cuisine. dishes, with a focus on seasonal British gardens, The dining room overlooks the hotel’s where you can dine al fresco in summer.

THAMES LIDO (H4) thameslido.com

West Way are registered trade marks.

GreatWestWay.co.uk/food-and-drink

BEER & BRE

WEST BERK SHIRE BREW The Old Dairy ERY (G3) 0XT, 01635 , Frilsham Farm, Yatte 76709 ndon RG18 A menu of home 0 • wbbrew.com made pizzas soak up the , burgers beers in the Taproom of and salads brewhouse. this You’ll have views into the modern one side and brewe out over the on the other.

Berksh ire count ry on ryside

FARM SHOP

One of the greatest pleasu throug h the English count res of a drive at a farm shop ryside is stopp café for a cup ing tasty local produ of ce. You’ll happetea and some as you travel n upon them along the Great West Way.

BEAR, DEVI ZES (D4) thebearhot eldevizes.c o.uk BIRD IN HAND , KNOWL HILL birdinhand.

(J3) co.uk

NATIONAL TRUST SEASONAL EATING, DRINKING AND SHOPPING cafés, Did you know that 187 of National Trust’s the restaurants and tea-rooms have received award Food for Life Served Here Award? The food that recognises that they serve fresh, local There is ethically and sustainable produced. find on are seven National Trust places you can which are the Great West Way and eight more for an within easy reach of it, so if you’re looking to take afternoon tea, a picnic or a food hamper your back there should be something to tempt tastebuds.

(B4) SPRING’S CAFÉ AND RESTAURANT Thermae Bath Spa, Bath, BA1 1SJ 01225 331234 • thermaebathspa.com to add extra Whilst enjoying a relaxing Spa, be sure afternoon time to your spa session so you can enjoy tea or a tasty meal at your leisure.

WILTON WINDMILL (F4) wiltonwindmill.co.uk

VAUGHAN’S KITCHEN (D4) vaughanskitchen.co.uk

THAMES RIVERCRUISE thamesrivercruise.co.uk

SHELBURNE RESTAURANT, BOWOOD HOTEL, SPA & GOLF RESORT (D4) 822228 Derry Hill, Calne SN11 9PQ, 01249 bowood.org/bowood-hotel-resort has The classy restaurant at this luxury hotel and glorious views of the estate from its windows on lamb loin hearty dishes such as guinea fowl and and vegan its menu. There’s also a full vegetarian roasts. menu and excellent traditional Sunday

TAS TE HERE.

slice of quin tessential Engl agricultural and is hom land e to some of fruits and vege , and with that comes excellent local the country’s best tables to fine breweries expe produce, from wines. Farm s rear anim riment with fresh als and nurt veggies. Whi craft beers, ure and kitchen le pubs and gard ens culti crops, restaurants and family-ru select the best vate seasonal n tea room s whip up fresh of it all for their menus, All of this adds cakes daily. up to one very farm shops, tasty journ international ey alon g the cuisine, Mich cookery scho Great Wes t elin starred ols and more Way. From restaurants, take a look tours, tasti at our pick ngs, of the best places to visit.

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(G5) BOMBAY SAPPHIRE DISTILLERY distillery.bombaysapphire.com

food Join one of the Great West Way’s best the local experiences to really get to grips with try homegrown cuisine. There are plenty of places to along the tipples. Beer, wine and gin are all made vineyard or Great West Way. You can take a brewery, experience like a distillery tour, try a hands-on foodie cookery school, or take a city food tour.

AROUND AND ABOUT BATH (B4) aroundandaboutbath.com

Great West Way and England’s Great

(C4) THE SWAN BRADFORD ON AVON theswanbradford.co.uk

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CAFÉ – WINDSOR CASTLE UNDERCROFT OPENING 2020 (K3) rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle a series of Royal Collection Trust is investing in the projects at Windsor Castle that will transform is Work experience of visiting this royal residence. into underway to evolve the medieval Undercroft few of the the Castle’s first permanent café. One renovations in remaining parts of Edward III’s major oldest the 1360s, the Undercroft is among the the 14th surviving parts of the Castle and during and larder. century served as the principal cellar

WOOLLEY GRANGE HOTEL (C4) woolleygrangehotel.co.uk

HEYWORTH RESTAURANT, HENLEY GREENLAND’S HOTEL (H3) hospitalityuor.co.uk

GUYERS HOUSE HOTEL & RESTAURANT (C4) guyershouse.com (F4) THE HARROW AT LITTLE BEDWYN theharrowatlittlebedwyn.com

BRISTOL PACKET BOAT TRIPS (A4) bristolpacket.co.uk

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FRENCH BROTHERS (K3) frenchbrothers.co.uk

ALDERMASTON TEA ROOMS (H4) katrust.org.uk/attractions CANAL TRUST CAFÉ (C4) canaltrustcafe.co.uk DEVIZES WHARF TEA ROOM (D4) katrust.org.uk/attractions THE ENGINEMAN’S REST CAFÉ (E4) croftonbeamengines.org/cafe/ TEASHOP BY THE CANAL (G4) teashopbythecanal.co.uk

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LIDO BRISTOL (A4) lidobristol.com

HOBBS OF HENLEY (H3) hobbsofhenley.com

With so many great experiences to savour along the Great West Way food lovers should download our Food & Drink map!

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perfect Or take a look at these welcoming spots Great to stop and plan the next part of your and a West Way journey while enjoying a cake

• ALDER RIDGE Tours happen between June and September at this 8-acre vineyard specialising in sparkling wine, conveniently located at Cobbs Farm Shop, a food-lovers’ destination in its own right, on the Berkshire/Wiltshire border.

• A’BECKETT’S VINEYARD Tours (1 hour or 90 minutes) can be arranged for groups (minimum of 10 people or the cost thereof). In addition to trying English sparkling wine, or cider or apple juice from the orchards, don’t miss the Penruddocke’s Red Pinot Noir, a bronze-medal winner in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2020.

• ALDWICK ESTATE Take a 90-minute tour from March to October in Somerset’s lush Yeo Valley.

Try the award-winning Seyval Salute sparkling English wine, first released in 2020: a ‘salute’ to the NHS key workers during COVID-19. There’s sumptuous accommodation on the estate if you imbibe extra enthusiastically.

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VINEYARD TOURS AND TASTINGS

A cream tea is a must on your journey and there are many options for partaking in this beloved English ritual as you travel the route. Tables piled high with cake stands, tea pots and pretty china cups.

Scones smothered in thick, sweet cream.

Dainty sandwiches layered with smoked salmon, or Wiltshire ham, or West Country cheese. Fresh homemade cakes and pastries. Copious refills of herbal teas or classic English Breakfast. Traditionally, the jam is strawberry but choose from raspberry or even blackcurrant!

Some of the best cream teas along the way are at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Honeystreet Mill Café, The Tutti Pole, Whatley Manor, Woolley Grange Hotel and the traditional Bridge Tea Rooms.

Experience an authentic afternoon tea whilst enjoying views over the landscaped gardens and lakes from the Drawing Room at The Langley or surrounded by glorious Cotswold gardens on the terrace at Whatley Manor. Enjoy a quintessentially English afternoon tea at Bowood House or delve into the decadence of yesteryear at boutique hotel Roseate House - or head to the grand Pump Room to feel like Jane Austen and take your tea where high society has been meeting since the 18th century. Whether you’re spending weeks exploring the length of the Great West Way, or you’re here for a day trip, there’s always time for afternoon tea.  greatwestway.co.uk/see-and-do/foodand-drink/afternoon-tea

KOFFMAN N & MR WHIT FRENCH BRAS E’S ENGLISH SERIE (B4) AND mpwrestau rants.co.uk

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Pictured in a clockwise direction: STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway; STEAM Museum's Pattern Shop; The Merchant's House; Crofton Beam Engines; Jane Austen Centre; We The Curious.

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MUSEUM GEMS

The Great West Way is home to some of England’s most fascinating heritage sites and unmissable museums to visit on your journey Words: Robin Glover

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RAVELLERS ALONG THE Great West Way, whether driving, cycling, boating or walking, will be amazed by the many opportunities to visit sites of national and international importance. If you think London has a monopoly on arts and culture in England, think again!

The world is well aware of the magnificent Windsor Castle, majestic Salisbury Cathedral, mystical Stonehenge and the Roman Baths in Georgian Bath – and each demands a visit – but there are also many less well-known finds to discover on your way.

Even in the quaintest of villages you can find a thriving cultural life, from annual festivals that have been faithfully recreated for hundreds of years to pop-up art galleries in repurposed phone boxes.

The market towns and cities along the Great West Way also reach well beyond their geographical limits in terms of the quality and breadth of their artistic output. While some showcase the work of celebrated local artists, each inspired in unique ways by their remarkable surroundings, others attract national and international talent. This is a joy for travellers as it means a variety of art galleries, theatres, music venues, literary events, comedy nights and more to explore.

Along the touring route you’ll find big name theatres rubbing shoulders with smaller - but just as interesting - backroom gig venues. And one-off woodland poetry readings that prove as soul-stirring as star-studded book festivals. Because on the Great West Way, art and culture happens anywhere and everywhere.

There’s such a rich respect for the arts along the route, we know you’ll find something to arouse even your most niche interests.

Before leaving behind the Thames-side delights of Henry VIII’s Hampton Court, historic Runnymede, notorious Cliveden and Royal Windsor, seek out the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum, unassuming but full of interesting exhibits illustrating the thousands of years of the settlement’s existence and royal patronage.

By contrast, just a few minutes away, at Eton Wick, is an absorbing, privately-owned collection of civilian and military motor vehicles and militaria, The History on Wheels Museum.

Head a little further upstream and you will come to the Maidenhead Heritage Centre where you can both trace the two thousand years of the town’s history and, unforgettably for enthusiasts of all ages, ‘fly’ in a WWII Spitfire simulator. Arrive in the town of Reading and there are many visitor attractions.

Make your next stop the historic village of Cookham in Berkshire's north-easternmost corner, home to the Stanley Spencer Gallery, an art museum dedicated to his life and work as an artist. Pick up a map and continue the experience on an hour-long walking trail from the centre of Cookham down to the Thames and back, past the location of a number of Spencer’s paintings. Our next cultural gem along the route is the pretty riverside village of Hurley, with its half-timbered houses, old church and exciting past as one of the last great secrets of D Day! →

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“In Newbury the West Berkshire Museum is a treasure trove of information and exhibits illustrating the origins of the county and its people.”

Unknown to its residents, for 75 years, Station Victor was in fact a radio centre run by the secret intelligence branch of the American Office of Strategic Services. There's a blue commemorative plaque, which was unveiled in 2019 to mark the site of the secret communication stations, (which were codenamed VICTOR) - find it at the entrance to Hurley Manor.

Whitchurch Silk Mill is a gem of industrial heritage in beautiful, rural Hampshire. Pop into The Mill Shop following your visit to buy exclusive silk gifts that have been woven right there at the Mill.

Further west, Reading Museum, is full of fascinating regional history and artefacts, a 70-metre long, woven replica of the famous Bayeux Tapestry and the Huntley & Palmer exhibition, reflecting on the 150 years of local biscuit manufacture. The Museum of English Rural Life is where agriculture, through the ages, is brilliantly brought to life with interactive exhibits as well as comprehensive displays of implements, machinery and vehicles, and the Abbey Galleries are a great introduction to exploring the ruins of Reading Abbey, which is also celebrating a 900 year anniversary in 2021, and finding out more about Henry I, England’s last ‘unfound’ king.

In Newbury the West Berkshire Museum is a treasure trove of information and exhibits illustrating the origins of the county and its people. By contrast, just a few miles further west, in Wiltshire, is a pair of remarkable survivors from the early days of the Industrial Revolution.

The Crofton Beam Engines were built over 200 years ago to maintain water-levels in the nearby Kennet & Avon Canal and, amazingly, those great steam engines are still in

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working order, doing the job for which they were designed!

Negotiating the pretty lanes of the Vale of Pewsey brings the happy traveller to Devizes, home of the independent craft brewers, Wadworth Brewery, featuring a ‘Brewseum’ of memorabilia, and of the county’s Wiltshire Museum, telling the 500,000 years story of the county through its awardwinning galleries, exhibits, high-quality graphics and striking reconstructions. In order to maximise their enjoyment, visitors en route to such prehistoric sites as Avebury and Stonehenge are urged to visit this museum first.

And in Wiltshire’s county town, the Trowbridge Museum offers insight into the rich textile related heritage in the heart of the town. The museum has recently seen a fantastic multi-million pound expansion, doubling the size of the museum for its 2021 re-opening!

Moving forward in time, the history of 19th and 20th century steam railways is retold at STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway and, if historic aeroplanes are a ‘must-see’ for you or your children, you need look no further than the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection at Old Sarum, Salisbury, where cockpits are mostly open and you can sit in and use the controls.

Since its formation in 1942, the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers has been the driving-force of the British Army and the inspiring story of the unit is told at the REME Museum through their collections of armoured vehicles and weaponry and child-friendly interactive displays.

When you reach Bristol, be prepared for even more, as Aerospace Bristol houses an awesome collection of aeroplanes and space vehicles spanning the centuries, →

Pictured left-right: West Berkshire Museum; Brunel's SS Great Britain; the last Concorde to be built at Aerospace Bristol; We the Curious; and Trowbridge Museum

DID YOU KNOW? STONEHENGE AND AVEBURY ENIGMATIC STONES FORM ONE OF THE UK’S FIRST EVER UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES?

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DISCOVER THE UNEXPECTED IN 2021…

DISCOVER READING

A unique place in history, Reading is a surprise at every turn

Reading Abbey celebrates 900 years of history The Museum of English Rural Life – the museum of food, farming and the countryside Britain’s Bayeux Tapestry is 70m long – the only full-scale replica is housed in Reading Museum

livingreading.co.uk

Discover Calne

From A to B

Calne Town Council

Plan your visit at

VisitCalne.co.uk

VIDEOS AND MULTIMEDIA

including the last Concorde to be built and to fly. Also in Bristol, don’t miss Brunel's SS Great Britain, one of the most important historic ships in the world or We The Curious on Bristol’s harbourside, with all sorts of different experiences and exhibits for you to interact with, and experiments you can take part in.

Our next ports-of-call are altogether more restful, starting at the charming Georgian town of Chippenham, there's the Chippenham Museum & Heritage Centre, set in an immaculate 18th century townhouse and relating the story of the town’s development since the prehistoric era. On the way to the nearby market town of Corsham, a small detour will bring you to the picture-perfect village of Lacock, and National Trust’s Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village.

Here, in 1835, William Fox Talbot created the world’s first photographic negative and it is only proper that the Museum of Photography is established here.

Pretty Corsham offers two museum ‘treats’, a moving historical experience in the original 17th century Corsham Schoolroom and Almshouse and The Pound Arts Centre, a North Wiltshire hub for the performing and visual arts.

The City of Bath, in its entirety, has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status and this modest feature cannot do it full justice. Explore it for yourself, at leisure, and marvel at the splendour and grace of its Georgian beauty. 2021 is the year to immerse in English history and Bath is offering it in abundance.

The city was built up around its mineral rich hot springs, so you’ll want to explore the Roman Baths, where it all began - walking on the very ground bathers did more than 2,000 years ago.

The Archway Project has recently converted the former Victorian spa buildings close to the Roman Baths into a World Heritage Centre, exploring the internationally recognised historic city, and opened previously unseen areas of the Roman Baths themselves – including a Roman sauna!

Other impressive museums and exhibitions include the imaginative recreations at No. 1 Royal Crescent and the Jane Austen Centre and the superb collection of fine and decorative arts to be viewed at the Grade I listed The Holburne Museum. Plus don't miss the brand new Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein, the world's first horror experience dedicated to author Mary Shelley and her most infamous creation, Frankenstein.

› Keep 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 and documents from their collections and libraries: wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/donations/at-home › Take a Google Street View tour of the Roman Baths: romanbaths.co.uk/ walkthrough Or have a go at these online games: 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: fashionmuseum.co.uk/ childrens-page › Keep an eye on the Youtube account for The Pounds Art Centre, where they post videos of performances and readings: youtube.com/user/PoundArts/videos

› 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: 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: english-heritage.org.uk/ visit/places/stonehenge/things-to-do/ stone-circle/skyscape/ GreatWestWay.co.uk

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WAYS TO RE J U VE NAT E T HE

MIND, BODY AND SOUL

Take some time out for yourself along the Great West Way and re-energise your mind, body and soul. Whether you’re keen on keeping fit or prefer taking it easy in a luxury spa, we hope you enjoy our top 10 ways to add some wellness to your trip

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CONNECT WITH NATURE

You just can’t beat pulling on your walking boots, getting out into the English countryside and breathing in that fresh, fresh air. The whole length of the route boasts wide, open landscapes just calling out to be explored. Rolling green downland.

Fields of spring wildflowers. Tranquil lakes. Get away from the crowds and head out into these quintessentially English landscapes for some ultimate restorative me-time. Explore Richmond

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Park, London’s largest site of Special Scientific Interest and European Special Area of Conservation or visit one of the Great West Way’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, from the North Wessex Downs, The Cotswolds to The Chilterns.

Or why not take a walk around the grounds of one of the Great West Way’s National Trust gardens including Tyntesfield, Prior Park Landscape Garden and Lacock. For a faster pace join a Nordic Walking event with Bristol Nordic Walking. Or you might enjoy Alison Howell’s Foot Trails, Oldbury Tours or Tour & Explore with Anne Bartlett.

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JOIN IN WITH A WELLNESS CLASS

No matter where you are on the Great West Way chances are you won’t be too far from a yoga or mindfulness class where you can join in the spirit with others. Luxury hotels and Health Retreats including Casterley Barn, Danesfield House and Hungerford’s Herongate Club all run

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regular classes. If staying in Bath you might enjoy a one-day introductory session at the Bath School of Shiatsu & Yoga, and in Bristol yoga and holistic therapies are hugely popular. Wild Wolf’s Yoga, Bristol City Yoga and Bristol Yoga Space are all fairly central. You can even take part in a yoga session with SUP Bristol while on a paddleboard floating on the waterways of Bristol Harbourside.

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STAY ON A FARM

To get an authentic feel for life on the land, wake up to the sound of cockerels at one of the fabulous farms along the Great West Way. Depending on what sort of experience you want, you could stay at a lovely luxurious farmhouse B&B like Marshwood Farm near Salisbury or Great Ashley Farm in Bradford-on-Avon. For the ultimate luxury experience stay in one of

Buttle Farm’s beautiful barn conversions, awarded VisitEngland’s highest rating – 5*Gold, or for rustic-romance in a snuggly shepherd hut on rolling farmland head to Rushall Organics Farm. You could get stuck in with a full-on farm stay at Mill Farm in Devizes, offering lots of farm-based experiences alongside its accommodation, from badger watching to donkey rides.

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4

BOOK A LUXURY SPA BREAK

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 what you need then there’s plenty of choice on the Great West Way. Some of the best include The Roseate Reading, Monkey Island in Bray, The Langley in Buckinghamshire, Pennyhill Park in Surrey, Whatley Manor in Malmesbury and The Royal Crescent in Bath. Cricklade

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House and Woolley Grange Hotel in Wiltshire both have scenic locations ideal for that after dinner evening stroll. Or if you really want to splash out, make like a princess (or prince) for a spa retreat at Cliveden House. 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 and to help you combat any fatigue caused from lockdown.

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BRAVE A DIP

There are some magical places to go wild swimming along the Great West Way such as Avoncliff, a luscious river pool with a rope swing in Bradford-on-Avon, or Cock Marsh near Cookham where you’ll find sandy beaches to paddle out from and clear, clean waters. You might prefer to

plunge into one of the historic lidos en route such as Clifton’s Victorian Lido in Bristol, and enjoy the invigorating feel of an outdoor swim, or with the luxury of changing rooms, Bristol Lido and the Thames Lido in Reading are much-loved by locals. You might also enjoy a refreshing soak in the natural thermal waters of the rooftop pool at Thermae Bath Spa.

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HAVE A ‘ZOO’PER TIME

Whether your favourite animal is a monkey, lion, pig or a giraffe, you’re guaranteed to enjoy your day and re-energise exploring one of the many zoos or wildlife parks along the way. Visit Longleat, home to England’s only Koalas at Koala Creek, and meet their colourful macaws in an impressive parrot show display, explore rare breeds at Avon

Valley Wildlife Park, become a ranger for the day at Bristol Zoo Gardens (the world’s 5th oldest zoo!), or celebrate World Lion Day on 10 August at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm.

At Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm the little ones will love feeding, cuddling and petting the rabbits, pigs, goats, chickens, ponies, sheep and more, or just a short detour off the route at Cotswold Wildlife Park you can walk the Giraffe Walkway and be eye-to-eye with these amazing creatures.

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GLAMP OR CAMP

For wellness you can’t beat sleeping in a yurt, glamping pod, rustic cabin or luxury treehouse. There’s no doubt, camping in the countryside along the Great West Way can be a magical experience, sitting round a fire pit, toasting marshmallows until they’re so gooey they nearly fall off the stick. Listening for the twit-twoooo of owls after dark.

Sleeping under a dazzling blanket of stars. If you enjoy going off-grid then try The Farm

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Camp near Bath, or for a unique city stay try Uplands Treehouse in Bristol. If in search of some precious couples-only time head to Totteridge Farm in the heart of Vale of Pewsey. In what amounts to a Great British Glamp-off, some sites even offer experiences like mindfulness walks, guided birdwatching tours and cooking classes and most have outdoor spaces where you can sit and read a book or enjoy a sundowner cider with mesmerising views.

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TRY YOUR HAND AT SOMETHING NEW

You might enjoy a bushcraft course with Survival School, Bristol, or learning about bee keeping with Wiltshire Beekeepers Association. Book a foraging experience with Experience Nomadic for a woodland foraging feast inspired by the wild ingredients that grow there in abundance. Take a creative course such as learning to weave at Whitchurch Silk Mill – or take part in a

wellbeing summer course at Marlborough College in Wiltshire, once home to the Duchess of Cambridge during her school days. They run a wide range of workshops including a burgeoning selection of rural craft courses, an introduction to bee keeping, drawing and painting the landscape, code breaking and many more. If you’re interested in organic farming and happy to volunteer, WWOOF can even connect you with local smallholdings where you can learn new skills helping out around the farm.

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GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR SPIRITUAL SIDE

If the wellness you seek is spiritual, you’ll find plenty of absorbing sacred spaces along the Great West Way, and where better to start than one of the almighty cathedrals? There’s the inimitable Bath Abbey, perfect for pondering higher spiritual planes, as well as Bristol, Salisbury and Gloucester cathedrals. Amid those you’ll also find churches, temples and mosques. A growing interest in mindfulness techniques means you can find meditation courses and retreats too. Tarastone near

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Salisbury offers Buddhist teachings as well as peaceful accommodation in a beautiful setting. Finally, you can feel the power of England’s pagan past at Stonehenge and Avebury - or, for a lesser-known experience, Stanton Drew. Sunset or sunrise at summer and winter solstice signalling the longest and shortest days of the year - are when most of the celebrations take place, but they’re magical places of reflection whenever you visit. 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 highwayman and unforeseen hazards.

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TREAT YOURSELF

All sorts of delicious foods and drinks are produced along the Great West Way – fresh fruit and vegetables are grown, meat is reared, beer is brewed and gin is distilled. Sample some delicious local produce as you explore the wonderful farm shops. Pile your basket high with free range eggs, punnets of fresh strawberries, West Country cider, Cheddar cheese, Wiltshire smoked ham and more. Why not pack it all up in a hamper and find a spot to enjoy a leisurely picnic besides the canal or on a flower-strewn hillside? At Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen in

Hungerford you will find a traditional butchery counter, delicatessen, fishmongers, and shelves stacked with locally-grown produce. Or dine in, with outdoors hospitality expected to reopen mid-April and indoors hospitality from midMay, places will be welcoming you back to enjoy their pubs, restaurants and cafés along the route. Linger over an indulgent afternoon tea in a quaint country café. Sit down to a gourmet meal in a Michelin-starred restaurant. Sip local beer in sunny beer gardens... Whatever your tastes, there’s many a tantalising buffet foodie experience waiting to be savoured.

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PO S T-COVID

HOTEL STAYS From the city, riverside, to the countryside - a safe and warm welcome awaits Words: Jessica Way

H

OTELIERS ALONG THE GREAT WEST WAY have been busy preparing to reopen their doors, and welcome you back safely, on the 17 May 2021, covid restrictions permitting.

Whether you are looking for a city break in a luxury spa hotel, a countryside manor house offering rambles in acres of outdoor space, or a boutique hotel on the banks of the river, there is a hotel for every occasion. Hospitality teams have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure enhanced safety procedures to offer you peace of mind during your stay, so here’s a look at some of the best hotels, getting you ready for your summer staycation.

HOTELS IN THE CITY

If you are starting your Great West Way journey in London The Great Northern Hotel is an exquisitely designed, luxurious boutique hotel relevant and central to today's reborn King's Cross St Pancras. Opened in 1854, the hotel embraces its heritage while moving gracefully with the times. Dress to impress and head to the cocktail bar and glamourous martini lounge. Roseate House London is just a short walk from Hyde Park offering stunning views over leafy Westbourne Terrace. If you are arriving from overseas and need a convenient place to stay in Central London for your 14 days quarantine, the Roseate House London has launched a special quarantine package, based on a minimum 14-night stay, with →

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“Why not stay in the most famous crescent in the world, take a dip in their award-winning spa, then let the tension of the last twelve months melt away while making a toast to a brighter future?” discounted room rates and a complimentary upgrade to a luxury Suite. Good to know - 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' (see p112); and located in the centre of Bath The Roseate Villa Bath.

Why not combine your city stay with a spa break?

Because who doesn’t enjoy a morning filled with shopping followed by an afternoon of luxury pampering? The Great West Way has some of the country’s best and most unique spa hotels, many of which are located in convenient proximity to a city centre. The Gainsborough Bath Spa for example, is located in the heart of Bath, famed for its Georgian-era architecture. Guests of the hotel have exclusive access to the Spa Village, set beneath a glass atrium within the hotel, the spa draws on the city’s natural thermal waters. A short walk away The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa built between 1767 and 1775 is located in the most famous crescent in the world. For the re-opening they have launched a special midweek new package where you will enjoy a night’s stay in a luxury room or suite including full English breakfast, plus a Taittinger Champagne gift set. Why not take a dip in their award-winning spa, then let the tension of the last twelve months melt away while making a toast to a brighter future?

If it’s culture, dining and nightlife you’re after, you won’t find better than Abbey Hotel Bath, home to Koffmann & Mr. White's brasserie-style English and French restaurant, for its location. An experiential art-driven hotel, for people seeking true Bathonian encounters, close to all the main attractions, museums and after-dark venues.

Meanwhile, Dukes Hotel occupies two magnificent Georgian townhouses on Great Pulteney Street.

You could try the Apex Hotel, Bath’s largest hotel, or for an elegant and vivacious boutique townhouse hotel located on the grandest street in Bath head to No. 15 Great Pulteney.

Taking your dog on holiday with you? Just a short drive from the centre of Bath, Grade II listed Bailbrook House Hotel, (a Hand Picked Hotel), is dog friendly and set in 20 acres - here you can enjoy the historic Cloisters restaurant or contemporary dining in The Conservatory.

If Bristol is your chosen destination for a citybreak full of culture, hotels don’t get more arty than the new Artist Residence in Bristol’s Portland Square, or more central than Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel, a historic hotel with restored family-friendly accommodation. You might also enjoy the Rock & Bowl Motel, or The Bristol Wing, a boutique hostel in the Grade II listed old Police Headquarters. Alternatively, The Full Moon →

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Pictured in a clockwise direction: Bailbrook House reception and freestanding bath; The Mitre Hotel; sumptious four poster bedroom at The Roseate Reading.

is 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. And if you’re just in Bristol for a flying visit - where could be more convenient than Hampton By Hilton Bristol Airport – the only hotel within walking distance of the terminal?

Reading is technically the UK's largest town, but with so much buzz and excitement around the town, with plenty to see and do, it makes for a fabulous destination to rival any UK city. There is yet more excellent choice of hotels here to stay in too. Malmaison Reading has stayed open through much of the pandemic offering a reduced service to key workers and business travel. Built in 1844, the hotel is the oldest surviving station hotel in the

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world - perfectly retaining the style and decadence of the golden age of rail travel. Think luxe decor, roll-top baths, and gigantic, soft beds. The Novotel Reading Centre also sits in the heart of the town just a stone's throw from many of Reading's best restaurants, bars and shops – or head to artful luxury townhouse, The Roseate Reading, originally Shire Hall. Marvel over the impressive Italian chandelier complete with 86,000 Italian-glass beads and original lift shaft that has been lovingly restored running the full height of the building. The Roseate Hotel is the perfect place to spend a glamorous evening contemplating the next stage of your journey on the Great West Way.

HOTELS BY THE RIVER

Want to slow down your pace and find your own story on the Great West Way staying near the river? With so many absorbing things to see and do along the Royal River Thames, from watching the historic tradition of Swan Upping to splashing about in boats, you might want to combine and enhance your mini-break to one of these fabulous hotels with some of the suggestions made in our Enjoy the River article (see p32)?

Start with one of the oldest inns in the world, The Olde Bell in Hursely. Full of warmth, history and charm, this quintessential English coaching inn, with some parts dating back to 1135, offers a variety of bedrooms in barns and lodges ranging from the sublime…to the ridiculously sublime!

One of the newest hotels located on the banks of the River Thames is The Mitre, a stylish boutique hotel in East Molesey boasting balconies, private courtyards, fire pits, jacuzzis and stunning river vistas.

Sir Christopher Wren Hotel & Spa is another with a Thames riverside location. The hotel comprises several characterful buildings clustered around a historic cobbled street by Eton Bridge

“One of the newest hotels located on the banks of the River Thames is The Mitre with private courtyards, fire pits, jacuzzis and stunning river vistas” and Windsor Castle, with a gym, spa treatments, outdoor whirlpool and sauna.

Also in Windsor, both Castle Hotel MGallery and Sir Christopher Wren Hotel & Spa offer spectacular views of both the Thames and Windsor Castle. There are also some fantastic foodie stays to be had in the Thames area. From Hotel du Vin in Henley, housed in a former brewery, to The Hand & Flowers in Marlow - a 3 Michelin-starred pub by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge. You’ll find the rooms in nearby cottages almost as sensational as the fine dining, with their 4-poster beds and deep, double-ended baths.

If it is a riverside break with luxury spa you desire, the Runnymede-on-Thames is a hotel with swimming pool, whirlpool bath, saunas and eucalyptus steam room, and endless pampering with a range of treatments. History-rich Magna Carta country and all manner of outdoor pursuits are also on the doorstep here.

Speaking of spas, they don’t come much better than the Monkey Island Estate. Located on a picturesque island in the historic village →

Pictured left to right: Afternoon Tea at The Mitre; garden at the Monkey Island Estate.

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Pictured left-right: Venue Henley; Pennyhill Park & Spa; The Langley; Cliveden House Hotel; and Luxury Family Hotel, Woolley Grange.

“In Henley, you might enjoy an overnight stay at Venue Henley, a 30 acre estate once home to the WH Smith family set in the heart of the glorious Oxfordshire countryside.” of Bray in Berkshire, on the River Thames. 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 on the Great West Way. Further along the river, in Henley, you might enjoy Venue Henley. Once home to the WH Smith family, this 30 acre estate enjoys both views of the river and the glorious Oxfordshire countryside. It lies less than three miles from the centre of Henley-on-Thames, a market town full of historic buildings and home to the famous annual event the Henley Royal Regatta, five miles from the riverside Georgian market town of Marlow and a short car journey to Windsor and the University City of Oxford.

In Wiltshire’s Bradford on Avon, The Swan Hotel is a charming inn in the centre of town, by the river, full of character combining the traditions of an old inn, dating back to the 16th and 17th Century.

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HOTELS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

If your walking boots are the most important item you have packed, and you are looking to reach places that only they can take you, then one of the Great West Way’s beautiful countryside hotels is waiting to welcome you!

North of the Thames, The Langley, Buckinghamshire is the former country estate of the third Duke of Marlborough. The hotel has a wonderful spa, exceptional dining and rooms retaining exquisite period features, such as Baroque fireplaces, and grounds designed by England’s most famous landscape gardener, Lancelot Capability Brown.

If you are looking to stay in Ascot, there’s an abundance of bedrooms and charming grounds, including a private walled garden and beautiful fountain plaza at the Royal Berkshire.

Just over five miles away Pennyhill Park in Bagshot is set in 123 acres of Surrey countryside offering Michelin starred dining and an award-winning spa.

As a county with an impressive landscape of castles, country houses and sprawling estates, it’s a fine place to get a taste for how the English aristocracy live. It doesn’t get much more luxurious - or traditionally English - than the Cliveden House Hotel, where the Duchess of Sussex

chose to stay the night before her wedding.

For quaint and cozy, try the Queens Arms, East Garston, an award-winning hotel, pub and restaurant with its own private lodge right in the heart of the North Wessex Downs Area of Natural Beauty.

Also in Berkshire, there’s Donnington Grove near Newbury, an impressive 18th-century Gothic house which was once home to Daisy Fellowes, a socialite and fashionista said to have owned the largest jewellery collection in the world. This hotel and country club is set in 500 acres of countryside offering countryside pursuits such as fishing and clay pigeon shooting.

Or perhaps you’re keen to be close to the Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, if so head to five-star Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa, in the Southern Cotswolds set in 12 acres of gardens this is a ‘grown up getaway’ with a cinema, spa, restaurants and more.

Cotswolds villages such as Castle Combe, Lacock, Badminton and Malmesbury all make idyllic destinations for countryside rambles.

Why not stay in the nearby market town of

Chippenham, where you’ll find lots more options, like Best Western Angel Hotel - a 17th-century coaching inn, standing in over 30 acres of peaceful, secluded grounds on the edge of the Cotswolds, or head to The Lygon Arms, a luxury spa hotel set in the quintessential Cotswold village of Broadway.

For the ultimate tranquility of a countryside escape with views in all directions, head to the beautiful county of Wiltshire. This predominantly green landscape is a wayfarers' paradise - an ancient, rural county full of excellent walking routes and intriguing places to stay.

Start with England’s oldest hotel - sitting proudly next to the 12th Century Abbey in the centre of the historic, vibrant and charming market town of Malmesbury, The Old Bell Hotel has been restored to the height of elegance, glamour and English charm. Grade I-listed, it’s thought to date back to the 13th century when it was built to house visitors to Malmesbury Abbey next door.

For a luxury family experience, Woolley Grange Hotel in Bradford-on-Avon is another superb choice. Guests of all ages are indulged at this Jacobean Manor House. There’s even →

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TOUR & EXPLORE with Anne Bartlett

Where? Windsor, Henley, Reading, How? Waterways trips, town and Kennet and Avon Canal, River Thames, countryside walking tours, coach Chiltern Hills, North Wessex Downs 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 • graham@tours2order.com

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: anne@tourandexplore.com visit: www.tourandexplore.com Ambassador for The Great West Way

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.

Stay in a Jacobean manor on your Great West Way journey!

H OT E L | SPA | R E STAUR ANT

01225 864705 | woolleygrangehotel.co.uk Woolley Green, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1TX

24a Bridge Street, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1BY

+44 (0)1225 865537 www.thebridgetearooms.co.uk

Pictured: Cricklade House Hotel.

“Cricklade House Hotel is a beautiful and dignified country house, built at the turn of the last century with a most impressive magnificent Victorian-style glass conservatory” complimentary childcare at Woolley Bears Den, so little ones can get stuck into seasonal activities, like making butterfly sun catchers, while adults head off for a welldeserved spa treatment.

With a name like this who could refuse a stay (and if you’re lucky, a hug too) at The Bear Hotel? Set in the heart of the quaint historic traditional market town of Devizes, the hotel is run by Wadworth Brewery. An original 16th century Coaching Inn with many beams and other original features, the Bear’s en-suite bedrooms include grand 4-poster suites with front views of the Market Square.

Cricklade House Hotel is a beautiful and dignified country house, built at the turn of the last century with a most impressive magnificent Victorian-style glass conservatory which runs the full length of the original building, making the most of the hotel's elevated position.

Sit out on the terrace and enjoy wonderful panoramic views over Wiltshire countryside. Beechfield House, also in Wiltshire, is a stunning 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).

For a unique concept of keyless entry and no reception, meaning you’re able to stay safely and privately without having to interact with any other guests book yourself a

room at No.7 & No.8 Kingsbury Street, Marlborough.

Arrive hungry - they also have a fabulous burger restaurant. Further west, 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, or head to nearby Guyers House Hotel & Restaurant, a traditional country house with an awardwinning restaurant.

And if you’re looking for somewhere quick and convenient for visiting top attractions, you’ll love Holiday Inn Salisbury-Stonehenge, the closest hotel to Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site.

DoubleTree By Hilton Swindon is ideal for resting tired feet after a different type of day spent walking – a shopping spree at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon.

Find more places to stay, including bed & breakfasts, farm stays, self-catering, pubs, camping and boats from our website.

CLICK HERE

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THANK YOU TO THANK YOUTHOSE TO OUR AMBASSADORS WHO HELPED US ALONG THE WAY Title Ambassadors Bristol Airport Canal & River Trust Great Western Railway National Trust

Gateway Ambassadors Dukes Hotel, Bath The Roseate Reading Gateway Ambassadors Devizes Marina Prior Park Landscape Garden American Museum & Gardens Dyrham Park, Chippenham The Roseate Bath Devizes Marina Day Boat Hire QueensVilla Arms, East Garston A Taste of England Fashion Museum, Bath Roves Farm, Sevenhampton Bristol Airport Abbey Hotel Devizes Wharf Tea room Reading Museum a’Beckett’s French Brothers, Windsor Royal Berkshire, Sunninghill Canal & River Trust Vineyard, Devizes The Abbey Quarter Didcot Railway Centre The Red Lion East, Chisenbury Great Western Railway a’Beckett’s Vineyard The GainsboroughDonnington REMEOak, Museum Abbey Hotel, Bath Bath Spa Grove The Royal Yattendon National Trust RiverWindsor & RowingPub Museum The Abbey Quarter, Reading Active England Norton St Philip DoubleTree by Hilton, Swindon The Royal Aldermaston Tea Rooms, Dyrham Park Roseate House London Destination Ambassadors Active England Glenside Hospital Museum, Bristol Salisbury Camping and Caravanning 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Magical Marlborough The ancient market town that packs a postcard-perfect punch www.marlborough-tc.gov.uk/visitors visitmarlborough

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