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Striking architecture to see on the route

from Great West Way Travel Magazine | Issue 04

from Great West Way Travel Magazine | Issue 04, page 26

My Great West Way: Alex Brannen

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

This article is from:

Great West Way Travel Magazine | Issue 04

by Contista Media