Sporting events on the Great West Way

The Great West Way is bustling with activity this Spring and Summer, with some of the best sporting events on offer. From cricket to motor racing, rugby to athletics, mountain biking to rowing. And as well as all these special spectator experiences, there are plenty of opportunities to get active yourself too. Here are a few ideas to inspire your sporting break.

Football in England is not just a game but a national obsession. Even if you’re not a football fan, it’s hard not to get swept away by the atmosphere at a good match. See what all the fuss is about at a game in Bristol, which has multiple teams.

Catch a nerve-racking game of scrums and tries watching Bath Rugby play at The Rec by the River Avon. The team’s been going strong for more than 150 years, making it one of the oldest teams in the world – and enjoy the 2023 Guinness Six Nations England matches at Twickenham Stadium.

If you prefer your sport a little less boisterous, you could go and see the Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, located in Bristol to the north of the City Centre. They are proud to be hosting both England Men and England Women's international matches at the Seat Unique Stadium in 2023!

The Women’s Ashes Series (12 July 2023) is a highlyanticipated home Ashes series with England Women taking on Australia – two of the world's best teams going head-tohead. England Men return to the Seat Unique Stadium 26 September 2023 to play Ireland. The mouth-watering fixture is part of a three-match series which represents the last chance for Jos Buttler's side to fine-tune their skills ahead of their ODI World Cup title defence in October 2023.

You can also get ready for an action-packed match of stumps and boundaries at Lord's Cricket Ground, London. They will be hosting four international fixtures in 2023; Australia, Ireland and New Zealand will face England, including matches that form part of both the men’s and women’s Ashes Series.

If you like high-octane sport, you can watch petrol heads tackle high-speed laps and time trials, as well as experience a white-knuckle passenger ride with a pro driver at the wheel at Castle Combe Circuit, incongruously located in ‘the prettiest village in England’. Experience the thrill of the engine roar as professionals battle it out on the circuit throughout the 2023 race season.

Castle Combe Circuit

Pick a date in the calendar such as May Day Madness (1 May 2023), the Summer Spectacular Race Weekend (10-11 June 2023) and Carnival Race Day (15 July 2023). It will be a day of exhilarating high-speed action!

Athletics fans will be delighted to hear the University of Bath is hosting the 2023 UIPM Modern Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships (a Paris 2024 Olympic qualifying event), between 21-29 August 2023. The UIPM Modern Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships are the pinnacle of modern pentathlon competitions, showcasing the amazing athleticism and courage of participants from all over the world. Not only do they compete in the five traditional events – fencing, swimming, equestrian showjumping, running and shooting – but also in a thrilling laser run finale, where athletes battle it out on an obstacle course that combines elements of each sport into one exhilarating challenge. It's truly remarkable to witness these incredible athletes push themselves to their physical and mental limits as they strive for greatness! Spectators can expect to be taken on a captivating journey full of suspense and emotion as champions are crowned.

UIPM Modern Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships

Image credit Nuno Goncalves

At the UIPM Modern Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships not only do they compete in the five traditional events – fencing, swimming, equestrian showjumping, running and shooting – but there's a thrilling laser run finale

Cyclists will love the annual Cotswolds 200 race taking place on 1st September 2023. Cheer participants on from the startline in Bath, or perhaps take part, joining them on the epic ride yourself. The route heads north into the stunning Cotswolds AONB, which as many mountain bikers know, is a wonderful area to ride – created with the purpose of linking the many fun descents this area offers. There are incredibly over twenty-five significant downhill sections on this route which of course means a lot of uphill too! The 200-mile route covers the full length of The Cotswolds area there and back. This isn’t a regular ‘there n back’ route, however – the return leg is on an entirely different route, you have been warned! Riding through Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and back again, the many highlights will include some of the best mountain biking trails found in England. Not only is the riding superb, but the views from The Cotswolds escarpment are also fantastic too – especially looking west across The Severn Valley towards The Black Mountains and The Malvern Hills.

Cycling in North Wessex Downs

There’s also the UKCE Wiltshire Classic cycling event taking place on 18 March 2023. The route starts from Salisbury Racecourse in Wiltshire, and crisscrosses through the rolling countryside of Cranborne Chase AONB, an area rich in history, passing through numerous Saxon villages including Rockbourne, which is home to an Ancient Roman villa dating as far back as the Iron Age to the 5th century.

There’s a strong horse riding heritage running through the Great West Way, and many tracks where you can watch races and put money on your favourite horses. Ascot is of course the most famous, hosting Royal Ascot on 22 June 2023. There are many other racecourses in the region too, including those at Newbury, Windsor and Bath. And don’t miss Barbury International Horse Trials in July, set against the beautiful backdrop of the Marlborough Downs.

Royal Ascot

Henley-on-Thames is world-renowned for Henley Royal Regatta, which takes place from 27 June-2 July. You’ll find various other rowing events throughout the year along the River Thames like Henley Women’s Regatta, Marley Regatta (now at Dorney Lake near Eton) and Marlow Town Regatta - a great one for kids with its family fun day, Dragon Boat Festival and dog show.

Henley Royal Regatta

Image credit: Ben Rodford Photography

If you’re inspired to have a go yourself, there are multiple companies along the touring route offering horse riding and rowing experiences. Explore Salisbury Plain on horseback, stopping for a nice cup of tea and a biscuit while you take in the scenery (see Salisbury Plain Safaris). Or for an unforgettable time on the water, have a gold, silver or bronze rowing session in Henley-on-Thames with Olympic rower Toby Garbett.

For something a little different, be sure not to miss the World Shin-Kicking Championships, 2nd June 2023, at the Cotswold Olimpick Games in Chipping Campden, just a short detour off the Great West Way route. You might also like to sign-up yourself for an event, there’s the traditional King of the Hill games – this involves a series of challenges including jumping as far as possible from a standstill, Spurning the Barre (an old English version of the Scottish tossing the caber), Hammer Throw and Putting the Shot. There’s also Tug ‘O War, a former Olympic sport, and back in 2023 after a few years’ absence running races.

For sporting matches you won’t be able to experience live on the Great West Way, including the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup (taking place 20 July to 20 August 2023 in Australia & New Zealand), head to Clifton sports bar Racks, a favourite Bristol hangout for watching live sport – or soak up the atmosphere at the Ashton Gate Stadium Sports Bar – the biggest indoor pub screen in the UK!

Did you know?

In 1971, Mollie Gerrard became the first woman president of Bath Rugby, and indeed any rugby club There are plans for a new Rugby stadium in Bath, with an exceptional design due to be completed by 2025.