ARTISAN SECRETS AND GREAT WEST WAY MEMENTOS

This summer lots of our favourite craftspeople from the length of the Great West Way route are throwing open their doors once more and inviting us back to learn more about their artisan trades. With so much creativity your journey just isn’t complete without taking some time to discover them for yourselves.

The Great West Way is a great place to explore the world of ceramics, book into a workshop to learn alongside other like-minded participants, or simply drop in to meet the fantastic artists at home in their pottery studios. Pottery is a catalyst for so much more – feeling great, slowing down and making time for ourselves doing something that feels really nourishing.

Meet the Makers

Conveniently situated close to Swindon town centre, The Eastcott Studios Pottery studio has everything you need to 'get creative'. Try your hand at ‘pot throwing’ on a potter's wheel, paint-a-pot and learn the techniques of coiling, pinching and slabbing. Fired Thoughts Ceramic Arts Studio’s have two studios, one in Devizes and another in Swindon, offering weekly courses and weekend workshops. You might like to stay at one of the many local hotels, bed and breakfast and campsites nearby and stay for a course (see our accommodation section page 94).

In Wiltshire, Jane Scott Ceramics has moved to lovely new premises in Corsham while over in Bradford on Avon everyone is welcome by the Winsley Pottery Club who meet in the Church Hall for a workshop every Saturday between 10am and 12 noon. Call 01225 722107 to book your place, price is £12 per session to include refreshments.

Jane and Stephen, owners of Aston Pottery and Gardens

A short detour south of the route you will find Enigma Pottery Studio and Gallery in Frome. Launched by Jenny Barton after graduating from Bath Spa University with a degree in Ceramic Design, the pottery studio is situated at the bottom of a picturesque walled garden to the rear of her impressive Grade II listed house and gallery. Book in for a one or two hour pottery making party, or join in the fun of her seasonally inspired pottery workshops like Easter Egg painting, Mothers Day gift making, Summer workshops and Christmas Decoration Making.

Hand made pottery at Aston Pottery and Gardens

In Bristol, head to The Village Pottery in Markham Farm to pick up a beautiful handmade souvenir or visit Jessica Thorn Ceramics in Centrespace Studio for a one to one workshop on the potter's wheel.

You might enjoy combining your love of gardens and pottery with a visit to Aston Pottery and Gardens. Owners Jane and Stephen offer guided tours and talks on everything from approaches to design, methods of planting and all important garden maintenance as well as pottery demonstrations. Visit the gift shop and replenish at their award-winning Country Café.

Gardens in bloom at Aston Pottery and Gardens

Heritage Crafts

There are some spectacular reminders of England's industrial heritage to discover along the Great West Way. Some of these historic gems are still in working order – and can even be seen in action.

For an unusual introduction to the area's heritage, explore some of these living pieces of history. Whitchurch Silk Mill, for example, a 200-year-old silk mill still using historic equipment and processes to produce beautiful silks. Tucked away in the Hampshire countryside alongside the peaceful River Test Whitchurch Silk Mill is the oldest silk mill that is still weaving silk in its original building.

The craft of silk weaving at Whitchurch Silk Mill

Explore the beautiful Georgian water mill with impressive Victorian machinery that is still in use today to spin glorious, colourful silks.

Traditional heritage Whitchurch Silk

Crofton Beam Engines on the Kennet and Avon Canal were built around the same time as Whitchurch Silk Mill, to pump water to the highest point of the canal. The Beam Engines are in working order and are put in action for visitors to watch during regular weekends every summer.

Whitchurch Silk Mill and the River Test.

Made to Measure

You might think London’s Savile Row is where all the most stylish tailors are located, but you can find them along the Great West Way route too. Take for example the Chambers Bespoke Tailors in Wimbledon, a highly regarded bespoke tailoring and alterations boutique situated in the beautiful and very desirable Wimbledon Village.

Located on Salisbury’s New Street you will find Regent Tailoring with an ethos centred on cultivating timeless designs and helping to curate a personal style for every individual. Famous as a tailor, personal stylist, curator of contemporary fashion and a celebrated brand in its own right, Regent has become an institution over the past fifteen years with the Regent shop serving as the company’s beating heart. With a commitment to using the finest quality cloths, materials and manufacturing methods, Regent’s clothes are all scrupulously designed and of the highest calibre. British Heritage remains at the core as founder, Jason Regent, continuously seeks to innovate, operating at the shop both as an expert tailor (with over 25 years in the business) and personal stylist. “Tailoring is a key element at Regent: we offer both off-the-peg and semi-bespoke suits. Our personal styling appointments encourage investment in well-made, quality clothes in versatile styles so that you buy once and buy right”.

Made to measure tailoring at Regent Tailoring

Trying on a new suit at Regent Tailoring

Our personal styling appointments encourage investment in well-made, quality clothes in versatile styles so that you buy once and buy right.

Holland & Sherry Fabrics.

Pictured clockwise from left: Made to measure tailoring at Regent Tailoring; Bombay Sapphire Distillery; Gin Cocktail Masterclass; West Berkshire Brewery; Trying on a new suit at Regent Tailoring; Holland & Sherry Fabrics.

The Regent shop still acts as the heart of all we do: we promise a unique experience when you step through the door. Our establishment offers everything from perfect gift ideas and gentlemen’s grooming products, as well as three floors of high-quality clothes with styles ranging from the classic to the cutting edge.

Be it an Ebbets Field Cap or a bespoke suit, a Regent bicycle; a pair of Ludwig Reiter trainers or a pair of Albert Thurston braces, you will be sure to discover a selection of unique, hand picked brands you won’t usually find on the high street at Regent’s.

In the beautiful city of Bath shoppers expects a certain quality and exclusivity that you won’t find in many cities, and there is no exception at City Tailors, where they work hard to deliver beyond expectations and offer only the highest quality garments for both men and women.

Thirst Quenching

Find out all about making England’s most traditional beverages by taking a tour at Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery, West Berkshire Brewery or Wadworth Brewery. Based at Laverstoke Mill in rural Hampshire, so ideal to combine with a visit to Whitchurch Silk Mill (see above). The Bombay Sapphire Distillery is in a conservation area with over 1000 years of history.

Bombay Sapphire Distillery

For over 225 years, the Victorian and Georgian buildings set astride the crystal-clear River Test produced bank note paper for the Bank of England and the British Empire. Now, Laverstoke Mill is a state-of-the-art sustainable distillery, which produces every drop of Bombay Sapphire gin.

The distillery showcases the care, skill and artistry behind every drop of Bombay Sapphire, and allows you to discover the flavours of the botanicals which make Bombay Sapphire gin so unique.

Gin Cocktail Masterclass

Did you know? You can make your own with a Gin Cocktail Masterclass at Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery

West Berkshire Brewery is an independent brewery nestled in the heart of Berkshire with over 23 years of brewing experience. With their new state of the art brewery and packaging line they proudly produce traditional cask ales and innovative craft beers.

West Berkshire Brewery

Fun Fact: In a year West Berkshire Brewery brew an impressive 2.6 million pints.

There is a family friendly, self guided visitor centre and interactive exhibition at Wadworth Brewery, Tap and Shop – On-site Sample bar with five cask ales on draught. Traditional pub games are available to play in the bar and 1/3 pint samples can be purchased.

Wadworth Brewery

Famous Artisan Food

The Great West Way is home to many of England’s finest goodies. From Bath's famous Sally Lunn bun first recorded in 1780, and the traditional Maids of Honour cake which can be dated back to Hampton Court Palace and Henry VIII, to the delicious Lardy Cake, originating from Wiltshire.

And it's not just cake, believe it or not, even the chocolate bar was invented here. Yes that’s right! It was in Bristol, in 1847, Joseph Fry worked out how to make a paste from cocoa, sugar and cocoa powder that could be moulded into a bar. J S Fry & Sons had their factory in Union Street and produced their most famous chocolate bar, the Fry’s Chocolate Cream, in 1866 as well as the UK’s first chocolate Easter egg in 1873.

Chocolate Icecreams

It was in Bristol, in 1847, Joseph Fry worked out how to make a paste from cocoa, sugar and cocoa powder that could be moulded into a bar.

Buttle Farm, Wiltshire

Other foodie ‘claims to fame’ include Cheddar cheese and Wiltshire cure - a traditional English technique for curing bacon and ham. The meat is soaked in brine for several days, making it moist and giving it a succulent texture. The technique was developed in Calne in Wiltshire by the Harris family in the 18th century. Visit Buttle Farm to buy Wiltshire cured ham fresh from the farm.