TEN GREAT REASONS TO VISIT THE GREAT WEST WAY THIS SUMMER

There are plenty of excuses to celebrate this summer, including a special long Bank Holiday weekend, an array of excellent exhibitions and some exciting period dramas coming to our TV screens.

1. CATCH THE EVENTS YOU MISSED LAST YEAR

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, many of our favourite annual events had to be cancelled, postponed or curtailed in 2019 and 2021. But don't worry – they're back in 2022 and there’s an exciting calendar of events planned for the coming year. Why not time your visit to coincide with Royal Ascot or Henley Royal Regatta in June or Reading Festival in August?

Painting, Marlborough College Summer School

Or join a course at Marlborough College Summer School which runs more than 500 different courses in July and August. There will also be plenty of festive fun-filled events in the run up to Christmas. If you’ve been missing out on seeing live music or theatre performed, now is the time to book your tickets for 2022.

You can catch top-notch performances of all kinds at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon, Wiltshire Music Centre in pretty Bradford on Avon, the Watermill Theatre near Newbury or Pound Arts Centre in Corsham.

2. ESCAPE THE EVERYDAY

Shake off the mundane and the everyday, and go on an adventure this year! Discover stunning street art as you explore bustling Bristol. Take a swim in a rooftop pool and visit the brand new Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein museum in Bath. See a historic windmill in action in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Watch horses thunder past at Newbury Racecourse. Take a boat trip along the Thames, spotting famous landmarks and pretty wildlife. Uncover the mysteries of

Thermae Bath Spa roof top spa.

Wiltshire's dramatic crop circles. Float up, up and away in a hot air balloon, or jump out of a plane with Skydive Netheravon. We all deserve a little bit of luxury, so why not prioritise your wellbeing and treat yourself to a sumptuous spa stay, and enjoy a fine-dining experience at a Michelin star restaurant.

You might even enjoy wine-tasting experience at one of the Great West Way’s thriving vineyards, or a cocktail masterclass at the Bombay Sapphire Distillery. However you choose to Escape the Everyday let’s make 2022 a thrilling year and make up for lost time with families and friends!

3. BATH’S NEW WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE

There’s a brand-new World Heritage Centre opening in Bath in spring 2022. The new centre will illuminate Bath's history with fascinating interactive exhibits and displays about Bath’s hot springs, Roman remains and Georgian architecture. A perfect excuse to visit the grand and gentile city of Bath as you travel along the Great West Way.

Pulteney Bridge over the River Avon in Bath

4. WILTSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST’S 60TH BIRTHDAY

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's first nature reserve was Blackmoor Copse, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and one of the most important woods in Wiltshire for butterflies. 60 years after it was first formed, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust now looks after 40 nature reserves in Wiltshire, many of which are easy to access from the Great West Way.

The trust creates living landscapes across Wiltshire by restoring, reconnecting and recreating wildlife habitats across landscapes for wildlife and people.

Stop off at the grasslands and lakes at Lower Moor near Cricklade, the wildlife-rich hay meadows at Blakehill Farm Nature Reserve just down the road or the woodland, ponds and wet grasslands at Jones's Mill in the Vale of Pewsey in 2022 to enjoy nature, improve your wellbeing and help Wiltshire Wildlife Trust celebrate their big birthday year.

5. DISCOVER THE WORLD OF STONEHENGE

There’s a major new exhibition coming to the British Museum in 2022; The World of Stonehenge - the first of its kind in the UK. Explore the history and mystery of one of England’s most iconic sites, built thousands of years ago on Salisbury Plain, just below where the Great West Way runs today.

At the British Museum between 17 February and 17 July you can see hundreds of ancient objects relating to the stone circle, then learn more about its history at Wiltshire Museum before a short detour to see Stonehenge itself.

Stonehenge prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain

Shrouded in layers of speculation and folklore, Stonehenge is perhaps the world’s most awe-inspiring ancient stone circle, and its image is famous around the globe.

The World of Stonehenge exhibition will bring the story of Stonehenge into sharper focus, showing that rather than a shadowy age of mystery, the Britain and Ireland of four millennia ago were places of big ideas, commerce and travel.

Journey back to the time of its construction around 3000–2500 BC, and with the help of objects from across Europe – including stone axes from the North Italian Alps and stunning metalwork from Ireland – the world of Stonehenge will be illuminated like never before.

6. A BISCUIT FUELLED BREAK IN READING

Reading – famous for its biscuit manufacturing

In 2022, Reading will be celebrating the 200- year anniversary of its biscuit manufacturing history. In 1822 Thomas Huntley opened his first shop in the town and went on to become one of the world's largest biscuit manufacturers with Huntley & Palmers, earning Reading the nickname of ‘Biscuit Town’ in the process. 2022 will see biscuit focused tours, events and offers come to Reading, so make sure you stop off here as you travel along the Great West Way. Visit the special exhibition Biscuit Town: 200 years of Huntley and Palmers in Reading at The Museum of English Rural Life, see the astonishing collection of decorative biscuits tins and ephemera in the Huntley & Palmers Gallery at Reading Museum, and be sure to join a Biscuit Walkabout guided tour of Reading’s biscuit heritage with Terry’s Reading Walkabouts Reading. Children’s Festival, 14 May – 5 June, will also be taking on the theme of Biscuit Town and you might wish to finish off your biscuit itinerary with Afternoon Tea at the Reading Room and Lounge at the Roseate Reading Hotel, complete with biscuits inspired by Huntley and Palmer. Available from 9 May 2022. Or have Afternoon Tea afloat on a Thames River Cruise as the banks of the River Thames glide by.

7. CELEBRATE LITERATURE ON THE GREAT WEST WAY

Literature lovers will have plenty to please them in 2022 on the Great West Way. Thomas Hardy, the author of Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Jude the Obscure and Far from the Madding Crowd, was born in South West England and set many of his novels here. In 2022, four exhibitions dedicated to his life and work will take place on and near to the Great West Way, in Devizes, Wiltshire, Poole and Dorset. Wiltshire Museum will host "The Ancient Landscape" exploring how Hardy's writing was influenced by Wiltshire's timeless landscapes.

The World-Famous Jacobite Express Train also known as the ‘Harry Potter Steam Train'

Plus, the first of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books was published in 1997. And if you’re a lover of this magical world, you can celebrate its 25th anniversary on a trip along the Great West Way. Take a look at the best places to pretend you're Harry Potter and discover some of the filming locations used to bring Harry’s world to life in the film series, from the ancient Abbey in Wiltshire that doubles as a Hogwart's classroom to the woodland setting for the Quidditch World Cup.

8. CELEBRATE THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE

Explore the Royal Connections of the Great West Way as her Majesty the Queen becomes the first UK monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. A fourday Bank Holiday in June will mark the Queen’s 70-year reign, and there will be celebrations and special events throughout the whole of the year. So plan a trip fit for royalty in 2022 with a visit to Windsor Castle – the Queen’s favourite weekend residence - book an overnight stay in a regal suite at one of our luxury hotel options, or plan a day out at Royal Ascot. Here on the Great West Way, there will be lots of events taking place throughout the year to mark the occasion, from street parties to special exhibitions.

Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea at Cliveden House

Other events featured in our events calendar include: The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations! - Hobbs of Henley Cruise; The Monkton Park Royal Scarecrow Trail 2022, Chippenham; Platinum Jubilee Walk and Jubilee Picnic in the Park, Windsor; and the Beacon Lighting and Fireworks – being held in Windsor during the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend.

9. TRAVEL GREEN AND BE ACTIVE

As we all become more aware of our impact on the planet, many of us are trying to choose more sustainable ways to travel. Make 2022 the year you go on an eco-friendly trip along the Great West Way. You can traverse the entire route by public transport, leave the car at home and cycle and walk sections. And along the way you will find fine-dining restaurants stocked with sustainable local produce, plastic-free towns, eco-friendly glamping pods, and attractions working towards achieving zero-carbon by planting trees across their land.

Cyclists at Windsor Castle

If you’re making a New Year’s Resolution to be more active in 2022, a trip along the Great West Way will give you all the opportunities you need. From long walks along the Kennet & Avon Canal to cycle rides in Swinley Forest, or rowing on the River Thames, there is plenty to do to keep you busy and get your heart racing.

For something more unusual, have a go at inland surfing at The Wave, book a tandem bike ride through the centre of Bristol, or try Stand-up Paddleboarding with Original Wild.

10. SOMEWHERE BIG OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST

The maritime city of Bristol with its elegant Suspension Bridge. The regal town of Windsor. World Heritage site Blenheim Palace. Fascinating Berkeley Castle and beautiful Bowood House & Gardens. There are plenty of iconic locations to visit along the Great West Way route. Why don’t you make 2022 the year you visit these fascinating and famous locations? Within easy reach of the route you will also find spectacular Salisbury Cathedral and stunning National Trust landscapes at Cheddar Gorge.

Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol

Blenheim Palace

Bowood House & Gardens

THIS WAY FOR A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY

Escape the Everyday on a unique adventure along the Great West Way in 2022, discovering iconic sites and hidden landscapes.

Explore traditionally English market towns where narrow cottage-lined streets hide boutique shops and welcoming pubs. Finish a long countryside ramble with a wellearned slice of cake at a canal-side teashop. Catch up on some city culture in vibrant Bristol or gorgeous Georgian Bath, both well stocked with fascinating museums, tranquil galleries and historic landmarks. Then hop back on a train or bus and whizz off to your next Great West Way stop!

Download our newly updated Great West Way map to discover the hundreds of places to visit, things to do, sites to see and places to stay along the route between Bristol and London. And book your Great West Way Discoverer pass for an easy, flexible and ecofriendly way to travel by public transport.

Are you ready to start planning your Great West Way adventure?

GREAT WEST WAY TOURS

Graham from Tours2Order

Tours2Order

Graham is a Blue Badge Tourist Guide based in Royal Berkshire, there to help you discover the Great West Way.

→ tours2order.com

Bath Insider Tours

Founder of Bath Insider Tours, Daniel is a local guide who was born and grew up in the beautiful City of Bath.

→ bathinsidertours.co.uk

Britain’s Best Heritage Tours

Founders Ian and daughter Heather together with Sandrine – all registered Blue Badge Guides – offer expert-led tours.

→ bbhtours.co.uk

Galahad Tours

Private guided tours of the Great West Way from Bath in a luxury vehicle. Sightseeing in style in a luxury Mercedes V Class.

→ galahadtours.co.uk

Tour and Explore

Anne Bartlett is a specialist Blue Badge Tourist Guide of the Great West Way. → tourandexplore.com