To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Find out more here.
To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Find out more here.
From the bright lights and characterful city streets of London to the artistic corners of Bristol, experience the best of England beyond the capital with this 3-day itinerary along the Great West Way. Starting in London, this journey will take you through Royal Windsor, the rich countryside of Wiltshire and the World Heritage City of Bath, before finishing in Bristol, the city of bridges, balloons, boats, bikes and Banksy!
Combining iconic landmarks, ancient history, beautiful countryside and fascinating cities, this itinerary is the perfect way to extend a London visit and discover more of England at a slower pace.
Begin your journey in London where you will take in all the top attractions, before heading west and starting your journey along the Great West Way, towards the royal town of Windsor.
Morning
Begin your trip by exploring some of London’s world-famous landmarks. Take a stroll through the city centre and discover iconic sights such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, The London Eye and Tower Bridge. Or spend the morning learning more on the history of London, England and the World at some of the greatest museums.
Explore The National Gallery, home of over 2,600 paintings from Renaissance Italy to French Impressionists. Or discover the vast diversity of human history, art and culture at The British Museum.
When you are ready to leave the city behind, make your way west towards the Royal town of Windsor.
Afternoon
Windsor thrives on its royal history, rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture and breath-taking natural scenery. Sitting along the River Thames, explore Windsor’s charming streets featuring an abundance of quaint shops and unique dining experiences, the perfect way to stop off for lunch before discovering its iconic royal landmark at the centre, Windsor Castle.
One of the world’s oldest and largest inhabited castles, Windsor Castle dominates the skyline and is one of the official residences of His Majesty the King, as well as a venue for ceremonial and state occasions. As a family home for British Kings and Queens over the past 1,000 years, Windsor holds some of the richest history.
Finish day 1 of your Great West Way journey by following along the River Thames, to the vibrant town of Reading. Reading makes an excellent first overnight stop and is easily accessible from London via the Elizabeth Line or Great Western Railway.
Evening
Sat along the River Thames and Kennet and Avon Canal, Reading blends modern life with an unexpected slice of English Heritage. Reading is home to a range of central hotels including The Roseate, recognised for its artful conception and luxury, guaranteed to give you the relaxing night you deserve after a day of exploring the eastern parts of the Great West Way.
Extend your visit a day or two longer and don’t miss out on these sights along the River Thames:
Don’t leave Reading without exploring the towns’ museum, home to 10 galleries of historic and artistic objects in Reading’s Victorian Town Hall. Discover archaeology from Roman Silchester, the famous Victorian copy of the Bayeaux Tapestry, and venture outside to see the Abbey Ruins, burial place of King Henry I.
Continue your travels into the historic county of Wiltshire, home to picturesque rolling countryside, cosy villages and some of England’s most iconic landmarks!
Afternoon
Reach the Medieval City of Salisbury by lunch time, where you will have plenty of dining options, from French to Mexican, or traditional English at one of the many pubs and inns across the city. Explore the historic streets featuring independent and high street stores, before visiting Salisbury Cathedral, home to one of the best-preserved copies of the Magna Carta, and the country’s tallest spire!
Discover more about the area’s fascinating past in the Cathedral Close, with other attractions including Salisbury Museum and Mompesson House.
Head to Salisbury Train Station to catch The Stonehenge Tour Bus, which will take you via Old Sarum and through the beautiful Wiltshire countryside before arriving at Stonehenge, one of the most famous World Heritage Sites in the world!
It’s orientation on the rising and setting sun has always been one of its remarkable features and continues to attract thousands of visitors throughout the year. A trip to Wiltshire is simply incomplete without seeing this impressive prehistoric monument up close!
Evening
Spend the evening enjoying more of Salisbury's restaurants, pubs and historic atmosphere, or continue your journey towards Bath if you prefer to settle into your next accommodation. This World Heritage City offers a range of boutique B&Bs or city centre hotels including Brooks Guesthouse or Hotel Indigo Bath.
If you opt to stay in Wiltshire, the county offers a wide range of places to stay, from historic hotels and country houses to farm stays and self-catering cottages.
Plan to stay longer and be sure to visit these hidden gems in Wiltshire:
Continue west towards two of the Great West Way’s most celebrated cities, UNESCO’s World Heritage City of Bath and Bristol, home to Banksy, Brunel, boats, balloons and many bikes!
Morning
Start your day in Bath, a picture-perfect destination renowned for its beautiful Georgian architecture, Roman heritage and stories dating back thousands of years.
Head to Kingston Parade where you will find the famous Roman Baths, the remains of an ancient bathing complex that sits atop Britain’s only hot spring which still flows with natural hot water today! Continue your exploration inside where you will find a huge collection of artifacts and ruins from 70AD including the great Roman temple of Sulius Minerva.
Take a stroll through the city’s historic streets as you pass Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent, all familiar sites that have been popular filming locations for a range of TV and Film including Bridgerton, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Les Misérables.
For a slower start, enjoy breakfast or coffee in one of Bath's independent cafés before exploring the city at your own pace.
Afternoon
Continue west to Bristol, the last destination along the Great West Way route! Bristol offers a very different atmosphere to Bath, combining maritime heritage with a vibrant creative culture. Explore Bristol Dockyards, home of Brunel's SS Great Britain, the world's first great ocean liner.
Alternatively, discover Bristol's famous street-art scene, explore Clifton Suspension Bridge and take in the views of the city and River Avon from above.
Evening
Round off your Great West Way adventure with an evening in Bristol. The city blends independent restaurants, cosy cafes and buzzing bars with its award-winning market serving a colourful choice of cuisine from around the globe, meaning you will be spoilt for choice on what to have for dinner during your stay in Bristol. The evening doesn’t stop there, be sure to enjoy its lively entertainment scene, from theatre and live music to comedy and cultural events.
Why not stay overnight in Bristol and extend your trip further? Here’s a few more ideas near the area:
Three days only scratches the surface of what there is to discover along the Great West Way. If you have more time, extend your journey to four or five days and explore more of Wiltshire, Berkshire, Bath and Bristol.
Travelling the Great West Way
The Great West Way Discoverer Pass makes it easy to explore the route by public transport, with travel options connecting London, Reading, Wiltshire, Bath and Bristol.
Whether you choose to travel by train, bus or car, the Great West Way offers an opportunity to slow down, leave the capital behind and discover the historic towns, cities, villages and countryside of England.
Create a personalised itinerary (This will replace all items in your planner)
London
Join us for an intimate expert-led tour of our world-renowned collection at the National Gallery and explore over 700 years of wall-to-wall masterpieces.
High Street, WINDSOR
Welcome to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
Crowned by stunning Windsor Castle – the largest and oldest inhabited castle in the world – and linked by the beautiful River Thames, the Royal Borough is one of South East England’s loveliest short break destinations and a 'must see' for…
Windsor
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, the family home of 39 British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years.
Reading
Be amazed by modern Reading – from remarkable medieval heritage and beautiful Thames countryside to award-winning shopping centres, there’s a surprise around every corner.
Reading
Twelve hands-on galleries including Roman Silchester, changing art gallery, Box Room, Britain's Bayeux Tapestry and the world's only biscuit gallery, Huntley & Palmers.
Reading
You can also see the mill arch over the Holy Brook. This is the only remaining part of what was once the mill for Reading Abbey. The mill was in use until the twentieth century!
Reading
The Roseate Reading was originally a share hall for the Berkshire County Council. The building along with its wide hallways, vaulted ceilings, cornice mouldings and the original lift shaft have all been restored to their original glory.
Salisbury
Salisbury is a famous Cathedral city of timeless beauty and fascinating history, that has been welcoming travellers since 1227.
Salisbury
Salisbury Cathedral has been a place of worship, welcome, and hospitality for over 800 years. Its Spire (the tallest in the country and a feat of medieval engineering) rises to a breath-taking 404ft/123m, guiding travelers, merchants, and pilgrims to the historic city.
Salisbury
Experience the magic of Stonehenge on our Tour. Commentary in several languages available…
Nr Amesbury
Stonehenge stands impressively as a prehistoric monument of unique importance, a World Heritage Site, surrounded by remains of ceremonial and domestic structures - some older than the monument itself.
Bath
Brooks Guesthouse Bath is an award winning four star boutique guesthouse in Bath city Centre located just 350 meters below the world famous Royal Crescent. Our 22 bedrooms are beautifully and uniquely decorated with a mix of antique and modern décor Cole and Son designer wallpaper comfy pocket…
Bath
The golden city of Bath has been welcoming visitors for over 2,000 years. Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Bath is home to some of the most impressive architectural sights in the world such as the Royal Crescent, the Circus and Pulteney.
Bristol
Welcome to the city of bridges, balloons, boats, bikes, Brunel and Banksy. Regarded as the capital of the South West of England, lively yet laid-back Bristol is creative, cultural and vibrant with a rich maritime heritage. Whether you’re looking for a great day out for all the family, a romantic…
Bristol
Step on board the most extraordinary time-machine. Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the world’s first great ocean liner, Bristol’s no.1 attraction and one of the UK’s top ten museums (TripAdvisor 2017-18).
Bristol
See displays and artefacts explaining the history, construction and maintenance of the world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge
| From | To | Distance * (metric) |
|---|---|---|
| National Gallery (51.50893,-0.12832) | Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead (51.48282,-0.61024) | 30.18 |
| Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead (51.48282,-0.61024) | Windsor Castle (51.48405,-0.60278) | 0.48 |
| Windsor Castle (51.48405,-0.60278) | Reading (51.45239,-0.97383) | 23.38 |
| Reading (51.45239,-0.97383) | Reading Museum (51.45666,-0.9698) | 0.5 |
| Reading Museum (51.45666,-0.9698) | Reading Abbey Quarter (51.45635,-0.96936) | 0.04 |
| Reading Abbey Quarter (51.45635,-0.96936) | The Roseate (51.45639,-0.96699) | 0.15 |
| The Roseate (51.45639,-0.96699) | Salisbury (51.06784,-1.79751) | 65.02 |
| Salisbury (51.06784,-1.79751) | Salisbury Cathedral and Magna Carta (51.06461,-1.79814) | 0.33 |
| Salisbury Cathedral and Magna Carta (51.06461,-1.79814) | The Stonehenge Tour (51.06986,-1.79638) | 0.54 |
| The Stonehenge Tour (51.06986,-1.79638) | Stonehenge (51.18406,-1.85768) | 12.07 |
| Stonehenge (51.18406,-1.85768) | Brooks Guesthouse Bath (51.38413,-2.37123) | 37.92 |
| Brooks Guesthouse Bath (51.38413,-2.37123) | Hotel Indigo Bath (51.38021,-2.35652) | 1 |
| Hotel Indigo Bath (51.38021,-2.35652) | Bath (51.3856,-2.36168) | 0.63 |
| Bath (51.3856,-2.36168) | Roman Baths (51.38111,-2.35949) | 0.47 |
| Roman Baths (51.38111,-2.35949) | Bristol (51.45239,-2.5976) | 16.51 |
| Bristol (51.45239,-2.5976) | Bristol Dockyards - Home of SS Great Britain (51.44917,-2.60841) | 0.75 |
| Bristol Dockyards - Home of SS Great Britain (51.44917,-2.60841) | Clifton Suspension Bridge Museum - Bristol (51.45461,-2.62969) | 1.44 |
| Total Distance * | 191.35 miles | |
| Estimated Journey Time | 6.16 hours | |
* Approximate distance by road
Create a personalised itinerary (This will replace all items in your planner)
© Great West Way 2026.
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
