Escape the Everyday on the Great West Way

Book your Great West Way adventure as we move out of lockdown this spring and summer. Escape the everyday and rediscover the charms of quintessential England as you journey between Bristol and London. Roam through idyllic countryside, quaint villages and elegant towns along the Great West Way.

Remember to Know Before You Go – plan in advance, make sure you understand relevant restrictions and check opening times with individual businesses before you travel. And if you're not sure when things are reopening, take a look at our handy Great West Way reopening roadmap. 

Rediscover Quintessential England

From iconic sites like Hampton Court Palace, Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Clifton Suspension Bridge to postcard villages where thatched cottages sit alongside pristine village greens and historic pubs - the distilled essence of England can be found here on the Great West Way.

Sit down to an alfresco afternoon tea where Jane Austen was once at home. Take a gentle stroll down winding country lanes or through picture-perfect market towns. Spend long summer evenings drinking West Country cider in a pub beer-garden. Take a trip along the canal in a traditional narrowboat. Enjoy carriage rides, street art, pub lunches, Georgian townhouses, rolling hills, historic cottages, ancient standing stones and gorgeous gardens. Now is the time to discover the hidden England on your doorstep.

Don't Follow the Herd

Sick of staring at the same four walls every day? That's not a problem on the Great West Way. Get out into the English countryside and breathe in that fresh, fresh air. The whole length of the route boasts wide, open landscapes just calling out to be explored. Rolling green downland. Fields of spring wildflowers. Tranquil lakes. Get away from the crowds and head out into these quintessentially English landscapes for some restorative me-time.

Travel Your Way

Get ready for a summer adventure. Journey along the Great West Way route between Bristol and London at your own pace and in your own way. Jump on and off the train with the Great West Way Discoverer pass. Pull on your walking boots to cover a section of the route by foot. Take to the water on a boat trip along the River Thames or Kennet and Avon canal. Pile your car boot full of picnic rugs and holiday reads, and take to the open road. Or jump on your bike to explore hidden byways and side-streets.

Where to Stay on the Great West Way

Self-catering accommodation is now reopening along the route, with hotels and other accommodation projected to reopen from 17 May. There are lots of brilliant places to stay on your Great West Way adventure. Why not take the route slowly – giving you time to explore its hidden delights – and stay somewhere new each evening? There are cosy cottages with log fires and country gardens. Luxurious hotels where you can enjoy fine-dining and sumptuous spa treatments. Secluded glamping pods and friendly campsites. Family-friendly B&Bs with home-cooked breakfasts to start your day right. Village pubs with cosy beam-crossed bedrooms. Rural farm stays, city-centre hostels, unique treehouses or even houseboats; the choice is yours.

Things to Do and Places to Visit

The Great West Way leads to famous places you’ve always dreamed of visiting, as well as those secret spots even some locals have yet to discover. Along the Way you can sample activities and attractions to suit every taste. Explore the gardens stately homes you'll recognise from TV. Take a balloon ride over breath-taking English countryside. Take the kids to see tigers, giraffes and monkeys. Sit down to an alfresco Michelin-star meal or a slap-up pub lunch. Discover Bristol's street art, Bath's hidden gardens or the secrets of Stonehenge. Visit royal residencies. Go for a tandem bike ride around vibrant city streets.

Treat Yourself

Sample delicious food and drink as you journey along the Great West Way this year. With outdoor hospitality open once more and indoor hospitality geared to open the doors from 17 May, we're thrilled to be welcoming you back to the pubs, restaurants and cafes along the Way. Linger over an indulgent afternoon tea in a quaint country cafe. Sit down to a gourmet meal in a Michelin-starred restaurant. Sip local beer in sunny beer gardens... Whatever your tastes, there’s a tantalising buffet of foodie experiences to enjoy along the route. 
 

Ready to Escape the Everyday? Book your Great West Way adventure today.