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London is one of the world’s greatest capital cities, offering plenty of history, art and culture, and peppered with iconic landmarks. With so much to see and do, it’s easily the highlight for anyone travelling to England. Combining royal palaces like Windsor Castle, sunset walks along the River Thames, and world-class museums such as The National Gallery, visitors can enjoy a jam-packed day trip in and around London. But why stop there? Using London as your starting point, you can experience slow travel along the Great West Way, a remarkable touring route that encapsulates some of England’s oldest pathways, picture-perfect villages, and iconic landmarks like Stonehenge in Wiltshire! Go beyond the city and discover what England is all about with an adventure along the Great West Way.
It is easy to spend a day exploring central London with attractions like Big Ben, The National Gallery and Buckingham Palace, all within walking distance from each other. But if you are looking for a day trip to discover what surrounds England’s capital, London also offers an elite transport system for connecting to smaller towns and cities, allowing you to explore the wider area with ease.
The new Elizabeth Line allows visitors to journey from central London, all the way to Reading in just under an hour! It’s the great way to enjoy an easy day trip out of London, but also to start your journey along the Great West Way.
Located a short drive from Kingston upon Thames is Hampton Court Palace, most famously known for being the home of King Henry VIII. The Palace makes for the perfect day trip, offering 60-acres of breath-taking gardens to explore, plus Tudor State Apartments, the Baroque Palace, an The Cumberland Art Gallery to discover.
By Car: 1 hour, 19.7 miles
By Public Transport: 45 minutes, SWR
Windsor thrives on its royal history, rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture and breath-taking natural scenery. Alongside this, visitors can enjoy an abundance of quaint shops and unique dining experiences. Most like to think of Windsor as ‘London’s Country Estate’, a relaxing haven, close to London Heathrow Airport, the perfect extension of England’s Capital.
By Car: 55 minutes, 24 miles
By Public Transport: 40 minutes, GWR
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle dominates the skyline and a visit should be top of your list when spending a day in its town. One of the official residences of His Majesty the King, as well as a venue for ceremonial and state occasions, Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the World! As a family home for British Kings and Queens over the past 1,000 years, it holds some of the richest history.
Nestled along the iconic River Thames and surrounded by lush, rolling countryside, Henley-on-Thames is a quintessential English town, offering a perfect blend of charm, history and modern appeal. Located on the Great West Way, between Reading and Windsor, it is a great location for a day trip outside London.
Famous for its Henley Royal Regatta, an elite rowing event that has drawn visitors to the town since 1839, Henley invites you to step into its picturesque setting steeped in tradition, natural beauty and vibrant local culture.
By Car: 1 hour 15 minutes, 35 miles
By Public Transport: 49 minutes, GWR
At the end of the Elizabeth Line is the vibrant town of Reading. Sat along the River Thames and Kennet and Avon Canal, Reading blends modern life with an unexpected slice of English Heritage.
By Car: 1 hour 25 minutes, 43 miles
By Public Transport: 23 minutes, GWR
Reading Museum
Explore 10 galleries of historic and artistic objects in Reading’s Victorian Town Hall. Discover archaeology from Roman Silchester and Reading Abbey, explore the famous Victorian copy of the Bayeaux Tapestry, and don’t miss the changing exhibitions in the Art Gallery.
No visit to these parts of the Thames is complete without extending your journey west along the Great West Way. Continuing from Reading to Bristol, here you can enjoy slow travel whilst exploring all that the English countryside has to offer!
Whether you wish to venture through stunning countryside or historic cities, discover iconic sites or hidden gems, the Great West Way Discoverer Pass allows you to travel across the full extent of this 500-mile touring route with ease.
With unlimited off-peak train and bus travel for domestic users and access to both off-peak and peak travel for internationals, the Great West Way Discoverer Pass is your ticket to exploring Reading, Wiltshire, Bristol and everywhere in between!
Centrally located along the Great West Way route is the historic county of Wiltshire. Known for its chalk horses, picturesque rolling hills, quintessential villages and iconic landmarks, Wiltshire offers plenty for an extended trip out of London.
Standing impressively as a prehistoric monument of unique importance and one of the most famous World Heritage Sites in the world is Stonehenge. 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.
When visiting this year, be sure to start in the Medieval City of Salisbury, where you can discover more about the historic Stone Circle in Salisbury Museum. Other attractions like Salisbury Cathedral are also worth exploring during your trip. Then, 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 the Stonehenge Visitor Centre.
Located on the edge of the Cotswolds National Landscape is the historic market town of Corsham. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, Corsham is home to a number of historic buildings including the Almshouses and Corsham Court. It’s not just pretty buildings to see, Corsham’s resident peacocks can also be found strolling through the high street!
Film and TV in Corsham, Wiltshire
Corsham’s preserved High Street created the perfect backdrop for BBC series, Poldark. Despite being set by the Cornish coast, the picturesque Wiltshire town stood in for 18th-Century Truro throughout the series. Other popular period shows filmed here include Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Lark Rise to Candleford and the most recent, Rivals on Disney+.
This ancient rural county offers a range of intriguing and quintessential places to stay. From The Old Bell in Malmesbury, England’s oldest hotel, to the Woolley Grange Hotel near Bradford on Avon, the perfect choice for a family adventure!
Continue your historical journey as you step back in time, to the Georgian Era in Bath. Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage City, Bath is home to some of the most impressive architectural landmarks, opening to a world of stories dating back thousands of years.
Head to Kingston Parade in the heart of the city and you will find the famous Roman Baths. Upon entering the museum, discover more about the original bathing complex as you explore a huge collection of artifacts and ruins from 70AD including the great Roman temple of Sulius Minerva!
Enjoy a regency stay like no other when visiting the World Heritage City of Bath. Bath is home to a great selection of boutique hotels like The Roseate Villa, fabulous guest houses like Brooks Guesthouse, and elegant Bed and Breakfasts.
Often regarded as the Southwest capital, Bristol offers everything from bridges and balloons, to boats, bikes, and Banksy! Its laid-back nature is perfectly combined with a rich maritime heritage, making it a great destination to explore along the Great West Way.
Located on Bristol’s picturesque harbour is Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the world’s first great ocean liner! Rescued from rust and wreckage in 1970 and later restored to its original Victorian state, the SS Great Britain allows you to step back in time as you discover the fascinating history behind the iconic steam ship.
Discover the incredible story of Bristol’s amazing aviation achievements at Aerospace Bristol. From the earliest days of powered flights to the more present, cutting-edge technology, here you will find aeroplanes, helicopters, missiles, satellites, engines and plenty of interactive exhibits for all ages.
From city centre hostels to convenient hotels like Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport, staying in Bristol is as colourful and varied as the city itself!
Within easy reach of the Great West Way and just 2 hours from central London is the picturesque county of Oxfordshire. Home to plenty of well-known sites both in the city of Oxford and surrounding areas, Oxfordshire offers the historic experience outside London.
Located in the academic heart of Oxford for over 600 years is the Bodleian Libraries, the central library for the University of Oxford and home to over 13 million items. Here, you will find the Magna Carta, Shakespeare’s first folio and the Gutenberg Bible.
The best way to make the most of your visit is through a guided tour with one of their fantastic guides. Delivered daily, they offer a comprehensive tour programme where you can learn about the incredible history of the medieval library, including the relationship it has between the University and city of Oxford.
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Located in Woodstock, 9 miles north of Oxford is Blenheim Palace, the home of the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill! Blenheim Palace is the perfect place to visit outside of London and learn more about England’s renowned history. Wonder at the Palace’s 18th Century Baroque architecture, well-known on both film and tv screens. Step inside and discover some of the finest antique collections in Europe.
Spend the afternoon exploring the wider World Heritage Site with over 2000 acres of parkland, landscaped by one of the UK’s most famous architects, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. The surrounding grounds feature everything from grand cascades and historical monuments to secret gardens.
Head back along the Great West Way for a luxury stay in the Royal County of Berkshire. Whether you want to stay at Donnington & Co, and get a taste for how the English aristocracy live, or are looking for a comfortable hotel in the heart of the historic Reading town.
Find out how you can enjoy slow travel along the Great West Way and plan your journey this season.
© Great West Way 2026.
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