Escape the post-Christmas blues with our Great West Way guide to health and fitness this year! With pressures of making the New Year just that much better than the last, you may often find yourself setting impossible goals. Now more than ever, it is important to take it easy as you prioritise your own health and wellbeing this period. Whether it’s fitness that’s your favourite, or a relaxing luxury spa, our guide has everything covered!
While you journey along the Great West Way, make the most of all the different ways you can enjoy the great outdoors! With rivers and canals stretching across the entire 500 miles, and National Trust parks offering insight to quintessential English countryside, keeping fit along the Great West Way has never been so inviting.
Walking
Come rain or shine, discovering the Great West Way on foot allows you to explore hidden gems, quiet forest paths and other magnificent destinations that are often tucked away from road and rail. Just a short morning walk through country lanes can help to improve both your physical and mental health whilst also re-energising you for the rest of the day!
Spread across the route are many National Trust sites, allowing you to appreciate history as you surround yourself with magnificent gardens and parkland whilst enjoying a peaceful stroll with friends and family.
If you are looking for more of an adventure, the Great West Way offers many long-distance walking trails passing through some of the most picturesque destinations on route.
Embark on a journey exploring the great outdoors at your own pace this year.
Adventures on the Water
Dive into the wonderful waterways on route and enjoy a thrilling perspective of nature along the Great West Way! With the River Thames and Kennet and Avon Canal both sharing large parts of our touring route, there are plenty of activities you can enjoy whilst also keeping fit this year. Whether you wish to float in a kayak along the river Thames or challenge yourself to a bit of stand-up paddle-boarding on Bath’s waters, there’s something for everyone along the Great West Way.
Cycling
From family-friendly woodland paths to long distance routes, the Great West Way offers a wealth of landscapes for you to embark on your own cycling adventure. Whether you have your own bike or are looking to hire, there are plenty of places to help you make the most of your journey. Escape to the rural parts of our touring route to capture picturesque views from one of 3 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the perfect way to explore quintessential England at its prime!
One of the best ways to treat your health and wellbeing is to enjoy a relaxing spa day with treatments that will help soothe and revitalise your body. Along the Great West Way, there are many luxury spa hotels and other destinations offering unique experiences to help calm the mind.
Head to the Woolley Grange Hotel just outside Bradford on Avon to enjoy a relaxed spa experience, perfect for the whole family. Bask in the surrounding scenery of Wiltshire’s incredible countryside as you step into their indoor or outdoor pools. Finish off by booking one of the incredible ELEMIS massages or choose from other body and facial treatments to soothe your mind and body this year.
Located in the heart of Bath, Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel offers luxury facilities within their Spa Village Bath. Enjoy two thermal pools, infrared saunas, a steam room, ice alcove and luxury relaxation areas, perfect for the ultimate wellness experience! Indulge in a pamper session within one of the 11 treatment rooms available on site as well. Experience a once-in-a-lifetime stay by booking one of the hotel’s exclusive spa rooms, the only hotel in the country to offer in-bathroom access to the steaming thermal waters!
© Great West Way 2025.
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