Stretching from London to Bristol, the Great West Way route offers an endless supply of activities, attractions and hidden gems to explore. This bank holiday, why not make the most of the long weekend by visiting some of these incredible destinations!
Venture less than an hour west of London to the fascinating streets of Windsor. Rich in royal history and cultural heritage, the town offers stunning architecture and beautiful natural scenery all around. Enjoy a picnic amongst the picturesque scenery at the Great Park, or engulf in a horse-drawn carriage ride with Windsor Carriages!
A fan favourite is the famous Windsor Castle. Built by William the Conqueror after the Norman invasion in the 11th century, this landmark is now the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world! With connections to royalty for over 1,000 years, it gains huge popularity and is definitely one to visit during the bank holidays!
For a more peaceful retreat, be sure to discover Windsor’s Great Park; 5,000 acres of open greenery and the perfect place to explore. Find a range of monuments like the Copper Horse, the Obelisk and even some 2,000-year-old Roman ruins! 250-acre Valley Gardens are also free to explore and contain a host of beautiful flora from azaleas and camellias to the largest planting of rhododendrons in the world!
Image Credit: Doug Harding
Embark on a tour of the River Thames with French Brothers Boat Trips. Running from Windsor, Runnymede and Maidenhead, visitors can choose from a short return trip or a full-day cruise! Explore amazing views of the Castle and the surrounding parkland this bank holiday.
Centrally located along the Great West Way is Reading; one of Berkshire’s largest towns. With a modern city feel and plenty of English heritage, Reading offers a whole load of unique, exciting and remarkable locations for visitors to enjoy.
This bank holiday, venture to Reading’s Abbey Quarter to discover 900 years of history at the Abbey ruins. Here, you will also be able to visit the spot where King Henry I was buried, where Jane Austen went to school and where Oscar Wilde was imprisoned.
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For a hands-on and family-friendly experience, head to Reading Museum this bank holiday! See galleries of historic and artistic objects, discover archaeology from Roman Silchester and make sure not to miss the changing exhibitions in the Art Gallery.
Head toward the western parts of the route and you will find the stunning county of Wiltshire. Full of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and history as well as a range of fun-filled activities, Wiltshire offers plenty for a jam-packed long-weekend adventure!
Possibly one of England’s most iconic landmarks is Stonehenge. Located in the beautiful county of Wiltshire, these famous neolithic stones are definitely one to visit and especially makes for a unique experience if you plan to watch the sunrise or sunset this bank holiday.
Make the most of the summer holidays with a trip to Wiltshire’s most exciting Safari Park! Just south of the Great West Way, discover all sorts of wildlife from around the world with plenty experiences to get up close and personal with a range of incredible animals! Enjoy a drive through experience where you will get a chance to meet deer, camels, elephants and several cheeky monkeys! Plenty of opportunities to hand feed the animals too; throw fish to the sea lions from the boat on the lake or reach over the pier to feed the giraffes.
Housed in the beautifully renovated Grade II listed buildings of the Great Western Railway Works is McArthurGlen’s Swindon Designer Outlet, one of the largest covered designer outlets in Europe! Enjoy a unique shopping experience with family and friends as you browse a great selection of high street and designer brands. Make the most of reduced prices of up to 60 percent from top name stores like Guess, Superdry, Boss, Ted Baker, Reiss and many more! Make a day of it by treating yourself to a delicious meal at the outlet’s variety of restaurants.
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Located on the edge of the Cotswolds is the picturesque town of Bradford-On-Avon. With wool and weaving forming the town’s staple industry for six centuries and soon after seeing the construction of the great mills in the late 18th century, Bradford-On-Avon has been adorned with historical architecture and remains a strong focal point for families visiting. Surrounded by cottages and other industrial premises are a series of independent shops, accommodation and a host of great eateries. Get the best of everything upon your visit, with pleasant river and canal walks making for a great bank holiday experience.
Image Credit: Nick Smith
Located in the Wiltshire countryside is the magnificent family home of the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne. The surrounding grounds of Bowood House feature incredible parkland, a walled garden, an Italianate terrace garden and a spectacular Arboretum hosting over 700 species of trees. Explore the numerous Exhibition Rooms with remarkable collections of family heirlooms and works of art built up over 250 years! Bowood House and Gardens opens between April and November every year, 7 days a week.
If you are looking to experience a taste of quintessential England this bank holiday, then be sure to visit the quaint villages within The Cotswolds. As a perfect year-round destination, it’s never too difficult to appreciate the stunning scenery no matter the season.
The town of Corsham is often regarded as something of a hidden gem. Located in Wiltshire and on the edge of the Cotswolds, this historic market town is surrounded by spectacular landscapes and historical buildings. Enjoy an all-round experience when visiting Corsham with a range of events taking place and landmarks to explore. The Pound Arts Centre offers everything from live shows and unique art exhibitions, to independent shops and plenty of eateries.
Malmesbury is England’s oldest borough and is rich in history with its stunning 12th Century Abbey, original Market Cross and Athelstan Museum providing plenty more details on the charming market town. With a thriving high street of independent retailers, fresh eateries and host to annual events and festivals, Malmesbury makes for a quintessential experience for your bank holiday.
Managed by Forestry England is Westonbirt, The National Arboretum; a remarkable place for you to enjoy great landscapes whilst learning more about the array of trees throughout the grounds. Borne of a Victorian passion for plant collecting, the Westonbirt Arboretum is now a host to around 15,000 trees from all over the globe; offering the perfect setting for families to escape, relax or embark on a great adventure this bank holiday! Its combination of maturity, diversity and style makes it one of the most extraordinary arboretums in the world!
On the edge of Castle Combe is the famous racing circuit. For petrol heads as well as fun for the whole family, there is no other destination in the South West that offers such variety when it comes to racing action and exhilarating entertainment on the track!
Want to cool down this long-weekend? Then a visit to the Cotswold Water Park is a must! This holiday destination includes plenty of on and off water activities such as lakeside walks, archery, kayaking and wake boarding; all available for the whole family to enjoy!
The golden city of Bath is the ideal destination for a long weekend. Full of character and plenty activities for the whole family, discover rich history and culture around every corner!
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Founded upon natural hot springs with steaming water playing a key role throughout its history, the city of Bath is the host of one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world! The famous Roman Baths were constructed as a grand bathing and socialising complex around 70 AD and gains plenty of interest throughout the year. Visitors are able to explore the site, walk on the ancient pavements and view the magnificent baths from the Terrace; where many statues can also be found. Other remains to discover include the ancient heated rooms and changing rooms, as well as the tepid and plunge pools!
Image Credit: VisitBath
Upon your visit to Bath, be sure to endure on an adventure through the winding streets of this compact city. Vibrant art and live music bring life and excitement to the streets as you browse through independent and well-known stores. With a reputation for fashion that goes back to Georgian times, Bath is a shopper’s paradise!
Located just 8 miles from the city of Bath is the National Trust site of Dyrham Park. Surrounding the 17th century mansion are spectacular sweeping views and historic garden. There are plenty events to take part in, including children’s trails, outdoor theatre shows and guided walks around the grounds. Be sure to stop off at the refurbished tea-room and indulge in some tasty treats, try out the seasonal dishes that feature the parks venison and pears from the orchard!
Lively, creative and rich in maritime heritage, Bristol is often regarded as the capital of the South West. With plenty of sites to see including famous bridges, balloons, boats and of course, Banksy, it’s a worthy destination for your bank holiday plans!
When visiting Bristol, it’s imperative that you take time to explore Brunel’s restored SS Great Britain. For an all-round sensory experience, Brunel’s evocative cabins are filled with the sights, sounds and smells of its first journeys across the seas, from steerage to first class! If you are brave, you can also climb the ships mast, getting a great view over Bristol’s harbour as a reward!
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Step on board the Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the last of the supersonic jets to ever fly at Aerospace Bristol! Discover the incredible story of Bristol’s amazing aviation achievements 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; making it the perfect bank holiday activity!
Just a short drive west of Bristol is the National trust site of Tyntesfield; a near-complete Victorian Gothic country house and estate. Created by the Gibbs family, this extraordinary home and landscape is host of a range of activities and things to do during bank holidays! There are four play areas with woodland adventure and sculpture trails for the kids. Woodland walks and gardens to explore as well as delicious treats at the Cow Barn and Pavilion Café.
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