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As you plan your 2026 journey along the Great West Way, be sure to discover new and exciting experiences opening this New Year! Between London and Bristol, there will be plenty of unique things to do during your visit along this touring route. From exciting new exhibitions at some of the route’s top attractions, to unmissable events and experiences all year round. There’s something unique for everyone this New Year!
Between London and Bristol, visitors can expect a range of unmissable events throughout 2026! From iconic festivals by the water, to wellness activities in the city. Check out our See & Do pages for further information on all upcoming events.
The iconic Bristol International Balloon Fiesta returns this August and is not to be missed during your visit along the Great West Way! As Europe’s biggest hot air balloon event, celebrate Bristol’s proud ballooning heritage as over 100 hot air balloons take to the skies this summer. During the free event, expect both dawn and dusk displays as well as the famous Night Glows, alongside live music and family fun!
Chase away the cold dark days of midwinter with a feelgood break in the World Heritage City of Bath! Over 3 weeks, the ReBalance Bath festival will feature plenty of events, each inspired by wellness, separated into the categories of mental wellbeing, physical wellbeing, talks and free events.
Visiting SS Great Britain at Bristol’s harbour is always a great idea when travelling along the Great West Way. The dedicated crew are constantly refreshing the programming and experiences to make sure that each visit is as exciting as your first.
This year, Go Aloft returns in March 2026! Climb the rigging of Brunel's SS Great Britain for breath-taking views across the historic harbour and an unforgettable, hands-on experience. This unique activity complements our award-winning attraction where visitors can explore the legendary steamship, discover global migration stories and Brunel’s legacy in two interactive museums, and venture beneath the 'glass sea' to see the original iron hull.
The annual Tulip Festival returns to Hampton Court Palace in April, with over 100,000 tulips erupting in colour across 60 acres of gardens and courtyards, showcasing one of the UK’s biggest displays of planted tulips!
The Tudor Joust will also be back for 2 weekends in July, followed by their food festival on the 29-31 August. The Festival Fayre will also be returning in 2026, with live music, stalls and food trucks across Hampton Court Palace in December. See website for more information.
Discover a world of history as you explore brand new exhibitions opening across the Great West Way this New Year.
Head to American Museum this year, where new Curious about Quilts sessions will be open for visitors to book, on regular dates throughout 2026. This is an incredible opportunity to view up close some of the quilts not on display in the Museum and learn more about the history of quilt making in America.
With the Norman original coming to the British Museum from Autumn 2026, why not discover the Victorian full-scale replica at Reading Museum. Stitched by Victorian woman from Leek in Staffordshire, and faithful in almost every detail to the original, the 70 metre-long tapestry made Reading its home over a century ago when its world tour concluded in Berkshire. The story of the Battle of Hastings is brought to life in vivid coloured stitching, including the fateful end of Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon King of England. Entry to the museum is free of charge.
Stretching from London to Bristol, the Great West Way combines centuries of history, stunning landscapes, quintessential towns and villages, and modern cities. Discover more of this touring route from the eyes of a local, with a range of brand new tours launching in 2026!
As supporters of the Great West Way, Walking.Holiday are pleased to announce that, in 2026, they will be launching The Great West Way Walk. This is a 16-day, 178 mile walk from Bristol to London following the Kennet and Avon Canal from Bristol to Reading and then the Thames Path to London. Along the way you will pass the historic towns of Bath, Bradford on Avon, Devizes, Hungerford, Newbury, Reading, Henley, Marlow, Maidenhead, Windsor and Richmond. Between the towns you will see some of England’s loveliest countryside as you pass the Cotswolds, the Downs and the Chilterns!
This New Year, In & Beyond Bath have launched a selection of new tours for visitors travelling along the Great West Way.
Historic Houses & Grand Gardens in Spring
This new Spring tour runs from mid-April to mid-June and shares the best of English gardens, historic houses and country dining. Based entirely in Wiltshire, centrally located on the Great West Way, the itinerary includes a morning spent at Bowood House and Gardens, before stopping for lunch at a stunning, historic country pub, then exploring more breath-taking gardens at The Courts in Holt or the Arts & Craft Gardens at Great Chalfield House before heading back to Bath. It's a quintessentially English Spring day out!
Christmas Lights & Festive Delights in Merry England
This Festive spectacular takes visitors staying in, or close to, Bath, on an incredible English Christmas experience. Start by departing Bath for the historic market town of Frome to discover its cobbled streets and independent stores - ideal for festive shopping. Then, after a delectable lunch at either a remarkable converted Chapel (the Rye Bakery) or a dramatic, historic coaching inn (The Angel), be whisked off to Longleat Estate for a tour of the house, and an evening enjoying one of the most spectacular festive light displays in the world, before heading back to Bath, with an optional dinner stop enroute.
Tours from London by Train
In & Beyond Bath can now buy Great Western Railway tickets at set rates and are planning to heavily promote day tours from London where guests staying in the hotel district around Kensington, Hyde Park and Marylebone, can catch the fast train from Paddington to Bath to be met at the station by one of the guides for a tour of Stonehenge and Bath, Bath and the southern Cotswolds, or Stonehenge and the southern Cotswolds! As with all of their tours, the service will be relaxed, personal, unique and engaging, with fabulous lunch stops included, entrances to the main morning attraction (Stonehenge, Lacock Abbey or the Roman Baths) and a day with one of their incredible guides.
The National Gallery have launched new themed tours for visitors this New Year.
These new tours sit alongside the galleries popular Highlights, Impressionism, Heroes & Villains, Women in Art and Royal Tours. Private tours are available during daily opening hours or out of hours tours before 10am and after 6pm.
Enjoy your journey along the Great West Way by staying in some of the best accommodation on route. From luxury spa hotels in the countryside, to accommodation sitting along the River Thames, here’s a few places offering new experiences in 2026.
Exciting developments are underway at Bishopstrow Hotel & Spa, with a brand-new outdoor spa set to open in April 2026. Nestled within 30 acres of idyllic Wiltshire countryside, this new addition will feature thermal experiences, hydrotherapy pool, serene relaxation areas, and sweeping views of the River Wylye.
You can now arrive or depart by boat when staying at the Greenlands Hotel. The 100-bed hotel is set within the 30-acre Henley Business School estate. There’s a newly installed floating pontoon making it ideal for smaller boats, paddleboard enthusiasts or those that want to row the Henley Royal Regatta route!
You can also now enjoy the hotels’ famous Sunday Carvery once a month. Guests can moor their boats, stay at the Greenlands Hotel and enjoy the many other benefits – there’s a riverside gym, giant chess set, tennis court, and lots of lovely riverside walks as well as afternoon tea with views of the Thames from the Heyworth Restaurant!
A brand-new hotel has opened in Reading! The Village Hotel overlooks the River Thames and is a 10-minute walk from Reading Station. This hotel includes riverside suites, premium Health & Wellness facilities, swimming pool, Pub & Grill and in-house Starbucks!
© Great West Way 2026.
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