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There’s something special about travelling through England in Autumn, with the blur of golden leaves passing by as you explore country lanes leading to historic towns, shop windows taking on a cosy glow and local pubs looking all the more inviting with warm lunches by the open fire. Stretching between London and Bristol, the Great West Way offers an unforgettable way to experience England at its most atmospheric. Enjoy slow travel as you take the next 5 days discovering charming towns along the River Thames, colourful Cotswold landscapes, ancient landmarks such as Stonehenge in Wiltshire, and vibrant cities like Bristol.
From an autumn walk through the breath-taking trees of Savernake Forest in North Wessex Downs National Landscape, to the Georgian streets of Bath, this 5-day road trip brings together some of the best experiences the Great West Way has to offer this Autumn.
Length: 3–5 days
Start: London
Finish: Bristol
Best time: September–November
Perfect for: Couples, friends, slow travellers and autumn photographers
As one of the world’s greatest capital cities, London offers plenty of rich culture, history and unique things to do. Combine all this with London’s iconic landmarks and glowing parklands in the Autumn months, it’s easily the highlight for anyone travelling to England this season. But why stop there? Use London as a starting point to a world of truly enchanting destinations as you venture further along the River Thames.
Hampton Court Palace
Located a short distance from Kingston upon Thames is Hampton Court Palace, most famously known for being the home of England’s infamous King Henry VIII! Step foot inside the Great Hall, where the initials of the King and Anne Boleyn can still be seen today. Sneak downstairs to the vast Tudor kitchens where extravagant meals were prepared. Discover more inside the Tudor State Apartments, Baroque Palace and the haunted Cumberland Art Gallery!
After exploring all that Hampton Court Palace has to offer, discover the world famous gardens, 60-acres of stunning formal gardens complete with sparkling fountains and over 200,000 flowering bulbs.
Henley-on-Thames
Nestled along the iconic river and surrounded by picture perfect 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 Windsor and Reading, it is a great introduction to England outside of London!
It may be famous for its Henley Royal Regatta during the Summer months, an elite rowing event that has drawn visitors to the town since 1839, but the town continues to shine during Autumn. Here you can enjoy peaceful walks along the riverside, the glowing trees reflecting against the water, boutique shopping in the town’s charming high street, surrounded by beautifully preserved Georgian architecture.
End the first day of your Great West Way trip in this relaxing town, there are plenty places to stay in and around the area, including The Greenlands Hotel, set within the 30-acre Henley Business School estate and overlooking the River Thames and Oxfordshire countryside.
Joining up the River Thames and Kennet and Avon Canal, Reading is the perfect place to continue your Great West Way road trip this Autumn. Blending modern life with an unexpected slice of English Heritage, this town offers it all.
Reading Abbey Quarter
In the centre is Reading’s Abbey Quarter, telling over 900 years of history. Founded by King Henry I of England and later his burial place, visit the spot where Jane Austen went to school 600 years later, plus where Oscar Wilde was imprisoned in the late 19th Century. Learn more as you enter Reading Museum, where you will also find the only full-sized replica of the Bayeaux Tapestry!
Vale of Pewsey and North Wessex Downs National Landscape
Continue along the Kennet and Avon Canal, into the historic county of Wiltshire. Here you will find magnificent chalk horses, picturesque rolling hills, quintessential villages and iconic landmarks. Start your journey in Vale of Pewsey, located in the heart of North Wessex Downs National Landscape. The characterful village is studded with pretty views all year round but autumn is where it really shines through. Combining the rich countryside paths with walks beside the misty canal, Pewsey is a paradise for walkers and cyclists alike. Don’t be fooled by its rural atmosphere, the Pewsey Vale is known for its annual carnival in September and some of Wiltshire’s top pubs too!
Marlborough
A short distance from Pewsey is the historic market town of Marlborough. This town is studded in history with stunning buildings including The Merchant’s House and St Peter’s Church. It’s wide High Street boasts quality stores, a variety of independent shops and chic cafes.
Just outside Marlborough is Savernake Forest, a place not to be missed during your autumn road trip along the Great West Way. Famed for its spectacular autumn colours, this 2,750-acre forest is peppered with paths and tracks for you to explore whilst also discovering a range of ancient ‘veteran’ trees, some of which have their own names and legends!
End the day enjoying a meal in one of Marlborough’s eateries, offering traditional English dishes, perfect to warm the soul during the colder months. Or head to Avebury for the night, your next destination along the Great West Way. There are a range of places to stay in and around this historic part of Wiltshire.
Start your day in Avebury, home to the World’s largest Stone Circle and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site with Stonehenge! National Trust own the land surrounding this iconic monument, as well as the Avebury Manor located on the edge of the village. Unlike Stonehenge, Avebury allows you to walk amongst and touch the stones for free! The village is also home to quaint cottages, independent stores and traditional pubs.
Stourhead
Possibly one of the most picturesque locations in Wiltshire and within easy reach of the Great West Way route, is the Stourhead estate. Offering plenty of rich colour and winding paths to explore this autumn, this National Trust sit includes a breath-taking 18th-Century landscape garden, classical temples, bridges and stunning lakeside reflections. If you can make Stourhead part of your Great West Way trip, it won’t disappoint!
Lacock Abbey & Fox Talbot Museum
A short distance from your next destination on the Great West Way route, Lacock is the perfect way to conclude your journey through Wiltshire. Step back in time as you stroll through its charming village, before heading to Lacock Abbey, a quirky country house surrounded by stunning woodland grounds this Autumn season.
End the day by staying overnight in one of Wiltshire’s many countryside inns or cosy hotels, the perfect way to enjoy an autumnal home away from home.
Leaving Wiltshire, head further west to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath. Home to some of the most impressive architectural sights in the world including the Royal Crescent and Pulteney Bridge, Bath has been welcoming visitors for over 2,000 years!
The Roman Baths
At the heart of the city is the Roman Baths, an iconic landmark showcasing the history of the great Roman temple of Sulius Minerva and original bathing complex, set on Britain’s only hot spring! Still flowing with natural hot water today, the Roman Baths offers an atmospheric experience as you walk around the Great Bath, it’s steam even more apparent during the colder months, whilst surrounded by ancient statues, ruins and overlooking the iconic Bath stone city.
Jane Austen Centre
A short distance away from Bath’s Royal Crescent is The Jane Austen Centre. This museum offers a snapshot into how it was like living in this magnificent city during Regency times, and the impact it had on Jane Austen’s life and writing. Immerse yourself in the authentic period atmosphere as costumed guides share insight into the much-loved author.
Don’t Miss: If you happen to visit at the beginning of the Autumn season, don’t miss the popular Jane Austen Festival, celebrating one of Bath’s most famous residents! Featuring an exciting programme of immersive Regency-themed experiences, guided tours, concerts, plus fun activities including fencing, croquet and much more. Join others in the spectacular Grand Regency Costumed Promenade, starting at The Holburne Museum and passing many famous landmarks across the city.
Enjoy Bath’s vibrant evening scene with a selection of cosy restaurants, pubs and bars, offering plenty of traditionally English meals and exquisite beverages. Make the most of your stay with a number of city centre hotels and boutique B&Bs in Bath to settle down before continuing your journey to the furthest parts of the Great West Way route.
Leave the historic lanes of Bath and head ‘just down the road’ to the vibrant streets of Bristol, the creative and cultural city with a rich maritime heritage. Make the most of your visit by exploring all Bristol’s harbourside has to offer.
Bristol Dockyards
Bristol Dockyards brings to life the radical spirit of the city and Brunel’s SS Great Britain, through all-year-round cultural programmes, exhibitions and experiences. Sitting proudly in Bristol’s Dockyards 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.
The discovery doesn’t stop there though, head inside the Being Brunel Museum, where you can explore behind the mind that changed history, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. From bridges to tunnels, ships to railways, Brunel’s creations have been longer, faster and bigger than anything the world had ever witnessed!
Clifton Suspension Bridge
The perfect way to see Bristol in all its Autumn glory, is by heading to one of the city’s most iconic sites, Clifton Suspension Bridge. From here you can enjoy expansive views over the Avon Gorge, with the Bristol Avon at the bottom and rich coloured trees all around. While you’re there, head to the Clifton Suspension Bridge Museum to discover the history of the bridge, an engineering marvel created by, you guessed it, Isambard Kingdom Brunel!
Your Great West Way journey shouldn’t stop here. Venture north into the picture-perfect Cotswolds National Landscape, where you will find stunning autumnal scenery and honey-coloured villages.
Or continue your road trip West into Wales, where rich countryside is taken to a whole other level! Plan your Great West Way journey today.
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East Molesey
Hampton Court Palace is a tale of two palaces: a grand Tudor palace originally built by Cardinal Wolsey before being developed by Henry VIII. Dovetailing with the Tudor splendour is the Baroque palace designed by Sir Christopher Wren for William III and Mary II in the 17th century.
Henley On Thames
Discover Henley-on-Thames: a riverside gem with vibrant events, historic charm, boutique shopping, and scenic countryside. Explore more on Visit Henley!
Henley on Thames
Greenlands Hotel is set within the Henley Business School estate in the Oxfordshire countryside; this magnificent Grade II listed building is steeped in history and provides well-appointed accommodation by the River Thames, the perfect location for a long weekend break.
Reading
Be amazed by modern Reading – from remarkable medieval heritage and beautiful Thames countryside to award-winning shopping centres, there’s a surprise around every corner.
Reading
You can also see the mill arch over the Holy Brook. This is the only remaining part of what was once the mill for Reading Abbey. The mill was in use until the twentieth century!
Reading
Twelve hands-on galleries including Roman Silchester, changing art gallery, Box Room, Britain's Bayeux Tapestry and the world's only biscuit gallery, Huntley & Palmers.
Located in the heart of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and between Stonehenge and Avebury, the Vale of Pewsey is ideal for getting off the beaten track and has plenty of friendly and atmospheric places to stay, eat, drink and shop
Marlborough
Recognised as a World Heritage Site, Avebury is the site of the largest prehistoric circle of standing stones in the world. This circle encompasses Avebury Henge, a huge bank and ditch surrounding 2 smaller circles. Within walking distance of the stone circles is a stone-lined avenue, the largest…
Stourton, Warminster
Stourhead estate on the Wiltshire-Somerset border is the perfect day out for everyone. A breathtaking 18th century landscape garden with lakeside walks, grottoes and classical temples is only the beginning.
You can also visit Stourhead House, a Palladian mansion with a fantastic regency library…
Chippenham
A quirky country house and grounds, built on the foundations of a medieval nunnery, that celebrates the scientific genius of the inventor of the photographic negative.
Bath
The 2026 edition of The Jane Austen Festival will take place from 11 - 20 September and is the largest and longest-running Jane Austen Festival in the world.
Bristol
Step on board the most extraordinary time-machine. Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the world’s first great ocean liner, Bristol’s no.1 attraction and one of the UK’s top ten museums (TripAdvisor 2017-18).
Bristol
See displays and artefacts explaining the history, construction and maintenance of the world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge
| From | To | Distance * (metric) |
|---|---|---|
| Hampton Court Palace (51.40362,-0.33777) | Henley on Thames (51.53528,-0.90088) | 37.54 |
| Henley on Thames (51.53528,-0.90088) | Greenlands Hotel (51.56311,-0.88253) | 3.01 |
| Greenlands Hotel (51.56311,-0.88253) | Reading (51.45239,-0.97383) | 12.47 |
| Reading (51.45239,-0.97383) | Reading Abbey Quarter (51.45635,-0.96936) | 0.49 |
| Reading Abbey Quarter (51.45635,-0.96936) | Reading Museum (51.45666,-0.9698) | 0.04 |
| Reading Museum (51.45666,-0.9698) | Vale of Pewsey (51.3398,-1.76513) | 51.08 |
| Vale of Pewsey (51.3398,-1.76513) | Marlborough (51.41998,-1.73264) | 8.29 |
| Marlborough (51.41998,-1.73264) | Avebury Stone Circle and Avebury Manor and Garden (51.42825,-1.85492) | 7.68 |
| Avebury Stone Circle and Avebury Manor and Garden (51.42825,-1.85492) | Stourhead - National Trust (51.10702,-2.31979) | 43.42 |
| Stourhead - National Trust (51.10702,-2.31979) | Lacock Abbey, Village, and Fox Talbot Museum (51.41406,-2.11936) | 33.23 |
| Lacock Abbey, Village, and Fox Talbot Museum (51.41406,-2.11936) | Roman Baths (51.38111,-2.35949) | 15.37 |
| Roman Baths (51.38111,-2.35949) | The Jane Austen Centre Bath (51.38422,-2.36337) | 0.39 |
| The Jane Austen Centre Bath (51.38422,-2.36337) | The Jane Austen Festival (51.38412,-2.36318) | 0.02 |
| The Jane Austen Festival (51.38412,-2.36318) | Bristol Dockyards - Home of SS Great Britain (51.44917,-2.60841) | 16.65 |
| Bristol Dockyards - Home of SS Great Britain (51.44917,-2.60841) | Clifton Suspension Bridge Museum - Bristol (51.45461,-2.62969) | 1.44 |
| Total Distance * | 231.08 miles | |
| Estimated Journey Time | 7.44 hours | |
* Approximate distance by road
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© Great West Way 2026.
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