Top Ten Romantic Things to Do on the Great West Way

Love is in the air on the Great West Way. If you're looking for a romantic getaway for two to celebrate Valentine's Day, a special anniversary or just to enjoy some couples' time, we have lots of options for making your trip extra special. Here are ten ideas for things couples can do together to inspire you to have an extremely romantic holiday along the Great West Way.

Step into a Scene from a Romantic Film

Many films and TV shows have been filmed along the Great West Way - including more than our fair share of period dramas. Fans of Jane Austen may recognise the Temple of Apollo at the National Trust’s Stourhead Gardens (just to the south of the main Great West Way route) as the place the Darcy proposes to Lizzie in the rain in the film version of Pride and Prejudice. Or head to Bath, the setting for much of the steamy first season of Bridgerton, and fall in love with the regency splendour of its elegant streets.

Watch the Stars Together

What could be more romantic than wrapping up warm, watching the sunset and then seeing the stars appear above you. Bonuse points if you spot a shooting star. Take a look at our favourite places to go stargazing on the Great West Way for some more inspiration.

Make a Romantic Meal fit for Two

An ideal option if you are staying in self-catering accommodation during your Great West Way adventure, why not cook up a storm together in the kitchen. Head to Cobbs Farm Shop in either Hungerford or Englefield for high-quality local produce to transform into a romantic meal. If you need a helping hand, Vaughan's Cookery School near Devizes offer all sorts of hands-on cooking classes, perfect for a date night with a difference!

Have an Indulgent Spa Weekend

For something more laid back, why not book yourself a sumptuous couple’s spa session as you travel along the Great West Way route? There are many options to choose from, including the spa at award-winning Whatley Manor near Malmesbury, or Bath's famous Thermae Bath Spa with its rooftop pool, or one of the incredible reclaimed lidos along the route; Thames Lido in Reading or the Lido in Bristol. If you’ve got kids, head to Woolley Grange near Bradford on Avon and take advantage of the 90 minutes free childcare each day of your stay while you relax in the spa. Need more ideas? Take a look at these top ten spectacular spas on the Great West Way for lots more options.

Go for a Boat Trip

Drift slowly downstream with your loved one by your side for a relaxed and romantic holiday activity. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a boat ride as you travel the Great West Way. Starting at London to the East of the route, head out along the Thames through affluent towns and gentle countryside. Thames Rivercruise will take you on a Thames trip from Caversham Pier, while Hobbs of Henley offer river trips, hire boats or self-drive cruising holiday boats from Henley-on-Thames. Or head north of the main route to Oxford where family business Salter's Steamers have been providing first-class hospitality on the Royal River Thames for over 150 years. In the centre of the Great West Way is the Kennet and Avon Canal, looked after by the Canal & River Trust. Take a leisurely narrowboat trip along the canal with the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust for a lazy, romantic getaway. Or carry on West to reach Bristol, a city with a strong maritime history where you can enjoy a boat ride with Bristol Packet Boats.

Visit the Scene of a Royal Wedding

There are many Royal connections along the Great West Way; especially the historic Berkshire town of Windsor, which has seen many royal nuptials throughout the years. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married at St George's Chapel in 2018, and the royal town has also hosted the marriages of the likes of Princess Beatrice and Prince Edward to their respective spouses. While you’re here, visit Windsor Castle.

Go on a Romantic Ride

There are many ways to explore the Great West Way; some people hire a car for complete freedom and flexibility. Some people travel by train for fast, sustainable travel. Some people choose to take things slow and journey by foot, bike or boat. But what’s the most romantic way to get around on the Great West Way? Could it be a horse-drawn carriage ride around the Great Park at historic Windsor with Windsor Carriages? Or perhaps a bicycle made for two, which can be used to explore the vibrant streets of Bristol thanks to Bristol Tandem Hire? Or maybe it’s floating up, up and away together above the patchwork fields of Wiltshire and Somerset with Baileys Balloons? You decide.

Enjoy a Tipple Together

With English wine having a new heyday, wine tasting is the perfect romantic thing to do as a couple on the Great West Way. The chalky hillsides of Southern England make for excellent wine, and local producers like Aldwick Estate, a'Beckett's Vineyard and Alder Ridge Vineyard will introduce you to some of our local wines at a tasting event in a peaceful vineyard setting. If your tastes don’t lean towards wine, why not head to Bombay Sapphire Distillery, where the famous gin is produced, to wet your whistle with a gin-based cocktail?

Go Out for a Nice Meal

Foodies will love the range of quality restaurants spread out along the Great West Way route, perfect for a romantic meal for two. Tucked away in a tiny village in the beautiful Vale of Pewsey, the Red Lion Freehouse offers high-quality food and drink within a lovely traditional pub building. In Bath, Clayton’s Kitchen is a perennial favourite for local foodies and discerning travellers. The Crown & Anchor in the picturesque Wiltshire village of Ham celebrates traditional British cooking with a contemporary twist. To the East, in the royal town of Windsor, enjoy artisan drinking and dining with spectacular views of Windsor Castle at The Royal Windsor Public House.

Walk Hand-in-Hand through Lovely Landscapes

Head out for a romantic stroll as you journey through quintessentially English landscapes between Bristol and London. Here you will find lazy riverside strolls, glorious green hillsides, quiet woodland, and the majestic landscapes of the North Wessex Downs Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty. For a romantic walk together with your love, why not explore one of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves, the University of Bristol Botanic Gardens, or the WWT London Wetland Centre.

We hope we’ve inspired you to bring that special someone on a romantic trip along the Great West Way this year. There are plenty more things to see and do during your visit, as well as all sorts of romantic places to stay; sumptuous hotels, cute glamping sites, self-catering cottages and more.