Top Ten Ways to Escape the Everyday this Autumn

Autumn is the perfect time to shake up your routine and try something different. 2020 has been a strange year so far – and now is the time to indulge in some much-needed downtime on an autumn escape. You don’t have to travel far to escape the everyday; an English staycation along the Great West Way between Bristol and London lets you uncover hidden gems, delve into wild places, and treat yourself in unusual and unexpected ways. So, leave the day-to-day drudge behind and feel free once more as you explore the Great West Way.

Stay Somewhere Spectacular

Bored of seeing the same old four walls every single day? It’s time for a change of scene. There are lots of incredible places to stay on the Great West Way. For a country hotel packed with comfort and character, head to the Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury. Nearby, Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa features Michelin-starred dining and 12 acres of pretty gardens. The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa offers luxurious suites, award-winning food and a tranquillity spa all set within a Georgian gem in Bath's iconic Royal Crescent. For something a little unusual, you might like to stay in a retro rooftop caravan at Brooks Guesthouse in Bristol, in a beautiful treehouse with panoramic meadow views at Mill Farm Glamping, or on a narrowboat on the Kennet and Avon Canal with Honeystreet Boats.

Step Back in Time

Escape from everyday 21^st century life with a trip back in time. Pretend you’re a regency lady or gentleman at the Jane Austen Centre in Bath. See the oldest inhabited castle in the world at Windsor Castle. Walk amongst the ancient monoliths at Stonehenge, just off the Great West Way route. Look around the spectacular Roman Baths. Or explore grand houses and gorgeous gardens with the National Trust.

Treat Yourself

Indulge in something luxurious on your Great West Way adventure this year, and enjoy those special treats it’s so hard to make time for during everyday life. Relax in a rooftop pool or enjoy a luxurious spa treatment at Thermae Bath Spa. Indulge in some retail therapy at Swindon Designer Outlet or Parkway Shopping Centre in Newbury. Or sit down to a truly scrumptious meal at one of the Great West Way’s fine-dining restaurants. After all, isn't it time someone else did the cooking for a change?

Make Special Family Memories

This year, create memories that the whole family will treasure for years to come, as you take the kids on a Great West Way adventure. Children will be wowed by the planes on display at Aerospace Bristol, starting from the earliest days of powered flight and running through to today’s cutting-edge aerospace technology. See the animals at Bristol Zoo Gardens, Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm near Salisbury or Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm. Or head to the UK’s first safari park, Longleat, found within easy reach of the Great West Way route. And for a relaxed and comfortable meal out with the children, take a look at the family-friendly places to eat along the way.

Find some Peace and Quiet

Step back from the bustle of everyday life. Find a moment of tranquillity to savour. Refresh your spirit and re-energise. Historic churches line the Great West Way route – step inside and take a moment to yourself at Bristol Cathedral, Salisbury Cathedral (where you will need to book your entry in advance) or All Saints Church in Alton Priors in Wiltshire. Or spend an afternoon wondering through one of the beautiful gardens along the Great West Way, breathing in the fresh air and admiring the planting. You could also spend a long weekend relaxing aboard a narrowboat drifting downstream, or enjoying lie-in after lie-in at a beautiful countryside hotel.

Feel the thrill

Step outside your comfort zone and blow away the cobwebs this Autumn. Thrill-chasing is the ideal antidote to those monotonous daily routines. Give rally driving a go at Castle Combe Circuit, try out all sorts of watersports at Cotswold Water Park, or jump out of a plane with Skydive Neteravon. Go on, we dare you.

Travel Differently

Whatever your usual method of transport, choose something different for your Great West Way staycation. If you normally commute by car, sit back with a book and a drink on the train and enjoy the beautiful views from the windows. Or, if public transport is the norm for you, why not hire a classic car from Vintage Classics and explore the winding roads of the route in style. And that’s not all - there are many more weird and wonderful ways to travel the Great West Way. Experience a horse-drawn carriage ride around Windsor with Windsor Carriages. Float up, up and away with Bailey Balloons. Take to the water with a river cruise or a narrowboat trip. Jump on your bike with Swinley Bike Hub – or pair up with someone special for a tandem ride thanks to Bristol Tandem Hire. When it comes to tours, Bath Bus Company will whisk you around the city of Bath on an open-top bus, while Windsor Duck Tours will take you on an amphibious adventure by both road and river!

Explore the Great Outdoors

As the days slowly shorten and the trees turn golden, Autumn is a wonderful time of year to visit the countryside of the Great West Way. All along the route there are places to discover stunning landscapes, spot wildlife, experience the rejuvenating power of nature and blow away the cobwebs. Exploring the serene lengths of the Kennet and Avon Canal – whether by boat, bike or foot – is a great place to start. Or wake all your senses with an early-morning stroll through the breath-taking landscapes of the Cotswolds or the North Wessex Downs. There are also plenty of walking tours that will take you out to explore the undiscovered corners of our lovely countryside.  

Learn a New Skill

Now is the perfect time to learn something new! How about rustling up a treat in the kitchen with a hands-on course at Vaughan’s Cookery School. Or, have a go at glassblowing at Bristol Blue Glass. For a more active option, try paddleboarding in the centre of Bath with Original Wild.

Visit Somewhere Unique

One of the great things about the Great West Way is the range of unusual and unique gems scattered across the length of the route. Discover something truly new and leave your everyday life far behind with a visit to one of these intriguing attractions. We the Curious - reopening this November - is an exciting interactive venue in Bristol where you can get hands-on exploring science, ideas and innovation. The Watermill Theatre near Newbury produces incredible theatre from a unique converted watermill, and has a series of socially-distanced performances planned for this Autumn. Arnos Vale Cemetery in Bristol is a peaceful and atmospheric location where nature and heritage coexist. Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham is a gorgeous gothic masterpiece that looks straight out of a fairy tale. And the Museum of English Rural Life in Reading shines a spotlight on areas of England's heritage that are often overlooked, focusing on farming, food, craft, rural life and countryside issues. There's plenty to choose from, and plenty to see!

We hope we've inspired you to escape the everyday this Autumn! Share your adventures with us by using hashtags #GreatWestWay and #EscapeTheEveryday.