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Trying rowing along the way
Rowing along the River Thames at Marlow
Explore on Horse back
Horse riding along the Great West Way
Discover the way by bicycle
Cycling past Alton Barnes White Horse, Wiltshire

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Activities

There are so many ways to get active and involved along the Great West Way, from kayaking serene stretches of the Kennet & Avon Canal to playing a round of golf amid tree-lined fairways.

Walking, cycling and horse riding are all exhilarating ways to experience the touring route. Imagine trotting through winding country lanes on horseback, or riding over the horizon on a racing bike as the sun starts to set. You can even enjoy the countryside on a llama or alpaca trek. Did you know? Llamas were brought from South America to England in Victorian times, and thousands of them can now live across the UK.

The Great West Way’s scenic waterways support various water sports too. Canoeing, kayaking, canal boat riding, stand-up paddle boarding… Viewing the touring route from the water will give you a whole different perspective on the landscape and its natural inhabitants. Tip: Watch out for the blue flash of a kingfisher as it dips down to catch a fish. (Speaking of which, you can go fishing here too.)

If you’d like a bird’s-eye view of the touring route, you could have a ride in a hot air balloon, try paragliding, piloting a small plane, skydiving or even bungee jumping… you go first though, okay? If you enjoy a thrill of adrenaline on your holidays, have a look at all the outdoor and adventure activities on offer. Or simply sit back and enjoy the action of the Great West Way's spectator sports.

But you don’t have to be into sport or high-stakes thrills for an active, hands-on experience of the Great West Way. For those that prefer arts and culture, there are craft workshops, writing and painting retreats, cookery sessions, music and dance classes and many more activities to get involved with however long you’re staying with us.

A great way to get started with the above activities is to try a one-on-to-one class, a group workshop or even a residential course or activity holiday. Find out more about what’s available below, in the see & do section and on our great outdoors guide.