Cities, Towns & Villages

The Great West Way embraces an intriguing combination of cities, towns and villages, offering a diverse exploration of life in England. Even better, the relatively short distances involved mean you can explore a city, a town and a village all in a single day.

London, of course, needs no introduction. As the country’s capital it may be where you arrive in England and begin your journey. But just a short train ride west lie some of the most exciting cities in the UK, like Bath and Bristol. Bristol, the city furthest away on the touring route, is only a 1 hour 45 minute train ride from London. 

Only around 15 minutes apart by train, the two cities are very different. Bath is known for its Roman Baths and Georgian architecture, while Bristol is famous for its street art and music scene. If you’re in the mood for more city sights, Oxford and Salisbury are also fascinating places to visit, just off the touring route. Did you know? A city is only officially a city in the UK if it’s been deemed so by the Monarch. It doesn’t need to have a cathedral, as is commonly assumed. To explore the cities along the Great West Way, take a look at the City Culture Break suggested itinerary.

In between and around these cities sit lots of interesting towns - their smaller size making them easy to explore on foot in a spare morning or afternoon like Bradford on Avon, Chippenham or Hungerford . Some well-known towns you might recognise are Windsor, Eton, Ascot, Henley-on-Thames, Reading and Corsham. There's also Calne, Devizes, Malmesbury, Marlborough, Newbury, and Trowbridge.

Then there are the villages - some large and bustling, others tiny hidden-away hamlets that seem as though they’ve been untouched for thousands of years. Even their names summon seasons past… Winterbourne, Inkpen, Grazeley Green, Lambourn, Lacock and Castle Combe. If you’ve come in search of traditional English country life, these are the places to visit. Stop off at Steeple Ashton, Pewsey, Great Bedwyn or Claverton to enjoy a slice of English village life. Preferably on a countryside ramble with a refreshment stop at the local pub.