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Step back in time along the way
Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol
Be a part of history on your adventure
Avebury UNESCO World Heritage Site

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History & Heritage

** Please note that many attractions along the Great West Way are in the process of reopening their doors in light of the current government advice in relation to COVID-19. Whilst we are endeavouring to keep all information on the website up to date, we would advise you to check directly with the relevant venue for the most up to date information. **

Along the Great West Way you can trace the history of the nation, from neolithic times to the present day. You can walk the ancient Ridgeway National Trail, take a road trip on one of King Charles I’s Great Roads, built to facilitate the postal service, or ride The Great Western Railway - a marvel of Victorian ingenuity. And there’s plenty of attractions to visit along the way…

You could start at the beginning (relatively speaking), and visit Stonehenge & Avebury World Heritage Site. These striking formations of standing stones continue to puzzle visitors and archaeologists alike. Were they places of healing? Druid temples? Burial sites? Meeting places? We will probably never know exactly what our ancestors were up to, but these special places continue to exert a powerful pull on our imaginations.

Don’t forget there’s many other mysterious sites in the region too, such as Silbury Hill, an enormous prehistoric mound, and Old Sarum, an impressive iron age hill fort and the site of Salisbury’s first cathedral. Top tip: If you’re looking for a hotel within easy reach of all these sites, Holiday Inn Salisbury-Stonehenge offers convenient Stonehenge accommodation.

Elsewhere on the touring route, you can explore the inventions of celebrated engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel by visiting the SS Great Britain and Clifton Suspension Bridge. You can learn Tudor table manners at Hampton Court Palace or see where mordern royalty reside at Windsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth II's favourite weekend home. Set sail on a replica of The Matthew - the ship John Cabot first sailed to Newfoundland, discovering North America. And even come face-to-face with a Roman bather at the Roman Baths!

Then there’s the beautifully preserved historic towns, cities and villages, including Marlborough, Henley on Thames, Lacock, Castle Combe, Calne and Bath. Strolling through these living landscapes, whether on a walking tour or self-guided adventure, gives a sense of what real life was like for generations long gone.

And make sure you visit some of the many magnificent historic houses and gardens along the way too. From Hampton Court Palace with its Henry the VIII connections to Dyrham Park and its romantic 17th-century deer park.

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History and Heritage along the way

Dyrham Park - National Trust

Elegant 17th century mansion and deer park set in acres of rolling countryside.
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Malmesbury
Bath & Bristol

At the western end of the Great West Way you’ll find Bristol and Bath. A blessing for the urban adventurer since these 2 cities are so close together geographically - just 15 minutes by train - yet miles apart in character.
Bradford on Avon
Stonehenge

Stonehenge stands impressively as a prehistoric monument of unique importance, a World Heritage Site, surrounded by remains of ceremonial and domestic structures - some older than the monument itself.
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Roman Baths

Epicentre (and raison d'etre!) of the Heritage City.
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Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, the family home of 39 British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years, and is today one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. Open to visitors throughout the year, today The Queen spends most of her private weekends at the Castle.
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Calne

Looking to visit the amazing town of Calne?...If so, click here to get the latest Calne tourist information direct from the official Wiltshire tourism site!
Bowood House and Gardens

Outstanding 18th century mansion house estate.
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The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds offers the sort of chocolate box views that many imagine when they think of England. Its honey-coloured limestone villages and rolling farmland, dotted with curly-haired Cotswold sheep, make up the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the country.
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.
Lacock Abbey, Village and Fox Talbot Museum

Looking to visit the amazing town of Lacock?...If so, click here to get the latest Lacock tourist information direct from the official Wiltshire tourism site!
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National Trust

Discover the National Trust Properties along the Great West Way.
Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site

Stonehenge and Avebury are listed together as a single UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is famous for its instantly recognisable stone circles but there is far more to explore in these two remarkable landscapes.
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Longleat

Longleat Safari Park, nestled within 900 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds, is home to the UK’s original Safari Park, one of the best examples of Elizabethan architecture, and an abundance of exciting attractions including Jungle Kingdom and Animal Adventure where you can get up-close and personal with truly amazing animals.
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