To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Find out more here.
To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Find out more here.
You are here: Home > See and Do > Save this Summer along the Great West Way
The UK Government's Great British Summer Savings scheme starts this week! From 25 June to 1 September 2026, there will be reductions on VAT from 20% down to 5%! Visitors travelling along the Great West Way can save during the summer holidays, with these discounts applying to a range of family-friendly activities, attractions and children’s meals between London and Bristol. Below is a list of places to visit along the route, that are offering discounts on admissions, plus other percentage off experiences!
Stretching from London to Bristol and reaching to surrounding areas, the Great West Way is home to centuries of rich heritage, from its royal landmarks along the River Thames, to Cotswold villages where time has stood still. Discover more and save during your next visit to some of the most well-known sights along the Great West Way!
Located on Bristol Dockyards is Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the world’s first great ocean liner. Rescued from rust and wreckage in 1970 and later restored to its original Victorian state, the SS Great Britain allows you to step back in time as you discover the fascinating history behind the iconic steam ship!
Save this Summer, with one free child ticket for every paying adult, available from now until 2 September. Come back as many times as you like at no extra cost; one ticket, a whole year of adventures!
Bristol Cathedral is located in the heart of the city and entry is by voluntary donation. This striking medieval cathedral, founded in 1140, is one of the finest hall churches in the world, and this summer there's lots to enjoy alongside its centuries of history.
Children can join Crafty Cathedral every Thursday morning in August (10am–12pm) or choose from a number of free children's trails from the welcome desk anytime. There are also free Tuesday Lunchtime Recitals at 1.15pm, plus a lovely little garden and Pinkman's Café to relax in afterwards. Find out more here.
Probably the most iconic of attractions in Wiltshire, and one that shares the most history, is Stonehenge. Standing impressively in south Wiltshire, this World Heritage Site has been a fascinating mystery for centuries. It’s surrounding remains of ceremonial and domestic structures are even older than the monument itself!
Dive into this historic landmark between now and September 1st to receive discounts on entry to Stonehenge. Plus, if you book in advance, get an additional 15% off all tickets!
Operated by Salisbury Reds, the Stonehenge Tour allows you to journey back in time and discover the magnificent Stonehenge, plus other local attraction on route including Old Sarum, the original Salisbury City.
Reduced priced tickets are available during the Great British Summer Savings period. This offer will automatically be taken off when booking a visit between now and 2 September.
Located within easy reach of the Great West Way, Salisbury Cathedral has been a place of worship, welcome and hospitality for over 800 years. Its Spire is the tallest in the country, rising to a breath-taking 404ft! Explore the surrounding Cathedral Close before stepping inside its historic walls, where visitors can walk around the main building and cloisters, not forgetting the exhibition room which holds one of only four surviving original 1215 Magna Carta!
This summer, Salisbury Cathedral are offering discounted prices on admission and tour tickets, in support of the Great British Summer Savings scheme.
Bowood House & Gardens is delighted to support the Great British Summer Savings scheme and is passing the full VAT savings on to all relevant ticket and catering categories between now and 1st September.
Located in the World Heritage City of Bath, towards the western end of the Great West Way route, is the well-known Roman Baths. Here, the Romans built a magnificent temple and bathing complex on the site of Britain’s only hot spring, which still flows with natural hot water today!
Ticket prices are already VAT exempt at The Roman Baths, but during this Summer, visitors can save up to 50% with a family ticket. This Bath attraction has also introduced £1 tickets for UK visitors receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Employment Support Allowance. Further information can be found here.
Learn more about all that the Great West Way has to offer with a range of museums and wildlife parks peppered along the route.
Centrally located along the Great West Way is Wiltshire Museum. Here, visitors can discover gold from the time of Stonehenge, find out more about ancient Wiltshire, and explore displays and exhibitions around the county’s history from earliest times to the present.
Wiltshire Museum is delighted to support the Great British Summer Savings scheme, with discounts on all ticket categories, including free entry to children under 18 from now and throughout the summer holidays! Further information on all discounts can be found here.
This summer is the perfect time to discover the American Museum & Gardens, the only museum of its kind outside the United States. Explore the historic Manor House, beautiful gardens, the family-friendly Circus of Curiosities: An Exhibition of Moving Marvels, and see one of the world's rare surviving Declaration of Independence printings on special loan from The National Archives.
As part of the Great British Summer Savings scheme, admission prices have been reduced from 25 June to 1 September 2026, making it even more affordable to enjoy a day out. To mark America 250, the museum is also offering a special £2.50 admission ticket on weekdays throughout July (when open). This fantastic-value ticket includes access to the Manor House, exhibitions, gardens and the Declaration of Independence display.
In line with the VAT reduction across the summer, Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein have chosen to give all savings back to visitors. From 25 June – 1 September, prices on general admission and The Frankenstein Experience will be reduced!
Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein & Show of Strength Theatre Company invite you to experience a thrilling theatrical one-hour walking tour of Bath with museum entry. This immersive tour reveals Bath's hidden stories of secrets, lies, scandals and reputations lost all woven through the life of Mary Shelley and the creation of her legendary novel - Frankenstein. Tickets also include entry to the multi-sensory museum.
Dates: Every Thursday & Sunday from 16th July - 30th August. Tours start at 3pm.
Booking & more information can be found here.
This all-round experience allows visitors to experience the award-winning multi-sensory museum dedicated to Mary Shelley & Frankenstein and enjoy the flexibility of a 24 or 48 hour "hop on-hop-off" Bath city sightseeing bus tour. Featuring two routes and 38 stops.
Dates: The experience runs daily with museum entry from 11am - 4pm.
Booking & more information can be found here.
Explore a world of adventure at Longleat this Summer, from their famous Drive Through Safari, to the Jungle Kingdom where you can feed rainbow lorikeets and much more!
Select their summer savings tickets to receive discounts on both Adult and Child tickets, starting from £26.20. There will also be reductions on children’s meals, this offer will automatically be applied at the till.
From 20th July to 2nd September, Wake The Tiger will be taking part in the ‘Great British Summer Saver’ campaign, following the Government’s decision to reduce VAT on eligible visitor attractions from 20% to 5%. In a move designed to support families and encourage memorable summer experiences, Wake the Tiger will be passing the full saving directly on to visitors.
The reduced VAT rate will apply to admission tickets, helping families make the most of weekend treats, summer adventures, and day trips throughout the school holidays. In addition, children’s meals in the café will also be included in the savings, making family visits even more affordable.
Great West Way is home to a world-class collection of gardens, parks and national landscapes. This summer, stay cool in the shade when visiting some of the most iconic outdoor spaces, whilst also saving money on your entry during the Great British Summer period.
Wookey Hole, located in Wells Somerset and within easy reach of the Great West Way, is delighted to support the Great British Summer Savings scheme and is passing the full VAT savings on to all relevant tickets between now and 2nd September. Enjoy 20% of admission tickets when booking online more than a day in advance, or 15% when purchasing online on the day.
This summer, visitors can enjoy a day out for less at National Trust properties between London and Bristol, including Stourhead in Wiltshire and Dyrham Park in Bath. Better yet, with the Summer of Play activities and games taking place, now is the perfect time to visit with the whole family!
Between London and Bristol, there is a wide selection of places to stay refreshed this summer season. Most attractions, museums and landmarks have visitor cafés, offering discounts during the Great British Summer Savings period.
Discover the home of Bombay Sapphire with 15% off our Distillery Tours and Gin Cocktail Masterclasses* this summer. Immerse yourself in the sights, scents and stories behind our iconic gin at one of Hampshire's most unique visitor attractions. To redeem, enter code SUMMER2026 at checkout. Advance booking required.
*Redeemable on Distillery Tours and Gin Cocktail Masterclasses only. Valid on experiences booked and taken before 6 September 2026. Enter code SUMMER2026 at checkout to receive 15% off.
© Great West Way 2026.
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
