Great West Way Media Discovery

Sunday 23 & Monday 24 March 2025

To celebrate English Tourism Week, Great West Way is hosting a brand new Media Discovery event in Reading, targeting regional, national and international travel media, content creators and suppliers across two days of exciting networking opportunities. It will bring together media titles and key press contacts with tourism businesses and destinations who feature along the Great West Way route, including attractions, hotels, transport and other sectors of the route's tourism infrastructure.

It is being run in conjunction with Travel Connection Group, who, in addition to hosting various media events, coordinate an annual Media Getaway. They have strong connections with leading UK travel media, who frequently attend their events.

This 'meet the media' event offers a unique opportunity for tourism businesses and destinations to raise their profiles and generate additional travel-related PR coverage. 

Reading is located near the centre of the Great West Way, making it a great base from which to explore the many delights of the route. It offers the excitement of a modern city blended with an unexpected slice of English heritage including Jane Austen’s school room.

Format of the Event*:

*Draft Timings and itinerary subject to change.

Sunday 23 March - Explore Reading & Evening Reception
Press to arrive at hotels from 3pm.
15.00     Arrive at Malmaison/Roseate/Pentahotels to check in and leave bags
15.30     Depart for your choice of Reading tour experiences
15.30 – 17.30    Option 1 - Walking Tour & Reading Gaol (minimum numbers apply)

Join Visit Reading and Walk Reading for an introduction to 1000 years of history, including a visit to Reading Gaol, a Gilbert Scott designed Victorian prison including Oscar Wilde’s cell and you’ll find out more about the plans for the future of this tourism development of the site.

15.30 – 17.30    Option 2 – Thames Rivercruise (departing 16.15 & returning 17.15 & minimum numbers apply)

You’ll be guided down to the quayside and taken aboard for a cruise on the River Thames. Drinks and nibbles will be provided.   

17.30 – 18.30    Return to hotels to freshen up
18.30                 Depart hotels for evening reception
19.00                 Arrive at Pentahotels Reading for welcome drinks from Bombay Sapphire Distillery
19.30                 Buffet dinner sponsored by Pentahotels
21.30                 Return to hotels for overnight stay

Monday 24 March - pre-scheduled one-to-one appointments at Reading Concert Hall
Pre-scheduled one-to-one 'meet the media' appointments plus free time slots for networking. The format of the day is as follows:

• 08.30-09.30    Registration & Welcome
• 09.30-11.15    1:1 pre-scheduled appointments
• 11.15-11.45     Coffee break and networking
• 11.45-13.00     1:1 pre-scheduled appointments
• 13.00-14.30     Buffet lunch and visit to the British Bayeux Tapestry in Reading Museum
• 14.30-16.00     1:1 pre-scheduled appointments
• 16.00-16.30     Reading Abbey Gateway visit to see Jane Austen's School Room
• 16.30 - 17.30   Afternoon Tea at The Roseate

*Timings and itinerary subject to change

Please click on the relevant PRESS or SUPPLIER button below to find out more and register to attend.