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As we near the end of another jam-packed year, there’s still plenty to enjoy in 2025! Experience a range of exciting adventures, anniversaries, new openings and so much more when you embark along the Great West Way this New Year! Here's everything you need to know when planning your journey along this remarkable route...
40 minutes from the iconic Stonehenge is Avebury, the largest stone circle in the world and part of Wiltshire’s World Heritage Site! Avebury was erected over 4,500 years ago and consists of around 100 stones. Owned by the National Trust, the site is open daily and completely free to explore.
Visitors are welcome to walk amongst the stones, as well as discover ancient tombs, avenues and surrounding sights including the West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill! Whether you experience the stones under a frosty morning in Winter, or amongst luscious greenery in Spring, Avebury is the perfect place to walk in 2025.
Join Bath Insider Tours on a unique Inner Circle experience of Stonehenge this year. Taking place during closing hours after sunrise or just before sunset, this is a bucket list opportunity to see the iconic stones up close and from a different perspective.
Tickets for this tour have now been released for 2025, up to September. Book your spot now.
Located in Salisbury, within easy reach of the Great West Way, is Fisherton Mill, a 19th Century grain mill and the south of England’s largest independent gallery, featuring an award-winning café and artist studios! Set over 2 floors, Fisherton Mill showcases a huge selection of locally crafted products and is the ideal shopping location this year!
To help minimise the environmental impact of your journey this year, be sure to use the Great West Way Discoverer Pass. The Great Western Railway provides affordable, convenient and eco-friendly travel from Central London, all the way to Bristol and surrounding areas!
With unlimited off-peak train and bus travel for domestic users and access to both off-peak and peak travel for internationals, the Great West Way Discoverer Pass is your ticket to exploring this iconic route in 2025.
Located in Oxfordshire, within easy reach of the Great West Way, Kelmscott Manor was the iconic country home of William Morris; poet, designer, craftsman, socialist and founding father of the Arts and Crafts movement. Today, the Manor has many intriguing stories to tell with a collection spanning over 300 years...
2025 marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s life and taking place across the Great West Way, there will be plenty of Regency-themed things to do! From Georgian Afternoon Teas to Jane Austen inspired museum trips and visits to iconic filming locations, check out what’s on to mark 250 years of Jane Austen this year.
Chase away the cold dark days of midwinter with a feelgood break in the World Heritage City of Bath! A full programme of wellbeing experiences returns at the beginning of the year, with ReBalance Bath. Over the 3 week festival, there will be plenty of events including outdoor exercise, inspiring talks and therapeutic taster sessions.
Open over Easter and at the end of August is the village of Imber, evacuated in 1943 and still deserted to this day! This is the perfect opportunity to explore the historic streets, paused in time including St Giles Church which is still in use throughout the year.
The 2025 festival, The Spirit of Water, is a companion piece to the Salisbury Cathedral’s summer art exhibition, Living Water. Just as the art show explores the power of water, its ability to hold memories and shape the identity of a place, as well as our need to live in balance with this life sustaining force, the Flower Festival takes its inspiration from water in all its different forms – rain, water, ice and more.
Discover the incredible story of Bristol’s amazing aviation achievements at Aerospace Bristol! From the earliest days of powered flights to the more present, cutting-edge technology, here you will find aeroplanes, helicopters, missiles, satellites, engines and plenty of interactive exhibits for all ages.
Step onboard the legendary Concorde Alpha Foxtrot during your visit, the last of the supersonic jets to ever fly. This Concorde was also recently featured in Disney+ brand new series, Rivals, where scenes took place on board!
Housed in a fine Georgian manor house with outstanding views over the Limpley Stoke Valley on the edge of Bath, the American Museum takes you on a journey through American history, with its remarkable collection of folk, decorative arts and cultural objects. The only museum of Americana outside of the United States, it was founded to bring American history and cultures to the people of Britain and Europe.
The New American Garden, Mount Vernon Garden, and The Children’s Garden play area awaits explorers of all ages. From winding paths and colourful flowers to woodland wanders with your four-legged friends and climbing adventures, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Within easy reach of the Great West Way and another World Heritage Site is Blenheim Palace. Home of the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, there is plenty to discover when roaming the Palace grounds and surrounding 2,000-acres of Capability Brown landscape.
In 2025, Blenheim Palace has announced a series of once-in-a-lifetime experiences which are only available for a limited time!
Roof Top View – Visitors can experience never before seen breath-taking views over the Estate, including the famous Column of Victory as well as the surrounding Oxfordshire countryside, an entirely new perspective from above the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Life Below Stairs - For the first time, visitors will get to go below the Palace and step back in history to explore the hidden world of Blenheim Palace’s servants. The new Life Below Stairs experience will provide the opportunity to see the historically significant original palace kitchens where visitors can immerse themselves in the spaces and hear the sounds of the staff working as they prepare for an important royal visit.
Family Treasures – Visits can unlock never before seen treasures of the private apartments and follow in the footsteps of dukes, duchesses and their illustrious guests. For a deeper insight into the history of Blenheim Palace, the extended State Room Tours will offer a journey through some of the grandest rooms.
Within easy reach of the Great West Way, the Bodleian Libraries has been the academic heart of Oxford for 600 years and home to over 13 million items including the Magna Carta, Shakespear’s first folio and the Gutenberg Bible! The Bodleian has also featured in well-known films, including Harry Potter, Mary Queen of Scots and Saltburn.
Located just outside of Kingston upon Thames is Hampton Court Palace, famously known as the home of England’s King Henry VIII. Be transported from Tudor England to the late 17th Century as you venture through the royal grounds, featuring beautifully decorated rooms, furnished with a historic collection and galleries telling stories of the past.
Did you Know? The exterior of the magnificent building was also used in the popular Netflix series, Bridgerton in place of St James’ Palace, the residence of Queen Charlotte!
The village of Box is uniquely situated near the Cotswolds National Landscape, and along the historic Great Western Railway line. A place to stay, visit, enjoy, and relax in stunning rural surroundings, allowing opportunity to step back in time through its cultural heritage.
Nestled along the iconic River Thames and surrounded by lush, rolling countryside, Henley-on-Thames is a quintessential English town that offers a perfect blend of charm, history, and modern appeal. Located on the Great West Way—between Reading and Windsor – off on the Twford Railway branch —Henley invites visitors to step into a picturesque setting steeped in tradition, natural beauty, and vibrant local culture.
Sitting along the famous River Thames, Windsor thrives all year round with its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture and beautiful natural scenery. Start your journey across the Great West Way in this Royal town, known for its history with Kings and Queens, the largest inhabited Castle, horse racing and much more!
Set in rural Wiltshire amongst North Wessex Downs National Landscape is the historic market town of Marlborough. This town is studded in history with stunning buildings including The Merchant's House and St Peter's Church. Its wide High Street boasts quality stores, a variety of independent shops alongside its own chic café culture.
This year, embark on a historic adventure by visiting Reading along the eastern parts of the Great West Way. Offering the perfect blend of English heritage, with the excitement of a modern town, Reading offers a range of things to do, from its vibrant shopping scene to plenty of eateries, and much more...
Exclusive Collection is a family owned, independent collection of beautifully situated country house properties, featuring everything from spas, a golf club, cookery school and classic English pub. With 5 properties along the Great West Way, it’s the perfect way to enjoy this remarkable route.
Stretching across a majority of the Great West Way route is Roseate Hotels. With properties located in Bath, Reading and London, you can enjoy a luxurious stay whilst making the most of a range of things to do just around the corner!
Located in the market town of Malmesbury, bordering the Cotswolds National Landscape is the Old Bell Hotel. This stunning accommodation is situated next door to Malmesbury Abbey, as well as quaint shops and restaurants walking distance away. This Malmesbury hotel features 34 rooms, all individually designed and furnished with colourful wallcoverings, interesting antiques and art. Many rooms are named after local historical figures and previous owners of this Grade 1 listed hotel.
With Brooks Guesthouse in Bath and Bristol, you can truly make the most of your journey through the far western parts of the Great West Way. Both properties provide their own individual style and comfort, giving you a unique living experience like no other.
Why not try out the Bristol Rooftop Retro Rockets, a sustainable and fun choice, featuring a timeless aluminium exterior with modern luxuries inside.
Brooks Guesthouse in Bath is situated just 350 metres from the Royal Crescent and a 10-minute walk from key attractions. Featuring 22 bedrooms, each beautifully decorated with a mix of antique and modern décor, enjoy a home away from home during your visit to Bath.
Enjoy a cosy getaway at Cocklebury Farm, set in the heart of North Wessex Downs National Landscape. Here you will be able to truly escape it all as you enjoy amazing dark skies and wildlife neighbours, as well as a whole host of activities including fishing, cycling and star gazing!
© Great West Way 2024.
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