A Guide to Sustainable Travel along the Great West Way

If sustainable tourism is important to you, the Great West Way is the perfect option for planning your next holiday. Not only can you travel the whole route using public transport, but there are also a range of eco-friendly accommodation options available, as well as sustainable activities and dining where you can enjoy delicious locally-sourced food and drink.

Plan an eco-friendly trip along the Great West Way between Bristol and London this year…

Accommodation

If you are looking for somewhere eco-friendly to stay as you travel along the Great West Way, there are plenty options available. From luxury spa hotels to self-catering cottages, boutique city accommodation, to glamping in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Brooks Guesthouse, Bristol

Located in the heart of Bristol is the newly refurbished Brooks Guesthouse, said to be the most contemporary of its design in the city! Their Rooftop Retro Rocket Caravans provide a unique place to stay, capturing the glamour of the timeless vintage aluminium design with all the luxuries of a modern hotel room. The retro rockets incorporate caravan technology to create a compact experience whilst still providing all the amenities including a range of sustainable features like Hans Grohe Eco showers, LED and low energy lighting.

The Old Bell Hotel

Said to be the oldest hotel in England dating back to 1220, The Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury provides the perfect countryside retreat with dog-friendly rooms available so you can enjoy a Great West Way journey with your furry friends! Centrally located within the UK’s oldest borough, The Old Bell Hotel is situated just next door to Malmesbury Abbey, and a short walk from Abbey House Manor and the town’s high street, featuring independent shops and restaurants providing locally sourced dishes.

Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa

If you are looking for a couple’s retreat, be sure to head to Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa in the heart of the Cotswolds. Set in 12-acres of gardens and with a whole range of luxury experiences waiting, Whatley Manor is here to offer it all!

Enjoy a leisurely lunch at Grey’s Brasserie, or an innovative tasting menu at The Dining Room, all featuring locally sourced or home-grown dishes. Head to The Aquarias Spa to recharge your body with a range of calming treatments available. Whatley Manor has recently teamed up with GAIA Skincare to offer their sustainable, natural range and treatment collection. This range is handmade in Britain using traditional production methods. Using only the finest ingredients and essential oils all GAIA blends are unique, naturally made, free from parabens and sulphates, synthetic colours, or fragrances and none of the products have been tested on animals.

Lainston House Hotel

Encapsulated in 63-acres of Hampshire countryside and within easy reach of the Great West Way route is Lainston House Hotel, a charming 17^th Century country house and luxurious five star hotel. Just 2-miles from Winchester City Centre, Lainston House Hotel offers 50 luxurious and individually designed bedrooms with 2 unique restaurants, each providing an immersive dining experience, combining home grown produce with the very best in local field, farm, and forest.

Food and Drink

Between Bristol and London, there are a range of restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs offering sustainable dining experiences. With exclusive dishes featuring locally sourced ingredients to help reduce the carbon footprint, take a look at the list of sustainable food and drink along the Great West Way.

Clayton’s Kitchen

Located in the World Heritage City of Bath, Clayton’s Kitchen is a perennial favourite for local foodies and travellers. Robert Clayton, Chef Patron since 2012, creates uncomplicated dishes that explore and showcase the freshest and very best local ingredients. Inspired by Mediterranean and modern French cuisine, Robert compliments a range of popular vegan dishes with locally sourced produce.

Woolley Grange Hotel

Crammed full of cosy corners and charming features, the Orangery at Woolley Grange Hotel creates an enchanting a homely dining experience. Set in a Jacobean Manor House located on the edge of Bradford on Avon, the Orangery provides a warm welcome to all including furry friends, with great food using fresh product from the walled kitchen garden.

Bishopstrow Hotel and Spa

Set amongst the rolling Wiltshire countryside is Bishopstrow Hotel and Spa, a unique hotel filled with history and character. Built back in 1817, most of the building’s features remain, creating the perfect blend with contemporary details throughout the bedrooms, restaurant, and spa.

Focusing on an honest and authentic dining experience, Bishopstrow’s new restaurant helps to showcase the very best of British cuisine, with a strong consideration to sustainability and fresh produce. Their culinary philosophy is rooted in the No-Dig kitchen garden, where fresh produce is cultivated, forming the foundation of every meal served.

Things to Do

Stretching from Bristol to London, the Great West Way offers a range of things to do whilst also keeping sustainability in mind. Plan your eco-friendly journey today…

Blenheim Palace

Within easy reach of the Great West Way, explore hundreds of years of history at Blenheim Palace, as you wonder through the masterpiece of 18^th Century Baroque architecture! Housing some of the finest antique collections in Europe, Blenheim Palace showcases the historic home of the 12^th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough’s and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.

Explore the World Heritage Site amongst over 2,000-acres of Capability Brown landscape, admire some of the finest views of Oxfordshire as you look out for historical monuments including the Column of Victory and Temple of Diana.

Blenheim Palace are making it their mission to become more sustainable by focusing on eco-friendly practices throughout the stunning grounds. Over several years and continuing, Blenheim have reduced electricity consumption by 15%, have reduced water consumption by 41%, increased the use of solar energy by 38% and are currently on a mission to plant 1,000 trees within the World Heritage Site. You can get involved by sponsoring a tree as a way of protecting and supporting their precious ecological system.

Vaughans Cookery School

Located in Wiltshire, Vaughan’s Cookery School offers a comprehensive range of public, professional, bespoke, corporate and children’s cooking courses. Here, you can experience ‘hands-on’, inspirational, and fun classes, producing healthy and nutritious meals, focusing on a ‘naturally balanced’ style of cuisine that maximises the use of seasonal and local produce where possible.

Sustainable Travel

Did you know that you can travel most of the Great West Way route by bike, foot, boat or public transport? There are so many ways to focus on sustainable travel between Bristol and London!

Great West Way Discoverer Pass

To help minimise the environmental impact of your trip, why not use your 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.

Cycling

The Great West Way offers a wealth of landscapes including 3 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, perfect for cyclists to explore rural England with family-friendly woodland paths, long distance and downhill mountain bike trails.

If you are visiting from abroad, there are plenty places to hire electric bikes, vintage bikes and tandems along the route. Why not embark on a cycling tour through exciting destinations such as Bristol this year!

Boat Tours

With the Kennet and Avon Canal and River Thames running all along the Great West Way route, there are plenty opportunities to explore hidden gems and discover stunning destinations this year! Embark on a boat tour and make the most of slow travel through historic landscapes and picturesque towns…

Walking

One of the best ways to explore the Great West Way is along its many walking paths, there are some spectacular day and multi-day walks to be had throughout the touring route. Discover the beautiful countryside along some of the most historic trails or embark on a unique walking tour through city streets.

Start your eco-friendly adventure along the Great West Way today…