Walkers are Welcome on the Great West Way

Walkers are Welcome is a nationwide initiative that recognises towns, villages and rural areas that have something special to offer walkers. A number of locations along the Great West Way route have been accredited by Walkers are Welcome, acknowledging that each has many well-managed walking routes to offer. That means that if you fancy walking some or all of the Great West Way route, you’re in for a real treat. There are riverbank rambles, woodland walks and hillside hikes to enjoy.

Planning a walk around one of these official Walkers are Welcome locations along the Great West Way route is an ideal way to see some of England’s prettiest countryside up close. You can be confident of well-maintained, well signed footpaths and walking routes, as well as high-quality pubs and tearooms for well-earned breaks along the way.

Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire

Beginning near the Western end of the Great West Way route, the pretty town of Bradford on Avon just outside Bath has enjoyed Walkers are Welcome status for around ten years. The town boasts streets of picturesque stone cottages, welcoming tearooms and lots of independent shops, all surrounded by pleasant green landscapes crisscrossed by footpaths and bridleways. Walks from Bradford on Avon might take you alongside the Kennet & Avon Canal, through tranquil woodlands, or up a steep hillside for far-reaching views over the surrounding Wiltshire countryside. Keen walkers can time their visit to coincide with the Bradford on Avon walking festival which takes place every year in September. Or, simply pick up a "walking wheel map" from the Tourist Information Centre in town for an overview of the local footpaths.

Corsham, Wiltshire

Just up the road from Bradford on Avon (within walking distance, if you’re feeling fit!) is Corsham, a quintessentially English market town. On the fringe of the Cotswolds, the town is home to a thriving arts centre, an array of independent shops, and plenty of places to eat and drink. Visitors should keep an eye out for the local peacocks, who stroll regally through the picture-perfect town. Follow their lead and put your best foot forward with a walk from Corsham out into the surrounding countryside where there are many pretty Wiltshire villages to explore. Corsham has been accredited as a Walkers are Welcome town for an impressive fourteen years, and even hosts a walking festival every summer.

The Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire

Heading east from Corsham along the route of the Great West Way will bring you to the ancient landscapes of the Vale of Pewsey. This beautiful area with the village of Pewsey at its centre has much to offer walkers; rolling green countryside, unspoilt villages, the tranquil towpath along the Kennet and Avon Canal. No wonder it has recently been awarded Walkers are Welcome status in summer 2021! There are white horses on the hillsides and historic churches to explore. Walkers can arrive by train at Pewsey Village or nearby Great Bedwyn to explore the landscape’s enticing network of ancient footpaths, byways and bridleways. The Vale of Pewsey also takes part in the annual North Wessex Downs Walking Festival in June every year.

Whitchurch, Hampshire

The Hampshire town of Whitchurch is located on the lovely River Test, surrounded by beautiful countryside and right on the doorstep of the North Wessex Downs AONB. It has been officially been a Walkers are Welcome town since 2015. Visitors can also explore the industrial history of the town at Whitchurch Silk Mill - a Georgian water mill that still weaves silk fabrics using Victorian machinery - or nearby Laverstock Mill, home to the Bombay Sapphire Distillery which offers regular tours and tastings.

Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire

Surrounded by a Chiltern landscape of wooded hills and green fields, Henley on Thames lends itself to relaxation, long lunches and quirky shopping. Located on the River Thames, and home to lovely boutique shops and great independent places to eat and drink, Henley is an easy town to walk around. Take a short stroll along the river or for a longer countryside trek, head into the surrounding hills and woods. Visitors can even join one of the regular short walks hosted by the local ramblers group. Henley on Thames has been accredited as a Walkers are Welcome town since 2018, and also welcomes a walking festival in late spring or early summer each year.

Long Distance Walking Paths along the Great West Way

There are many options for walking the whole length of the Great West Way, including following some of the long distance walking paths that cross this swathe of traditional English countryside. Many of the Walking are Welcome towns along the Great West Way can be linked together with longer walks. For example, follow the towpath of the 87-mile Kennet and Avon canal and you will pass through both Bradford on Avon and the Vale of Pewsey. Or pick up National Trail the Thames Path which will take you through Henley on Thames on the way in to London – the eastern most point on the Great West Way. Other long distance paths for walkers to enjoy along the Great West Way include the ancient Ridgeway ot the picturesque Chiltern Way.

Ready to plan your walking holiday to the Great West Way? Take a look at the many things to see and do along the route, from fine-dining restaurants and sumptuous spas to family days out and fascinating museums. And check out the many places to stay along the length of the Great West Way route, including cosy cottages, glamping sites, luxury hotels, friendly B&Bs, canal boats and more.