Plan Your Way

Sir Thomas Lawrence, an 18th-century artist from Devizes, met lots of travellers heading west from London as his father owned the local pub, the Black Bear Inn. He discovered they were having trouble finding their way across Salisbury Plain, so set out to help them. He bought a heap of 12-foot posts, marking them with the mileage to Devizes in one direction and Salisbury in the other, then wedged them in the ground at half-mile intervals. 

Inspired by his initiative to give travellers a helping hand, we’re doing the modern-day equivalent for the Great West Way and providing you with some simple online waymarkers (otherwise known as planning tools)...

To start, we’ve come up with a series of suggested itineraries we think you’ll love. The perfect option if you’re short on time or like the reassurance of a tried and tested journey. You don’t have to follow these to the letter of course, but they’ll guide the way. Our knowledgeable writers have chosen different themes to suit all sorts of interests, from nature to culture, and found the hidden hotspots and secret stays for each so you can rest assured you’re bound for somewhere great. 

Since trip lengths vary hugely, we’ve provided itineraries that range from how to make the most of just 24 hours to what to see in 1 week or more. You can choose trip type, too - point to point or circular. And these pre-set itineraries are also available to edit, which is great if you’re keen on most aspects of an itinerary but just want to adjust one or two details. 

If you’d rather create your own totally bespoke itinerary, we have a handy tool to help you create an itinerary. You can tailor your trip exactly to your own specifications, according to location, activities, accommodation and more. Simply select your preferences from the drop-down boxes provided and you have your own one-of-a-kind trip. 

For more tools to help you plan your trip, take a look at our Great West Way Travel Magazine or get your copy of the Rough Guide to the Great West Way. We've also devised a series of Great West Way Top Tens and our top recommendations to point you on your way. If you're going to be travelling the Great West Way in a larger group, have a look at our groups pages for further inspiration and advice. 

For ideas and inspiration before you get started, read some of the local stories featured on the Discover our Way pages and take a look at See & Do and Explore. Or take a look at some of the main areas to visit on the Great West Way - Bath and Bristol, the Royal County of Berkshire, The Cotswolds, Wiltshire, the Thames and our stunning National Landscapes.