Stay

While the Great West Way makes for a wonderful day trip, we know many of you will be embarking on longer stays so you can immerse yourself more thoroughly in local life - whether on a romantic weekend away or a week-long solo adventure. So you’ll need somewhere super to sleep whether that's a hotel in Bristol or a bed and breakfast in Bath. A farm stay in the Cotswolds or a spot of camping in Wiltshire. A county pub in Berkshire or a boat on the River Thames.

But one hotel doesn’t fit all. And sometimes, where you lay your head for the night is about so much more - it can be a memorable part of the whole experience. Luckily the Great West Way caters to the desires of all travellers, with its mix of quirky glamping and camping sites, pretty countryside B&Bs, cool city hotels, traditional village pubs and even fancy castles and stately homes fit for kings, queens and American actresses turned duchesses. 

If you’re pulling on your hiking boots and heading out on some of the scenic hiking trails along the route - maybe tackling a few of the The Ridgeway’s 87 prehistoric miles with the family - then pack a lightweight tent and stay close to nature at a lovely campsite. Hot showers and a friendly vibe come as standard. If you prefer to sleep in something more solid, many English campsites now also offer rustic cabins, yurts, shepherd’s huts or treehouses. (Just remember those marshmallows for the evening campfire.) 

Or perhaps only a cosy room in a cottage will do? You’ll find plenty of homely Bed and Breakfasts and farm stays along the Great West Way where the flowers have been picked fresh from the garden, the patchwork pillows hand-plumped by your characterful host and the breakfast (full English, naturally) has been lovingly prepared using eggs from the host’s own chickens. If you prefer to be left to enjoy this quaint country lifestyle on your own, there are plenty of self catering options to choose from too!

For those eager to explore the waterways, there are boats that you can sleep on while travelling down the Great West Way's canals and rivers. A prettily painted narrowboat is one of the most English sights possible - making this an ideal option for immersing yourself in an English idyll on your adventure. 

Trend-following travellers will be equally excited by all the design-led boutique hotels and guesthouses, in rural as well as urban areas. Many seek their inspiration in local art, culture and landscape so they remain rooted in their location, as well as looking fabulous on Instagram. Ideal for the curious and the culture-obsessed (dare we say hipster?), these places have cutting-edge art on the walls, artisan-upholstered chairs, enchanting spa experiences and cosmopolitan cafés. A flat white and smashed avo on toast is the breakfast à la mode. 

For those who require champagne on arrival and dainty afternoon tea on the lawn (after a round of croquet, of course) there are some truly exceptional heritage hotels along the route, where tradition ensures every tiny detail has been considered to make your stay marvelous. Think elegant old mansions transformed into hotels, walled gardens, panoramic views, antique furniture, luxuriously-scented toiletries and fine dining. And yes - do go ahead and call yourselves Lord and Lady of the Manor, it’s only fitting. 

One of the most exciting ways to travel the Great West Way is to stop somewhere new each night. Take a look at the route's accommodation by area to plan your complete trip.