Innholdsfortegnelse for Spring/Summer 2023 i Great West Way® Travel Magazine

1 KATE WINSLET Famous for her portrayal of Rose in Titanic amongst other big titles, Kate Winslet is a Reading girl at heart. Born in the town in 1975, Kate grew up in West Berkshire where her parents still live today, and went to school in Redroofs Theatre School in Maidenhead. Kate has also appeared in the Divergent films, Finding Neverland, The Reader and Steve Jobs. She has been commemorated by the town with a recycling lorry named after her called ‘Kate Binslet’, a name suggest by local people who recognise her as a local treasure. 2 CARY GRANT Born in 1904 in Horfield, Bristol, Cary Grant moved to the US and became a Broadway actor and later on, signed to Paramount Pictures. Grant was the first actor to be…

A great way to experience the sights and sounds of the Great West Way is to take a tour of its many delightful tea shops. Whether you are looking for an afternoon pick-me-up or a cozy evening hangout, these establishments offer something for everyone. From traditional Victorian tearooms with freshly baked scones to modern cafés serving locally sourced artisanal teas, these fabulous tea shops will definitely satisfy your cravings. One such example is the charming 7 Flowers & Tea in central Reading, located on Cross Street. With its homey atmosphere and colourful interior, one can quickly immerse themselves in a delightful afternoon tea session here, sharing a pot of speciality tea and a scrummy cake, while taking in the tranquil atmosphere and fresh floral aroma. Those who prefer their cuppa…

1 LONGLEAT, WARMINSTER, WILTSHIRE At Longleat, a little south of the Great West Way, you can take your little lions on a wild drive through a safari park. From the madness of the monkey drive-through to the awe-inspiring sight of real-life rhinos in the Big Game Park – it’s sure to be a lasting memory. Buckle them in to see their faces light up over those enigmatic macaques, who aren’t shy, so make sure you wind up the windows – unless you want an extra cheeky monkey in the backseat. Elsewhere there are lions, tigers, a pack of wolves, zebras, ostriches and much more. For those that want to get hands-on with the animals, there are various feeding opportunities – extend a branch off the pier for the giraffe, hand-feed…

BY BIKE AND FOOT Hiring a bike and cycling along the canal, countryside paths and trails, taking a walk through picturesque villages and visiting our three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and three UNESCO World Heritage sites by foot is a beautifully scenic experience. Whether you’re up for a lengthy hike in the Cotswolds, a cycle ride racing down the 13.7km (8.5 miles) steeply twisting Swinley Red trail with its berms, drops and white-knuckle descents, or just fancy a potter around some village antique shops, walking and cycling is a wonderful way to explore. You can cycle the entire length of the Great West Way via National Cycle Route 4, which links up regional cycle routes such as the Thames Valley Cycle Route and the Kennet & Avon Cycle Route.…

There are some really big, world-famous attractions along the Great West Way, as well as magnificent ancient abbeys and cathedrals, stately homes, arboretums and nature reserves, interactive art galleries and immersive museums. We take a look at what’s new and exciting for you to see and experiences this summer: LONDON & THE THAMES THE BRITISH MUSEUM, CENTRAL LONDON The British Museum was the first national public museum in the world, and today is home to eight million objects. Here you can discover the vast diversity of human cultures from the dawn of human history to the present. Located in London, at one end of the Great West Way route it is a great museum to begin or end your Great West Way journey. Visit between the 4 May-13 Aug 2023…

APRIL 2023 SWINDON JAZZ & SOUL FESTIVAL 15 APRIL 2023 Following the success of the last two years the Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival is back for its third consecutive performance in 2023 - and it is an absolute must-visit for anyone who loves to get their groove on! It offers a tremendous variety of musical performances and, the lineup changes every year, so there’s always something new to discover. Be sure to mark your calendar now – with last year’s acts featuring British Jazz award winners, and established soul acts. Headliners included international swing kings from Ray Gelato and the Giants, to The Soul Strutters and Jonny Henderson. BRISTOL FOLK FESTIVAL, BRISTOL CATHEDRAL AND ST GEORGE’S, BRISTOL 28-30 APRIL 2023 For nearly 50 years, Bristol Folk Festival has been…

Michelin Starred and Fine Dining Sit down to a meal of gastronomical delights at one of the award-winning fine-dining establishments along the Great West Way. Sample sumptuous tasting menus created by Michelin-starred chefs, innovative dishes featuring local produce, and traditional English delicacies cooked to perfection. The Vineyard, Stockcross, Berkshire Not only is The Vineyard a luxury five-star hotel and spa, it also has a fine dining restaurant and 30,000-bottle wine cellar. Head chef Robby Jenks is at the helm of this 3AA Rosette restaurant. Diners can choose from an à la carte or tasting menu where they can enjoy dishes such as veal sweetbread ravioli with pumpkin seeds in a pumpkin and brown butter sauce or roast brill, brassicas, caper berries and almond. → Stockcross, Newbury Bulrush, Bristol One of…

The release of Bridgerton Season 3 Season 3 breaks rank with the order of the novels to focus instead on the fourth Bridgerton book, Romancing Mister Bridgerton. The story focuses on the romance between Penelope and Colin, who have been on our screens throughout the first two seasons. Expect more of Bath’s beautiful architecture to feature. 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the Bristol Bus Boycott In 1963, Bristolians chose to boycott the Bristol Omnibus Company in protest of its refusal to employ Black or Asian bus crews. The boycott lasted four months before the company backed down. Events to mark the boycott will be taking place across the city. Oceandiva, London The UK’s first CO2-neutral venue and a state-of-the-art vessel, Oceandiva on the River Thames will span three decks…

BATH Abbey Hotel, Bath Abbey Hotel is located perfectly central in the city of Bath, making it an ideal place to stay to when exploring the city. Independantly owned, this unique hotel offers an intriguing blend of stylish comfort, vibrant and eccentric contemporary art, and historic character. → abbeyhotelbath.co.uk Dukes Hotel One of Bath’s most prestigious streets, this beautiful, boutique, guest house stands on Great Pulteney Street. Whether it is the high ceilings, sash windows or hand crafted Sanitan bathroom suites, each room uniquely reflects an era of Georgian elegance and charm. → dukesbath.co.uk The Apartment Bath From Nespresso to Nintendo, The Apartment, Bath is a two-bedroom apartment in central Bath on Widcombe Parade, and the perfect home from home for guests exploring the Great West Way. → apartmentbath.com The…