Innholdsfortegnelse for Autumn/Winter 2023 i Great West Way® Travel Magazine

As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, it’s time to cosy up with a cup of tea and our Autumn/Winter edition of the Great West Way Travel Magazine. We've been hard at work curating an issue that showcases the best of the region, from hidden historic gems to the enchanting festival light trails. Join us on page 8 for an exclusive interview with Steve Lewis, General Manager at Lainston House Exclusive Collection, and discover the story behind this stunning hotel. On page 14, we have the latest travel news on the Great West Way, including exciting plans for a historical celebration in Malmesbury and a charming countryside hotel. If you're a foodie, you won't want to miss page 18, where we highlight the best plant-based menus and vegan…

Stretching from London to Bristol, the Great West Way boasts an incredible selection of restaurants, cafes, and other eateries. Many of these businesses use local produce where they can, some even growing their own. All of which work towards producing quality dishes and all-inclusive dining experiences that highlight the importance of sustainability. In honour of World Vegan Day and Veganuary, here are our top restaurant picks for plant-based menus and delicious vegan dishes along the route. 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 ingredients. Inspired by Mediterranean and modern French cuisine, Robert compliments a range of popular vegan…

If you're looking for a day trip outside of London at the east of The Great West Way route, a visit to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is a must. This historic town is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in British history, including Windsor Castle, the residence of the monarch for over 900 years. In this article, we'll guide you through a day of exploring Royal Windsor, from the Castle and its State Apartments to the Royal Farms Windsor Farm Shop and The Savill Garden. WINDSOR ROYAL STATION: A SHOPPER’S PARADISE Designed to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, the Windsor Royal Station is a stunning example of Victorian architecture. Today, it is a shopper’s paradise, with a wide range of shops and restaurants…

Explore the stunning scenery and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty of the Kennet & Avon Canal, a wonderful way to travel along the Great West Way. The Kennet & Avon Canal map will be your perfect guide for your Great West Way journey, looked after by the Canal & River Trust, the UK’s largest waterways charity. Whether you choose to explore by narrowboat, bike, or on foot, slow down and enjoy all 87 miles of the canal as part of your adventure. You could hire a bike and cycle along the towpath or take a walk to get close to nature. You can also canoe, kayak, or book one of the numerous boat trips. Passing through countryside, market towns, and picturesque villages, the canal offers an abundance of natural beauty,…

OCTOBER Pumpkin picking and parties Don't miss Windsor Royal Station’s famous Pumpkin Party or Avon Valley Wildlife and Adventure Park for Pumpkin Patch Nights and fair rides. Want to pick your own? Bristol has a wide range of pumpkin patches where you can pick your own pumpkin this Halloween. Try the Pumpkin Fest at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm where you can pick your own, there are talks about creepy crawlies, and the Owl of the World Trail. 13 OCTOBER Wake The Tiger: Adults-only evening This is the first time that you’ll be able to explore the weird and wonderful Meridia world after hours. 21-29 OCTOBER Woeful Wounds at Brunel’s SS Great Britain Experience the magic of special effect make-up and receive your very own artist-made cuts and blisters that the galley…

This Way for a Journey of Discovery Download our 'This Way for a Journey of Discovery' map of the Great West Way, and get a sense for the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. Will you venture out to explore the mysteries of the North Wessex Downs? Make a summer solstice pilgrimage to Stonehenge? Or set off to photograph the pretty villages of the Cotswolds? Food and Drink Map Food lovers can download our food and drink map for an overview of the incredible culinary delights available along the route, featuring local breweries, Michelin starred dining, farmers' markets, afternoon tea, food and drink festivals, quaint country pubs and more. Kennet & Avon Canal map Take a look at our Kennet & Avon Canal map to find out about travelling along the…

The Great West Way is home to several World Heritage Sites, each with its unique charm and significance. From the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge, which dates back to 3000 BC, to the picturesque city of Bath, famous for its Roman Baths and Georgian architecture, there is no shortage of historic landmarks to explore. There are no less than 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites to explore: Kew Gardens, Stonehenge and Avebury and Bath - as well as nearby Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill as well as many other notable sites steeped in history and offering a glimpse into the country’s rich cultural heritage. The Great West Way tells the story of England back to its earliest inhabitants, learn more at these key attractions. STONEHENGE & AVEBURY These enigmatic…

Ricki Weston stands at the pass of the expansive and gleaming kitchen of The Dining Room, casting a masterful eye over his showstopping dishes. His kitchen is a flurry of hushed activity – there is no shouting nor clamouring – just a confident, quick-footed buzz honed by the cool, calm executive chef. “I don’t like combative kitchens. You don’t need to shout and holler. I like my team to be focused and creative,” Ricki says. A rising star of modern British gastronomy, Ricki was appointed executive chef of Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa’s Michelin-star restaurant The Dining Room in 2022, having been part of the team at Whatley Manor for over three years prior to that. Young, ambitious, and experimental, Ricki continues to elevate Whatley Manor’s multicourse menu at The…

GREAT WEST WAY Aerospace Bristol Alder Ridge Vineyard American Museum & Garden Apex Hotel Apsley House Ascot Racecourse Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum Auto Europe Avebury Barrington Court Bath Apartment Breaks Bath Bus Company Bath Curious Strolls Bath Insider Tours Berkeley Castle Best Western Plus Angel Hotel Bishopstrow Hotel & Spa Blakehill Farm Nature Reserve Blenheim Palace Bluestone Vineyard Bombay Sapphire Boscombe Down Aviation Collection Bowood House & Garden Bozedown Alpacas Bradford on Avon Town Bristol Airport Bristol Cathedral Bristol Community Ferry Boats Bristol Packet Boats Bristol Tandem Hire Britains Best Heritage Tours British Museum Brooks Guest House Bath Brooks Guest House Bristol Brunel’s SS Great Britain Calne Town Canal & River Trust Castle Combe Circuit Cheddar Caves Cheddar Gorge Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre Chippenham Town Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm Church Farm…

With unlimited off-peak train and bus travel for domestic users and access to both off-peak and peak travel for internationals, the Great West Way Discoverer Pass is your ticket to exploring London, Bristol and everywhere in between! 1 WAKE THE TIGER Head just 20 minutes-walk from Bristol’s Temple Meads Station to the world’s first Amazement Park! Wake the Tiger welcomes you to enter its portal into the parallel world of Meridia, 27 unique spaces featuring fascinating art displays, each exploring themes of connection, innovation, inspiration, and discovery. 2 BRISTOL CATHEDRAL Surrounded by the beautiful parkland at College Green, in the West End of the city, is Bristol’s historic Cathedral. Free to enter and open all year round, Bristol Cathedral showcases a unique display of British and European architecture, particularly at the Eastern…