Great West Way®
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After exploring London, head west to discover King Henry VIII’s home, visit Windsor’s iconic palace, and ponder the prehistoric mysteries of Stonehenge. This trip delves into the Cotswolds, and then to Bath and Bristol – for the ultimate tour of England’s south-west.
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The route:
London – Kew – Windsor – Oxford – Stonehenge – Malmesbury – Bath – Bristol
London – Kew: 8.3 miles (13km)
Kew – Windsor: 18 miles (29km)
Windsor – Oxford: 45 miles (72.5km)
Oxford – Stonehenge: 85 miles (137km)
Stonehenge – Malmesbury: 35 miles (56km)
Malmesbury – Bath: 25 miles (40km)
Bath – Bristol: 13 miles (21km)
Getting around
- The Great West Way® covers a distance of around 125 miles (200km), with a total of 500 miles (805km) of navigable routes.
- While hiring a car gives the greatest flexibility, most parts of the route are also accessible by train (except for Stonehenge and Avebury).
Route highlights
- Kew Gardens
- Hampton Court Palace
- Windsor Castle
- LEGOLAND Windsor
- Blenheim Palace
- Stonehenge
- Thermae Bath Spa
- SS Great Britain
Stop 1: Kew Gardens and Hampton Court Palace
Morning: Be inspired by Kew Gardens
Tuck into breakfast at Kew Gardens’ Orangery restaurant, before rambling through its spectacular Temperate House, fragrant rose garden and woodland of 14,000 trees.
Afternoon: Trace Tudor history at Hampton Court Palace
Step into the fascinating, scandal-filled world of the Tudors – with interactive exhibits and actors throughout King Henry VIII’s magnificent home.
Evening: Spend the night in Hampton Court before heading to Windsor
Built by Charles II to take overflow guests from Hampton Court Palace, The Mitre hotel sits directly opposite, with Thames views from the 1665 Riverside Brasserie.
Stop 2: Windsor
Option 1: Explore royal history at Windsor Castle
Spend a full day immersed in this royal town – with a guided tour of Windsor Castle, and a horse-drawn carriage ride on the Long Walk.
Option 2: Let loose at LEGOLAND Windsor
Travelling with kids? They’ll love the LEGO-inspired rollercoasters, rides and brick-tastic entertainment at this theme park, with a choice of fun-filled accommodation too.
Evening: Culture and fine dining
Catch a play at Theatre Royal Windsor or head straight to The Waterside Inn in nearby Bray, a Michelin star restaurant with guest rooms, headed by chef patron Alain Roux.
Stop 3: Detour north to Oxford and Blenheim Palace
Morning: Get a fresh perspective on Oxford
From Harry Potter filming location tours and the Bodleian Library to outdoor yoga in the Botanic Garden, there are countless ways to explore this picturesque city.
Afternoon: Be wowed by Blenheim Palace
Depending on the season, you can explore festive markets, music festivals or dazzling light trails here – or simply tour the lavish interiors of Sir Winston Churchill’s birthplace.
Evening: Rest like a Royal
For more old-world luxury, stay at the nearby Estelle Manor, an award-winning country house hotel and private members’ club set in a Grade-II listed house.
Stop 4: Stonehenge and Avebury
Morning: Hike Avebury’s stone circles
Home to the world's largest stone circle, the charming village of Avebury is rich in Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial sites, which can all be explored on foot.
Afternoon: Feel the magic of Stonehenge
Be awed by the scale and stories of this prehistoric UNESCO-listed stone circle, and its visitor centre packed with interactive exhibits.
Evening: Stay in Malmesbury for fine dining and boutique hotels
From historic accommodation like theOld Bell Hotel to Michelin-star-dining at Whatley Manor, Malmesbury in North Wiltshire has options to suit every taste.
Stop 5: Wiltshire
Morning: Explore Malmesbury
Explore one of England’s oldest boroughs on a self-guided town tour, wandering historic streets and visiting Malmesbury Abbey.
Afternoon: Tour picture-perfect villages
Your mission is to find the ultimate afternoon tea – and you’ll be spoilt for choice. Top villages include Lacock, Bradford-on-Avon and Marlborough.
Evening: Spend the night in Corsham for a more leisurely pace
Stay at the 5-star Methuen Arms in this historic market town and popular filming location for productions including The Remains of the Day and TV show Poldark.
Stop 6: Bath
Morning: Soak in soothing thermal waters
Relax Roman-style at Thermae Bath Spa, whose hydrotherapy pools feature the city’s naturally hot mineral-rich waters – famous for their soothing properties for over 2,000 years.
Afternoon: Explore history and Hollywood
Take a Brit Movies Bridgerton Tour and explore the city and filming locations while listening to a soundtrack from the popular Netflix show.
Evening: Catch a show at The Forum
Watch some of the biggest names in comedy, live music and dance at this former Art Deco cinema.Stay atThe Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, a short stroll from the historic town centre.
Stop 7: Bristol
Morning: Seek out legendary street art
Banksy is just the start: Bristol’s street art scene is epic, with self-guided tours of its biggest, most powerful murals. Then create your own tag with a Spray Session at Where The Wall.
Afternoon: Get hands-on with history
Climb the rigging of Brunel’s mighty SS Great Britain ship, at the Great Western Dockyard – before delving into the famous vessel, museum and dockyard.
Evening: Play and stay
Combine drinks and games at Bristol’s many activity bars. After an evening of mini golf at Treetop Golf or electro-darts at Flight Club, relax at the Harbour Hotel in the city centre.
