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Soak up some of Britain’s boldest palaces, striking stately homes, and explore its most historic cities. One of Britain’s most historic routes, The Great West Way® is packed with the nation’s bygone treasures. Absorb ornate palaces, imposing castles and handsome stately homes. Lose yourself in aces of ancient woodland. Amble among prehistoric Wiltshire, and end with a dip in Roman Bath and bathe like its 70AD.

Take an unforgettable journey along the Great West Way®

Places to stop along the Great West Way®

Soak in the history of one of Britain’s most historic routes. Explore great palaces, discover ancient castles and imbibe the prehistoric Stonehenge. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to where to stop along the Great West Way...
London

Lose yourself in the famous Hampton Court Maze.

VisitBritain/Aurélie Four

Fluffly dog, wagging it's tongue, sitting on grass
Windsor

Walk through 1,000 years of history at Windsor Castle, exploring its opulent state rooms and superb royal artefacts.

Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2022

Visitors with ice cream, Windsor Castle
Cliveden, England

Explore a stately home that doubles as a luxury hotel.

VisitBritain/LifewithBugo

Smiling woman, wearing sunglasses and sundress, outside Clevedon Hotel
Henley-on-Thames, England

Explore the town famed for its festival and the Henley Royal Regatta.

VisitBritain

Rowers, wearing striped shorts, carrying racing shell
Cotswolds

Britain’s greatest palace is in the Cotswolds – the magnificent Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill.

VisitBritain/Marina Comes

Blenheim Palace

Woman walking in Blenheim Palace gardens surrounded by greenery
Highclere Castle

Step inside the real Downton Abbey.

VisitBritain/Anastasia Ustenikova

Food truck and direction signs at a festival at Highclere Castle with house behind
Salisbury, England

Spy the wolrd-famous mysterious prehistoric monument that continues to puzzle us all.

VisitBritain/Stephen Spraggon

Large stone pillars arranged in circle on grass. Sunset

Destinations along the Great West Way®

Unmissable experiences on the Great West Way®

Come and see 100 balloons take to the sky at Bristol’s International Balloon Fiesta.

Find out more about the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

VisitBritain/Rod Edwards

Colourful hot air balloons over floating above countryside
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Royal Ascot

18th - 22nd June 2024

This world-famous horse-racing event in June heralds the start of the summer social calendar.

Discover Royal Ascot

VisitBritain

Big group of spectators watching race. Racehorses galloping
Royal Ascot

June 2024
Join in the fun at The Hampton Court Palace Festival takes place in June and is a series of music concerts from top artists in the Tudor Courtyard of the historic palace.

Find out more about Hampton Court Festival

Joshua Atkins

Crowds watching Elbow at Hampton Court Palace Festival
Hampton Court Palace Festival

Easily one of Britain’s most scenic cities, and a wonderful place to imbibe all things Jane Austen Festival.

Find out more about the Jane Austen Festival

VisitBritain/Simon Winnall

Bath

Visitors and staff in period costume outside The Jane Austen Centre, Bath, Somerset, England
Jane Austen Festival

Visit one or all of Cheltenham’s four internationally-acclaimed festivals

Discover Cheltenham's four festivals

no3photography

Cheltenham Jazz Festival
Cheltenham Festivals

Constantly features as one of the best traditional folk and dance festivals around.

Book tickets for the Chippenham Folk Festival
Awaiting image
Chippenham Folk Festival

Watch history in the making at this, Briton’s biggest history-only festival

Discover more about Chalke Valley History Festival

chalkevalleyhistoryfestival

Chalke Valley History Festival
Chalke Valley History Festival

This week-long black-tie event includes performances from a range of musical genres from pop to jazz and classical, combining fine-dining and lots of fine champagne.

Discover more about Henley Festival

@henleyfestival

Crowd enjoys music at Henley Festival
Henley Festival

If you could pick one of the greatest places to host a music festival - it could be at Kew

Find out more about Kew the Music

kewthemusic

Crowd of people enjoy an evening concert at Kew Gardens.
Kew the Music

Come and see 100 balloons take to the sky at Bristol’s International Balloon Fiesta.

Find out more about the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

VisitBritain/Rod Edwards

Colourful hot air balloons over floating above countryside
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Royal Ascot

18th - 22nd June 2024

This world-famous horse-racing event in June heralds the start of the summer social calendar.

Discover Royal Ascot

VisitBritain

Big group of spectators watching race. Racehorses galloping
Royal Ascot

June 2024
Join in the fun at The Hampton Court Palace Festival takes place in June and is a series of music concerts from top artists in the Tudor Courtyard of the historic palace.

Find out more about Hampton Court Festival

Joshua Atkins

Crowds watching Elbow at Hampton Court Palace Festival
Hampton Court Palace Festival

Easily one of Britain’s most scenic cities, and a wonderful place to imbibe all things Jane Austen Festival.

Find out more about the Jane Austen Festival

VisitBritain/Simon Winnall

Bath

Visitors and staff in period costume outside The Jane Austen Centre, Bath, Somerset, England
Jane Austen Festival

Visit one or all of Cheltenham’s four internationally-acclaimed festivals

Discover Cheltenham's four festivals

no3photography

Cheltenham Jazz Festival
Cheltenham Festivals

Constantly features as one of the best traditional folk and dance festivals around.

Book tickets for the Chippenham Folk Festival
Awaiting image
Chippenham Folk Festival

Watch history in the making at this, Briton’s biggest history-only festival

Discover more about Chalke Valley History Festival

chalkevalleyhistoryfestival

Chalke Valley History Festival
Chalke Valley History Festival

This week-long black-tie event includes performances from a range of musical genres from pop to jazz and classical, combining fine-dining and lots of fine champagne.

Discover more about Henley Festival

@henleyfestival

Crowd enjoys music at Henley Festival
Henley Festival

If you could pick one of the greatest places to host a music festival - it could be at Kew

Find out more about Kew the Music

kewthemusic

Crowd of people enjoy an evening concert at Kew Gardens.
Kew the Music