8 things to see on England’s best drive
What to do along the Great West Way
It’s one of the most historic routes in England and one of the country’s best drives, so if you are planning a break this year, start with the Great West Way, which goes from London to Bath and Bristol. It’s made up of 500 miles of (winding) routes, based on ancient roads. Note, we’re not talking about hammering it down the M4 in a couple of hours, here, but rather taking your time to explore, with lots of detours.
With sights such as Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle and Blenheim Palace, Wiltshire’s White Horses, Stonehenge and Bath’s Roman Baths, it’s no surprise I have travelled this road many, many times. Here are eight of my favourite stops along the Great West Way:
1. Hampton Court Palace
I have been to Hampton Court Palace countless times and lived near it for years. So, I tell anyone heading out of London to make the time to call in at this former home of Henry VIII. It’s a fascinating palace and the grounds are equally stunning, including the formal gardens, maze and The Magic Garden children’s playground.
2. Windsor Castle
Similarly, another favourite royal residence is the 1000-year-old Windsor Castle in the pretty town of Windsor. You can tour the castle, including the State Apartments, see the miniature Queen Mary’s Doll’s House and take a look in the famous St George’s Chapel, where the Queen’s funeral took place. Windsor is a nice place to spend a weekend and kids will love nearby Legoland.
3. Henley-on-Thames
The pretty riverside town Henley-on-Thames is another must-visit if heading west from London. Famous for its Henley Festival and Henley Royal Regatta, it’s just a great place for a day trip, or if passing through, stop and have lunch and browse in the antique shops, sit outside the pub or take to the water.
4. Oxford
Continuing west, you hit historic Oxford, which needs no introduction. One of the must-visit cities in Britain, it is, of course, famous for its university and it’s really enjoyable to wander the colleges, see the Bodleian Library, or spend the afternoon on a punt down the river. Don’t miss the Ashmolean Museum and Pitt Rivers Museum.
5. Blenheim Palace
Another popular historic home and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Blenheim Palace, which was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. This imposing estate has excellent “upstairs/downstairs” tours and loads of special events all year round. The gardens are spectacular, too, including the Marlborough Maze.
6. Cotswolds
Another British Travel List favourite, I’ve written about my mini-breaks in the Cotswolds, previously. It’s a top destination in England, for good reason, the Cotswolds is so pretty you can hardly believe it’s real and not a movie set. Take a break here for a few days, or if passing through, have lunch in Bourton-on-the-Water.
7. Stonehenge
Everyone should visit Stonehenge once and there’s really no excuse, as the 4,500-year-old stone circle is, sadly, right next to the main road. If you have more time, check out the world’s largest prehistoric stone circle, around Avebury.
8. Bath
Lovely Bath is also a must-visit for anyone coming to the UK, as well as locals looking for ideas for a weekend away. Jane Austen fans should check out the The Jane Austen Centre, Bath Assembly Rooms and Royal Crescent. But the main attraction is of course, the incredible Roman Baths.
The British Travel List is the sister newsletter to The Royal List. It is a weekly guide to my favourite places to visit and stay around the country. I am an experienced travel and lifestyle journalist and am passionate about British travel. For more of my work, visit kerryparnell.com