Great West Way®

Welcome to the Great West Way!

The Great West Way links London and Bristol. It follows a 125-mile route based on one of the first Great Roads commissioned by the kings of England.

But it’s so much more than travelling direct from A to B!  Venture off the beaten track and explore some 500 miles of navigable routes roaming through idyllic countryside, quaint villages and elegant towns.

Great West Way Route Map

Who is the Great Way Way for?

The Great West Way is for curious travellers searching for the real England, whether solo or with friends and family. Those who want to explore further, delve deeper and uncover the essence of England.  There’ll be famous places you’ve always dreamed of visiting as well as secret spots known only to a few locals!

Discoveries on the way

As you travel along the Great West Way, discover no less than three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Kew Gardens, Stonehenge and Avebury and Bath, as well as nearby Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.

Take time to explore three Areas of Outstanding National Beauty: The Chilterns, The Cotswolds and the North Wessex Downs. From dramatic escarpments and velvety hillsides to quiet, wooded valleys and lively wildflower meadows, each paints its own vision of the English countryside.

Visitors outside Windsor Royal Station

Windsor and the Great West Way

Windsor is proud to feature on the route of the historic Great West Way and offers the Windsor Welcome to travellers looking for some unique experiences, unforgettable sights, delicious food and drink and top-notch shopping!

Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of King Charles III, is of course a must-see. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride on the Long Walk for an unrivalled view of this jewel in the Royal Borough’s crown. Cycle through the ancient forests of Windsor Great Park. Hire a canoe or jump on a passenger boat and take to the water on one of the most beautiful stretches of the River Thames. Climb aboard an open top sightseeing bus and see more of the local area.  Join a guided tour with one of our fascinating Blue Badge Guides.  Find out more about things to do in Windsor and the Royal Borough here.

Cyclists outside Windsor Castle

Time your visit for one of our many events such as Royal Ascot, Windsor Festival or Royal Windsor Horse Show.  You might be here for Swan Upping in July or dropping by to witness the Guard March on Windsor’s High Street. Find out more about what’s on in Windsor and the Royal Borough here.

Thanks to the A4 Great West Road, the Great Western Railway, the River Thames, and multiple foot and cycle paths, you can choose how you get around. 

Travel the Great West Way

The best and most relaxing way to explore the route is by rail, and the Great West Way Discoverer pass allows you unlimited off-peak train and bus travel between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads, with options to branch off in the Thames Valley, Cotswolds and Wiltshire – all with just a single ticket.

Staying on the Great West Way

Check out our Windsor accommodation pages and stay a while.  We have plenty of amazing places to rest your head including luxurious retreats, delightful independent hotels, home-from-home self catering apartments and tranquil riverside camping.

Great West Way Travel Magazine

Download the latest edition of the Great West Way Travel Magazine here.

Useful information

Great West Way
Great West Way Discoverer Pass