Great West Way Travel Magazine
Great West Way Discoverer pass
With just a single train ticket, you can explore the Great West Way’s most iconic destinations, including London, Bristol and Bath. 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.
It is an easy and relaxing way to explore some of England’s most popular destinations, taking you along an historic route that has been in use since the early days of rail travel, built by pioneering Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Great West Way Discoverer pass also includes unlimited travel on selected bus services along the route, transporting you to Eton, Henley, the Cotswolds, Stonehenge and beyond.
East, West or Global routes
There are three Great West Way Discoverer routes available, giving you the opportunity to explore the area in one-day instalments or over the duration of a week.
The East route covers the railway line from London Paddington and London Waterloo to Swindon, Pewsey and Salisbury, and costs £69 for a one-day pass and £159 for a seven-day pass.
The West route covers the railway line from Bristol Temple Meads to Swindon, Pewsey and Salisbury. The one-day pass costs £24 and the seven-day pass costs £69.
The Global route includes both the East and West routes and is available as a seven-day pass, costing £239 for adults.
There are also the following discounts available: 0 to 5 years old – free of charge; 5 to 15 years old – 50% discount; Railcard – 10% discount. You can purchase the Great West Way Discoverer pass online at GWR.com or from your local station. They come in the form of a standard orange ticket, clearly showing the route you have purchased and whether it is valid for one day or seven. With a Great West Way Discoverer Global pass, there are plenty of attractions you can visit, including some of the country’s most treasured landmarks. Here are some recommended places to see on your journey:
How to buy your pass
If you are travelling from overseas, international passes (similar to a BritRail pass) can be purchased online at ACPRail.com or via your travel agent, where discounted international rates apply and with no off-peak travel time restrictions.
Get inspired
• Roman Baths, Bath – this ancient thermal spa is just one of the reasons that the city of Bath was awarded UNESCO World Heritage
• STEAM: Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon – discover the bygone days of steam-powered locomotion in this beautifullyrestored railway building. status in 1987. It is one of the best-preserved attractions of its kind in the world.
• Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol – designed by Great Western Railway’s chief engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, spanning the Avon Gorge, is a masterpiece of British creativity.
• Stonehenge, near Salisbury – this 5,000-year-old landmark has intrigued and beguiled visitors for centuries.
• Bradford-on-Avon – take time to explore this picturesque Wiltshire market town and stroll along the banks of the historic Kennet and Avon Canal.
• Henley-on-Thames – this archetypal English town is best known for its regatta in July, but is a charming location to visit all year round, full of boutique shops and elegant cafes, where you can take afternoon tea.
• Windsor – it was here that Prince Harry tied the knot with Meghan Markle in May 2018, and for that reason alone you should visit the beautiful Windsor Castle where the wedding reception was held.
OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER
LEGOLAND Fireworks Spectacular,
VARIOUS DATES IN OCTOBER
Make your visit to Legoland even more magical by timing it to coincide with the annual fireworks spectacular, part of the theme park’s spooky Halloween season. ►legoland.co.uk
The Festival of Light, Longleat
SELECTED DATES FROM
09 NOVEMBER - 5 JANUARY 2020
The UK’s original, biggest and unsurpassed lantern festival returns for 2019. Hundreds of breath-taking, illuminated lanterns, set in over 30 acres of splendid ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds, will transform Longleat as darkness falls. This year the extraordinary Festival of Light presents Myths and Legends. ►longleat.co.uk/festival-of-light
LaplandUK, Ascot
16 NOVEMBER – 24 DECEMBER
Are you ready for the most magical, mystical, Elftastic day of your lives? Based in Berkshire, LaplandUK offers a festive family phenomenon hidden within The Crown Estate and a favourite of celebrities and royals such as Sir Elton John, the Beckhams, and The Countess of Wessex. ►laplanduk.co.uk Christmas at Kew
LATE NOVEMBER-EARLY JANUARY
A show-stopping trail of festive light installations runs through Kew Gardens from late November until early January. More than a million teeny pea lights are installed along the route and there are festive treats such as spiced cider and toasted marshmallows. ►kew.org
Windsor On Ice
16 NOVEMBER - 5 JANUARY 2020
Alexandra Gardens in Windsor plays host to two ice rinks – one indoor and one outdoor. You’ll also find the UK’s biggest dodgems and plenty of other fairground rides. ►windsoronice.com
Bath Christmas Market
21 NOVEMBER - 8 DECEMBER
One of the country’s biggest Christmas markets, consisting of 180 stalls, set amongst Bath’s Georgian streets, the market sells hand-made ceramics, glassware, jewellery and local produce. ►bathchristmasmarket.co.uk
To discover more events on the Great West Way visit GreatWestWay.co.uk /see-and-do/festivals-and-events