Great West Way Travel Magazine
FOOD & DRINK
Discover a wealth of hidden culinary delights and epicurean experiences on the Great West Way
Sure, you could travel the Great West Way from London to Bristol in an afternoon, but epicureans know the reward is in the discovery, and we've got 500 miles of delicious detours for you! Linger as long as you can, because this stretch of English countryside needs to be savoured, and slow travel is the best way to experience it.
This slice of quintessential England is home to some of the country's best agricultural land, and with that comes excellent local produce, from fresh fruits and vegetables to fine wines. Farms rear animals and nurture crops, breweries experiment with craft beers, and kitchen gardens cultivate seasonal veggies.
While pubs, hotels and restaurants select the best of it all for their menus, and family-run tea rooms whip up fresh cakes daily. All of this adds up to one very tasty journey along the Great West Way.
From thatched pubs to beamed tearooms, farm shops to Michelin starred restaurants, and food tours to cookery schools – we hope you enjoy our pick of the best places to visit along the route from east to west.
Starting the route from London and heading towards Windsor, thoughts may immediately turn to stately matters. Apart from admiring Windsor Castle, it's only proper to take an elegant afternoon tea here.
Push the boat out (or watch the Windsor Duck Tours and French Brothers boat cruises) from the terrace overlooking the Thames River at Sir Christopher Wren Hotel & Spa, with warm scones, jam and Cornish clotted cream. Or you could nibble your Highland oak smoked salmon and cream cheese finger sandwiches by the roaring fire in their Drawing Room.
For hearty pub food, The Bird in Hand at Knowl Hill beckons. Renowned for its 28-day dry-aged-on-thebone steaks, this is the kind of place that reverentially namechecks all its local suppliers; the Great British Sunday Roast is definitely worth booking. If you fancy climbing the gastronomic echelons, Bray-on-Thames is a must - truly the most exciting ‘foodie' village to visit in the UK, home to The Fat Duck (yes, of Heston Blumenthal fame) The Waterside Inn, and other Michelin starred gems you will want to add to your special-night-out list.
Cap it off with a reservation at Monkey Island Estate, a luxury hotel on a private island in Bray, perhaps with a nightcap in the Whisky Snug accessed via a secret staircase.
In the counties of Buckinghamshire and North Hampshire, head for The Five Arrows restaurant, located at the gates of the grand Waddesdon Manor
in Aylesbury for a taste of beef from the estate, its very own ale, and seasonal vegetables from the kitchen garden. If you're still in the mood for luxury, then the Grade-II listed Langley Hotel in Iver is the place to retire to its Churchill bar for cosy Cognacs.
Gin fans will want to deviate to the Bombay Sapphire Distillery in Whitchurch, where there has been a mill since AD903. Here you can drink the likes of Vespear Martinis alongside the River Test, or take a masterclass to expand your cocktail repertoire. Finish up with a Hampshire Charcuterie and Cheese platter at the Mill Café for a tasty introduction to local produce.
Next county stop along the route is Wiltshire. If your ambition is to eat ham in the village of Ham, then consider it done. Perhaps pressed ham hock and pigeon terrine at the stylishly refurbished Crown & Anchor pub with rooms, a traditional inn dating back to the 1840s. Or a Michelin-starred version of ham, egg and chips from the Red Lion Freehouse (a thatched country pub with a boutique guest house) in Pewsey. Extend yourself to ham in Chippenham, with a sandwich from the tea room at Dyrham Park before strolling 270-acre ancient parkland around the baroque beauty of its mansion house at the western edge of the Cotswolds. Don't miss picking up some of ‘the Wiltshire cure' at Buttle Farm in Compton Bassett: a traditional technique for curing their freerange rare-breed pork and ham.
Farm shops are not only a highlight of the Great West Way, but your source of excellent edible souvenirs. At Roves Farm in Sevenhampton, you can indulge in farm-raised fare at the Woolly Sheep Café and also take home free-range eggs, sausages, pies and other treats. True gourmands should head straight to the butchery for the highest quality homereared meats.
Renowned for its apples and magnificent dairy produce, Somerset is where you simply must eat cheese in the village of Cheddar, either before or after (or both!) exploring the Cheddar Gorge & Caves.
Make time to visit to The Dining
Room at Whatley Manor Hotel &
Spa near Malmesbury to experience the daring and innovative cooking by Michelin Starred Chef, Niall Keating, who has recently been awarded their second Michelin star, just two years after earning their first. Niall draws inspiration from many different cuisines, including Korean, Japanese and classic French - it is very much ‘of the moment'.
The city of Bath will easily enchant with its Roman and Georgian charms, but set aside plenty of time for gastronomic exploration too. One of the youngest chefs to win a Michelin star, Rob Clayton of Clayton's Kitchen, prepares delicate Mediterranean-influenced dishes, with some good-value set menus. You can also dine in style in the neo-classical salon of the Roman Baths' Pump Room
Restaurant or in the opulent surrounds of The Gainsborough Bath Spa, the only hotel in the country where you can experience Bath's thermal waters.
Pack an extra stomach for Bristol: the city has had quite the renaissance in the food world, with its many multicultural influences, and an especially thriving street food scene. Pick up a coffee at
Hart's Bakery in Temple Meads or head to Bristol Lido, where you could really kickstart your day with breakfast at the poolside restaurant, enjoying hot smoked salmon and soft-boiled eggs, served with a Mimosa of Prosecco and Chase marmalade vodka (best not to swim afterwards!).
If you need a relaxing afternoon tea, you can glide down the River Avon on
Bristol Packet Boat Tours' two-hour Cream Tea Cruise. But to ensure your trip is truly ship-shape and Bristol fashion, try to time your visit for a Wednesday, Thursday or weekend, when the
Harbourside Street Food Market is in full swing.
FABULOUS FOOD & DRINK FESTIVALS
If you can, time your visit for one of the food and drink-focused events along the Great West Way.
MAY • BRADFORD ON AVON FOOD FESTIVAL
One-day event featuring food stalls from local artisan producers, cookery demonstrations by professional chefs and a children's activity area.
JUNE • EAT! FOOD FESTIVAL HENLEY
A fortnight of feasting, with a line-up of events that includes tastings, chef demonstrations, film screenings and the finale Riverside Fiesta with street food and a floating gin bar.
• PUB IN THE PARK
Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge combines tastings, chef demonstrations, masterclasses and music from top live acts in his ‘ultimate pub garden' over three lively days.
• EAT READING
Two-day festival showcasing Reading's best foodie businesses, featuring live cookery demonstrations, street food tastings, cocktail mixology and a pop-up street café.
• TASTE OF CORSHAM
Full-day celebration of Corsham's local food producers, with food and drink stalls lining the High Street, live music and a silent disco.
JULY • BRISTOL CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL
A celebration of brewing culture with local food outlets and live music from the finest local DJs.
• THE SURREY FOOD FESTIVAL
A weekend of foodie fun, with talks, tastings and demos in the marquee and an extensive line-up of food and drink stalls, plus live music and a kids' zone.
• DEVIZES BEER FESTIVAL
One-day beer festival with more than 100 real ales and ciders served up canalside. Live music too.
• LONGLEAT FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL
A harmonious festival sure to tantalise your taste buds with diverse food and drink stalls, demonstrations by celebrity chefs and live music from an array of artists taking to the stage. •
HENLEY FESTIVAL'S SUMMER FLING
This 3 night summer party is a special pop-up event with street food and bands, a vintage fun fair and even a Moët Champagne garden - this is one party you won't want to miss! If you do miss it though then there's still the main event, the Henley Festival will be back in its black-tie splendour at new revised dates of 15th – 19th September.
SEPTEMBER • GREAT BATH FEAST
Indulge your taste buds as the city of Bath goes all foodie, celebrating the best food and drink in the South West, as well as taste-sensations from further afield, appealing to culinary connoisseurs everywhere.
• DEVIZES FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL
Week-long celebration of local food and drink products, including a food market and visits to producers including a goat farm and vineyard.
OCTOBER • HUNGERFORD FOOD FESTIVAL
Full-day event featuring street food stalls, talks and live cooking demos. Sustainability is a key theme.
There are also hundreds of smaller events, alongside weekly produce and street food markets in market towns throughout the touring route. You might even stumble upon Chippenham's Pancake Races!
With so many great experiences to savour along the Great West Way food lovers should download our Food & Drink map!
VINEYARD TOURS AND TASTINGS
• ALDER RIDGE
Tours happen between June and September at this 8-acre vineyard specialising in sparkling wine, conveniently located at Cobbs Farm Shop, a food-lovers' destination in its own right, on the Berkshire/Wiltshire border.
• A'BECKETT'S VINEYARD
Tours (1 hour or 90 minutes) can be arranged for groups (minimum of 10 people or the cost thereof). In addition to trying English sparkling wine, or cider or apple juice from the orchards, don't miss the Penruddocke's Red
Pinot Noir, a bronze-medal winner in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2020. • ALDWICK ESTATE
Take a 90-minute tour from March to October in Somerset's lush Yeo Valley. Try the award-winning Seyval Salute sparkling English wine, first released in 2020: a ‘salute' to the NHS key workers during COVID-19. There's sumptuous accommodation on the estate if you imbibe extra enthusiastically.
A cream tea is a must on your journey and there are many options for partaking in this beloved English ritual as you travel the route. Tables piled high with cake stands, tea pots and pretty china cups. Scones smothered in thick, sweet cream. Dainty sandwiches layered with smoked salmon, or Wiltshire ham, or West Country cheese. Fresh homemade cakes and pastries. Copious refills of herbal teas or classic English Breakfast. Traditionally, the jam is strawberry but choose from raspberry or even blackcurrant! Some of the best cream teas along the way are at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Honeystreet Mill Café, The Tutti Pole, Whatley Manor, Woolley Grange Hotel and the traditional Bridge Tea Rooms. Experience an authentic afternoon tea whilst enjoying views over the landscaped gardens and lakes from the Drawing Room at The Langley or surrounded by glorious Cotswold gardens on the terrace at Whatley Manor. Enjoy a quintessentially English afternoon tea at Bowood House or delve into the decadence of yesteryear at boutique hotel Roseate House - or head to the grand Pump Room to feel like Jane Austen and take your tea where high society has been meeting since the 18th century. Whether you're spending weeks exploring the length of the Great West Way, or you're here for a day trip, there's always time for afternoon tea. GreatWestWay.co.uk/see-and-do/ food-and-drink/afternoon-tea
AFTERNOON TEA