THE WAY FORWARD

A look at the highlights and what's new on the Great West Way

The UK's oldest public outdoor swimming pool, Bath

The Cleveland Pools in the city of Bath is the UK's only surviving Georgian Lido, dating back over 200 years. This unique open-air public swimming pool uses the heat pumps in the adjacent river as its energy for heating the water. Restoration to bring this wonderful heritage site back into use has begun, with the opening planned for the summer this year.

Artist Residence hotel and restaurant opens in Bristol

Located in the creative St Pauls community, just minutes from Bristol's city centre, this Georgian townhouse is an eccentric home from home. Downstairs, you'll find the light and airy Library, a relaxed lounge bar for making yourself at home, and the sprawling Boot Factory complete with ping-pong table, photobooth, buzzing central bar and courtyard garden.

Stay, play, party and discover at the new Moxy Bristol Hotel

Part of the Marriott group, the Moxy Hotel is a brand new 214-room funky and affordable boutique hotel, conveniently located in Newfoundland Street, close to the city's fantastic attractions, including Bristol Zoo, The National Arboretum, We The Curious, Bristol Cathedral, The Wave, and the vibrant area of St Pauls to explore on its doorstep.

Royal West of England Academy re-opens in Bristol

Bristol's oldest art gallery, Royal West of England Academy has been closed for nearly two years as it has undergone a £4.1 million refurbishment. Inside the gallery there are new spaces and worldclass art exhibitions set to return, with the re-opening exhibition ‘Me Myself and I: Artists'.

A win for Bath Insider Tours

One of our Great West Way Tour Guides, Daniel, is jumping for joy following his success at the Bristol Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards winning the Award for 'Experience of the Year'.

Faster Britain and Clifton Suspension Bridge: Celebrating the 20th anniversary of an incredible discovery

Twenty years after contractors at Bristol's Clifton Suspension Bridge discovered secret vaults hidden below the iconic structure, the public are being offered a new opportunity to explore the underground spaces designed by famous Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Sadly, Brunel died five years before the opening of the bridge and his plans for the crossing were lost. The vaults remained undisturbed for 162 years until their chance discovery in 2002 when specialist equipment was needed to access the structure and clear tunnel entrances filled with rubble left by the original workforce. To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of this remarkable discovery, a new programme of family-friendly ‘Vaults Visits' has been launched, running alongside the Visitor Centre's popular in-depth Hard Hat Tours. Sponsored by full fibre provider, ITS Technology Group's ‘Faster Britain' programme, the visits allow families to access a new platform installed in the largest and most significant of the twelve stone chambers – an impressive echo chamber, 11 metres high, festooned in stalactites.

The Bath World Heritage Centre Located in the heart of the city centre The Bath World Heritage Centre will have free access for all. It will be filled with imaginative interpretation that will show people why Bath is so special and inspire them with the information they need to go out and explore the amazing World Heritage City.

Bailey Balloons

Bailey Balloons have acquired two new balloons. One is already flying over the South West from Bristol and Bath, the other balloon will be ready for the Bristol Balloon Fiesta in August. There are still spaces to fly at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta 12-15 August 2022. Fly with up to 100 balloons at the mass launches at dawn and dusk over three days (weather permitting).

Live Escape Rooms Salisbury

Just a short detour off the route Live Escape Rooms Salisbury brings you a five-star escape experience in The Cross Keys Shopping Centre in Salisbury, Wiltshire. Husband and wife Claire and Charlie Pitcher have worked around the clock to turn the downstairs of their 14th century building into a pirate tavern ready to welcome teams to play their games and hunts.

Cocktail Making Experiences in Marlborough

Cocktail masterclasses are now available within The Kingsbury @ No7 & No8 restaurant available to book either as a standalone event or as part of an overnight stay. During the cocktail experience guests enjoy hot nibbles from the Bite Me menu and get to take home a 12 piece cocktail set and mixology hard back recipe book. The Kingsbury @ No7 & No8 is a sumptuous designer Boutique Hotel offering the finest accommodation in Marlborough. Located next door to the hotel is the fun and innovative Bite Me Burger and Get Plucked Restaurants, run in tandem by the owners of the hotel. The building at No 7 dates back to the 17th Century and its three rooms maintain their original features including their fabulous beams. No 8 has seven rooms including a Master Suite with four poster bed. The Kingsbury @ No7 & No8 is situated close to the centre of the historic market town of Marlborough, within close proximity to Avebury and Silbury Hill.

Wake The Tiger Amazement Park Crescent Restaurant & Bar

Located in Bath's Margaret's Buildings a beautiful side street between the Royal Crescent and The Circus, the new Crescent Restaurant & Bar, launched by husband-andwife duo Simon and Leanne, offers breakfasts and tapas and cocktails.

An alternative to the traditional art gallery, Bristol's Wake The Tiger is a new fantastical, interactive and immersive art experience. Visitors are transported to the magical realms of an ‘alchemist's dream', in 27 unique artistic rooms.

The Jane Austen Centre

Discover more about Jane Austen's life in the magnificent city of Bath during Regency times at this new exhibition space in Bath, where actors are on hand to show you how to write with a quill and ink and play traditional regency games.

Pewsey Vale Circular Way

The Pewsey Vale Circular Way is a new long-distance walking, cycling and riding route. The way marked route is a 77 mile walking route or a 72 mile cycling/riding route, with the Vale of Pewsey at its heart. Dramatic downland, secluded woodland, sweeping valleys and the Kennet & Avon Canal provide a rich variety of landscapes for the walker, rider or cyclist to enjoy.

→ Click here to download the the Circular Way leaflet.

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