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The Great West Way ®

Highlights

Journey along England’s Great West Way from Bristol to London. Discover historic castles, charming villages, and stunning countryside on this iconic route.

At a Glance

Journey along England’s Great West Way from Bristol to London. Discover historic castles, charming villages, and stunning countryside on this iconic route.

Price

From £ 2,100 per person

Every journey is tailor-made and can be personalised to your travel style, preferred accommodation and budget.

All highlights

Follow the paths taken by generations of travellers and discover an essential strand of England. Based on one of the first Great Roads commissioned by the Kings of England, the Great West Way winds its way through lush green landscapes filled with the world-famous and the yet-to-be-discovered. On the Great West Way, extraordinary history rubs shoulders with everyday life. Traditional pubs and inns with World Heritage Sites on their doorsteps, serving craft ales and local farm food. Churches which have watched over their parishes for centuries. Independent shops and galleries filled with contemporary designs and creations. You don’t have to travel far to explore further and delve deeper into England. The Great West Way links London with Bristol through twists and turns and new discoveries. Explore by road, by railway or by waterway. Slow right down, base yourself along the route, walk it or cycle it. Welcome to the real England. It’s England undiluted. It’s England concentrated.

Itinerary

Day 1: Edinburgh — Welcome to Scotland’s Capital!

Welcome to Scotland, the home of golf and fine whisky! One of our trusted chauffeurs will collect you at the airport and transport you to your hotel to settle in the heart of Edinburgh. It's a relatively small capital city and easily navigable. Edinburgh's skyline is dominated by the Castle, perched atop an ancient volcanic hill offering panoramic views. The contrast between the medieval lanes and buildings of the Old Town and the elegant Georgian architecture of the New Town, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, creates an unforgettable experience. There are also plenty of opportunities for a dram of whisky in Edinburgh, with many fantastic bars on offer! If live music is your thing, why not head over to the Royal Oak or the Captain's Bar for traditional Scottish folk music. Overnight: Edinburgh

Day 2: St Andrews — A journey to “The Home of Golf”

St Andrews is a pleasant 90-minute journey from Edinburgh. Traversing the river Forth you'll lay eyes upon the incredible Forth Bridges. Boat tours run from South Queensferry and we’d highly recommend one if you have time! Arriving in Fife, why not consider a round of golf at Pitfirrane Golf Club in the country’s ancient capital, Dunfermline. Home to what may be the oldest clubhouse in the world – a grand, yellow castle dating from 1583. There are also two distilleries in Fife, Lindores and Kingsbarns – perfect for enjoying a dram! After reaching St Andrews and settling into your hotel, a tour of the Old Course is the perfect way to prepare for a round of golf on one of the famous Links courses in the world, never mind Scotland. Overnight: St Andrews

Day 3: St Andrews — 18 holes & incredible history

Your Scottish golf and whisky continues with you waking up surrounded by golf courses! Seven golf courses make up St Andrews Golf Links, and while the Old Course is notoriously difficult to reserve, we’ll get your group booked onto one of the other world-class courses. The New Course, despite its name, has been around for a long time. It was designed by the famous Scottish golfer and course architect, Tom Morris, and was opened for play in 1895. The Jubilee golf course dates from 1897 and the Eden Course from 1914. After your round, a stroll through the town centre will take you past the Cathedral, Castle, and University; one of the oldest in the English-speaking world, with a history dating back to the early 15th century. Round off the day with dinner at one of St Andrews’ many restaurants or gastro-pubs. Overnight: St Andrews

Day 4: Aviemore — A journey to the Cairngorms & Speyside

Aviemore is a bustling village in the heart of Scotland within the Cairngorms National Park. Surrounded by mountains and lochs, it is one of the most stunning parts of Scotland. There are golf courses dotted all over this region: Newtonmore, Kingussie, Aviemore & Grantown on Spey to name but a few. Golf clubs, trollies, and buggies can be hired at each club but are subject to availability so book with us well in advance! Speyside is one of the five historic whisky regions of Scotland and contains many world-famous distilleries such as Macallan and Glenfiddich. Taking part in a tour (or several) is a must for any discerning whisky connoisseur! Overnight: Aviemore

Day 5: Inverness — The Highland Capital

No trip to Scotland would be complete without a visit to the mystical Loch Ness, located close to Inverness, the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. Many an intrepid traveller has boarded a boat with the hope of catching a glimpse of the elusive Loch Ness monster, affectionately known as Nessie by the locals. Embark on a tour that unveils all the secrets and legends of the area. Back in Inverness, there are numerous options for dining and entertainment. Hootenanny is renowned for its Scottish hospitality and live music, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike! Overnight: Inverness

Day 6: Inverness — A last round?

For your last day in Scotland, stroll around Inverness. The centre is rather small, making everything easily accessible on foot. Pause in Falcon Square to admire the unicorn statue, Scotland's emblem. Don't forget to visit Leakey's bookshop, a charming second-hand bookstore housed in a converted Gaelic Church, and Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, dedicated to the patron saint of Scotland. History abounds in and around the city as well, with Culloden Battlefield and the Clava Cairns close by. For the whisky aficionado, Tomatin, Singleton, and the brand-new Uilebheist Distillery are nearby. If you'd like to round off your trip with a final round of golf, you will not be short of options around Inverness.

Day 7: Inverness — Goodbye Scotland

As your memorable golf and whisky tour of Scotland concludes, we wish you safe travels back home, and may the echoes of your rounds and the warmth of Scotland's hospitality accompany you until our paths cross again.

Journey along England’s Great West Way from Bristol to London. Discover historic castles, charming villages, and stunning countryside on this iconic route.

Services

Included:

accommodation
transportation
visits
immersive experiences
personal crafting
unique roadbook creation
assistance on the ground (meals & flights excluded)

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Salomé Deroyer

travel expert: Scotland England Ireland and Wales

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