Great Western Way
The Great Western Way Cycle Route runs from Bristol to London along National Cycle Route 4. Much of the ride follows fairly easy off road trails with pleasant canalside paths and quiet country lanes to enjoy as well.
The trail follows the route of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Great Western Railway which was founded in 1833. Appropriately the route starts from Bristol Temple Meads station which was the first Bristol terminus of the GWR. Near here you pick up the popular Bristol and Bath Railway Path which runs along the old railway line between the two cities.
At Bath you pick up the Kennet and Avon Canal to Devizes where you will pass one of the route highlights at Caen Hill Locks.
A series of country lanes take you through the Vale of Pewsey towards Newbury where you follow the River Kennet to Reading. Here you pick up the Thames Valley Cycle Route for the final leg of the journey. This will take you into London where you finish at the Brunel Museum in Southwark, near Tower Bridge.
Great Western Way Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Great Western Way Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Great Western Way OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Great Western Way Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
On the Bristol-Bath railway path near Eastville
Warmley Station. The station office is now a cafe and there is a very busy path and cycleway that uses the old railway route from Bristol to Bath.
Below Bath Deep Lock, Kennet and Avon Canal
Caen Hill Locks, Devizes, Wiltshire
River Kennet, Bridge Street, Newbury. River Kennet, Bridge Street, Newbury The river is seen flowing quite fast away from the viewpoint following prolonged rain the previous day. One of several popular coffee shops can be seen on the left bank.
Kennet and Avon Canal at Reading
River Thames in Windsor with Windsor Castle in the background
Brunel Museum, Rotherhithe. The Engine House was designed by Sir Marc Isambard Brunel as part of the infrastructure of the Thames Tunnel which opened in 1843 and was the first tunnel to be built under a navigable river anywhere in the world. It comprises the Engine House and the Tunnel Shaft, with rooftop garden. The Brunels hosted the first underwater concert party here in 1827.