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Evening Entertainment Guide

Night owls will have lots of larks along the Great West Way...
 

The adventure doesn’t end after a day out seeing the sites or exploring the trails. All along the touring route there are fun things to do at night, from country pubs to comedy clubs. Here’s a few of our suggestions:

Comedy clubs and musical theatre 

Whether you’re in the mood for a big haha or a hearty sing-along, there are plenty of places for a lighthearted night out...

For a big laugh head to Komedia Bath, an all-round excellent comedy club hosting new and established acts as well as open mic nights. Famous comedians tour the region all the time - check out the listings at bigger theatres and art centres such as Windsor Theatre Royal, Swindon Wyvern Theatre & Arts Centre and The Hexagon in Reading.

Top tip: In the run up to Edinburgh Festival Fringe, many comedians also play more intimate gigs around the country to practise their new act. You’ll find this at The Wardrobe Theatre and the Hen & Chicken in Bristol.

If you fancy a sing-song to a famous musical like Fame or Guys & Dolls, go somewhere like Bristol Hippodrome or The Mill, Sonning. It will probably be cheaper to catch your favourite show outside the West End, no doubt making the experience even more enjoyable!

Dining Out 

There’s nothing like going out for a meal to make you feel like you’re on holiday. Whether you want to grab a quick bite, or take on an 18-course tasting menu, rest assured there’s no shortage of restaurants. Michelin-star musts include The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, Red Lion Freehouse East Chisenbury, Casamia, The Pony & Trap and The Fat Duck. Or try Marco Pierre White and Pierre Hoffman’s, Koffman & Mr White’s English French Brasserie in the Abbey Hotel Bath, new for 2018.

Meanwhile there are all manner of amazing neighbourhood restaurants, with thoughtful, seasonal menus and a casual atmosphere - a great way to try the best of modern British cuisine. Check out Mother & Wild for British tapas in Corsham. A wander down most High Streets should also yield a menu of enticing flavours.

And do make the most of the wealth of global cuisine on offer in the UK, from Thai to Mongolian. Lina Tandoori is family-run and a firm favourite among Pangbourne restaurants for its rich bhunas and creamy kormas, but we’re sure you’ll find your own best kept secret.

Good to know: It’s always a good idea to book a table in advance for dinner, and essential for big groups.

Pubs, clubs & bars 

Pubs are much-loved in many rural communities - a meeting place as much as a drinking place. The best pubs, with a true village vibe, are usually found on word of mouth. Ask for recommendations at your B&B or hotel. There’s another breed of pub, however - the gastro pub - that provides a different experience altogether. Instead of the standard pint of ale and scampi fries pub snacks, you’ll get fine local wines and creative artisan meals. Try The Royal Oak Yattendon, Queens Arms East Garston, Three Tuns Freehouse, The Newbury Pub, for starters. Plus, tuck into homegrown produce at Helen Browning’s Royal Oak. 

In towns and cities, you’ll have the bonus of a club scene. Bristol has loads to offer clubbers. Long renowned for its underground music scene - and artists such as Massive Attack, Roni Size and Tricky - it’s a mecca for ravers and revellers of all kinds. Check out Motion, an enormous clubbing complex in a former skate park close to Temple Meads. Or Thekla, a nightclub on an old cargo ship.

If you don’t want to be out all night but still want a special evening out, head to a bar. Some have excellent food, but it’s more about the carefully curated drinks at these smarter watering holes. Bath has some fantastic bars including Opium, Circo Bar and The Canary Gin Bar where you can sip on a ‘gin Austen’ cocktail. Speaking of gin head to Bombay Sapphire where you can carefully select an authentic gin cocktail... or two. 

Theatre, opera & classical 

The villages, towns and cities across the Great West Way are very keen on culture. And theatre, opera, ballet and classical performances can all pop up where you least expect it. Take Bristol’s Shakespeare Festival, where performances of the Bard’s classics have been known to take place in farms, cemeteries, libraries and on boats.

Although by no means exhaustive, the following venues have wonderful cultural programmes including lots of evening shows: Wiltshire Music Centre, Iford Arts at Iford Manor and Peto Garden, Pound Arts, Barn Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Theatre Royal Bath, Opera Luna, St George’s Bristol, Painswick Music Society, The Watermill Theatre, Concert Hall Reading.