| New rail trail explores globally significant sites Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 09:19, 18th April 2026 |     |
From the BBC:
New rail trail explores globally significant sites
The south-west trail includes attractions such as Bath, Stonehenge and Avebury
A new rail guide has been launched to celebrate globally significant sites across the West of England.
The map offers a curated collection of two-day trails featuring eight Unesco-designated sites across the region, which visitors can travel to using Great Western Railway's (GWR) route.
Kathryn Davis, CEO of Visit West, said some of the UK's most remarkable Unesco-designated landscapes are found in the West, including Bath - a double-inscribed World Heritage Site - and Bristol, a Unesco City of Film. "This initiative brings them together for the first time, making it easier for visitors to explore, understand, and appreciate their global significance while travelling sustainably," she said.
It's hoped people will travel more sustainably by using rail links
Andy Bell, project coordinator, said Wiltshire also plays a huge part as it is home to two major World Heritage sites recognised by the United Nations' cultural agency Unesco. "Wiltshire benefits from having two World Heritage sites which include Stonehenge in Avebury," Bell said. "They're contributing their outstanding universal value as Unesco calls it - their sort of cultural value in the world."
The Avebury stone circle in Wiltshire is a Unesco world heritage site
He added that the "biggest element" of a carbon footprint for a family holiday in the south-west "is travel".
"So, if they're coming down in a car, that's a major part of the carbon footprint of the journey," he added.
GWR has released interactive content, route ideas, and practical information to help people plan journeys.
Ruth Powell, GWR regional partnerships manager, said: "We're proud to support this initiative, helping customers connect with some of the south-west's most internationally-celebrated landscapes and cultural sites by train. Rail is one of the most sustainable ways to travel, and this campaign showcases just how accessible these world-class destinations can be."
The south-west trail includes attractions such as Bath, Stonehenge and Avebury
A new rail guide has been launched to celebrate globally significant sites across the West of England.
The map offers a curated collection of two-day trails featuring eight Unesco-designated sites across the region, which visitors can travel to using Great Western Railway's (GWR) route.
Kathryn Davis, CEO of Visit West, said some of the UK's most remarkable Unesco-designated landscapes are found in the West, including Bath - a double-inscribed World Heritage Site - and Bristol, a Unesco City of Film. "This initiative brings them together for the first time, making it easier for visitors to explore, understand, and appreciate their global significance while travelling sustainably," she said.
It's hoped people will travel more sustainably by using rail links
Andy Bell, project coordinator, said Wiltshire also plays a huge part as it is home to two major World Heritage sites recognised by the United Nations' cultural agency Unesco. "Wiltshire benefits from having two World Heritage sites which include Stonehenge in Avebury," Bell said. "They're contributing their outstanding universal value as Unesco calls it - their sort of cultural value in the world."
The Avebury stone circle in Wiltshire is a Unesco world heritage site
He added that the "biggest element" of a carbon footprint for a family holiday in the south-west "is travel".
"So, if they're coming down in a car, that's a major part of the carbon footprint of the journey," he added.
GWR has released interactive content, route ideas, and practical information to help people plan journeys.
Ruth Powell, GWR regional partnerships manager, said: "We're proud to support this initiative, helping customers connect with some of the south-west's most internationally-celebrated landscapes and cultural sites by train. Rail is one of the most sustainable ways to travel, and this campaign showcases just how accessible these world-class destinations can be."
