Pub Walk (14) Saturday 7^th November 2009, from the Hollow Bottom at Guiting Power

North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

The North Cotswold CAMRA walking group met up at the Hollow Bottom at Guiting Power on Saturday 7^th November for the Fourteenth Pub Walk, the eighth of 2009,

This 5 mile superb walk was planned to pass three excellent pubs in this very attractive part of the North Cotswolds. The weather was dry and sunny, kind to us once again and we were pleased to welcome John Barratt and Patrick Phair from Glos Branch. After parking at the front of the Hollow Bottom, (Photo 1) a Free House, and booking our lunches for 12-30, we set off.

You are spoilt for choice in this location for walks but this one is a variation of Walk 9 from ‘Walking in the Cotswolds’ by Colin Handy.

Heading back towards the centre of the village of Guiting Power we turned left at the first road signed No through Road and Wardens Way passing several attractive restored cottages. At the road end we passed through a metal gate following a well used footpath initially downhill then up through woodland leaving a path on the right, staying on the left hand side of the valley. Passing a large barn on our left we took the next right turning along a wide track. The views are excellent here, also the stunning Manor House (Photo 2) which we passed after crossing a minor road. We turned right close to the next house entering Castlett Wood. A shady quiet area with only the noise of a running stream to our right accompanied us until reaching a T junction where we turned right up a slope. Passing straight on at a junction of tracks meeting the only other walkers (Photo 3) we headed down hill towards Kineton, the Norman tower of the Church came into view from a considerable distance. To reach it we turned left at the metalled road then right at the next junction passing the Half Way House, (Photo 4) one of the fifteen remaining Donnington Pubs, at 1130 hrs unfortunately closed. Turning right at the next farm we headed uphill before descending after a few fields to a very fine estate house crossing a few styles to a metalled road where we turned left, meeting a few horse mounted residents enjoying the unseasonal warm weather. (Photo 5)

A further mile elapsed before taking a well used footpath to the right taking us back to Guiting with a fine view greeting us (Photo 6) before turning left at the road emerging in the centre of the village.

We turned left here to take in the Farmers Arms, another Donnington Pub for the photograph (Photo 7) before turning around and returning to the Hollow Bottom which used to be called Ye Olde Inn.

Recently added to the Ranks of Locale pubs it has replaced London Pride with local beer, namely Goffs White Knight, superbly kept, we gave it a 4 and Donnington SBA (3) and House Bitter Hancocks HB (3)

Walk No15 around the Kings Head at Bledington is next on Sat 5^th December starting at 1030am. This walk is an easy circular around one of our best pubs offering a good selection of real ale.

Report and Photos by Roger Price

Tel 01451 810305

Mob 07850 429630

Pictures taken on the walk:


^ Photo 1 ^ Hollow Bottom	^ Photo 2 ^ Manor House

^ Photo 3 ^	^ Photo 4 ^ Halfway House

^ Photo 5 ^	^ Photo 6 ^

^ Photo 7 ^ Farmers Arms