Pub Walk (22) Saturday 4^th December 2010, from the Eight Bells, Chipping Campden

North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

Nine walkers turned up at the Eight Bells for the 22^nd of our Saturday Walks, this time at Chipping Campden, one of the most attractive North Cotswold towns. This pub has been close to GBG entry for several years so this walk allowed another inspection. It is locateded north of the centre near the Church.

We set off from the pub on a very cold day with fresh snow on the ground from a light overnight fall. We headed South down the main high Street before heading West opposite the Volunteer Inn which used to be a regular GBG entry. At the next junction we took a signed footpath on the left between some houses. This footpath after a road crossing reached open country and the walking was easy on frozen ground. The sun emerged and as we climbed higher the views of snow clad hills were outstanding. Over a few fields we emerged at Kingscombe Lane and turned left for a few hundred yards before turning right on another footpath leading to the famous Dover’s Hill, a well known view point. Photographs over we headed down hill avoiding the toboggans. Reaching the road leading to Weston sub Edge we walked down hill then took the next footpath on the left following it downhill over three fields until turning right at a junction of paths then past Top Farm on the West side before reaching the site of a Manor House. No sign of the building, only grass mounds. Turning right we emerged at the road crossing it to a path ahead now in an Easterly direction. This path led us uphill to and through the Lynches Wood, a place to see blue bells in the Spring. After this into open ground then uphill to Bold Gap.and back to Kingscombe Lane. Left at the road then right along the Cotswold Way heading downhill now back to Campden. But no, a detour beckoned to the left along a footpath running NE above the town emerging after 6 fields at the main road, the B4081. Turning right we walked along a pavement down to the town and our destination. Longer than normal at 6 miles this is a memorable walk at any time of year on good footpaths with stunning views.

The pub was unaware of our coming, since we had not booked due to the uncertain weather. Martyn Herbert, who surprisingly was first in, grabbed two tables for the party before choosing from Hooky, Wye Valley HPA and Purity Wild Goose.

All were in excellent condition and we were able to order sensibly priced walkers food from this pub which is a long standing entry in the Good Pub Guide.

Martyn Herbert has planned our next walk, our 23^rd, for the 8^th January 2011 starting from the Pheasant Inn at Toddington at 1030hrs. A pub strongly recommended by some of our committee which has become the tap of one of our local brewers which may feature in the route. Though this remains a mystery for the New Year.

Thanks for all your support through the Year and Merry Xmas to all our members and guests.

Report by Roger Price

Tel 01451 810305

Mob 07850 429630

Pictures taken on the walk:


^ Into open country in the snow ^	^ Dover's Hill tobogganers ^

^ Downhill from Dover's at a good pace ^	^ A brief half distance rest at Weston sub Edge ^

^ The Eight Bells ^	^ Happy Lunchers, the beer clarity shows up well ^