Pub Walk (23) Saturday 8^th January 2011, from the Pheasant Inn, Toddington

North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

Eleven walkers turned up at the Pheasant Inn for the 23^rd of our Saturday Walks joined by two injured regulars at Lunch time and one BLO for the half way brewery halt. We were pleased to welcome Abby the CAMRA SW Regional BLO Liaison Officer to this walk who had made the journey from Chippenham to join a typical North Cotswold event. This walk organised and tested twice by Martyn Herbert at Toddington, started from the Pheasant Inn. This pub has become effectively the tap for Stanway Brewery located in the Brewhouse of nearby Stanway House.

We set off from the pub on a cold dry day heading North along the main road across the roundabout heading towards Broadway leaving behind the noise of Steam Engines being prepared for the delayed Santa Specials operating from the nearby GWR station and sheds. After half a mile we turned right along a footpath and lane to Stanway Grounds passing under the multi arched railway bridge recently marking the northern extremity of the extended GWR track. The hanging pheasants from a recent successful shoot in a barn to our right were of great interest as we passed through the farm yard before turning right through a gate across a field full of inquisitive horses. Into a wood and across a bridge over a fast flowing stream then crossing two fields before emerging onto the Stanton to Stanway road.

At the road we turned right for a short distance before turning left into the drive of the very photographic delightful Stanway House passing the lake and then stepping into the brew house on time to meet Alec Pennycook the Brewer and his BLO Tony Aburrow who recently retired as Chairman of Gloucestershire Branch of CAMRA.

A welcome sample of Stanway Stanney Bitter followed with a short talk from Alec on this unique wood fired brewery which originated in approx 1750 resurrected in the early 1990,s and run successfully since.

We dragged ourselves away with the sun quite strong outside at 1130hrs to continue the walk along the Didbrook Road greeted by a GWR Steam Train crossing the Bridge ahead. We turned right just before the bridge following a footpath North parallel to the railway allowing more photographs for the ageing train spotters amongst us..

Passing the station we emerged at the main road and turned left back to the Pheasant.

Two beers on offer, Stanway Stanney Bitter and Lords a Leaping, both 4.5 gravity and superb quality helped by phenomenal throughput at this busy local with very good value beer and food. Thanks to Martyn and Alec for making this walk such a success.

Our next walk the 24^th of the series is planned for Saturday 5^th February at Snowshill when we will sample some excellent good value Donnington Beer from the attractive Snowshill Arms following 4 miles around this beautiful sheltered Cotswold Valley.

Report by Roger Price

Tel 01451 810305

Mob 07850 429630

Pictures taken on the walk:


^ Crossing the stream ^	^ Approaching the brewery at Stanway House ^

^ Sampling and Alec explaining the process ^	^ Leaving Stanway and the magnificent gate house ^

^ Sunlit GWR Santa Special as we passed ^	^ The Pheasant ^

^ Group lunch (shaky hands) ^	^ Much post lunch discussion Aby with Chris and Martyn and Michael in their favourite spot with Veronica at the bar ) ^