Pub Walk (32) Saturday 4^th February 2012, from the Plaisterers Arms, Winchcombe

North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

The 32nd Pub walk in our series took place on 4th Feb 2012 when twelve members and friends turned up including two well known ex Cheltenham, now American residents who returned for the Tewkesbury Winter Fest. This was the second walk of the new year and was planned to conduct a further examination of the Plaisterers’ qualities.

After ordering our Lunch we set off in cold dry conditions at 1035hrs heading West along the main road towards Cheltenham past the Corner Cupboard. Definitely scarves, gloves and bobble hat weather.

On reaching the lay-by to Brockhampton we kept left and took a footpath straight ahead with the river Isbourne to our left. The path was frozen hard but marked clearly we followed the valley bottom with slopes to our right. Passing a large property (Postlip House) and another footpath to our right we emerged at a road to a chemical plant through which the public footpath ran. Past a bright green pond, keeping straight ahead and following a slight bend uphill to our right we escaped the industrial area.

At the road T turn left then immediately right onto the footpath again. After the open area ignore the track uphill to the left and follow a footpath ahead on the left of the wooded area with a lake to our right with some pedal boats beached for the winter. Straight ahead following the valley bottom passed a second lake emerging at a track. (Photo 1)

Turn left now heading SE to a farm. Take the bypass track avoiding the farm yard. Looking back (Photo 2 ) there are outstanding views of Postlip Hall reminding us of the forthcoming Cotswold Beer Festival and warmer weather, roll on Summer. Rejoining the farm track next to a barn with many young calves ( Photo 3) we soon reached a footpath straight ahead to the left of a hedge as the track turned 90 right. Follow the field edge with the hedge on the right downhill entering a wood over a fine hardwood bridge.

A steepish pleasant climb up through the woods provided a sheltered route to the track from Woodpeckers to Corn Deal Hall. Tremendous views here back over Winchcombe were the highlight of the whole walk. We soon turned left at the first footpath leading downhill past a frozen horse trough (Photo 4 ) towards and past the derelict Corndean Farm. This path was ploughed up in places so a better option would have been to carry on past Corndean Hall and take the next path downhill at the road junction. However we found our way over the field rejoining our original route back to the layby. Here we turned right towards Brockhampton then immediately left at the first bend taking the second of two adjacent footpaths. They both go to Winchcombe but we preferred the rural route running parallel and above Winchcombe with a view of the Church (Photo 5) emerging at the Sudely Castle road. We tuned left downhill (Photo 6) to the main road then right back to the Plaisterers.

A quick picture outside the pub (Photo 7) then in to a welcoming fire and three real ales, namely TT Landlord, Tribute and Wye Valley Butty Bach. Martyn had arrived on the bus and was waiting with our host Liz (Photo 8) An extended excellent lunch followed then back to the 6 Nations Rugby.

Our next walk on 10th March visits one of Shakespeare’s( the CAMRA Branch) gems the Crown & Trumpet at Broadway for a well known circular walk including the Tower.

The second walk in March on 31st is centred on the Colesbourne Arms south of Cheltenham. This Wadworths house is a real gem with great value superb food.

Report by Roger Price

Tel 01451 810305

Mob 07850 429630

Pictures taken on the walk: