Pub Walk (42) Saturday 6^th April 2013, from the Chequers, Churchill

North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

The 42nd Pub walk in our series took place on 6th March when twelve walkers and one dog called Misty with owner Brian Wray (N Oxon Pubs Officer ) turned up for a Spring walk in North Oxfordshire. This was the first walk at the Chequers recently purchased by the owners of The Wheatsheaf at Northleach with six real ales now on offer. Still an eating pub but at least with an area dedicated to drinkers. (Photo 1) Shows a well known media officer sampling the Dark Star Darkness at 1030 hrs with a straw.

The weather was sunny as we set off past a bus load of other walkers from Hertfordshire who were walking an 11 mile stretch of the D’Arcy Dalton Way. Heading north our first point of interest on our walk was a memorial to the well known father of British Geology William Smith who was born at Churchill in 1769 (Photo 2). Moving on to a footpath opposite in a northerly direction we entered an extremely well kept stable complex with fine horses (Photo 3). After the stables we emerged in thankfully dry conditions along a hedgerow (Photo 4) with our media man bringing up the rear.

This valley used to have a railway and station Sarsden Halt long disused and after passing through Churchill Grounds Cottages and Farm we arrived at a road turning left and downhill over the old railway bridge and then over a delightful brook (Photo 5)

Next right we turned towards Salford then soon back onto a footpath to the left marked Bridleway. We rejoined the road for a few yards before taking a right fork to Glebe Farm. At the top of the hill we passed Cornwell Grebe on our right (Photo 6) before taking a footpath on our left which ran downhill over a brook and up a slope to Cornwell Estate (Photo 7). The house is not open to the public but the footpaths allow a view of the church and grounds before emerging at the road where we turned left then left again before taking a footpath on our right opposite the main entrance (Photo 8). Over the hill and take a stile in the distance through a small plantation across another field and stile into a field with sheep and a Shetland (Photo 9)

Through Kingham Hill Farm with three inquisitive Shire Horses (Photo 10). Down a track and we took the short cut footpath across the field to our right ,across a track then right after the next stile. Across the field and you can see the spire of Churchill Church in the distance as a marker. Over a footbridge (Photo 11) Over three fields emerging from the last wood (Photo 12) Onto the road turning left ,then right at the first footpath, over the road and then diagonally left to a farm yard. Straight over on a narrow path emerging at the rear of the Chequers for the Pub group picture (Photo 13).

Into the busy bar where 6 ales were on offer at £2.90 per pint, Hooky, Bath Ales Barnsey, Dark Star Darkness, Stroud Last Duel, Donnington SBA and a Wessex bitter. Upstairs awaited for our pre booked lunch in the luxurious Board Room (Photo 14) with high backed blue leather seats.

Our next Walk is on Sat May 4th at the Inn for all Seasons at Little Barrington (West of Burford on the A40) where we have a delightful walk in the Windrush Valley. 6X and Doombar I believe.

Report by Roger Price

Tel 01451 810305

Mob 07850 429630

Pictures taken on the walk:


^ Photo 1 ^	^ Photo 2 ^

^ Photo 3 ^	^ Photo 4 ^

^ Photo 5 ^	^ Photo 6 ^

^ Photo 7 ^	^ Photo 8 ^

^ Photo 9 ^	^ Photo 10 ^

^ Photo 11 ^	^ Photo 12 ^

^ Photo 13 ^	^ Photo 14 ^