Pub Walk (47) Saturday 30^th November 2013, from the Mount Inn, Stanton, inc a visit to the Stanway Brewery

North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

A record 19 members and friends met up at the Mount Inn, at Stanton for the 47th walk the second one at the Mount (Photo 1) Extra numbers created by another visit to Stanway Brewery at the half way stop at Stanway House. The Mount Inn is located in the finest position of any of the 15 Donnington Pubs, still in the very capable hands of Pippa and Carl Baston. We headed steeply downhill from the pub car park through the attractive village of Stanton with many thatched houses (Photo 2) also the meet for the local hunt today (Photo 3)

We headed along the road to Stanway avoiding the Cotswold Way on the way to the Brewery which gave good views of the park around the 17th Century Stanway House with superb walking between avenues of trees lining the road.. We arrived at Stanton House at 11am and assemble at the Brew house (Photo 4)

The Brewery resurrected by Alec (Alexander Pennycook) since 1990 is a 5 barrel plant using one of only two wood fuelled coppers remaining in the country and the only one used full time. Alex (Photo 5) is a graduate in Brewing from Herriot Watt University in Edinburgh and subsequently Vaux Brewery, Sunderland. He opened up on Saturday for this walk providing a talk on the brewery generous samples of his excellent Stanway Stanney Bitter 4.5% and Lords – a – Leaping. 4.5% (Photo 6)

Reluctantly we moved on and returned to Stanton via the Cotswold Way (Photo 7) This provided a different view of the Estate and extensive westerly views of the GWR railway and viaduct.

Returning through Stanton was a pleasure before climbing the slope to the Mount Inn, removing our boots and joining a busy lunchtime trade.(Photo 8)

It is advisable to book a table if you wish to eat in this very popular pub and Pippa had reserved some for us with outstanding views towards the Malvern Hills. The food was excellent as usual washed down with Donnington BB and SBA.

Many Thanks to Alec, Pippa and Carl.

Report by Roger Price

Tel 01451 810305

Mob 07850 429630

Pictures taken on the walk: