Pub Walk (64) Saturday 9^th January 2016, from the Pheasant Inn, Toddington

North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

The 64^th Pubwalk started from the recently acquired by Donnington Pheasant Inn. Previously a free house concentrating on Stanway beers it has been refurbished and joins the Donnington group of Pubs hence the decision to conduct another walk here. Eight walkers turned up and set off in dry sunny weather though fairly wet under foot following a wet winter.

We turned right out of the car park and then right at the roundabout heading easy over the railway bridge and took the footpath to our right heading parallel to the GWR line closed today (Photo 1)

Normally this stretch of the walk offers great views of the trains but today we settled on views of infrastructure and stationary rolling stock. After crossing three fields we emerged at a road (Photo 2) where we turned left leading to Didbrook passing Didbrook Farm with large stocks of turnips (Photo 3). We soon came to Didbrook Church (Photo 4) Carrying on to Wood Stanway we turned left onto a footpath adjacent to a cottage (Photo 5). Now heading north we crossed three fields and emerged at the main road to Ford but crossed over with care and turned left for a short distance before turning right on the footpath to Stanway. Next we emerged adjacent to Stanway House and its magnificent Gateway (Photo 6) next to another church.

Carrying on the road to Stanton passing the Tithe Barn and ignoring the footpath to our right we took the next path on the left. Crossing three fields (Photo 7) we came to Stanway Grounds and a great view of the GWR multi arched bridge. (Photo 8) John Barrett recounted tragic fatalities during its construction when an arch collapsed. Passing through the farm on our right and under the said bridge with care !! we emerged at the main road to Broadway where we turned left heading back to Toddington on the roadside verge.

Arriving back at the pub (Photo 9) we settled in to our reserved table with two other delayed walkers making 10 for lunch (Photo 10). Normal Donnington three ales on offer in good condition with very good value food in large quantities. Refurbished décor was impressive and it must be a possible candidate for our Xmas Dinner.

Next walk No 65 at an old favourite Fossebridge Inn on 6^th Feb

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 ^