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Pub Walk (65) Saturday 6^th February 2016, from the Inn at Fossebridge

North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

The 65^th Pub Walk started from the Fossebridge Inn positioned in a valley on the Fosseway 4 miles south of Northleach. A successful free house having changed hands for £1.8m in 2014 with new owners who have since invested heavily in new kitchen and cellar facilities. Eight walkers turned up and donned wet weather gear in showery conditions (Photo1). Having ordered lunch and taken the pub photo (Photo 2) we set off towards Northleach and took the first footpath on the left through a wide gate. Heavy rain forecast this afternoon but currently fairly light. Bearing right uphill towards the wood on the hill to pick up the footpath heading North though the wood. Through Camp Wood past foundations of wartime buildings we emerged in a field for a regroup.

We continued on the path downhill with the River Coln to our left until emerging at a road where we turned right then uphill on the road to the next junction bearing right again uphill pausing (Photo 3) to regroup again under a canopy of trees bridging the road. We turned left past the wood called sheep wash onto a footpath bordering the east face of the wood until reaching Oxpens Farm where we turned left through to the north side of the wood heading west to Church Farm and a visit to the Church (Photo 4). Back to the road now heading south crossing into the field at the bottom of the hill and emerging adjacent to Stowell Park Mill. Right uphill then left into a gateway and footpath before the wood attracting aggressive interest from two Tups (Photo 5)

Heading south alongside a flooded River Coln (Photo 6) we were soon back to the road and a welcome lunch at the Inn in front of a welcome open fire.(Photos 7/8). Beer served by attentive Landlord -- Geoff Collins choice of 5, Flying Monk Birdman, North Cotswold Windrush and three Wadworth ales:- 6X, Henry and Dirty Rucker. (Photo 9) Geoff’s favorite is 6X ours is Flying Monk.

We were joined for lunch by young members and very well behaved dogs. (Photo10) James and one of his best friends!

Despite weather another excellent experience enhanced with some 4 legged friends and we thoroughly recommend the pub.

Next walk No 66 on 5^th March at The Royal Oak, Andoversford now a genuine free house purchased from Enterprise and performing well.

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 ^

The Inn at Fossebridge

The landmark Inn at Fossebridge has been sold for the £1.85 million freehold asking price to hospitality veteran Dee Ludlow. The elegant and highly successful business occupies a fabulous riverside location on the A429 Fosse Way between Cirencester and Bourton-on-the-Water in the heart of one of the UK’s most popular visitor destinations. New owners are hospitality sector veteran Dee Ludlow and her partner Geoff Collins.

Dee began her career with the prestigious Metropole group in London, Brighton and Birmingham and was General Manager of The Chelsea Hotel in Knightsbridge, The Londonderry on Park Lane and The Cavendish, St James’ in Piccadilly before running Hintlesham Hall Hotel in Suffolk for ten years. Dee said of her first venture into the West Country: “We will be focusing on casual dining presenting a range of familiar dishes to the highest possible standards. “A new kitchen team has been brought in to ensure guests enjoy a genuinely memorable dining experience.” Dee went on: “We were able to take over the reins five weeks earlier than planned thanks to an informal agreement with the previous owner and this has enabled us to really hit the ground running.”

Colliers International hotels director Peter Brunt, who sold the property, said: “The Inn at Fossebridge is well respected across the region as a profitable business and there is considerable scope for further development. If your tastes run to roaring fires, Cotswold stone and unique lakeside views the Inn at Fossebridge should be on your must-do list.” A finalist in the Taste of Gloucestershire Food & Farming Awards in the Best Pub Food category, the Inn has a proud history stretching back 300 years. Ideally situated on one of the main visitor routes through the Cotswolds, the inn is ideally situated to explore Cirencester, Burford and Stow-on-the-Wold – which are all within 12 miles. The inn is also within comfortable driving distance of London.