Pub Walk (66) Saturday 5^th March 2016, from the Royal Oak, Andoversford

North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

The 66^th Pubwalk started from the Royal Oak Andoversford. An Enterprise Inn recently purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Brown who hail from Cheltenham. They liberated it to the free market and are appreciated in the growing Andoversford community. North Cotswold CAMRA are committed to support them with the recent Branch Meeting held there and now another walk.

Original Walk No 6 ran in November 2008 with 7 walkers but we more than doubled the numbers this time. Eighteen walkers turned up in dry weather with one dog. Having ordered lunch and taken the pub photo (Photo 1) we set off left towards the Kilkenny but soon took the first footpath on the left through a wide gate along a fine drive heading South.

Easy walking on a bridleway once past the farm house and an attentive Lurcher (Photo 2). Past the site of a Medieval Village and redundant railway bridge we soon encountered the Frogmill Hotel recently purchased by Brakespeare. Watch this space! Now heading East having crossed the A436 twice we crossed over the A40 towards Shipton and immediately picked up a footpath adjacent to a house on the right.(Photo 3). Through several gates then into a fine property and rested by the stream (Photo 4) with splendid views of the main house before emerging onto the road where we turned right towards Shipton Oliffe past the Church (Photo 5)

Through this lovely village to the cross roads heading straight on leaving a road to our right. Swinging North until a clear signpost right into North Farm entrance directing us along the Gloucestershire Way to the East. (Photo 6)

Walking very easy on a paved bridleway with fine views opening up as we walked towards Tottmoor (Photo 7) then forking left for a field until emerging at the road where we turned left heading downhill towards Andoversford.

The highest part of the walk here with great views enjoyed by local dog walkers (Photo 8) Shortly we turned left and SW onto a footpath skirting a wood. Downhill now for several fields before arriving back at North Farm and retracing our steps through Shipton Oliffe taking a footpath to our right near the telephone box.

Pausing to regroup we headed NW past Glebe Farm over the hill with Shipton Solers below to our left. Past Middle Farm with views of the Andoversford industrial estate below. Back at the A40 we crossed and returned to the pub at the next turning.

4 Beers served by attentive Landlords (Photo 9) Ringwood Razor Back, Wye Valley HPA, Hobgoblin and Cotswold Lion Best in Show, though nobody tried the Goblin.

Excellent lunch taken in the upstairs gallery warmed from the open fire below with the well behaved 9 month old springer puppy Ted from Stratford recovering under the table after our dry sunny 5.6 mile walk. (Photo 10 & 11)

Next walk No 67 on 2^ndApril at The Seven Tuns Chedworth to celebrate its reopening last year.

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 ^