Pub Walk (69) Friday 2^nd September 2016, from the Bakers Arms, Broad Campden

North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

The 69^th Pubwalk started from the Bakers Arms on a Friday to avoid Moreton Show on the Saturday. This was the third walk at the Bakers, now back to its very best or better in fact, due to a third change of Landlord. We welcome Dave and Michelle Hirst who have leased the pub from Ray for 5 years and deservedly won our Seasonal Winter Pub of the Year 2016 after a remarkable turnaround bringing all the locals back.

Our first and second walks were No 5 and No 39 but we are delighted to walk again on a new route around this delightful village and never tire of the remarkable thatched houses and lovely gardens. We were well represented today with members from Shakespeare, Tewkesbury, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and N Cotswold Branches, some sort of record with just 10 experienced walkers.

We set off after the usual pub photo (Photo 1) and took the footpath opposite the pub heading SW on a meandering walk up this sheltered valley which in wet weather is best avoided. A hill along this stretch was easily climbed by our ladies (Photo 2) and turned left at a junction of paths at Campden Hill Farm before heading SE on a wide gravel track familiar from previous walks.(Photo 3).

Crossing Five Mile Drive we continued for three fields harvested of crops, with great views to our left. Reaching the road we paused to regroup (Photo 4) before turning left and heading up the road past Hangman’s Hall Farm on our left then taking the footpath on our right. Ignoring the first path on our left we took the next gate on the left into a field without any signs. The path is fairly clear and we headed NE through the middle of the field occupied by cattle (Photo 5).

We came to a rickety stile which we reported to the Landowner then passing along the North of Sedgecombe Wood we crossed over a stile into Sedgecombe Plantation turning initially N then W emerging back at the road we left earlier. This is familiar territory crossing over the road and pausing to take in outstanding views to the North. (Photo 6)

Down the steep field heading for a gap in the hedge we emerged and crossed over the road to a footpath opposite (Photo 7). Passing some inquisitive sheep with particularly bad haircuts in a field to our right. (Photo 8). Back now at the unusual Church (Photo 9). Then the pub with a table for lunch reserved awaits with a great range of beer on offer (Photo 10) :-

Bakers Dozen House Beer from Stanway (Artists Ale)

North Cotswold Shagweaver

Wickwar Bob

Stanway Bitter

Wye Valley HPA

Pearsons Medium Cider

It does not get any better than this!

An excellent walk, my gammon was great and the Shagweaver outstanding after a tremendous House offering.

Next walk: No 70 back to Saturday on 1^st October at the New Inn, Willersey.

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 ^