24/03/25 - Old Moseley Hall to Wolvo for the Great Western

Great Cathedral of Beer

There's no need to rush Wolverhampton. I had found a 14.5 mile walk in Country Walking Magazine. I may not have much but I 've got plenty of time. Three weeks ago, I made it from town to the National Trust Property, Old Moseley Hall. Now to finish the walk. From Old Moseley Hall, back into the City and hopefully find my way to one of the best pubs in the land.

A walk of two halves - more of the Monarch's Way through some fine Countryside and then picking up the Wyrley and Essington Canal.

Today's Routes

Northycote Manor Farm on the Monarch's Way

The Curly Wyrley

At Wednesfield, an unexpected portal to a secret world was found. Like a budding Pevensie, I found Narnia.

Should I enter?

I had found myself in the Royal Tiger - incredibly busy for a Monday afternoon, even when the sun was shining. I put this down to two reasons, the Cask Jaipur was £2.79 and everyone overhead on mobiles talking about redundancy payouts and being put on gardening leave. Something terrible is happening to capitalism.

My real goal, of course, was the Great Western. A Holdens Pub, where if you have time you can do a taste challenge to determine if Black Country Special is better than Bathams Bitter. Or possibly just different.

I had recently seen it described on a British Pubs Facebook Page as a "Great Cathedral of Beer". Certainly had to disagree.

Under the tracks - ask the pigeons for directions

Only time for a Black Country Special Today - but I will return

Walk Details

Distance - 8 Miles

Geocaches - 5

Walk Inspiration - Country Walking Magazine May 2024, Walk 14

Part 1 of Walk

21/03/25 - Pub Crawl in Barnards Green, Great Malvern

One Day, Three Guide Books

The Cicerone book, Short Walks in the Malvern Hills, lives up to its name. A 2 mile stretch from the town up to St Ann's Well and back.

To make the most of the Connecta Worcesertshire Bus ticket, I've combined it with a stretch to Barnards Green. The reason for being in Malvern in the first place? A random selection from Hidden Places in Worcestershire.

St Ann's is well known to me. Birthplace of the Malvern Water Cure promoted by those healthy Victorians. Another example of things regressing in this country, there is now a sign saying bacteria has been found in the water and it must be boiled before consumption.

Don't Drink the water

Back to town and then through the handsome housing and onto Malvern Common.

Today, I'm down here. Normally, I am up there.

Barnards Green is a suburb of Great Malvern, nestled at the foot of the Malvern Hills. It has a bit of everything—local charm, practical amenities, and a surprisingly lively pub scene for its size.

Starting with the Three Horseshoes. A couple of cottages knocked together and large open plan inside. I couldn't warm to it for two reasons. Elton John, at his honky-tonking best, on too loud. And despite a good hunt around, not a single comfy seat to be found. I even tried the garden. 

The Timothy Taylor Boltmaker was in fine condition.

Sky Blue

Whereas I was the only punter in pub 1, the car park was overflowing at the Bluebell. The good people of Malvern obviously love a Gastropub. They must have more money than sense. Courage Directors at an eye watering £5.85. Little of note, other than an ornate wooden bar that wouldn't look out of place in a church.

Battleship Grey

The "Closed Pub" feature on Pubsgalore.com is used for the Forresters Arms. All on-line resources say it's open, yet the door is firmly bolted at 1:45pm on a Friday afternoon. A quick search takes me to the Admiral Taverns Facebook page, where they are looking for new tenants. Comments range from "What Again?" to "I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole".

Half and Half

Saving the best to last is the perennial Good Beer Guide Entry The Morgan. Keen pricing and excellent beer. The Wye Valley full range is always on offer but I was never going to turn down cask Jaipur. I was that impressed with the £4.40 charge that it felt churlish to ask for the rest of the pint. 

On second thoughts, I should have

Walk Details 

Distance - 5 Miles

Walk Inspiration - Pub Walks in Malvern, Hidden Places of Worcestershire and Cicerone Short Walks in the Malverns

Bar Crawl Link

19/03/25 - Droitwich to Hartlebury Rail Trail

Solar Farm Strife

For reasons that will become apparent, I was really looking forward to this stage of the Wyre Valley Line.

As with many things in life, it started out well but quickly ended in disaster.

Leaving Droitwich on the Monarch's Way provided perfect walking. Wide open spaces through Westwood Park. 

Another gorgeous spring day in Worcestershire

Apartments for sale at Westwood House

Things plod on nicely through Worcestershire Countryside. I have seen the signs nearby protesting about the implementation of Solar Farms. I am now joining their front. One of those meaningless signs saying the footpaths are closed, then detailing random numbers as to which paths are affected and which are not. These footpath numbers are on no map that I use, including OS Maps, so meaningless information. I attempt to bulldoze my way through but its impassable with heavy machinery blocking those fields that are in progress and completely fenced off for those completed.

Mappiman's Nemesis

Email sent to the Worcestershire Rail Trail Website. Their route needs taking down and/or replanning.

I replan on the fly, with lane walking to Snead's Green resulting in poorly maintained and signposted footpaths to get back on scheduled route.

Almost ruined my lunch, nestled on a thorn bush at Manor House farm.

The walk ends at Hartebury Tap House. A previous Good Beer Guide Entry, that based on the Butty Bach, should be immediately reintroduced.

The Old Station Building - Handy for the hourly service to Kidderminster

Walk Details

Distance - 9 Miles

Geocaches - 3

Walk Inspiration

18/03/25 - Winchombe, Belas Knapp and Brockhampton

Bells, Barrows and Barstools

First visit to Winchcombe since the nonsense of the COVID Lock-downs. Spring is certainly the time to come.

Start off by seeing if there are any secrets left in St Peter's Church. When outside, look out for the gargoyles and the bullet holes. I've never been inside before but I have recently read about the twin coffins.

One of a pair

The only downside of venturing in a place is you are bound to get into conversations with enthusiastic amateur historians. See also National Trust Venues. I do believe that I have now ticked off all that this fine medieval wool church has to offer.

Onwards, slightly delayed, with the walk. Soul restoring.

Out on the Cotswold Way

Looking back with the new born lambs - always a special day on the calendar

The main target of the day is Belas Knap Long Barrow.

Belas Knap is a Neolithic long barrow located in the hills above Winchcombe, dating to around 3000 BC. It was used as a communal burial site, with stone chambers built into the sides of the mound. A false entrance at the front may have had a ritual purpose or served to mislead grave robbers. Excavations have uncovered the remains of more than 30 individuals. Today, it’s a quiet, open site with views across the countryside. 

Long Barrows, notoriously tricky to photograph

A peaceful spot for lunch before taking in the finest countryside walking the Cotswold has to offer, aiming for Brockhampton on the opposite side of the Coln Valley.

Ruined Wontley Farm - 1980s raves to a warehouse for stolen car parts

Brockhampton teases with the OS Map showing a Big Blue Cup of Joy. I'd already resigned myself to a remote Cotswold pub being open on a Tuesday afternoon but things were even worse. It looked long closed but an ongoing campaign led to research its a post COVID cost of living casualty.

Craven Arms, Brockhampton

Campaign for Open Pubs

Ironically, the banners are adorned on "The Old Shop" and "The Old Post Office". Guess there will be a new one on the Craven Arms - "The Old Pub".

The return to Wincombe follows new signage for the Coln River Trail. This looks intriguing. I already have the Wardens/Windrush Ways from Winchcombe earmarked. Looks like another 33 mile multi dayer joins the list.

All the way back to Winchcombe

The grounds of Sudeley Castle mark a spectacular return.

Sudeley Castle is a historic Tudor manor house just outside Winchcombe, with origins dating back to the 15th century. It’s best known as the final home and burial place of Katherine Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII. The castle has seen both royal visits and civil war damage, and was partly restored in the 19th century. Today, it’s privately owned but open to the public, with formal gardens, exhibitions, and access to Parr’s tomb in the chapel on site.

The End of the Walking - Sudeley Castle

Sudeley Castle is a historic Tudor manor house just outside Winchcombe, with origins dating back to the 15th century. It’s best known as the final home and burial place of Katherine Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII. The castle has seen both royal visits and civil war damage, and was partly restored in the 19th century. Today, it’s privately owned but open to the public, with formal gardens, exhibitions, and access to Parr’s tomb in the chapel on site.

Now for the choice of pubs. Having a "week after Super Saturday" Good Beer Guide Tick during the last lockdown, it had to be the Plaisterer's Arms turn. An unlikely but genuinely authentic Irish pub, still run with an iron fist by the Irish Landlady. I previously caught both barrels of her hospitality skills during a bizarre discussion about Sunday Lunch menus. 

Alas, she is still keeping American tourists on their toes, not least by not opening on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

Need to come on weekends if you want an afternoon drink

The Lion wins again, when our convivial landlord is burning off the last of the Winter's log pile and serving the best pint of Butcombe Original known to man. 

Its the Corner Cupboards turn to be in the GBG this year, not the Lion

Liquid Perfection

Walk Details

Distance - 12.5 Miles

Walk Inspiration - Day Walks in the Cotswolds, Walk 14

Geocaches - 2 and an Adventure Lab Cache