28/06/25 - Evesham Circular Rail Walk

Not Even an Ice Cream

Pickerwheel selects page 74 from the Hidden Places of Worcestershire Guide Book. We are off to Evesham, fitting in nicely as #1 son needing a lift to a railway station. Also noted that the Rail Trails website has been enhanced to include a number of circular walks.

No hardship to be in Evesham, even if the walk nearly repeats of the Town Trail I did when I chasing the Good Beer Guide Tick for the Trumpet Inn.

No pub refreshments planned for today, but with the mercury nudging 30, we are seriously hoping that Abbey Park has an ice cream van.

From the station, we head west to pick up the River Avon before crossing farmers' fields to the other side of the horseshoe bend in the river and down to Abbey Park.

River Avon

Inland to Battle Well and Oxstalls Farm

War Memorial and Abbey in Abbey Park

The park is a fine place to stop for a picnic. The artworks within were discovered through an Adventure Lab Cache. But no sign of an ice cream van. Mrs M was grumbling there had to be one somewhere. The Wall's umbrellas in the garden of Raphael's cafe promise cold refreshments, but neither of us was prepared to join the 20-man queue.

A rare day when the only spends were on car parking.

Walk Details

Distance - 5 Miles

Walk Inspiration - Hidden Places of Worcestershire and Rail Trails

Geocaches - 7

26/06/25 - Birmingham University - An AZ City Walk

Seat of Learning

After the horror of Handsworth, the AZ guide book rewards with a far more tranquil walk. University station is 2 stops from New Street and you alight into the red-brick university campus.

A number of Adventure Lab Caches show me the sights - the brutalism of Muirhead Tower and the largest free standing clock tower in the world, Old Joe. Another plays on ghost stories and urban myths, suggesting that if you walk between tower arches when the bell chimes, you will fail your degree.

Should I come again, I won't bring sandwiches. Refreshment trucks peddling lunch options from around the world. Who wouldn't want a gyros? Who says students are poor? It's the recently retired who carry squashed beef and mustard sandwiches and their own coffee.

ALCs asking what Darwin (9th) holds in his left hand

Old Joe - Inspired by Siena’s Torre del Mangia

What else did I learn? At this location, and the equally impressive QEII Hospital, there was a Roman Fort.

Metchley Roman Fort was established around AD 48–50 during the early Roman conquest of Britain and served as a timber-built auxiliary fort housing approximately 500 soldiers. Located in what is now Edgbaston, Birmingham, it was strategically positioned near the Roman road Icknield Street to support the Roman advance into the Midlands. The fort featured wooden ramparts, ditches, barracks, a granary, and a headquarters building, with later annexes for supply and industrial activity. It was occupied intermittently before being permanently abandoned around AD 120, playing a key role in maintaining Roman military control during the region’s early occupation.

Who would have thought it, in Birmingham, of all places.

Once the grounds had been investigated, it was north along Edgbaston Park Road to pick up the Birmingham to Worcester Canal to Selly Oak.

Nearly ten years since I gave a rather over enthusiastic 10/10 review to the Bristol Pear. It seems the world of craft beer bars was new to me, and I was impressed by the collection of cask and keg on offer.

Under the bridge

Today, it's a cask-less Stonegate Pub, where the most interesting thing on offer was Asahi at £6 a pint.

The quickly back on the train to town to see if Jaipur is still on at the Briar Rose.

Walk Details

Distance - 5 Miles

Walk Inspiration - AZ - Hidden Walks in Birmingham Walk 9 

Previous Birmingham AZ Walks - Walk 1 & 2, Walk 3, Walk 4, Walk 5, Walk 6, Walk 7, Walk 8, Walk 9

Geocaches - 19

18/06/25 - The Good Beer Guide Pubs of Hastings, Sussex

Celebrating the End of the Saxon Shore Way

Nice to end something where there is the chance to celebrate. Hastings, a four Good Beer Guide Town, with the Dolphin practically at the end of the Long Distance Path. I believe the official end is at the pier. I made my official end here, with an apt Harvey's Sussex Best (water chaser).

A pleasant enough nautically themed traditional pub, with seaward facing outdoor seating to see the sights. Everyone likes to see a goth teenager taken on a family seaside holiday.

Final Pint of the Saxon Shore Way

Moments ago, I was on that cliff.

The Albion is a finely named traditional boozer, attracting rather a young and alternative clientele. Despite the many facial tattoos, it bizarrely seemed to be popular with diners. Must have been the pies. Another Sussex Best, a pint that I cannot get tired with.

Seafront Boozer - the Albion

The Jenny Lind is halfway along the old high street, which has some wonderful architecture. Another traditional and my pub of the night. Lots of cask ales on, but I took the opportunity to maximise the units per pound ration by having a final Biddenden cider on hand-pull. Taught the way to pronounce it properly. Biddies.

Three trads.... Micro Coming Up

Biddies in a Trad

There had to be a micro pub. The Fishermans Arms rather pretty from the outside and like good micros should, offering some interesting draught brews. Straffe Hendricks Tripel a welcome, but unexpected find.

Seduced by the advertising

A quick mention about my evening meal. Who would have thought the best Thai food I have ever had would be consumed in a book shop? Not without confusion..... cash only, set menu price of £25, they charge £2 corkage for drinks you take the top off yourself. I left £30 on the table only to be chased down the street like a criminal. Somehow, I was 15p short. A mandatory service charge applied.

Remember Mr Fiddler from Carry on Camping? I think he has opened a book shop. That does Thai food.

 

18/06/25 - Saxon Shore Way - Stage 11 - Rye to Hastings

Saxon Shore Way (SSW) Complete

The final day on the Saxon Shore Way - with the Royal Military Canal delivering me to the sea-side for a spectacular conclusion.

Hunting for the Royal Military Canal at Camber Castle

Sea View opening out at Cliff End

Typically for the SSW, there are no refreshment stops on the way. Not close enough to Winchelsea. Nothing passed at Fairlight Cove. Hastings Country Park simply providing some unneeded ups and downs.

To be fair, entering Hastings from on high - and ignoring the cliff railway - is a fitting end to 11 days and 160+ miles. 

Hastings - Tonight's playground

As this is a rather brief blog, I may as well complete the summary.

The SSW has taken me through many new towns - Rochester, Faversham, Whitstable, (a diversion to) Margate, Sandwich, Deal, Folkestone, Rye and Hastings. My favoutite had to be Folkestone. Very much admired the arty vibe and what they have done with the Harbour Arm. A model for investment in the leisure economy for any local authority.

The pubs - so many micros, some doing it better than others. A unforgettable experience at the East Cliff Tavern in Folkestone. I can guarantee that this won't be repeated should I ever be lucky enough to visit again. Time waits for no man. 

The beer was that good that I moved onto cider. Thankfully Shepherd Neame disappeared after the first half and by the time I reached the edges of Sussex, Harvey's Best was found in plentiful supply. Goachers and Gadds new breweries. Cask Jaipur for £2.29 a pint became the beer of the second half thanks to the JDW promotion.

The walking improved in the second half. Progress through the Medway towns was slow, as they merge into one. The coastal walks into Deal and Hastings were wonderful. The inland sections of the coastline from 2000 years ago were largely devoid of refreshment stops. We'll not mention trying to cross Dover on foot.

Would I do it again? There is no need, but I would like to revisit the area to walk from Margate to Ramsgate.

Walk Details

Previous Stages - Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7, Stage 8, Stage 9, Stage 10

Distance - 12 Miles

Geocaches - 13