Sunday, 16 August 2015

16/08/15 - Queen and Castle

Distance - 6.88 Miles
Geocaches - 7
Walk Inspiration - Stage 27 of the Millennium Way
Pub - Queen and Castle, UBU Purity

This leg of the Millennium Way is the Poster Boy Route for the entire trail.  Can there be a finer starting place for a walk than Kenilworth Castle?

Kenilworth Castle
Kenilworth Castle
The route has me circling the walls of this impressive ruin, offering occasional glimpses of what is inside.  A few micro caches mean that the walk takes a while to get going.

But get going it does.  There's not a huge amount to say about the walk - its simply a classic countryside ramble on fine paths.
Kenilworth Castle
Fine Paths like these
Warwickshire Countryside
Fine countryside like this

The last of the caches (for now) is near Fernhill Farm and i can concentrate on the walking.  At one point, I join the Warwickshire Ramblers - as I catch up with and then overtake about 20 elderly walkers.  Its not the fact that they are aged that means I easily overtake them - its the amount of stuff they are carrying.  I wonder why every last one of them has at least a 35l rucksack, fully packed.

They must be having a much better lunch than me.

The wildlife is a touch more exotic than expected at Gospel Oak Farm.  These are protected by a dog that is best described a pseudo St Bernard, who is fine with me until I take a photo and then comes galloping over, barking his head off.

Exotic Wildlife
Have their own Guard Dog
There's usually a surprise on my rambles and today's is at the next cache location.  The information board reveals that this was a WWII Anti Aircraft placement.  Quite apt really, as the only noise on this walk is the planes that are coming in to land at Birmingham International.

Anti Aircraft Position
WWII Anti Aircraft Site

The locals have a sense of humour as well, but I don't take them up on their kind offer.

Sound Advice
Free Dog Poo Bags - Nice Touch!

The Millennium Way shares the return path with the Centenary Way - a Long Distance Path to celebrate 100 years of Warwickshire County Council.

Way back to Kenilworth
Centenary Way and Millennium Way
In no time at all, I am back at the castle - sharing the paths with rather more tourists than at the start.

The Queen and Castle is handily placed directly opposite for the post walk pint.  Quite a fine looking pub with a rather beautiful beer garden.

I decide to go local - with a Purity UBU.

Queen and Castle
Queen and Castle
UBU Purity
UBU Purity


Stage 27 out of 44 of the Millennium Way - and at the moment, its winning the prize as the best section.

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