Walk Inspiration - Walk 1 - Walks Through History in Gloucestershire
Geocaches - 1 (a drive by on the way into Winchcombe)
Pub - The Royal Oak, Gretton, Wye Valley HPA
Detailed Walk Instructions and History Information - For Download Here
Winchombe has everything I need and has always been a favourite. On top of the fine pubs and many walking routes there is some real history in the town. The last time I came, I remembered to look at the courtyard of the old George Inn. This time, I remembered to look up at the stone "Grotesques" adorning St Peter's Church. On reviewing information about King Kenulf's coffin in the Church, I read about how you can see musket ball pock marks on the west wall from a firing squad in the English Civil War.
Damn. Looks like I am going to have to return.
Today, I am primarily here to investigate one of Gloucestershire's Top 10 county pubs. The Royal Oak in nearby Gretton comes in at Number 4.
But first the walk.... and importantly, can I complete it inbetween weather that is somewhere between the thunderstorms of the American Plains and the precipitation of the Amazon Rain Forests.
I start in centre of town and instantly the heavens open. Take refuge under a conveniently placed awning. The rain is fierce but lasts moments and I can move on. Through the square, past the old favourite of the Plaisterers Arms, down Vineyard Street and past the entrance of Studeley Castle to gain entrance into the countryside.
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| Where the Ducking Stool cured Naughty Ladies |
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| Thanks for the heads up, telegraph pole |
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| Frequent views of Sudeley Castle |
A gentle climb up past Humblebee Cottages (does a home with a finer view exist in the Cotswolds?) and onto the historical highlight of today's walk.
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| Humbebee Cottages |
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| And their fine, fine views |
No doubt footfall is higher since Julia Bradbury described its virtues on TV with a frankly ludicrous linear walk that would have left amateur walkers stranded on Cleeve Common with no way of returning.
With the thunder rolling in over the Evesham Plains, the 3000BC Burial Tomb of Belas Knap is an evocative place. It was a toss up about whether to wait things out in a sheltered entrance or continue back to town. My meteorological skills deduced that the storm would pass me by.
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| There is a storm coming |
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| 3000BC Burial Chamber |
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| The Portal was nearly Mappiman's Shelter |
And I was almost correct. Follow the Cotswold way downhill and past the Cricket Club. I get oh so close when the rain starts again. A proper soaking means I have to wait things out in the shelter of woodland near a layby. The boredom is broken up by a Yodel delivery man putting his hazard lights on and leaping out of his van. What could cause someone to voluntarily cede shelter?
All is revealed when he opens his flies and releases his little Yodel. Still, the look on his face when he saw a man in a bright red goretex coat waving at him from beneath a tree was priceless.
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| Dropping Down on the Cotswold Way for a Yodel based Flashing |
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| Top Hatted Grotesque |
Its a traditional Cotswold building from 1830 but with a bright, contemporary interior. It's real selling point (on better weather days) has to be its huge garden with a frankly wonderful view of the Cotswold Escarpment. Get in on the right day and a steam train from the Gloucestershire - Warwickshire Railway will come chugging down the foot of the garden.
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| Unassuming Exterior |
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| Views East |
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| Views West |
The pub has a separate drinking area for those wanting to partake in one of the five real ales on - I went for my usual Wye Valley HPA - and two separate rooms for more formal dining. Quite full at 8pm on a Wednesday, with ladies who have already lunched and my personal favourite - an old boy complaining that his impulse bought bucket of chips were just "sliced potatoes".
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| Today's Reward - Wye Valley HPA |
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