02/10/16 - Donnington Brewery and Stow on the Wold

Distance - 5 Miles
Geocaches - 1
Pub - The Queens Head, Stow on the Wold
Walk Inspiration - Jarrold Pathfinder, More Cotswolds Walks, Walk 18

A perfect day for walking meant that its a double walk weekend.  The weather simply couldn't be ignored.

We are off to the Cotswolds and Stow-on-the-Wold.  For the future Mappiman, town parking is free next to Tesco - itself sympathetically created in honey coloured stone.

This is a walk of "Ways".  Starts off on the Gloucestershire Way, takes in a touch of the Heart of England Way and then delivers you back into town on the Monarchs Way.  This is testament to the quality of the local countryside.

Early views from the Gloucestershire Way

The lanes take us through Upper Swell and along a track to the Donnington Brewery.  There's a long distance path of around 70 miles called "The Donnington Way" that takes in their tied houses.  Yes, its on my bucket list.

Their pubs are simply delightful.  You'll see this later in the blog.  I doubt there is a more bucolic brewery in the land.  And I include Hook Norton in that claim.

The Donnington Brewery

We make our way to the village the brewery was named after but first we have to climb to a site of historical interest.   In a sheep field is a monument with a little plaque, detailing the battle of Stow on the Wold of 1646.

Everything you need to know.  Roundheads won.

Next up is Broadwell, a lovely example of middle England.  The village surrounds a huge green, which makes a handy stop for lunch.  Just as soon as I have found the one geocache on the route. This was a previous DNF in 2010.  I have no idea why I made such hard work of it last time.

Lunch was not at the rather beautiful Fox Pub.  It wasn't quite open and Mrs Mappiman had got creative with the tin foil before setting out.  We sat at the monument stone watching the only child in the village play football with his dad.

Broadwell Village Green

This is what a Donnington Tied House looks like

A quick 1.5 miles back to Stow, along the Monarch Way on a green lane that offers some superb views.

Views on the Monarchs Way

We are delivered into Stow.  There's plenty of choice for post walk refreshments.  None of the pubs are in the 2017 Good Beer Guide, so I am prepared to take pot luck.  Talk of entering a tea shop was quickly dismissed as pure folly.

So what to go for?  Another potential claimant to England's Oldest Pub?

No, I am a frequenter of St Albans Fighting Cocks and profess allegiance

How about the only Cask Marque pub, the White Hart?

That's me in the Window

We went in.  We were greeted by a hearty hello from the barman.  I saw it was an Arkells House.  We quickly did a 180 and left.  Sonia said I should have explained why.  I would merely have pointed the bemused barman to my blogs of the Wiltshire leg of the Ridgeway - where a decent pint could not be found.

The answer was staring at us from the other side of the Market Square.

Its a Donnington Tied House - The Queens Head

If you asked a tourist to paint a picture of a quintessential English boozer, this would be it.  Hops hanging from the rafters.  Stone flagged floor.  Wooden furniture with some hand made soft furnishing.  Nicnacs.  A grumpy lady moaning about chips.  Everything was present and correct.

Two Real Ales from the Brewery

Donnington BB

The only concession to the 21st Century was free WiFi.  I used it to validate the Porch House's claim. Unsure if a Saxon shoe in a chimney is proof enough.

I also determined the Donnington Brewery was founded by a descendant of the Arkells brewing dynasty.