24/09/17 - Cirencester and the Marlborough Arms

Distance - 7 Miles
Geocaches - 9
Walk Inspiration

A Sunday where my home town in Worcestershire is encircled by road closures for the Birmingham Velo Bike Race.  Escape is only possible going Southbound.

That's OK.  The Cotswolds are Southbound.

Cirencester is chosen.  A fine looking 6 mile walk is found from www.walkingworld.com.   They think of everything, even the free parking.   Mrs M wants a Sunday Roast, so Tripadvisor is consulted for the best in town.  The Bible is consulted and two potential Good Beer Guide Ticks await.

If there's time, we can also add in a visit to the Museum and learn all about Corinium.

Lord Bathurst is to thank for the majority of this walk.  We feel a little cheeky entering into the grounds of Cirencester Park though a small metal gate.  The signage initally appears to indicate "No" but on closer inspection, it reads "No Horses".   We don't have one of those, so we head on into 3,000 acre Forest Park.

Instead of Craghoppers finest pro-stretch, I feel Mrs M should be in a puffy Crimplene number, holding a parasol.

Cirencester Park Broad Ride

Architectural Follies in the Park

Being private land, there are no Geocaches until we get out to the Polo Pitches.  A trail of half a dozen leads us to Stratton.  A minor diversion could have taken us to the Drillman's Arms - the first of the two GBG Pubs in the area.  We delay gratification and follow the River Churn back into Town.

River Churn

We always like arriving into towns at the end of our walks.  Cirencester is more spectacular than most.  The Church dominates the skyline as we weave through the ancient honey stoned streets - picking up the odd urban micro geocache under the noses of the multitudes.

Coming into Cirencester

The Church

Time for a look inside

Cultural yearnings satisfied, it's time for the 2nd GBG entry.

The Marlborough Arms, Sheep Street, North Cotswold Brewery Windrush Ale

Yesterday's Essex Good Beer Guide tick was a let down but order in the universe is restored.  This pub is an absolute belter.  Being on the edge of town, it would not have been found without a recommendation.

My Sort of Place

The six or seven real ales are lined up in order of colour - lightest to the left, darkest to right.  Just like when ordering Steak, I hit the middle ground, shunning the Shagweaver for the North Cotswold Brewery's Windrush Ale.

Superb condition and taken to wooden seating, admiring the vintage brewery paraphernalia.

Mrs M, stealing the WiFi

Windrush Ale in a Classic Pub

Great pub but it doesn't do food.  An equally pleasant experience can be found in the tiny Twelve Bells Pub, a short stroll to the other side of town.

Mrs M concurred with the Trip advisor reviews but was too full to either a) have a pudding or b) hit the museum.

We will have to save that for another day.  There are four other walks on walkingworld taking in Cirencester.