Geocaches - 9
Good Beer Guide Pub Tick #362 - The Eight Bells, Chipping Campden, Old Hooky
Walk Inspiration - Cicerone Walking in the Costwolds, Walk 1
Here's an absolute belter of a ramble and a great introduction into walking in the Cotswolds.
That said, I never really got on with Chipping Campden, where we start activities. It's got a lot to offer walkers - free parking along the high street, the start of the Cotswold Way and the classic honey coloured stone buildings wearing their history beautifully. My problem has always been the quality of the pubs. For me, they've never quite matched the grandeur of the surrounding. I needed to look slightly harder than the three along the high street and the Good Beer Guide is pointing me to the town's only recommendation - slightly off piste, along Church Street.
We'll come back to the Eight Bells after the walk.
The Cotswold Way starts at the C17th Market Hall and look closely and you can find a little plague marking the start / end.
Cotswold Way Beginnings and Endings |
The Market Hall |
I'd recommend that the walk is completed in a clockwise direction - tackling Mile Drive to Broadway first. This minimises the impact of the two hills that need to be tackled.... Fish Hill to Broadway Tower is definitely steeper than Dover's Hill.
Mile Drive is always a joy to walk - a one mile broad avenue of easy walking. A new multi cache has been placed since my last visit, so this kept me further entertained.
Mile Drive |
The best approach to Broadway Tower is from Fish Hill Picnic Area |
The endless views |
All downhill into Broadway. If you're feeling like mid walk refreshment, then the Good Beer Guide recommends the Crown and Trumpet. Its only been six months since my last visit, so I decided to keep on marching.
It must have been the views.
Views from the Valley Floor |
Broadway |
Saintbury Church |
Plenty more of this kind of thing on my memory stick |
The top of Dover's Hill - nearly time for the pub. |
The Cotswold Way will return you to Chipping Campden and I can tell you all about the Eight Bells.
The 8 Bells |
The current building was developed using the original material in the C17th.
A Classic Example of a Cotswold Pub |
With a Chicken Ciabatta on the way and getting the last table, handily positioned in front of the coal fire, I may well have been the happiest man on the planet at the time of this photo.
Chipping Campden is saved.
Fitting End to a Great Walk |
No comments:
Post a Comment