23/02/19 - The First Town on the Thames

Distance - 5.5 Miles
Geocaches - 10
Walk Inspiration - Walks along the Thames Path - Walk 3
Pub - The Red Lion, Cricklade, North Wall Best Bitter


Cricklade is a fascinating town.  The blog title tells you that its the first town on the Thames.  My guide book tells me it has fortified walls from King Alfred, destroyed by King Canute and its motto is "in loco delicioso", a delightful place.

The Good Beer Guide tells me (erroneously) that there is nothing to see here.  It goes to the trouble of listing the non functional brewery at Lechlade but no mention of the Hop and Kettle Brewery at the Red Lion.  To which, we will return.

A short walk down the lengthy, arrow straight, high street and pick up the Thames at North Meadow.  Despite there being no rain in 2019, the Thames has burst its banks and this was very nearly the walk that didn't happen.

Magnificent High Street, with unvisited Church poking over the rooftops  

Picking up the Thames

Guide Dog Joy insisting that we cannot abandon the walk so soon.  Just carry your shoes.

We are into North Meadow.   Locals tell me that it was much worse last week.   They did not see us having to cross the breach, barefooted and muddy.

Once over, Guide Dog Joy enjoyed the space, lack of animals and the chance for frequent drink stops.

All of this is hers

The disused North Wilts Canal provides a hand rail to a lovely church at Latton.  A few easy Geocaches to keep things interesting.

Disused North Wilts Canal

Church at Latton - with a Medieval Cross at the end of a lane called Godsditch

We're now in that part of the Cotswolds where the terrain changes, based on where they want to start quarrying.  The footpaths are still there and follow roughly the course marked on my OS map, but the bodies of water are a new addition.   We make it to Eysey Manor to pick up the Thames once again.  More caches and easy walking back to the town.

Back at the Thames

The town has a number of hostelries, but Arkells brewery is king in these parts.  I ignore the White Hart and the Old Bear.   As splendid as they look, I remember the Wiltshire section of the Ridgeway and beer that makes Donnington Brewery seem like nectar.

The Red Lion looks a delight.  Dates back to the 1600s, has a sign listing 10 cask ales and on a day when Spring makes its announcement, has a lovely beer garden.

Refreshment

The place is a bit of a secret.   I mentioned earlier how the Good Beer Guide doesn't list the brewery but Untappd has also never heard of the beer.

The Town Wall Best was a malty, good looking beer.   I felt like the first man in the world to have found it.

Hop Kettle Brewery, where they make...

..... North Wall Best Bitter

A fine walk and an interesting refreshment stop.