01/06/19 - The Royal Oak at Painswick

Distance - 8 Miles
Walk Inspiration - Cicerone Walking the Cotswolds, Walk 13
Geocaches - 3


Four years to the Month since our last visit to Painswick.  Last time we walked North out of the village, so for variety, we head South.   Ultimately, the destination will be the same - the Royal Oak.  A perfect Cotswold pub.

Hottest day of the year, so we bring lots of water for Guide Dog in Training Joy.   By the way she frollicks through the buttercup meadows, she's going to need the breaks.

Haven't got going and she looks knackered

We head south west, along a lane marked on the OS Map as Painswick Valley.  At Pincot lane, we head to the west of the village to follow the farms of Wragg Castle, Edge Hill and Parkhurst.   No real encounters with livestock, with the exception of a nasty jack russell who lives at Edge Hill Farm. 
 

Looking back to Painswick along the valley

Plenty of off lead opportunities and Joy decides to play hide and seek in the long grass.

She's not so good at it.

The highlight of the walk - after all the hills in 25 degree sunshine - is Painswick Beacon.   Fine views from the quarry, although our route finding was a little suspect.   We never quite made it to the trig point this time.

Looking back down the valley

A gap in the trees from Painswick Beacon

The Cotswold Way provides a familiar walk back to civilisation.   The bits through the woodland are most appreciated.   I think we have found Joy's walking limit.

You try doing it in a fur coat

Painswick is a delight.   There's all sorts of refreshment opportunities in amongst the honey coloured C17th buildings.   We stick to the tried and tested.

The Royal Oak, Painswick

Looks like it had a few problems since our last visit.   This from the Painswick Beacon in October 2016.

The Royal Oak has been closed for several weeks now, and landlords Mike and Gill Brickell are sadly leaving the village, with some regrets. The notice outside the pub for the last few weeks puts the blame on the owners, Enterprise Inns, and for the last year or so, Mike has found it difficult to work with them. 

Enterprise Inn Strike Again.

Its fully open now  - a single roomed pub, with a sun trap courtyard.  The usual mix of locals, ramblers perusing a book about the Cotswold Way and the added frisson of the Groom and Best Man having a last drink before the wedding.   They made a mistake with their half of Amstels.   The Prescott Hill Climb was really rather wonderful.

An excellent pint

The wedding church bells draw us in for another look at the wonderful yew trees.   Every time I come, I notice something different.  The yew trees are individually labelled - and the highest number is 99.  The guidebook tells me about the canon ball and scorch marks on the church walls from the Civil War.

That's something to look out for next time.

99 Yews