26/12/19 - Tintern Wye Valley Hotel to Devils Pulpit

Distance - 6 Miles
Walk Inspiration - Country Walking Magazine - Jan 2017
Geocaches - 1


14th annual Xmas walk in Tintern.   A quick check of the 2020 Good Beer Guide reveals that the sole entry in these parts is the Wye Valley Hotel.   As this establishment is at the very edge of town, far away from the Abbey, I've never visited it.

Time for that to be corrected, even if it means a good 1/2 mile along the road until the real walking action is picked up at the old footbridge.

And like every walk this winter, its very muddy action.

Poor Conditions, but better than watching Bond films on ITV4

The aim is to get up onto Offa's Dyke Path, eat turkey sandwiches at Devils Pulpit and then come back along the former railway line running next to the River Wye.    The paths cut through the woodland, where everything's gone green and occasional views are offered over the Severn Estuary and across the water to the ruined abbey.

Its a lovely, atmospheric walk.

Heading up to Offas Dyke

After attempting to convert the monks, Turkey Sandwiches

The Abbey, from the other side of the Water

The 1/2 mile back to the Wye Valley Hotel passes two pubs.   The Anchor always serves a decent pint of Otter and the Rose and Crown positively encourages me to enter - claiming a warm welcome awaits muddy dogs and their owners.

I shun them, having a tick to get.  A tick that remains ungot.

2pm on a Boxing Day afternoon and the place is locked and bottled.   The sign next to the door offers no indication - just the menu.   Signs of life inside, but even with my dog whispering skills, I am not going to be able to convince a greyhound to unscrape the bolt through the power of mime.

How very strange.    Nothing for it, I'm back at the anchor to meet an otter.

I inquire about what fate has befell the Wye Valley Hotel, wondering if its gone the way of the much revered Cherry Tree Inn in the village.   A 35 year ever present in the bible was not enough to save that place from conversion to houses.

They tell me that it has gone bankrupt.   Twitter indicates it won a 5 star hygiene award only two days ago.

Either the information is hot off the press or the greyhound's owners simply fancied a bank holiday off.

I'll check again in Xmas 2020