31/12/22 - The Fountain at Clent

Distance - 5.4 Miles

Walk Inspiration - Country Walking Magazine, December 2022, Walk 9

Final walk of 2022. The scores on the doors coming up at the end of the blog.

The primary reason to do this walk is the bacon sandwiches from the Nimmings Lane National Trust Cafe. Renowned the walking world around for lovers of crusty bed and thick rashers of crispy bacon.

We have alternative food plans.

The walk packs a lot into its short distance. Adams Hill, Kenelm Gap and Walton Hill. On clear days, fine views over the Black Country and Worcestershire.

Entering Clent from Nimmings Wood Cafe

Into the Clent Woodland

Views over the Black Country

The Four Stones

To the pub, for a New Year's Eve treat for ramblers that like to be in bed at 10pm.

The Fountain Pub is a former C18th cottage. From the outside you would expect a traditional Banks Local but the clue in Untappd gives the game away. A badge can be won for Gastropub.

It's all liveried waitress service and Prixe Fixe Menus, with no price for a single course.  There is, however, a £10 supplement for Beef Wellington. Chips, dauphinoise potatoes or in keeping with its working class location, half and half.  

The Fountain at Clent

Mrs M suggesting that I can have two Brakspear Oxford Golds

Another year over and what have I done? Some of my aspirations lie shriveled in the sun.

• 1274 Boots on miles means I smashed the annual walk 1000 miles challenge.
• 864 Geocache finds, falling short of the 1000 target.  
• 118 New Good Beer Guide Ticks.  No target was set but in 2023, I aim to get to 900 in total - a figure that is 123 ticks away.
• 97 blog posts. 3 shy of the 100 target.  

I fix it all by visiting more pubs in 2023.