05/11/23 - Centenary Way - Stage 22 - Edgehill

 Gauging the impact of inflation on hospitality

4.5 years (and 2 guide dog puppies) since we last visited the Castle Inn, Edgehill. A wonderful location, great Hook Norton beer and a beautiful Sunday lunch that has gone down in legend - both in terms of quality and cost.

I do understand that you get what you pay for.

In a rare perfect walk for a disappointing Long Distance Path, the Centenary Way delivers me back to this location. No tables available through on-line booking but when the name of this pub blog is relayed over the phone, they say they can fit us (Man, Woman, Guide Dog) in a little alcove by the bar. A chance to see how bad inflation has been. We remember exactly how much we paid last time :-)

Our Pub for Today - The Castle at Edgehill

The building created 100 years after the first battle of the English Civil War - no winners, no losers, apart from the loss of 1500 men in 1642. Converted into an inn in 1822, almost on the exact spot where Charles I setup his headquarters.

The walk starts directly from the pub and heads SW through woodland, following the escarpment, where the battle raged on the plains below. There are occasional views through the tress but at the are marked "Edgehill Covert" on the map, the views open out.  All of Warwickshire below.

Guide Dog in Training Ivy loving a free run through the woods

It's a beautiful day

Finally getting Ivy to pose

Agricultural fields, past Upton House. Surprisingly mud free after the record rainfalls but Mrs M still finds the opportunity to curse. She wants me to write an email to Home Farm to thank them for their diversion away from the farmyard but to request dog friendly stiles.

I had noticed the Rose and Crown at Ratley on the previous leg of the Centenary Way and planned to visit today. Timed to perfect for when its open but too late to get back to the castle on time for our booked table. 

Mrs M not wanting to run the risk of our table being given away.

On plotting my routes - Google Maps says "Temporarily Closed". The web site confirms, adding "Due to unforeseen circumstances". Facebook claims power outages on Oct 11th but that doesnt sound enough for long term closure. Blimey, I love a pub mystery but I cannot bring you anymore information. 

We are bang on time for the Castle and have a tiny table in an alcove that we can just about squeeze the three of us in.

The food is as good as we remembered. 

Inflation over the last 4.5 years is running at 23.5%. Previously, we were forced to share a pudding. This time we decided to make a crumble when we got home.

Walk Information

Distance - 5 Miles

Geocaches - 0

Pub - The Castle, Edgehill

Previous Stages - Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7, Stage 8, Stage 9, Stage 10, Stage 11, Stage 12, Stage 13, Stage 14, Stage 15, Stage 16, Stage 17, Stage 18, Stage 19, Stage 20, Stage 21