Ian McCulloch Was Here
Penultimate Stage of the Centenary Way. The drive in shows us what to expect. From the water running in streams down the lanes and some giant puddles, it would appear we have had another overnight monsoon.
Mrs M cursing as to whether a Sunday Lunch is worth the muddy sheep fields of Ilmington. We actually feel sorry for the sheep..... can they catch trench foot?
The walk is as dull as the Centenary Way can deliver.... fields to Blackwell and then Darlingscott. We choose the lanes on the way back, in desperate hope to save our trousers.
There must be something to report...... Well, we are just into the Cotswolds AONB and Ilmington is a pretty honey stone village, the highest in Warwickshire.
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| Centenary Way enters the Cotswolds |
Its made of three streets - Back and Front surrounding the pedestrian only Middle - where you can see why the location is used for film. Manor House, the vicarage, a "fairy hole" and the church all located next to the ancient fish ponds.
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| View of the Medieval Cross from the Church Porch |
Surprisingly for a small village, there are two trading pubs. The Howard Arms was chosen on my last visit. A gastropub servicing dodgy pints of TT Landlord leaves me in no mood to find out what you do get for a £26 Sunday Lunch.
Instead, we book for the Red Lion.
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| A more traditional Hook Norton House |
Possibly more spartan than I was expecting. The Sunday Lunch is a "bargain" £22 here. Dining in either the front or rear bar - both with roaring open fires. Impressive quality, quantity and service.
Other punters match the 4 cask on offer but with Guinness patronage in full force for St Patrick's day, I am the only one on Old Hooky. Again, this exceeded expectations caused by worry of lack of turnover.
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| Inside the Red Lion, Ilmington |
The twitter jury is still out on the artwork - but the perspex cover makes me think its legit. Part of me needs to know how the lead singer of Echo of the Bunnymen ended up here.
I am sure it wasn't for the Centenary Way.
It has a perspex cover, so maybe @OfficialIanMac did enjoy an old Hooky at the Red Lion, Ilmington, Warwickshire 🤔 pic.twitter.com/55q0Ffg5qL
— Mappiman (@Mappiman1) March 17, 2024
Walk Details
Distance - 5.5 Miles
Geocaches - 2
Pub - The Red Lion, Ilmington
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, Stage 22, Stage 23, Stage 24
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