11/08/26 - The Thatched Tavern, Honeybourne

Comparing Ancient Worcestershire Pubs

It's a matter of days before the new edition of the Good Beer Guide is replaced. Where does time go?

My usual commitment is to ensure that my home county, Worcestershire remains "greened". There are two entries to tick.

Today, it is Honeybourne. Technically two villages - Church Honeybourne and Cow Honeybourne. Until 1958, one was in Worcestershire and one was in Gloucestershire. Its fortunes have improved with the coming of the railways - first being on the Cheltenham Line and more recently on the London-Worcester line.

The walking was always going to be agricultural. At times the paths were lost to 6ft corn crops. At others, I was walking - quite legally on the right of way - through strawberry poly-tunnels.

Lost again

Lunchtime snacks available. Bring your own sugar.

The walk was largely perfunctory - designed to work up a thirst. 

The Thatched Tavern, Honeybourne is the new 2026 tick. And I am having no problems in finding it.

One day, all pubs will be so well signposted

However, the walk takes me through Bretforton. Lovers of pubs know what this means. It would be rude not to say hello to an old friend. The Fleece Inn is described in one of my pub books as "one of the best half dozen historic pubs in England".

Both pubs appear in my 1960s guide "Historic and New Inns of Interest" and are of a similar age. A chance for me to compare and contrast.

The Fleece Inn, Bretforton

The memories of my last walk here - snow on the ground. What we would give for such days again!

The Fleece in a heatwave

The building is more than 500 years old and half timber-framed. A former longhouse farmstead - home to animals and humans - and in the same family until donated to the National Trust in 1978. 15 generations of the Byrds, the former owners, are found in the adjacent churchyard.

Rambling inside - there are low doorways, a tiny narrow bar and a rear dining room. Here you can see the famous "witch marks" at the fireplace, should you be lucky enough to get a seat.

I was lucky on snow day, 2024

I do manage to get a table inside - in front of the 300-year old pewter dining set display. Uley Brewery Pig's Ear is on, as always.

In front of the family heirlooms

The Thatched Tavern, Honeybourne

I'm not sure how much of the C13th infrastructure remains. Again, it's half timbered and unlike the 1960s guide book, the A-framing can be seen from the other end, not where a more modern extension has been added.

That's the architectural angle! Two tree trunks pegged together for support

Unlike the Fleece, once inside, you could be anywhere. A modern bar... modern furniture... I wandered around, looking to see anything to photograph. To the delight of pensioner diners and knock-off early workers, there was nothing.

The cask range a little pedestrian. An HPA and another pale ale with a not-to-be-trusted handwritten pump clip.

It does have things going for it - a wonderful beer garden, regular and early opening hours (11am daily) and in these troubled days of cost of living crisis - reasonably priced and deliciously chilled keg lagers.

Walk Details

Distance - 8.5 miles 

Geocaches - 5

Walk Inspiration - Jarrold The Malverns to the Warwickshire, Walk 19

24/04/26 - The Old Albion, Crantock

A Tribute

It was Facebook memories that altered us to the anniversary. Exactly 12 years ago, we were completing a walk from Crantock. A fine photo outside the Old Albion - playing up to my football and national loyalties - used occasionally as a profile picture on one of my route websites.

Armed with a National Trust Membership card, it seemed fitting to repeat the walk and the photo, The £9 saved on car parking can be put towards post walk refreshment.

Dogs demanded a play on Crantock Beach before the walking started

Over West Pentire Head to Polly Joke

A sandwich stop at Holywell, before a different inland route to same ultimate destination.

In a world of change, it's nice that some things are timeless. The Old Albion - like me - showing it's age a little with bits dropping off it but still the same. Tribute, thatched roof, low ceilings, outside patio.

See you in 2038.

2014 Edition of Mappiman

2026 - Gained a lantern lost a L D and B

Walk Details

Distance - 7 Miles

Geocaches - 3

Walk Inspiration - Jarrold Cornwall

23/03/26 - Cockermouth

Good Beer Guide Pubs with Bad Opening Times and Lost Paths

Cockermouth is one of the few sizeable towns that we were yet to visit in the Lake District. It is right on the far northwestern fringes, just inside the 25K Lake District OS Map.

Home to 3 Good Beer Guide Pubs, a castle, a brewery (as marked on the map), a lengthy high street and a number of famous sons - not least William Wordsworth, who's house we see at the walk outset.

Wordsworth House

The planned walk intrigued me. On my elderly OS Map, it is almost completely on a Long Distance Path marked the "Allendale Ramble". This falls into the rare category of discontinued path. No longer marked on the ground or on the latest OS Maps. It appears as though it was a route devised in the 1970s by a certain Harry Appleyard. A pamphlet followed, which I am sure I could find on eBay.

Our circuit offered plenty of sheep fields - with some newborns - a fortified homestead to repel Scottish Invaders at Isel Hall, some views and some deep woodland. All of this good stuff negated by nasty stiles and a dog that doesn't like to be handled. Moral was lost until the sandwiches were consumed.

Over the Derwent on a footbridge at Cockermouth

First newborn lambs is always a pleasant day

The mostly hidden Isel Hall

Never far from an excellent view

We come back into town, just about talking. 

There are plenty of pubs in town but a look at the Good Beer Guide App showed that their three recommendations are 3pm, 3pm and 4pm on a Monday. 

Always look their most enticing when unavailable

That's the tourist dollar lost to Cockermouth.

Walk Details

Distance - 8.75 Miles

Geocaches - 3

Walk Inspiration - Jarrold Northwestern Lakes, Walk 17

22/03/26 - Stile End and Barrow from the Coledale Inn

My Round at the Coledale 

We had two walks planned from our base in Braithwaite. Both got us up on the fells. The classic "Coledale Round" looked a little beyond our newest recruit to mountain walking.

The ladies in my life - Mrs M and Daughter M

Instead, we went into the middle of the high ridge walk, with a couple of steep but less lofty peaks. 

Stile End, despite being distinctive and very steep, is not a Wainwright. We conquered this with some grumblings but I could not convince the party to attempt Outerside. A drop down and another stiff climb for what - and I quote - "Is exactly the same view". Outerside a Wainwright that doesn't get a tick this time.

We get involved in a mountain race - having no choice but to clog up the thin path to Barrow. This is a steady climb, with most of the height already gained. The views here are immense - the towns of Keswick and Braithwaite, along with Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite Lake.

Mountaineers - one and all

All downhill to the pub, via the only geocache of the day.

Mrs M with her thumb over the lens

I had a wonderful afternoon at the Coledale Inn 9 years ago. I'd completed day 2 of the Inn Way to the Lake District. The pub is the first place you hit as you come off the fells. The sun was shining and the beer garden has an elevated view over the town. I spent an afternoon drinking Yates beer and trying to convince other walkers not to pass on by.

Coledale Inn - 10/10 review on PubsGalore after a wonderful afternoon

Yates may have long gone but the pub is now in the Good Beer Guide. Three real ales on, all from the Lakes. I settled on Corby Blonde for my visit.

I needed more than one to settle my nerves, as I was in the chair for lunch. Steak and chips is now £35.

I had the significant women in my life hypnotised not to look at the "From the grill" section of the menu.

I should have extended the mind-tricks to the £10 puddings.

Walk Details

Distance - 4 Miles

Geocaches - 1

Walk Inspiration - Jarrold, Northwest Lakes, Walk 13

16/12/25 - Ravenglass and Muncaster Castle

Ratty No More

When they are looking for a location for the next "28 days later" sequel, they could do a lot worse than pick Ravenglass. Talk about a ghost town. We don't see a living soul down the narrow main street. They even take pride in the repurposing of their pubs.

Never found a bad pub called "The Ship"

The lack of people doesn't mean there aren't things of interest. Not many places have three rivers - Mite, Irt and Esk - all meeting the sea. Not many places have Roman bath house ruins.

The muddy estuary of Ravenglass

Unsunken Bath House

The walk is a simple up and over to reach the incredibly impressive Muncaster Castle. The house has been owned by the Penningtons for 800 years and is known as the most haunted castle in Britain. We concentrated on the views - sea and fell - and made great use of the cafe facilities.

Sea Views

Fell Views

The Castle

A circuit of Miller Crag to Muncaster Mill and we are back in town looking for more refreshments.

The Good Beer Guide Tick - The Ratty Arms - is marked as "temporarily closed" on Google Maps. This is a shame, as it is a well known and much loved railway pub. Local Facebook pages suggest that it is down to lack of staff. The regulars we do meet in the pub that is open state that is simply not being run at a profit. Time will tell, and I hope it comes back to life.

The pub that is thankfully open on a Tuesday lunch time is the imaginatively named Inn at Ravenglass.

It doesn't look much from the outside but what a joyous place it is.

The Inn at Ravenglass

It's the menu that I am going to wax lyrical about. A handwritten chalk board with just two mains listed - a seafood chowder and a beef wellington. Complete with Dauphinoise. And a sprout jus.

We peaked too early at Muncaster Castle Cafe.

Ulverston Brewery Laughing Gravy

Walk Details

Distance - 5 Miles

Geocaches - 5

Walk Inspiration - Jarrold Lake District Walks, Walk 16

01/08/25 - Witley Court and Abberley Hill

Britain's Finest Baroque Church

Tomorrow's walk takes me to the heart of the Black Country. A nice coincidence that today's takes me to where the gentry spent their gains. Witley Court built by the Earl of Dudley - owner of the Gornal coal seams.

A very overgrown start to the walk - fields packed with geese suggesting that turkeys will be rather passé this Christmas. A new path up through Abberley School, with the views off the clock tower unavailable until we are a distance away. The trig-point a great vantage point.

Looking down on the school and clock tower from the Trig Point

Ridge Walking on Abberley Hill

Witley Court, once one of England’s great country houses, stands today as a dramatic ruin in the Worcestershire countryside. Originally built as a Jacobean mansion, it was transformed in the 19th century into an opulent Italianate palace by the Foley and later the Dudley family, surrounded by grand terraces, formal gardens, and spectacular fountains. In 1937, a catastrophic fire—believed to have started in the kitchens—destroyed much of the main house. The damage was never repaired, and the estate was abandoned, leaving behind a haunting shell of its former grandeur. Remarkably, the adjoining Church of St Michael and All Angels survived untouched. Built in the mid-18th century by architect James Gibbs and lavishly decorated by the Italian artists Giovanni Bagutti and Antonio Bellucci, the church is a rare example of English baroque design. Its richly adorned interior—complete with gilded stucco, elaborate ceiling paintings, and ornate decoration—makes it one of the finest baroque churches in the country.

And they've got a teashop. Running at London prices. £16 for two coffees and two slices of cake.

Open 12-3pm daily

Look to the heavens

The ruins - where you were free to explore in the 80s

Walk Details

Distance - 6 miles

Geocaches - 1

Walk Inspiration - Jarrold 74, The Malverns to Warwickshire, Walk 24

04/05/25 - Torcross and Slapton Sands

Operation Tiger

The history associated on this walk hits us as soon as we park the car. Next to a Sherman Tank.

Photo capture required for a Geocache

The beach at Slapton has a close resemblance to Normandy as was used as a dress rehearsal.

Exercise Tiger was a secret D-Day rehearsal conducted by American forces at Slapton Sands, Devon, in April 1944. Chosen for its resemblance to Utah Beach, the area was cleared of civilians for realistic training, including live ammunition. On April 28, German E-boats attacked a convoy of landing ships in Lyme Bay, sinking two and damaging another, resulting in the deaths of 749 U.S. servicemen—more than were lost in the actual Utah Beach landings. Many drowned due to poor life vest training or died in explosions, and communication failures worsened the disaster. The event was kept secret to protect D-Day plans and morale, only becoming widely known decades later. A recovered Sherman tank now stands at Torcross as a memorial.

The landscape is quite unusual too. A thin strip of land separating the SWCP from the largest freshwater lake in South Devon. Best viewed from above, either high farmland of Stokenham or from the SWCP as you approach at Torcross.

A Glimpse

The full picture

A fine walk, even with the lack of photographs. You don't need to see that many of various bodies of water.

Post walk refreshment - we are booked for Sunday Lunch at the unusually named Bear and Blacksmith at nearby Chillington. Saving my pint for then, I had to forlornly walk past the Start Bay Inn.... austere brickwork but a pretty thatched roof.

Pre midday - unsure if these are punters or people just using the facilities

Hard to review the Bear.... our hosts had recommended it and there is no doubt the Sunday Lunch was excellent. For £22 it needed to be. But an hour to wait for food is a bit too long, isn't it? 

Especially when breakfast was 7 miles ago.

Walk Details

Distance - 7 Miles

Walk Inspiration - Jarrold Devon, Walk 22 

Geocaches - 3

16/02/25 - Arnsbarrow Hill and Selside

Silence

If you want solitude in the Lake District, you'd be hard pressed to beat the South Eastern Side of Coniston Water. A 5 mile walk and we saw no one. As a break from the disappearing paths and boggy moorland, there is a single geocache. It's name, "Silence".

Silence at Arnsbarrow Tarn

We're in this part of the world for our latest dog-sit. A super cute Border Terrier, Ruby. Not only can she walk for miles but she knows the paths better than either the OS Map or the signs on the ground. Several times, we had to put up with disgruntled looks, as we tried to school her on the route. Disgruntled soon turned to smug, as she was always correct on which way we needed to go.

We start outside the hamlet of High Nibthwaite. The Guidebook says to park at a picnic area called Crab Haws. Ruby's owners save us a mile and probably several dollars by recommending a free parking area near Water Park Outdoor Adventure Centre.

Bottom of Lake Coniston

Back down the road and a circular walk across bleak moorland. The above Tarn the only variety until we start the walk back down and have some views over the water.

Lake Coniston from the Bethecar Moor

Post walk refreshment? We needed supplies and Ulverston has the king of supermarkets. Booths. Incredibly, it also has 7 Good Beer Guide recommended pubs. We hit the Mill. Let's see how the week goes. I may include it in a  Pub Crawl blog.

Walk Details

Distance - 5.5 Miles

Walk Inspiration - Jarrold West and Southern Lakeland, Walk 13

Geocaches - 1

02/01/25 - Dunwich Heath Coastguard Cottages

New Year gets off to a Blinder

Perfect walk in perfect weather. If you are thinking of doing this walk. Arrive early. Aren't people meant to be back to work today? A battle for car parking spaces on our return. Like a premier league goal keeper who's team are 1-0 up in the 85th minute, I stretched out changing out of my boots for an extraordinary length of time. I just love the drama.

A perfect walk. The reasons? Variety, walking on sand, heath-land and through woods. The weather, cold but with the most gorgeous blue skies. Much needed after yesterday's biblical, surprisingly unnamed storm. The company, Mrs M a given but all walks are better with an enthusiastic dog. And we got to shout "Fenton, for Christ's Sake" when copped a deaf one chasing rabbits. A if you don't like walking, you can always go bird-spotting at RSPB Minsmere.

An interesting pub on route - but we were too early. There can't be too many called the Eel's Foot. Post walk refreshments at the chaotic National Trust Tea Room. The electronic till was down. Cash hardly easing the chaos.

Some Photos; Happy New Year!

Fenton under a low Winter Sun

Coastguard Cottages in the Distance

Too early for the Eels Foot.  

Fenton, Jesus Christ Fenton

Walk Details

Distance - 5.25 Miles

Geocaches - 2

Walk Inspiration - Jarrold Norfolk and Suffolk, Walk 4

17/12/24 - The Old Swan, Minster Lovell

Myths and Ruins

Why walk along the River Windrush, when you can walk in it? The aftermath of Storm Darragh in full evidence on this short walk that packs plenty.

I'm here for two reasons;

Reason 1: A mercy mission to fetch a student in the final throes of his PHD for a permanent(?) return to Worcestershire. I am sure he will find another course to do before long.

Reason 2: Episode 5 of the Loremen Podcast is about the mystery of Minster Lovell. Surprisingly, a part of the Cotswolds previously unvisited. I love a good ruin.

Bonus Adventure Lab Cache at Minster Lovell Hall

The legend that made the Podcast;

Francis Lovell's story is intertwined with the Wars of the Roses, a series of dynastic conflicts in 15th-century England between the Houses of York (white rose) and Lancaster (red rose) vying for the throne. Lovell was a staunch supporter of the Yorkist King Richard III. After Richard's defeat and death at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, the Lancastrian Henry Tudor became King Henry VII. Two years later, Lovell participated in a Yorkist uprising that culminated in the Battle of Stoke Field. Following the Yorkist defeat there, Lovell vanished. Legend has it he returned to his estate, Minster Lovell Hall, and hid in a secret room, relying on a single servant for sustenance. When the servant died unexpectedly, Lovell was trapped and starved to death. Centuries later, during renovations, a vault was supposedly discovered containing a skeleton seated at a table with a dog's skeleton, believed to be the remains of the ill-fated Lord Lovell, forever linked to the turmoil of the Wars of the Roses.

A "doors open" Church requiring investigation.

Baron Lovell Effigy

Onward, for the walk.  An easy out and back along (and in) the River Windrush to Crawley.

River Windrush - not meat to be this wide.

Refreshment at the wonderfully evocative Old Swan. C15th, Grade I listed. I still find it an honour that for a tad over a fiver, I can sit in a Chesterfield armchair with a pint of North Cotswold Windrush Ale, completing their Times Sudoku Super Fiendish for as long as I like. Stone flagged floors and a huge fireplace. Gripes? Would have been nice to have the fire lit.

River lapping at the door

Even the rucksack gets a comfy chair

All set to pack the car to the rafters. What on earth does a student do with a string of industrial grade fairy lights? And when did he take up tennis?

Walk Details 

Distance - 4 Miles

Geocaches - 7 and an ALC

Walk Inspiration - Loremen Podcast and Jarrold Cotswold Walks, Walk 1

Previous Loremen Walks - Churchill, Burford, Long Compton, Swinbrook