Great Walks That End At Cute Country Pubs
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2 months ago
How and where to earn that post-walk pint
A crisp autumn chill is creeping into the air – and we can wait to get leaf peeping (and leaf stomping). When it’s not too cold or wet, you might be keen on exploring the great outdoors on foot this season. Need a little extra motivation? Choose one of our beautiful country walks that end with a cute pub, perfect to earn your Sunday roast (and pint) all year round.
Country Walks That End At Cute Pubs
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Cambridgeshire: Brinkley
The small village of Brinkley is surrounded by rolling Cambridgeshire countryside, perfect for pulling on your walking boots and breathing in some fresh country air, especially if you’re in Newmarket (just 10 minutes away) or Cambridge (around 30 minutes away). At the heart of the village is The Red Lion, a traditional British country pub spearheaded by country lover George – and the perfect start or end point to a refreshing walk. Balancing good food with a warm and inviting atmosphere, tuck into hearty British classics as you fuel up for your adventure (or refuel after the fact) alongside locals coming together for a pint. On the all day menu, find the likes of a braised venison pie, pork chop with crispy jersey royals, breaded sea bass and a retro twice bake cheese souffle. Come Sunday, roasts are naturally the order of the day; choose between sirloin of beef, pork loin and coffee spiced roast celeriac.
Details: Find The Red Lion on the High St in Brinkley (Newmarket CB8 0RA). redlionbrinkley.com
Somerset: Glastonbury Tor
This prominent hill overlooks the Isle of Avalon, Glastonbury and Somerset. The landmark offers 360° views and is one of spiritual significance; its Pagan beliefs are still celebrated today. Swing by The Who’d A Thought It for a casual pint in the rustic, Glastonbury 18th Century pub.
Details: Find the Who’d A Thought It at 17 Northload Street, Glastonbury BA6 9JJ. Learn more about Glastonbury Tor at nationaltrust.org.uk
Northumberland: Northumberlandia and the Lady of the North
Your walk here will be marked by a unique piece of public art set in a 19-hectare community park. The centrepiece is ‘The Lady of the North’, a stunning human landform sculpture of a reclining lady, scaling 100 feet in height and spanning a quarter of a mile. Once done ogling and walking the four miles of footpaths on and around the landform, visit The Snowy Owl, a country pub oozing rural charm and rustic character on the site of Plessy North Moor Farm.
Details: Find The Snowy Owl on Blagdon Lane, Cramlington NE23 8AU. Learn more about Northumberlandia at thelandtrust.org.uk
Suffolk: Flatford and Constable Trail
This refreshing country walk explores an area made famous by the 18th Century paintings of John Constable. See Flatford Mill, Willy Lott’s House, the site of The Hay Wain painting, and visit the Village of Dedham, where Constable used to go to school. End up at Manningtree Station and head to The Red Lion, a traditional freehouse with a focus on East Anglian Ales.
Details: Find The Red Lion at 42 South Street, Manningtree CO11 1BG. nationaltrust.org.uk
Herefordshire: Aymestrey
After walking the hills of North Herefordshire, midway along the Mortimer trail, visit Leominster, one of the market towns known for its smattering of good food options. It previously won the Visit England Best Tourism pub, but The Riverside at Aymestry has been a C&TH favourite for a while. The 16th-centuruy inn sits prettily on the banks of the river Lugg, where guests sip local real ales and cider. Head Chef Andy Link serves ingredients that are both the product of foraging and 50 different fruits and vegetables grown on site.
Details: Find The Riverside Inn in Aymestrey, Leominster HR6 9ST. riversideaymestry.co.uk
Norfolk: The Gunton Arms
Explore public areas of the 1,000 acre historic deer park dating from the 18th century nearby Cromer, Norfolk and stumble upon a hotel in the park called The Gunton Arms. Modern artwork by the likes of Tracy Emin, Damien Hirst and Lucian Freud deck the halls, which are designed by Robert Kime. Local, seasonal produce star in the dishes by Ex-Head Chef at Mark Hix, Stuart Tattersall. The pub serves venison from the surrounding deer park, plus seafood, mussels and Cromer crab caught by local fisherman.
Details: Find The Gunton Arms in Norwich NR11 8TZ. theguntonarms.co.uk
Graham Bettiss
Abergavenny: Sugar Loaf Mountain
In the heart of the Black Mountains, Sugar Loaf stands at 596m high and offers glorious panoramic views across South Wales, the Brecon Beacons, and into south-west England. Climb the deliciously named landmark near Abergavenny for a walk through gentle, rounded heather and bracken-clad shoulders of the mountain, criss-crossed with paths. Finish at The Crown and enjoy real ale and local Welsh produce on the patio and terrace.
Details: Find The Crown on Old Hereford Road, Pantygelli, Abergavenny NP7 7HR. Learn more about Sugar Loaf Mountain at nationaltrust.org.uk
County Wexford: Arthurstown
Soak up rugged and natural beauty round about the sublime location of Dunbrody House in County Wexford, Ireland. A wonderful collection of trees, including truffle trees round out a first-rate herb and kitchen garden, which will surely lure you inside the hotel, run by Irish husband and wife owners Kevin and Catherine Dundon, for a thick rack of Wexford lamb with confit shoulder.
Details: Find Dunbrody Country House Hotel at R733, Mersheen, Arthurstown, County Wexford Y34 R597. dunbrodyhouse.com
Cotswolds: The Churchill Arms, Paxford
Is there any better way to begin a walk than going past the village church, through a field of sheep, and then over a wooden foot bridge? Certainly not in Paxford’s neck of the Cotswolds! Long and short country walks, along windy paths, among dense trees and beside lazy brooks are yours for the taking. The most important part of the walk – and a persuasive reason to make it an overnight trip, even – is The Churchill Arms. In fact, forget a walk and a pint – make it a walk and a drink in an idyllic 17th Century pub-with-rooms.
You might think that the reason to visit is the atmosphere – window seats, flagstone floors, crackling fire, charming staff – but you’ll just about forget where you are when you taste the food. BBC Chef & Owner Nick Deverell-Smith has packed the menu with local suppliers of meat, veg and cheese. The Sunday Lunch is your ace in the hole, but don’t overlook pastas: Cotswold beef fillet, wild mushroom ravioli, creamed spinach. For pudding, dive into a comfy bed in one of the two modern, cottage-like rooms upstairs and wake up to old wooden beams above you and modern luxuries around you. The Churchill Arms manages to mingle the modern with the old-fashioned excellently: an in-room espresso machine, yet the milk brought in a little bottle.
Details: Find The Churchill Arms in Paxford, Blockley, Chipping Campden GL55 6XH. churchillarms.co
London
And, for the lazy Londoner who is too last minute to plan an excursion, but now kind of wishes they had: The Pear Tree Café via Battersea Park is a good bet.
Details: Find The Pear Tree Cafe in Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ. peartreecafe.co.uk
