Mappiman's Real Ale Walks

A Ramblers walk from Colwall Station to admire the bluebell woods. Checking out ticket prices, I can purchase a Worcester to Ledbury ticket for the same price. They do allow for "break of journey", don't they?

The walk is psychogeography at its finest. I have no idea where we will be going, putting the next five miles in the hands of the walk leader. She has done her homework and the advertised flowers are duly found.

Easy walking in the foothills of the Malverns.

Always keen to revisit the Prince of Wales - one of the country's more photogenic pubs - I have done some homework. I asked AI to rank the Ledbury Pubs in order. I should have time to visit three.

The Talbot

A historic 16th-century coaching inn offering a blend of traditional charm and modern amenities. With a cozy pub, enchanting dining room, and a not-so-secret courtyard garden, it's a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

The Talbot

Accurate - gaining access is a little tricky. I may have missed it but I never found anything as simple as a door, instead making my way through the secret courtyard into a cozy, fireplace hosting front bar. Old boy bar hangers blocking access to the non-existent staff. A wait - that if I hadn't broken the ice by asking if there was a bell to ring - that was too long to be comfortable. On another day, I would have walked straight back out.

Barstaff are also restaurant waitresses. And she only has one pair of hands.

Four cask on - a Wadworth House that the main local explained to me has a special deal to serve Butty Bach as well as the expected 6x, Swordfish and one other unremembered. 

The old boys engaged me in conversation. I didn't actually expect to be talking with a Vietnam Vet from Seattle when I set out this morning, but he made sure I had my chance to rant about the land of the free.

Prince of Wales

A 16th-century timber-framed pub renowned for its extensive selection of cask ales and continental beers. Recognized by CAMRA as Herefordshire Pub of the Year, it offers a cozy atmosphere with regular folk jam sessions and hearty pub meals.

Photogenic

AI not commenting on just how handsome, welcome and timeless it looks. Quiet enough on a Wednesday afternoon, I was able (for the first time) to position myself in the front bar room. Plenty of time to check out the chalkboards. Can't be many pubs where I can have a Utopian 7.5% Dopplebock but even I had the sense to not take advantage of the barman's offer of "Same Again?" on completion.

Anyone with a love of pubs should visit.

Pub Number 3

Seven Stars

A historic inn at the heart of Ledbury, sourcing ingredients from its own farm near Malvern. It offers spacious accommodation, local food and drink, and a warm, traditional setting.

Quinno's Pubsgalore review told me all I needed to know. The bar staff still have waistcoats. They are doing their bit to maintain the national average £5 pint price by wiping out any gains I have had elsewhere.

But they do have the new Landlord glassware. Wye Valley Bitter has been renamed "Pyoneer". Timothy Taylor have employed the same designer that scrawls on Superdry clothes.

 

Distance - 5 Miles

Walk Inspiration - Ramblers Led Walk

Geocaches - 12

Mrs M looked rather bemused when I tell her I am off to Old Hill for a walk. Bemusement leads to hilarity and she spies my Urban Explorer outfit. Maybe I'll create a AI Doll so you can join in the mirth.

These gritty urban walks - from a book with handwritten maps published decades ago - can produce real joy. There is nothing wrong with the walk. All green corridors, with the Dudley Number 2 Canal taking me down to Leasowes Park and the Monarch's Way through Coombeswood taking me home to Blackheath.

Feature	Description
Dudley Canal Number 2	The Dudley Number 2 Canal is a historic waterway running through the West Midlands, opened in 1798 to serve the coal and iron industries of the Black Country. It stretches around 11 miles from the Dudley Tunnel at Netherton through places like Old Hill and Halesowen to join the Worcester and Birmingham Canal at Selly Oak.
Leasowes Park	​Leasowes Park in Halesowen is a landmark of English landscape gardening, designed by poet William Shenstone between 1743 and 1763. Transforming his inherited farmland, Shenstone created a 'ferme ornée'—a blend of working farm and ornamental garden—that became a model for naturalistic landscape design.

I will make it back to Bumble Hole

The Landscaping in Leasowes Park

Views of the Clent Hills from the Monarchs Way

I was here to tick off a Holdens Pub. The Guide Book recommends the Waterfall as "one of 6 great hostelries in the area". Alas, they don't tell us the other five... only that the Waterfall "offers Hook Norton, Everards and Marstons Beers and is open daily for lunch time and evening service".

Of course things have changed. It now only opens from 4p.m. on weekdays. A dubious Holdens Tick, and although only a short distance from the station, I am unsure whether I would risk the steep walk up the Old Hill.

Black Country Special for another day

Holden's loss is Black Country Ales gain. Two Good Beer Guide Ticks in the immediate area. 

Currently, Black Country Ales are running a promotion to visit the pubs and get stamps in a log book. Coach Trips are offered, as the chain stretches from Herefordshire to Leicestershire and all places in between.

Having visited two sequentially, I'm unsure if I could think of anything more uninspiring, pub-wise. Taken individually, a BCA house offers a traditional experience, with classic pub furniture, doggy filling stations, pub games, cobs you've heard off and beers you probably haven't.

The problem is that they are all the bloody same. I swear the checked seat coverings in the Swan and the Old Bush Revived were identical. The fonts on the toilet doors definitely were. As was the WiFi Password.

In a game of "Spot the Difference", I'd say the beer was better in the Old Swan. Both pints were Citras, with Peerless Citruvian a better pint than Hop Back Citra. 

Distance - 5 Miles

Walk Inspiration - Best Pub Walks in the Black Country, Walk 21

Geocaches - 2

I know the secret on how to be the most popular man in Padstow. Vacate your parking space at midday. They were like vultures, hovering, as I made the slowest reverse to man, giving the next tourist the freedom of the town.

But how rude, on this the last day of our dog sit, the weather turns. The worst of it expected from 1pm, so we are up early to arrive at Padstow. The final stage of an ALC completed at the 11th Century Celtic Cross church and an arrow straight farm track takes us through Trethillick and onto Trevone Bay.

The Adventure Lab Cache at Trevone tells us this is another community that has been hollowed out by second home owners. We can leave old fashioned political protest to the traditional geocaches.

The final coastal walking of the week takes us past Gunver Head but with the rain starting, we shortcut Stepper Point to cross cow fields back to the Camel estuary.

Of course, Padstow has plenty of options for post walk refreshment. Having sampled the beer (Old Ship, Tribute) and Fish and Chips (Chip Ahoy!) we are left with only one delicacy.

Cornish Pasties, as big as your shoe.

Distance - 7 Miles

Geocaches - 3

Walk Inspiration - 40 Walks in Cornwall

Having not had enough of entire families on two wheels, we decide to tackle the Camel Path away from Padstow. Surely Bodmin won't be as popular as Padstow and there will be less traffic?

A very pleasant, simple walk. Clear enough on the Camel Trail to let the dogs off the lead, and in Wolf's case, play in the Camel. At Polbrock Bridge, cross over and head back through Bishops Woods. A change from the week's coastal walking. Would you believe that this early in April, we need the woodland shade?

Then up to Burlawn and down along lanes/agricultural tracks back to civilisation. An Adventure Lab Cache showing us the history of the town - train station, museum, town hall and finishing on the 15th Century and 17 arched bridge.

Mrs M wants to maximise her lunch experience, so takes advantage of local knowledge by texting friends who have lived here. They say the Swan Hotel. 

Good food at reasonable prices and a decent pint of Proper Job.

Distance - 6.5 Miles

Geocaches - 9

Walk Inspiration - AA 1001 Walks, Walk 11