Bluebell Pub Walk to the Kings Arms, Fernhurst, Surrey

This Week's Pub Walk... to The Kings Arms, Fernhurst, Surrey

The Bluebell Walk from The Kings Arms in Fernhurst has now been published and is reading for downloading at a moment's notice for anyone else who would like to try this. It is a circular walk with a stream and a meadow, a pub and a pinewood, buzzards and of course bluebells!

The Kings Arms is a friendly 17th Century pub full of character and a relaxed charm. It prides itself in providing locally sourced food, which is cooked fresh daily, and quality cask ales.

The download is available by clicking on Kings Arms Pub Walk.


The Pub Walker
MyFavouritePubWalks.com
Follow us at twitter.com/PubWalker for live updates
Register for The Pub Walker Bulletin for email alerts

Circular Pub Walk to The Stags Head, Maidwell, Northamptonshire

This Week's Pub Walk... to The Stags Head, Maidwell, Northamptonshire

Enjoy views over surrounding villages before visiting this friendly pub serving a good range of real ales and a full range of food from snacks upwards.

Generally good walking in all conditions, with only a short upward gradient which is worth the views it gives you.

Download full details at Stags Head Pub Walk.


The Pub Walker
MyFavouritePubWalks.com
Follow us at twitter.com/PubWalker for live updates
Register for The Pub Walker Bulletin for email alerts

Footpath Closures - Foot and Mouth Update

Footpath Closures - Foot and Mouth Update

Surrey County Council has created an excellent interactive map where you can zoom in and clearly locate footpath closures and identify alternative walking routes that remain open. To find out more, click on Foot and Mouth footpath closures.

There is an almost constantly changing Protection Zone around the infected premises so if you are walking in the area it is worth checking out this new interactive map.

There is some positive news as domestic markets for sheep and cattle re-opened at midnight last night (in the FMD Low Risk Area outside the Bluetongue Protection and Control zones). Despite these movement restrictions being eased, the situation remains dire for many farmers (see earlier post).

Currently, there are eight Foot and Mouth disease infected premises in the Surrey area. On Bluetongue, there are currently 24 infected premises in the Suffolk area.

For the latest information, click on Foot and Mouth footpath closures.

Today's pub walk: The Three Horseshoes in Cockfield, Suffolk.

The Pub Walker
MyFavouritePubWalks.com
Free 2-monthly newsletter (NO spamming)

Soil Association Organic Fortnight

Soil Association Organic Fortnight

The Soil Association Organic Fortnight starts on 1 September with a rallying call to "Wake up to an Organic Breakfast". Pubs are being encouraged to join in by offering an organic breakfast to their customers ... how about an early morning walk with an organic breakfast to follow? A pub walk with a difference perhaps!

At the moment I see only one pub featuring on the Soil Association website. That is The Riverside Inn, Cliff Street, Cheddar, Somerset, which has teamed up with Organica Wholefoods to provide organic breakfasts between 10am-12am for the duration of Organic Fortnight. Cheddar Gorge is a fantastic walk and an early stroll would certainly beat the tourists!

For most of us with a keen interest in the countryside, and indeed our planet, the question of whether "organic is best" is something of a no-brainer. The benefits are clear - a return to a more natural ecological balance with fewer chemicals, less carbon dioxide, improved biodiversity on farmland, fewer health issues, not to mention higher levels of vitamins and other nutrients in our food.

For more information click on Soil Association Organic Fortnight.

Today's pub walk: The Case is Altered (walk 2) in Bentley, Suffolk.

The Pub Walker
MyFavouritePubWalks.com
Free 2-monthly newsletter (NO spamming)

Pubs Walks Nominated as "Icon of England"

Pubs walks nominated as "icon of England"

A few weeks ago I happened upon a website "Icons – a Portrait of England" which seeks to capture all those elements of everyday life that make England what it is. It invites nominations for just about anything that people consider to be quintessentially English and has so far received over 1100 suggestions.

Nominations to date range from the unsurprising (roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, the English seaside town, afternoon tea and the red pillar box) to the rather more dubious (the word "blimey" and the TV programme "Countdown"). Real ale and our public footpaths are up there with the most popular too.

After a prospective icon has been nominated, visitors to the site simply click on a thumbs up “yes” or a thumbs down “no” to the question “is this an English icon?” and the site shows the percentage vote each way.

Given that pub walks combine two of our strongest traditions, I simply had to nominate them of course. And a Google search shows that this is almost uniquely an English hobby too.

It’s just a bit of fun I know but, if you think pub walks are an English icon, please go to Icons – a Portrait of England and click on the thumbs up “yes” vote! Thanks for taking part.

Today's pub walk: The White Hart (walk 3) in Campton, Bedfordshire.

The Pub Walker
MyFavouritePubWalks.com
Free 2-monthly newsletter (NO spamming)

Natural England Welcomes Return of Goss Moor to the Wild

Natural England welcomes return of Goss Moor to the wild

Last week saw the first occasion when a major trunk road was diverted around a conservation area. It was great news for all those interested in preserving our countryside and natural habitats.

The A30 has been redirected away from Goss Moor, a European Special Area of Conservation and one of the largest areas of wetlands on the south west peninsula. Goss Moor National Nature Reserve in Cornwall has an abundance of rare wildlife such as dormice and adders with this time of year also being an excellent time to visit and see the dragonflies, flowers and heathland.

For more information , click on Goss Moor.

Today's pub walk: The Filly Inn (Walk 2) in the New Forest, Hants.

The Pub Walker
MyFavouritePubWalks.com
Free 2-monthly newsletter (NO spamming)

Smoking Ban is now Law in England

Smoking Ban is now law in England

Today the ban on smoking in public places becomes law, coming into line with Wales and Scotland whch went non-smoking on 2 April and 26 March this year respectively.

This is great news for pub walkers, with fresh air now guaranteed inside the pub as well as on our walks! As pubs fear a loss in beer sales, they need to recover this by improving the quality of their food and this is another very positive outcome.

Add to that all the investment pubs are making in improving their outdoor spaces for the benefit of their smoking customers then meals outside may be even more enjoyable too.

CAMRA have conducted an interesting survey on how the new law with affect the public's use of our pubs and a summary of the results can be found at Smoking Ban is now law in England.

Today's pub walk: The Royal Standard of England in Beaconsfield, Bucks.

The Pub Walker
MyFavouritePubWalks.com
Free 2-monthly newsletter (NO spamming)

The best pub walks can be town walks

We get used to the idea of the best pub walks being those that take us away from populated areas and out into rural surroundings where we can start to feel at one with nature. There is something special about escaping from the cities and savouring the sense of freedom that this can inspire.

But some of the best pub walks can also be town walks where the route can reflect a fascinating mix of historic buildings, famous landmarks, rivers, parks and more. Take today's pub walk below, for example, which includes views from the Clifton Suspension Bridge, a National Trust trail, woodlands and refreshments at a riverside pub. Now that sounds a great mix!

Today's pub walk: The Cottage Inn in Bristol, Avon.

The Pub Walker
MyFavouritePubWalks.com
Free 2-monthly newsletter (NO spamming)