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Issue 80 – Spring 2020 FREE – Please take one
Magazine of North Oxfordshire Branch of CAMRA
Plans Well On Track For Branch’s
First Community Pub
which helped the group develop
the business plan.
They want the community pub
to be more than just the local for
a pint of beer with facilities such
as a daytime cafe, local shop and
community meeting place for
local groups all being options
under consideration. That said
many of the community pubs
have gone on to win both acco-
lades and awards from CAMRA
as they often pride them-
selves on local quality ales and
ciders. The George & Dragon in
Hudswell (North Yorks) which
won the Camra Pub of The Year
competition in 2016 is a great
example.
The marketing story is a great
one with the community rally-
ing round to support the project
and turning up in numbers to
Community Pub Group activists outside The White House (photo: Sky News) meetings and events to promote
Over the Winter there has been The 10-strong Management the idea. The marketing drive
a flurry of activity (rather than Committee and working group has also used the historic back-
snow) in West Oxfordshire is made up of Bladon residents ground (reputedly the pub is
with the proposed community who have a wide set of skills and where Winston Churchill drank
purchase of the White Horse in experience between them. as a teenager) to help spread the
Bladon. With over 100 commu- They have also been in con- message with coverage on both
nity owned pubs in the UK now, versation with groups who set local (Radio Oxford) and nation-
is North Oxfordshire set to join up existing community-owned al (Sky News) media covering
the revolution? pubs, such as the Abingdon the story.
The large roadside pub dates Arms in Beckley (just to the The great news is that by mid-
from the 17th century and is south of our Branch border but February the group has raised
now the last remaining hostel- well worth seeking out), and enough financing to make a
ry in the village. Greene King from the Plunkett Foundation Continued on page 3
put the pub on the market in
the Autumn. Already with the
prized Asset of Community
Voting For Our 2020 Branch Pub of the Year
Value (ACV) tag, it is of great Although it’s too late to remind of the six-pub shortlist. Results
credit to the residents of Bladon Branch members to get their will be published in the next edi-
(and beyond) who have got votes in for this year’s Pub of tion.
together to try to both save and the Year (POTY) competition, See the article on page 25 of
reinvigorate the pub. all members had been notified this issue for our top six pubs.
Visit the CAMRA North Oxfordshire Branch website – http://northoxon.camra.org.uk
CAMRA North Oxon Branch
Pub of the Year 2002, 2003,
2006, 2009 & 2018
Celebrating 31 consecutive years in
CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide
Market Street, Charlbury, Oxon OX7 3PL • Tel: 01608 810103
• Eight real ales plus seven traditional ciders and perrys www.roseandcrown.
• Good selection of craft beer on draught, bottle and tin charlbury.com
• Pleasant courtyard drinking area Email: roseandcrown@mail.com
• We serve on average 40 different guest beers per month
• Live music, comedy nights and other events (see online OPEN – Sun-Fri: Noon–1am;
events list for details) Sat: 11am–1am
2 Beer on Tap – Spring 2020
Welcome To The Spring Edition The next edition of Beer on
Tap will be published in mid-
Thank you for picking up the beer festival please send articles June. Please send any copy or
Spring edition of Beer on Tap. across to the editorial team for ideas by 25th April 2020.
We hope you enjoy the read. possible inclusion in the sum- Editorial Team Beer on Tap
Don’t forget, PDF copies of prior mer edition February 2020
editions are available online at
www.northoxon.camra.org.uk.
Many thanks to all those con- Community Pub For Bladon?
tributors to the Spring edition – Continued from page 1 The share offer that closed on
too many to mention individual- credible market value offer to February 14th is still open so the
ly, but without you there would Greene King. At the time of group can increase their funds
be no magazine. Keep the news writing this is still under discus- and financial clout. Take a look
items, beer festival info and sug- sion with a cut-off date of 13th if interested and get involved.
gestions of pub crawls coming. March under the ACV rules. More info: https://bladoncommunitypub.org
We have a great band of vol- Hopefully good news to follow https://plunkett.co.uk/community-pubs and
unteer CAMRA members who in the Summer edition of Beer https://camra.org.uk/pubs/campaigns/
give up their valuable time to on Tap (out mid-June). community-pub-ownership
deliver Beer on Tap around the
county. If you enjoy the maga-
zine and want to join in by help-
ing to deliver some magazines
once a quarter and keep an eye
out for news from your local,
please get in touch. We current-
ly need people to deliver and
report on the pubs in Bicester
and Minster Lovell in particular.
It is definitely heading towards
beer festival season. If you fancy
penning a report on your local
Branch Diary
Bladon villagers are all behind the campaign (Photo by Ed Nix, by permission Oxford Mail)
All meetings start 8pm, other events
CAMRA North Oxon Branch Contact List
start as shown. Socials contact: Lynn
Baldwin (07790) 118341.
APRIL
Fri 24th: Branch Social. Red Lion, BRANCH WEBSITE https://northoxon.camra.org.uk
Horley Beer Festival. CAMRA CHAIRMAN Lynne Baldwin
members there from 7pm onwards chairman@northoxon.camra.org.uk
Tues 14th: Committee meeting –
8pm, venue tbc ACTING VICE-CHAIRMAN Paul Forrest (see below)
Sat 16th: Branch Social. Oxford
Beer Week. Members will be pre- BEER ON TAP EDITORIAL/ Oliver Sladen
sent at the Big Oxford Beer Bash ADVERTISING bot@northoxon.camra.org.uk
from 12.30pm
BRANCH CONTACT Martin Batts Tel: 07854 116408
JUNE contact@northoxon.camra.org.uk
Mon 1st: Committee Meeting. Rose
& Crown, Charlbury, 8pm SOCIAL SECRETARY Stu Robbins Tel: 07871 277235
Sat 6th: Branch Social, Deddington social@northoxon.camra.org.uk
pub crawl
Sat 20th: Branch Social. Steam & TREASURER Simon Whitehead
Ale Festival minibus trip (pick-up treasurer@northoxon.camra.org.uk
points in Banbury and Chipping MEMBERSHIP Paul Forrest
Norton) SECRETARY membership@northoxon.camra.org.uk
JULY
Mon 20th: Branch AGM – 8pm, PUBS PROTECTION Brian Wray
venue tbc OFFICER pubs@northoxon.camra.org.uk
For latest list of events in the Branch WEBMASTER Matt Everard
Diary, please check Branch website webmaster@northoxon.camra.org.uk
Join our Facebook page for updates Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/northoxcamra
on socials and branch meetings Twitter: @northoxoncamra
Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 3
Our new brewplant is now
up and running to offer discerning
ale drinkers greater access to
Turpin Brewery’s beers, including
the multi-awardwinning
Golden Citrus.
We are now looking for new
outlets. Please call or email us
for details.
01608 737033
turpinbrewery@btconnect.com
The Duck on the Pond
South Newington
Tel: 01295 721166
info@duckonthepond.com www.duckonthepond.co.uk
A year into our tenure at the Duck on the Pond
17th century country pub with oak beams,
stone walls and a warm welcome
Cask ales – regularly changing
Welcoming fires
Bar & restaurant menus
Home-made breads
Country setting with local walks
Dog friendly
Three real ales on tap – usually including one from the
Hook Norton Brewery. Focus on the local small breweries such The new kitchen team is focussing on
as Flying Monk and North Cotswold Brewery but we often have producing high quality food with local
the ever-popular Cornish ales game coming in for the autumn/winter
menus
We also stock the Cotswold lagers
4 Beer on Tap – Spring 2020
Branch News
King’s Arms, Woodstock
We have several times reported
on the anticipated refurbish-
ment at the Fuller’s-owned King’s
Arms Hotel on the corner of
Market Street and the main A44
through Woodstock.
However, things may be mov-
ing forward with a possible
10-week closure starting in May.
Hopefully, news of progress will
be in the next edition.
Kings Head, Woodstock
Sadly, this lovely old pub tucked
away on Park Street, remains
closed awaiting refurbishment
by Star Pubs (Heineken). There
Looking over the bridge wall to see the Black Prince’s garden beside the River Glyme were no further details at time of
Black Prince, Woodstock ‘Mexican treats’) are available going to press.
The team at the ‘Prince’ are from 6pm. Blue Boar,
celebrating being on top spot Two excellently kept ales were
available over the Winter peri- Chipping Norton
regularly on the Trip Advisor James and the friendly team at
website for food/drink destina- od (Hooky and a guest Hooky
ale generally), though three ales the Blue Boar are still holding a
tions in the tourist magnet of regular Wednesday quiz night
may be available over the sum-
Woodstock. With plenty of organised by the bar staff with
mer period.
competition on the eating and So if you fancy a bit of Central plenty of prizes (and a booby
drinking front in the town this American razzmattazz, head to prize for last place).
is an achievement rightly to be Woodstock … “arriba! arriba!”. Quiz questions and excel-
celebrated. lent food can be washed down
Equally worth celebrating Woodstock Social Club with Youngs Special (in good
this Spring is the beautiful riv- Regular events are always being form recently), Youngs Bitter
erside garden – a great place lined up at this friendly High or guest ales from the likes
to while away an afternoon, Street social club (non mem- of Gloucestershire’s Prescott
with regular aunt sally match- bers welcome, £1 entry or show Brewery or Hanlons from Devon
es to spectate and four excellent CAMRA card). Forthcoming live (during recent months).
quality ales (with Tribute and events include: April 4 – Bootleg
Loddon’s Hullabaloo as regulars Barlow (ticket only); May 9 – Bell Inn, Adderbury
along with changing ales from Musician, singer & songwriter Sad news to report as Chris &
the likes of Buckinghamshire’s Bill James, back by popular Sandra Shallis have handed in
Vale Brewery or Gun Dog Ales demand; May 16 – FBI, a covers their notice here with effect from
from just over the border in band; and June 20 – Move It! the end of June.
Northamptonshire. On the ale front the club James Clarke, Managing
is now limited to just Sharp’s Director of Hook Norton
The Crown, Woodstock Doom Bar (in good condition on Brewery, has assured them that
This central located, beautifully a recent visit). Sadly the guest he understands the needs of this
set out pub has started a ‘Tacos ales were not selling, so they are wet sales driven community asset
& Tunes’ night each Thursday concentrating on just having the in finding replacement tenants.
from 7.30pm. The food (tacos, one quality ale on at present (of Neither should Adderbury vil-
nachos and other promised which it sell lots apparently!). lagers forget that although folk
Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 5
Lower
Heyford
21 Market Square,
Lower Heyford,
Oxon
OX25 5NY
01869 347176
• Beer Festival August Bank Holiday Weekend
• Five minutes walk from canal
• Large beer garden
Open: • Families and dogs welcome
Mon–Thurs 12–3pm & 5pm–11pm; • Lunch and full menu available
Friday & Sat 12–11pm; • Food served lunchtimes 12–2.15pm
Sun 12–10.30pm Evenings 6–8.30pm Mon–Sat, 6–8pm Sun
6 Beer on Tap – Spring 2020
music and morris dancing hold
great sway in this pub, they
alone have not been sufficient to
support the livelihoods of two
hard working families beyond a
five- or six-year tenancy.
The pub trade is in difficulty
with more beer being consumed
in homes in the UK than that
that consumed in pub, club and
hotel premises for the first time
in a century – so if ever there is
a need to support the pub trade
this is it. Like the village shop
next door, it is very much a case
of use it or lose it.
We await future developments
at The Bell and wish a fond fare- Hook Norton Brewery Rep Giles Minkley and brewers Jamie, Dave & Andy call in at
well to Chris & Sandra who the Brasenose Arms, Cropredy recently on one of their “Hooky On Tour” road trips
have restored this pub to be at It serves local Wychwood The pump clip for Arrowaine,
the heart of the village and have Gold and Hobgoblin, with food a 3.6% abv dark guest ale, pro-
been runners-up in our Branch served daily (including break- claiming the maiden firing her
POTY on three occasions. fasts from 10am on Saturdays). long bow ‘straight and true’,
It is not, however, goodbye, Families are welcome and there attracted my attention on my
as they will remain Adderbury is still the large garden with chil- last visit and my taste buds were
residents and may even con- dren’s play area at the rear of not disappointed at all by this
tinue throwing sticks for one of the pub to enjoy once Spring latest offering from Wychwood.
the pub’s Aunt Sally teams this arrives. A guest ale supplements
summer. the three regulars, which
Brasenose Arms, were Hooky, Doom Bar and
Lamb & Flag, Hailey Cropredy Madonna’s favourite, Landlord
Matt Cantwell pictured) is You have to admire Wychwood’s on recent visits.
enjoying life running the 18th advertising agency for their The Ward family, original-
century inn in the centre of the innovation, because keeping ly from South Africa, are now
village of Hailey. sales of their products any- in their seventh year of ten-
Having been involved at the where near their sales around ure here and have become an
pub for over five years, Matt Hallowe’en, when Hobgoblin established part of the Cropredy
stepped up to managing in the outsells every other national community, so much so that
spring of 2019. beer, takes some doing. they have already booked bands
for the Cropredy Festival fringe
in August – details of which will
appear in the next BoT.
Meanwhile regular music is a
feature of evenings on the sec-
ond Saturday of each month.
Red Lion, Cropredy
This charming thatched inn,
dating from the 15th century,
a few yards from the Oxford
canal, makes a good Spring
stopping off point.
The pub maintains its Cask
Marque quality beers with two
on handpull during the winter
months. These included London
Pride, Black Sheep and Adnams
Ghostship, all reported to be
in fine fettle on recent visits by
The Lamb & Flag, Hailey – a family-friendly pub which is doing well under Matt Cantwell CAMRA members.
Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 7
Bar Nineteen
at Bicester Hotel Golf and Spa • Open Every Day
• Open to All • 2 TVs for sport,
• Stunning terrace • Pool table,
overlooking the golf • Games machines
course and putting
green. • Wifi
• Large external seating • Bar Nineteen is a great
area and plenty of space place to enjoy at any
to sit indoors, time of year.
Bicester Hotel Golf and Spa
Chesterton • Bicester • Oxfordshire OX26 1TH
Tel: 01869 241204
www.bicesterhotelgolfandspa
Follow us on
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Trip Advisor
Give us a call to book a table on 01295 730750 and come and enjoy our Traditional Comfort Pub Grub,
with a good selection of Hooky Ales, Ciders and other beverages to choose from.
https://www.facebook.com/Butchers2015
Family friendly –
swings adjacent to pub
Pub Opening hours
car park Monday–Thursday
Dog friendly 4–11pm
Cyclist and Walker Friday 3–11pm
friendly! Saturday & Sunday
Hook Norton ales noon–11pm
Large grassed garden
with excellent views Food hours
Hidden gem Monday–Friday
Recently refurbished 5–9pm
interior Saturday noon–8pm
Ales from the cask Sunday noon–3pm
including three Hook
Norton ales and one Check us out on Twitter
guest ale @BBalscote
Tel: Shutford Road
01295 730 750 BALSCOTE Oxon OX15 6JQ
8 Beer on Tap – Spring 2020
50p off a pint for Camra
members as well – so get on
down and try the ales and the
food out!
Rock of Gibraltar, Enslow
The ‘Rock’ has been closed since
October 2019 with the building
surrounded by forbidding green
hoarding. The planning appli-
cation 19/02723/F is available
on Cherwell District Council’s
website.
Major alterations are planned,
with repairs and alterations to
all floors, change of use to offic-
es on the first floor, replacement
and enlargement of the various
Great news for Great Bourton, as new tenants are quickly found to continue service at The Bell extensions, and the ground floor
The Bell, Great Bourton sidered for stocking in future – a being completely revamped with
marvellous idea! restaurant and small central bar.
Sadly the previous tenants of Work is expected to take 18
the Bell left prior to Christmas There’s a pool table and back-
ground music, although merci- months after go-ahead, mean-
but all credit to Hook Norton while some regular customers
Brewery in finding a quick fully it’s kept to a low volume so
is relatively unobtrusive. have transferred their allegiance
replacement tenant in the form up the hill to Bletchington.
of Robert Long (pictured above) As before, the pub still shows
with no interruption to service sports from Sky or BT Sports Blacks Head,
over the busy holiday period. channels on its large screens but
additionally there are eight four- Bletchington
We wish Robert well in his
seater booths which can be pre- Overlooking the green in the
new venture, so why not pop in
booked to watch one’s preferred centre of the village, this ram-
to see him this Spring?
sporting events. bling community pub held a
The Lamb, Bicester As well as the ability to watch very successful sold-out cheese
TV at each of the booths, there & wine evening in January.
Cheryl French at the re-opened
are not only two power outlets The bar and kitchen team has
Lamb in the centre of Bicester is
for charging laptops, etc., but changed and expanded since last
very pleased with the success of
also two USB charging points year, and includes permanent
the newly re-opened pub (which
for phones, tablets, etc. chef Richard, producing a popu-
was formerly The Saxon).
There is an extensive, keenly- lar menu of pub grub favourites.
Feedback from locals and visi-
priced menu rivalling the nearby Photo shows the new team at
tors has been very positive.
Wetherspoons but also offers the Blacks Head: Sophie, Dave,
Ales include Hooky Gold,
imaginative attractions such as a Brooke, Emily, manager Jen and
Thwaites Wainwright, Timothy
Cocktail Masterclass. Chloe. Chef Richard was behind
Taylor’s Landlord as well as reg-
ular Sharp’s Doom Bar.
The bar is much the same as it
was originally although there are
now four handpumps and cus-
tomers are invited to complete
slips suggesting ales to be con-
The TV booths at The Lamb, Bicester The new team at the Blacks Head, Bletchington
Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 9
Quality Ales
Handcrafted
in Oxfordshire
Unit 6 Wroslyn Road
Industrial Estate
Freeland
Witney, Oxfordshire
OX29 8HZ DARK
& SEEDY
VANILLA STOUT
Tel: 01993 881 941 SMOOTH – RICH – MOREISH
Website: http://
littleoxbrewery.co.uk/
Facebook: https://
www.facebook.com/
littleoxbrewery/ Find them at a pub near you, visit our shop or buy online
3 REAL ALES Two large
superior
10 REAL CIDERS en-suite
Homemade rooms
lunches Large flower-
Mon–Sat 12-2 filled garden
OPENING HOURS Roaring log
Mon-Thurs fires
11-3 & 6-12
Fri 11-3 & 5-12 Family and
Sat/Sun 11-12 dog friendly
SAME FAMILY RUN PUB FOR 40 YEARS
OX15 4LZ www.bloxhampub.co.uk 01295 720383
10 Beer on Tap – Spring 2020gate of Blenheim Palace park so
if you are walking around the
estate it is well worth the detour.
Vale ales plus one guest ale are
on the bar, with Devon’s Hunter
Brewery on show in excellent
condition on a recent visit.
The Chequers,
Weston-on-the-Green
This beautiful, thatched Fuller’s
pub at the southern end of the
village on the B430 remains con-
sistently busy.
A new Spring menu is to be
launched in March, the popular
Sunday carvery remains and is
served between 12pm and 5pm.
The new bar at the Ben Jonson
the scenes preparing plates of aid of a modern, wide-ranging Pear Tree, Hook Norton
exotic cheeses!. menu including vegetarian and Just down the hill from the
vegan choices, and a new Spring brewery is the Pear Tree where
Black Bull, Launton menu is on its way. Tim and Co. continue to enjoy
This cosy, traditional village inn Real ales recently on offer life running the village local.
sits in West End, a peaceful no have been Marstons 61 Deep Quiz nights remain on a
through road, and is under new and Timothy Taylor Landlord, Sunday (from 8.30pm-ish).
management following it being but the beers are continuously Other regular events include
acquired by Heineken’s Star rotated to cater for all tastes. cheese nights (Wednesdays),
Pubs & Bars pub company. Photos above show business take-away curry nights
Recently serving two real partner Kayleigh behind the (Sundays) and pizza nights
ales from Brakspears and Hook new bar with beautiful recycled (Fridays 6–9pm, when you
Norton (Old Hooky) it also had plank-top table in foreground, can buy and one get one free).
a traditional draught cider. and the new restaurant awaiting Check with the pub for further
the Spring menu. events and updates!
White Horse, Duns Tew There is always an great selec-
Business continues to go well Cock Inn, Combe tion of Hooky ales here – with
at this historic, popular, local This beautifully situated village discounts of 10p off a pint, 5p
with three real ales including inn sits on the edge of the green off a half for CAMRA members
Black Sheep, Ruddles Best and in the middle of the village and
Timothy Taylor Landlord. is definitely worth a Spring visit. Gate Hangs High,
A roaring fire makes for a The two-room pub, which has nr Hook Norton
warming, welcoming environ- a garden and patio tables over- The ‘Gate’ is a lovely traditional
ment and a refuge if the weather looking the village green is a inn on the Whichford road just
is chilly, but should things start 15-minute walk from the Combe north of Hook Norton, and it
to warm up in the Spring there
is the lovely enclosed patio gar-
den to escape to.
Village nights, where meals
are on offer at a special ‘vil-
lage’ price, continue on the first
Thursday of the month, but
booking is advised.
Ben Jonson,
Weston-on-the-Green
Since re-opening with new
management in November this
Punch-owned pub at the north
end of the village has rebuilt a
regular customer base with the The Cock Inn, Combe facing onto the village green is a great place to enjoy a Spring evening
Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 1112 Beer on Tap – Spring 2020
has been going from strength
to strength under new manager
Stacey.
A first ever comedy night
has been booked for the end of
February and it’s hoped it will be
the first of many.
Monthly curry nights – on
Wednesdays – are attracting
repeat customers (check with
the pub for the latest news on
upcoming events).
Best news for CAMRA mem-
bers is that Stacey is offering
20p off a pint of Hooky ale on
production of your membership Banbury’s newest pub after the re-opening of the old Cock Horse as The Chatsworth
card. Get on down!
able from noon–4pm for £9.95 There is also a welcome com-
The Fox, Westcot Barton with all the trimmings. mitment on the beer front –
As reported last edition, there Food is served noon–3pm and with three hand pumps and pos-
are new faces at this lovely old 6–9pm Tuesday to Saturday and sible plans for more. Marstons
stone pub. Aaron, Karen & Steve also Sunday lunch time. EPA was in good form at my last
took over at the end of October Quiz night is Weds, live music visit, slightly eclipsing a Black
after a short period of closure. is monthly, and the pub is look- Sheep Bitter. And for craft/keg
They are open seven days a ing to form a darts team, or aficionados there’s Beavertown
week selling four real ales, with maybe even two. Neck Oil on tap.
Fuller’s London Pride a regular The Chatsworth, The Coach & Horses
and the other ales changing fre- (previously 4 Ale and Gin)
quently with Hobgoblin, Purity Banbury
beers and Exmoor Fox all mak- Following extensive refurbish- Those of you who are regularly
ing an appearance on the bar ment, the former Cock Horse in out and about in Banbury will
recently. They are also happy to Cherwell Heights has now re- have noticed some changes in
take suggestions from customers opened as the Chatsworth. Butchers Row. There is new
if they want to see something Retaining the community management at 4 Ale and Gin,
special on the bar. pub mojo, but with a whole new and the good news is that from
Steve is the man in the kitch- approach to food, it was clearly now it will revert back to the
en, creating traditional pub food going down well and was booked familiar title of the Coach &
including fish and chips, burg- out when your correspondent Horses.
ers, a specials board and a snack looked to book an evening table The new Landlord, Bob
menu. Sunday roasts are avail- at short notice recently. Cummins, took over officially
Aaron, one of the new faces behind the bar at
The Fox, Westcot Barton Bob Cummins (left) with barman Stuart Morton at the bar of the Coach & Horses, Banbury
Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 1314 Beer on Tap – Spring 2020
The White good quality food and ales when
Horse, next shopping in Banbury!
Banbury
– looking Siege of Orleans,
forward Carterton
to their
Easter Beer
Just over our borders in the
Festival town of Carterton, The Siege
soon continues to sell four real ales
from smaller and unusual as
well as local breweries.
The old restaurant, upstairs,
is to become a gin bar – called
Signature Surgeons – with about
70 gins. It is hoped that it will be
on 20th January and is planning with some of the best gui- open by the time you read this.
on returning the pub to its tradi- tar work you will ever see in a They now sell a genuine
tional name and popularity. pub, and the ever-popular Pete German pils (Dortmunder
The beer will remain as a Hook Watkins will be performing on Union Pils) for those who are
Norton house with the addition Saturday night at 8pm. fond of real continental beers.
of a guest or two. Looking after Festival Food will be available Live music Fridays (9–11pm),
the beer quality will be names for what will hopefully bring out ranging from DJs to folk music.
familiar to Banbury members, the sun for another great week- Pub quiz is the first Sunday of
Kendo Nagasaki or Ken Clarke to end of beer and music. the month with winners setting
be precise. Regardless of the festival this the next set of questions.
Cider drinkers amongst us will Pub of the Year contender for One for the diary: Beer pong
be happy, as a real cider will be 2020 has a great selection of ales will be back this year!
available alongside the beer. on offer year round (including See this issue’s Pub Walk,
By the time you read this the the excellent Turpins Golden which takes in The Siege along
pub will be serving food with Citrus), so pop in to sample the its route.
a focus on fresh local produce
as well as vegan and vegetarian
offerings. Mobility Maker Monty at Euros
It’s good to see the Hook Paul ‘Monty’ Montague, one of volunteer at the Euro 2020 foot-
Norton offering in Banbury our Beer on Tap Clustermasters, ball tournament.
going strong and an old Banbury has three passions – football, After supporting Reading FC
institution reverting to it’s tradi- morris dancing and real ale. The from boyhood he had a referee-
tional best. most enduring of these has been ing career from 1961 to 2014,
White Horse, Banbury football and after a lifetime’s (including 15 years as a referee
involvement, the 74 year old assessor), and is a member of
Ken & Eileen are celebrating five
Middleton Cheney resident, has the Community Trust that set
years at the helm of this great
applied and been accepted as a up the continuation of Banbury
pub in North Bar Street, and
are looking forward to hosting United FC.
their Easter Beer Festival (see He was one of 4,000 applicants
the pub’s advert in this issue) that applied in June 2019 to be
after the great success of their a ‘Mobility Maker’ at Wembley
Autumn Beer and Cider Festival Stadium in June & July 2020,
supporting Banbury Folk & and was accepted
Hobby Horse Festival. He has just one reservation,
The Easter Beer Festival runs and that is the colour chosen
from Thursday 9th April to for the tournament which he
Sunday 12th April, and they will has to wear on duty – which is a
feature beers unique to Banbury vibrant turquoise!
and hopefully the surrounding The photo shows Monty hold-
area – even when they already ing a cardboard replica of the
offer over 20 differing beers Euro 2020 trophy taken dur-
each month. ing his interview at Wembley
The weekend will be sup- Stadium back in September.
ported with great music. Friday “Where’s the copy of Beer on
night at 9pm sees The Mojitoes, Tap in the photo”? Ed.
Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 15A Festive Season Reading Pub Crawl
Our group of ale drinkers from The Fisherman’s Cottage, a
the Rose & Crown, Charlbury great pub on the Kennet &
likes to have its annual pub crawl Avon Canal
outing by train in the period
between Christmas and New
Year – and on this occasion we
chose Reading as our destination.
Despite some late no-shows
from people who’d picked up the
seasonal lurgy that was doing the
rounds, a decent turnout of 12 strong with four
of us met up at Charlbury sta- ales, including Siren
tion, only to find the ticket office and Wild Weather.
shut, which cast doubt on us get- We then head-
ting a good deal on group travel. ed off to The
However, after a horribly packed Weather Station,
trip, with most standing all the in the nearby
way, we managed to negotiate a Eldon Terrace, which is the tap
group deal on arrival at Reading for Wild Weather Brewery. This
station, which was a result. pub has just two real ales, bol-
First stop on our tour was The stered by a huge, adventurous
Alehouse, on Broad Street in range of up to 20 craft cask beers
the unlikely setting of a main – some of which had names like
shopping precinct. This legend- ‘Our Mouse in the Middle of
ary pub serves nine well-cho- our Squeak’ ‘Spruce Almighty’
sen (often rare) ales, with styles and ‘We Oat to Know Better’.
and strengths to suit everyone. Strongest was a Weird Beard
Beyond the main bar area there guest beer at 8.6%!
are lots of tiny, individual drink- Previously this was the Eldon
ing booths at the rear of the pub. Arms before the brewery bought
Next up was the Fisherman’s and refurbished it before it was
Cottage with maybe a quick stop reopened in September 2019 as
en route at the Back of Beyond an outlet for its beers in Reading.
Wetherspoon’s pub. However, we
chose a short bus ride (to save a
20 min walk, as the next few pubs The ‘Cottage’ is on the Kennet
were east of the centre) – and on & Avon canal and has been a
the way we noticed the Back of mecca for beer fans since the 70s.
Beyond was shut for a refurb. It’s good to see that it’s still going
The understated frontage of the
Weather Station
The electronic beer board made it easy to
The Alehouse has an impressive collection of pump clips adorning the pub’s walls and ceiling choose your drink at The Weather Station
16 Beer on Tap – Spring 2020The Retreat is a very way lines on the Meadow Road
traditional backstreet industrial estate, which proved to
community pub that’s be a long walk. On previous pub
well worth a visit crawls we always called in at The
Butler, on Chatham Street, before
easily to the pub a final stop at The Greyfriar,
crawl. and at this late stage of the day I
The Castle think that might be my preferred
Tap is an unu- option in the future.
sual place with Haunt is based in a cavern-
a high ceiling ous industrial unit (though
and a rambling they have tried to make it more
nature which homely with false ceilings), and
includes a rear lounge (which was I found the beers a little bland,
closed for a ‘goth party’ on that despite there being quite a range
day). It has a small range of four to choose from. Along with a
real ales (always rare gems), along nice wooden bar, the inside also
with a good range of craft keg boasts the longest shuffleboard
and bottled European beers. I’ve ever seen, and outside there
Next was the award-winning was a pizza street-food van.
Nag’s Head in Russell Street (see Our final port of call was to
below), offering 12 real ales, up to the Greyfriar, in Greyfriars Road
13 traditional ciders and a huge (see below), very close to the sta-
Our next pub couldn’t be more tion entrance. Its great choice of
different. The Retreat, in St.
John’s Street, is a gem of an old-
school backstreet local with a
decent, well-kept selection of ales
despite being an Admiral pub. All
our group really liked this place
with a friendly, helpful landlord
and chatty, welcoming locals.
With our eastern pubs visited,
we jumped back on an X4 Lion
bus to return to St. Mary’s Butts choice of craft keg – which is
to continue our town centre always popular and often packed, ales usually include those from
route with a short walk to The especially when Reading FC are Siren, Wild Weather and Elusive
Castle Tap in Castle Street, rath- at home (buses leave here for the – and it also has a good selection
er than bothering with the Purple ground – so you might need to of craft keg beers. This is a com-
Turtle, ZeroDegrees brewery tap, check fixtures before visiting). fortable and spacious pub with
BrewDog Reading or the Allied With the massive choice, it’s plenty of seating, but its proximi-
Arms – all of which can be added easy to find something you’ll like ty to the station’s bus stops means
– though many are very strong. it’s very popular on Reading FC
We next headed off to a new match days.
drinking place on the Reading Keith Rigley
scene – called Haunt, the brew- Note: Fisherman’s Cottage and
ery tap for Phantom Brewing Greyfriar offer 10% discount for
Co., on the other side of the rail- CAMRA members.
The bar at Haunt, and its huge
The Castle Tap in Reading’s Castle Street shuffleboard
Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 1718 Beer on Tap – Spring 2020
Upcoming Beer Festivals And Events
9–12 April: White Horse, https://readingbeerfestival.org. 19–20 June: Gardiner Arms
Banbury Easter Beer Festival uk 3rd Beer and Music Festival,
Featuring beers unique to 9 May: Witney Beer Festival 93 Medcroft Road Tackley OX5,
Banbury and hopefully the sur- (Witney Round Table); St Mary’s 3AH.
rounding area. The weekend will Church, Church Green Witney. www.gardinerarmstackley.co.uk/
be supported with great music 88 beers, 12 noon til late. tackley-beer-festival
– Friday night 9pm with The www.witneybeerfestival.com 19–21 June: Steam & Real
Mojitoes (some of the best guitar Ale Festival, Winchcombe and
work you will ever see in a pub), 8–17 May: Oxford Beer Week,
Various events taking place in Toddington, Gloucestershire.
and Saturday night 8pm with the Real ale bars with steam trains
ever-popular Pete Watkins. and around the city, organised
by the Oxford Brewers Alliance at two separate stations on the
Festival Food available as well Gloucestershire Warwickshire
for another great weekend. and others.
www.oxfordbrewers.org/events Steam Railway line. 40 beers and
www.whitehorsebanbury.com several ciders.
9–11 April: Hop Pole 16 May: Big Oxford Beer www.gwsr.com/planning_your_
Easter Festival, 83 Bicester Bash, Oxford Artisan Distillery, visit/visiting_gwsr/2020_Events_
Road, Aylesbury HP19 9AZ, South Park, Oxford, OX3 7QJ. Calendar.html
Buckinghamshire. A one day festival celebrating
27 June: Charlbury Beer
Over 30 beers from all over the the very best of local independ-
Festival, Charlbury Cricket
UK plus ciders and introduc- ent craft beers. Noon–9pm.
Club (opp. Charlbury railway
ing a gin bar. Live music Friday www.oxfordbrewers.org/event/ station), OX7 3QG.
Saturday and Sunday plus great big-event https://charlburybeerfestival.org
food all over the weekend.
16–17 May: Ludlow Spring 27 June: Fringford Beer
www.facebook.com/events/
the-hop-pole-aylesbury/
Festival, Ludlow Castle. Festival, Fringford Cricket
the-hop-pole-easter-beer- 200 beers, food and music. Club, OX27 8EB.
festival/1076972165984764/ 10–9pm Sat, 10–5pm Sun. www.stallfinder.com/event/
www.ludlowspringfestival.co.uk/ fringford-beer-festival-
10–12 April: Gloucester beers oxfordshire/212101/
Brewery Easter Festival, Fox’s
Kiln, The Docks, GL1 2LG. 30 May: Chadlington Beer 3–5 July: Music At The
Music, street food, beer Festival, Village Hall, OX7 Crossroads, Hook Norton
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ 3NX. Brewery.
easter-beer-festival- Their 17th festival. 26 beers, 5 Weekend of music with great
tickets-92199612523 ciders, plus wine, Pimms and beer, food and camping. Buy
gin. tickets online
22–25 April: Great Welsh http://chadlingtonbeerfestival. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/
Beer Festival, Sophia Gardens, co.uk music-at-the-crossroads-
Cardiff.
31 May: Glenfall House Beer tickets-83212281173
https://gwbf.org.uk/about
• 22 April: exclusive CAMRA Festival, Mill Lane, Charlton 8–11 July: Ealing Beer
members-only session from Kings, GL54 4EP. Festival, Walpole Park.
5–10.30 pm First festival of craft beers and Featuring 500 real ales.
• 23–25 April: 11 am–10.30 pm music. 2–6pm. www.facebook.com/
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ EalingBeerFestival
25 April: Oxford Downs outdoor-beer-festival-
Cricket Club Beer Festival, tickets-92701531777 18 July: Hook Norton Festival
Abingdon Road, Standlake, nr of Fine Ales
Witney. 5–6 June: Stratford Upon Excellent selection of ales and
Includes cricket match vs Aston Avon Beer Festival, Stratford music.
Rowant. Buses from Witney or Racecourse, CV37 9SE. www.hookybeerfest.co.uk
Abingdon to Standlake. Fri 12–11pm, Sat 11–11pm.
www.stratfordbeerfestival.org.uk 24–25 July: Ardley with
www.facebook.com/ Fewcott Village Hall Beer
events/802910790158810 13 June: The first ever Combe Cider & Gin Festival, Playing
7–10 May: Reading Beer & Mill Beer & Music Festival. Fields, Ardley, OX27, 7PA
Cider Festival, Christchurch 15 ales, a gin tent, live music 24 July 5pm-late, 25 July noon–
Meadows (five minute walk from and four food trucks. late.
town centre and train station). www.combemill.co.uk. Music, BBQ, Pig roast and more.
Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 1920 Beer on Tap – Spring 2020
Round-Up Of Local Brewery News
Church Hanbrewery loose in the pilot plant. Soft malt flavours combined
Luciana & Christian are pleased Jamie’s ‘Abyss’ 6% abv stout with floral hop aromas, result-
to report that they are once was a great hit in February with ing in a well rounded finish.
again brewing a special ale for its whopping nine malts and • High Water – 4.1%, Copper:
the forthcoming Reading Beer & adjuncts (oats & wheat). It truly This ale has aromas of fresh
Cider Festival (2nd–5th May). was a stout by name and nature! pineapple and hints of pear. A
Their Teardrop Bar outlet in Some of these beers may also well balanced brew.
Oxford’s covered market con- be available at the Hooky on Brewery Tap: Open six days
tinues to go from strength to Tour evenings which build upon a week, our brewery tap also
strength and they are joining the successful 170th Anniversary offers a wide range of wines,
forces with Eynsham Cellars who tours completed in 2019 and gins and ciders. Visit www.
are opening a wine bar next door. referred to in BoT 79. They are valebrewery.co.uk for opening
We wish both well in their joint being programmed in on every hours.
ventures. second and fourth Tuesday eve- Brewery Tours: First Saturday
nings in the first quarter of of the month, we run our classic
Hook Norton Brewery the year when a team from the brewery tour. For further infor-
The brewery has released a new brewery go ‘on safari’ in the mation and to book your place
Brewers Choice range for 2020. brewery Land Rover – and while please call 01844 239237 or
This replaces the beers previ- it is parked outside each pub, email info@valebrewery.co.uk
ously known as seasonal ales. It Hooky products are free ‘on
the house’. They stay for about XT Brewery News
consists of four quar-
terly ales – X-Ale, 30 mins at each outlet (both The New Year sees a new hand
Red Rye (Cask), tied and free houses are includ- at the XT brewing helm with
Off the Hook ed) while the team mix and min- Craig Bennett taking over from
(a new hoppy gle with the punters, culminat- Vinny Rosario as head brewer.
IPA at 4.3% ing in a few simple questions to Craig has over 20 years of
abv) and Greedy win brewery products as prizes. experience in brewing, hav-
Goose, comple- Details of the outlets being vis- ing worked at a number of
mented by a differ- ited can be found on the Hooky breweries both big and small
ent monthly ale, so that X-Ale facebook page a few days in from around the country. He
(the collaborative ale originally advance of each event. is a brewing graduate from
brewed with the Kiwi cuckoo Occasional themed evenings Herriot Watt and qualified with
brewers The Yeastie Boys) was such as the Rum & Reggae the Brewing Institute Master
supplemented in evening in January continue at Brewer Programme.
February with the brewery and are very popu- Craig will be brewing the full
Double Stout and lar so pre-booking is definitely range of XT and Animal beers
in March with advisable. and heading up the brewing
Outside Half to Next open tap nights: April team at Long Crendon while
fit in nicely with 8th and then May 13th and June adding a few speciality brews of
the 6 Nations 10th. See www.hooky.co.uk for his own to the already extensive
Rugby competi- further details beer line-up. He is passionate
tion. In April the about cask beers and will be a
Vale Brewery great addition to the team at XT
quarterly cask version of the
flavoursome Red Rye is joined by Vale Brewery is 25 Years Old!
Crafty Fox, their black IPA. Proudly brewing award winning
These beers will join the array real ales for 25 years, and to
on offer at Open Tap Nights celebrate, they’ve created some
at the brewery on the second fantastic new brews to see us
Wednesday of through the year!
each month at A number of new brews are
the revised times on the horizon, to be enjoyed
of 5–8pm. Other throughout the cooler months:
beers may also • Best Buy – 4.3%, Light copper:
be available as Premium ale with intense roast
the young brew- malts. Rich biscuit aroma with
ers like Jamie & hints of honey on the nose.
Rob are being let • Templar – 3.9%, Deep golden: Craig Bennett (left) and Vinny Rosario
Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 21THE SALFORD INN
LOWER END, SALFORD, OX7 5YW
Tel: 01608 642631
Email: contact@thesalford.co.uk
Book direct at www.thesalford.co.uk for a 2.5% discount
22 Beer on Tap – Spring 2020working to promote and devel- bottled puss weighs in at 4.6% as continental malts. Regal floral,
op the amazing range of beers in the brewers wanted a more orange and herbal flavours in
the XT portfolio. punchy version than the pub cat. the forefront with hints of black
After five years at XT, Vinny Expect all the same great hop pepper, blackcurrant and spic-
has now ironically moved up forward flavours but with long- es dancing in the background.
to Craig’s old home town of er claws Finished off with biscuit notes
Edinburgh to start his own The Animal cask beers have for a delectable beer, proving
brewing venture there. The new been flowing as well with a brace that sometimes you can’t beat
brewery will be called of new wildlife: old-school!
Origin Brewing and • The Water Buffalo (4.6%): A • Crab (4.6%): an artful but side-
Vinny has teamed up Noble Amber – Packed with ways look at a pale ale matched
with another former the most noble of hops and with a citrus twang from north
XT brewer, Fin Heslop, American
to develop a range of cascade hops.
new beers which
they expect to
start flowing from
Left: Two new
their taproom in Animal beers to
summer. look out for by XT
The new year Brewery
has also seen a new
bottled beer – the Far left: Hop Kitty
HopKitty is now is now available
available in bottle, as a beefed up
but the cat has been version of popular
at the cream and the cask Animal beer
Open Tap Nights At Hooky Can You Turn
The Hook Norton Brewery con-
tinues to throw open the doors
the-faint-hearted, Abyss jet black
stout were on the bar and of
A Half Into
of the malthouse on the second
Wednesday of each month (5pm
course all in excellent form.
The restaurant and shop are
A Pint?
to 8pm). open with discounts on cloth- A simple puzzle this issue.
These popular evenings allow ing and some 12 packs of bottled Wouldn’t it be great if you
punters to taste a couple of ales beers on offer at the February could turn a half into a pint?
for free (thirds of a pint) and open tap. Plenty of people were Well, now you can (or at least
receive a further voucher for a enjoying a convivial evening out you can try, if only in theory).
drink or a slice of pizza at the sampling some great local ales Starting off with the word
lovely Pear Tree inn that sits just and tucking into meals from the ‘half ’, see if you can change
down the road from the brewery. extensive malt house menu. just one letter at a time to end
Old Hooky, Greedy Goose, See www.hooky.co.uk for the up with the word ‘pint’.
Double Stout and, the not-for- next open tap nights.
H A L F
P I N T
The answer is on page 30
Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 23The George Inn, Lower St, Barford St Michael Telephone:
Banbury OX15 0RH 01869 338160
A charming 17th Century thatched pub and Following a complete
RESTAURANT HOURS refurbishment in 2017 and
guesthouse in Barford St Michael, not far from Mon–Fri: 12–3pm, 5:30–9:30pm now under new ownership and
Oxford on the edge of the Cotswolds Saturday: 12–10pm management, The George Inn
Sunday: 12–6pm brings to life the true essence of
a country pub, serving a broad
BAR HOURS
variety of delicious food.
Mon–Sat: 10am–Midnight
Sunday: 12–10:30pm Our head chef has created a
variety of dishes that focus on
20p off ales for CAMRA members local, sustainable and, above all,
(on presentation of card)
quality ingredients.
info@thegeorgebarford.co.uk From classic pub dishes and
traditional Sunday roasts, to new
https://thegeorgebarford.co.uk favourites with a modern twist,
there’s something delicious for
DRINK • EAT • STAY every taste.
24 Beer on Tap – Spring 2020Our Top Six Shortlist For POTY Title 2020
Each year CAMRA branches all ing, make sure our webmaster they’ll send you a form.
over the country get their local has your email address so you Results for the 2020 Branch
members to vote for the pub can get your form as soon as it’s Pub of the Year will be pub-
they consider to be the best in released, or contact the Branch lished in the next issue of Beer
their area – and although they if you don’t use the internet and on Tap.
may use different ways to nar-
row down their pubs, the pub
which receives the most votes is
awarded the ‘Pub Of The Year’
(POTY) award for that Branch.
In the North Oxfordshire
Branch, we encourage our mem-
bers to score the pubs they visit
all year round, and the six pubs
with the top scores are included
in a shortlist for us to vote on as The Bell Inn, Adderbury The Chequers, Chipping Norton
POTY, which can only be done
by getting your form (down-
loaded from the web or from the
Branch Pubs Officer) signed at
each pub to prove that you have
visited all six.
The pubs which were short-
listed this year were (in no par-
ticular order):
• Bell Inn, Adderbury
• The Chequers, Chipping
Norton The White Horse, Banbury The White Lion, Fewcott
• White Horse, Banbury
• White Lion, Fewcott
• Peyton Arms, Stoke Lyne
• Red Lion, Horley
Branch members are told to
judge the pubs mainly on beer
quality, the choice available and
the knowledge that staff have
of those beers. They must visit
all six pubs to get their form
signed (otherwise their voting The Peyton Arms, Stoke Lyne The Red Lion, Horley
marks are void) and then place
an ‘X’ next in the box on the Cider Pub
form next to their favourite pub.
Pub of the Year 2019 was the Of The Year
Horse & Groom, Caulcott –
but note that the winner can-
2019
not enter the competition the Back at the beginning of
following year (as that helps to November we presented
ensure the same pub doesn’t win Sheila at the Bailiffs Tap
year after year). in Banbury with the 2019
As the forms must be received North Oxfordshire Cider
by the Membership Secretary pub of the year. They
by early March I’m afraid that regularly have 2 or more
if you haven’t already been out ciders on tap usually
voting you’re too late for this straight from the box.
year. Pictured is Chairman
If you would like to join in for Lynne Baldwin handing
next year’s Pub of the Year vot- over their certificate.
Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 25SHILTON & CARTERTON CIRCULAR WALK
By Keith Rigley
Beer on Tap Pub Walks
Four pubs on a town & country stroll in our Branch’s extreme south-west
Distance: Just over 4 miles. Allow you should cross the road and all the way along to where the
around 2 hours. turn left to walk along the pave- building site entrance is on your
Map: OS Explorer OL45. ment as the road bends round right, then keep straight on (on
Parking: The Rose & Crown has to the right. After walking past a my research walk there was a
a small car park, but there is usu- large accommodation block with pedestrian footpath marked on
ally a lot of road parking nearby. railings on your right, turn right the left side of the road) to pass a
into an un-named road then turn newly-built block of flats which is
With the dreadful wet weather left at the roadsign for Flax Cres- on your left. On passing the block
we’ve had for the last few months cent. From here you need to keep of flats you’ll see that you are on a
I’m afraid that this issue’s walk is along roads, paths or cycle tracks road called Shellingford Road.
perhaps less scenic than previous so you always keep the houses on Keep along Shellingford Road
ones – but still worth doing. your left and a green area with then, after walking past a left
Start at the Rose & Crown by trees on your right. The names turn called Edgehill Close, take
turning right out of its car park of the roads you walk on – Flax the next right and head over to
towards the village war memo- Crescent, Boundary Close then walk along a path that goes past
rial and the ford over Shill Brook. Stocks Walk – will change, but the rear of a row of old houses.
Turn left to cross the footbridge essentially just keep straight on, On reaching a road, turn right
on the far side of the ford and always keeping the green area on then quickly left to continue on
head along a single-track road. your right. along a footpath that again passes
Where it bears round to the right, Eventually, the road bends to the rear of a row of old houses
take a left fork to walk along a the left in front of a large electric- to a point where you see a static
footpath which heads off uphill ity sub-station. Follow the road as mobile home park behind a board
before going through a gate. Keep it then bends round to the right fence ahead of you. Turn left on
walking uphill and where the path into Stocks Walk. The road soon the path, then immediately right
rejoins the road, keep on in the stops and leads to a footpath and walk along a footpath which
same general direction always where you need to take the right soon goes past the end of a road,
going uphill. On reaching a main fork, then take another right fork where you need to keep straight
road, cross it carefully (it’s a very to cross over a wooden bridge to on, along the path before it twists
fast road) and keep straight on reach a road. Cross the road and and turns to eventually join one
to walk on a track on the far side turn right to follow it as it bends of the town’s main arterial routes
(signed Bridleway, Brize Norton). around to the left, then all the way (Burford Road). Turn left here to
Keep on along this track all the along to a T-junction. walk up to the main crossroads of
way to a point where it narrows At the junction, cross the road the town centre.
to become a mud track (very and turn left. On reaching Stan- On your left beyond the cross-
muddy at times). Soon you join more Crescent turn right and roads is the Golden Eagle pub and
a bend on a tarmac road, where walk along the right-hand side of The Beehive can be found 150m
you need to keep on in the same the road. Soon you’ll see that this straight on, opposite the far end
general direction. Stay on the part of central Carterton is under- of the Asda superstore.
road, passing allotments, some going a major house-building To continue the walk, return
‘motor vehicles prohibited’ signs project, and sadly this has meant to the crossroads and walk into
and a house, then turn right to that the route I would always have the road called Alvescot Road. As
walk past some wooden posts used previously to get to the town soon as you walk into Alvescot
to enter Kilkenny Lane Country centre through parkland is now Road you will see a tall tower
Park. A path leads up to an infor- out of bounds. Note also, that ahead which has a sort of cupola
mation board, where you need to no maps (OS or online) have an on top, which is on the right-hand
take the right fork to walk along a up-to-date road layout of the new side of the road. If you turn left
dirt/gravel track with young trees housing that has recently been here to take a pedestrian alley
on your right. completed – so you need to follow on the opposite side of the road
Soon you need to turn right this next set of instructions care- (between a cycle shop and a
into a car park and then keep on fully to keep on track. beauty shop), you’ll find the Siege
to reach a road beyond, where Follow Stanmore Crescent of Orléans micropub on the right.
26 Beer on Tap – Spring 2020To continue the walk, rejoin To
Alvescot Road and turn left to Asthall
To
walk away from the crossroads Burford
all the way to the edge of town START: Rose
(apologies, this part is boring, & Crown
but there is no alternative). It’s
best to walk along the left-hand To
Brize
side of the road (if you’re not Norton
already doing so) so you’re on Kilkenny Lane
the correct side of the road as Country Park
you reach the edge of town. Shilton
As you leave town, keep
straight ahead into countryside
past a roundabout (signed
Lechlade). Soon the footpath
B4
Shill
Broo
02
on the left side of the road goes k Electricity
0
sub-station
left into an area of car parking,
after which you need to cross
the road (carefully, as it’s very
busy and fast) and carry on
walking in the same direction Downs Farm Alvescot
on the far side before turning Cottages Downs
right into a waymarked tarmac Farm To
lane at the end of a long stone Brize
wall (signed Ty Nant Cottages
Carterton Norton
Building
and Shilton 1¾ miles).
Bur f
site
Keep straight on past build-
ord
ings at the end of the drive
Road
then cross the stile ahead into
a green lane which rises gently
uphill. After crossing another Golden
stile, keep ahead to now follow Eagle
a row of telegraph poles across
the fields ahead all the way ad
Ty Nant Ro
ot The
back to Shilton village. On the Cottages
l vesc Beehive Air
A Siege of
way you’ll cross a farm track Orléans Base
and go through gaps in a couple
of hedgerows, but essentially To
you just need to follow the strip Lechlade
of green lane and telegraph Mon–Wed 10am–11pm; Thur https://www.facebook.com/
poles all the time. 10am11.30pm; Fri/Sat 10am– SoOAlehouse. Open: Mon–Thur
At the end of the path across 12.30am; Sun noon–10.30pm. 3–11pm: Fri/Sat noon–midnight,
the fields you need to cross a Food: 12–9. Greene King Sun noon–11pm. Food: No food
stone stile in the wall of the roadhouse-type pub with sport Mon, Tue–Sun 6–10pm. Small
churchyard. Walk past the church screens. Three changing real ales but popular and friendly micro-
and leave the churchyard through (typically a Greene King seasonal, pub which usually has four real
the wrought iron gates on the far Hogs Back TEA, etc.). ales, a real cider and a selection
side to walk down a paved path to The Beehive, 18 Black Bourton of world beers in keg and bottle.
Road, Carterton OX18 3HA. Tel: Rose & Crown, Shilton OX18
a road. Turn right on the road to (01993) 840813. https://www. 4AQ. Tel: (01993) 842280. http://
follow it downhill into the village beehivecarterton.co.uk. Open: roseandcrownshilton.com. Open:
where you soon find yourself back Mon–Thur 10am–11.00 pm; Fri Mon–Thur 11.30am– 3pm &
at the ford over Shill Brook (on 10am–2am: Sat 10am–1am; Sun 6–11pm, Fri/Sat 11.30am–11.00
your right) with the pub virtually 10am–10.30pm. Food: Mon–Fri pm, Sun noon–10pm. Food:
straight on beyond. 10–2.30 & 6–8.30pm; Sat/Sun Noon–2pm & 7–9pm, Sat/Sun
10am–9pm. Much extended noon–2.45pm & 7–9pm. Smart
Pubs on Walk Route Wadworth pub with large out- and comfy two-room Cotswold
Golden Eagle (formerly The door area. Three Wadworth real stone freehouse that’s popular
Aviator), 1 Black Bourton Road, ales on sale (usually 6X, IPA and for meals. Three real ales were
Carterton OX18 3HQ. Tel: a seasonal). served on a recent research visit
(01993) 842287. https://www. Siege of Orleans, 5 The Giles (Cotswold Lion Best in Show,
greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/ Centre, Alvescot Road, Carterton Ramsbury Farmers Best and
oxfordshire/golden-eagle. Open: OX18 3DH. Tel: (01993) 845663. Hooky Greedy Goose).
Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 27You can also read
