Walking. Gossip. Travel.

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Ridgeway – Day 0 (The Beehive)

[I originally posted this in June 2018, but have reposted it to fix some broken image links]

Second pub was the Beehive, a Greene King pub located on Prospect Hill in Swindon. The welcome was friendly and there were six real ales available, a wide selection for a relatively small pub, although there was nothing which looked particularly interesting for my own preferences. So, it was time for a little cider instead.

There were four rooms in this Victorian pub and a central bar. It had a slightly quirky and interesting interior, and it didn’t feel too mauled about and modernised.

The crisps were three months out of date, but the quality of Monster Munch doesn’t diminish and they tasted fine 🙂 Mind you, we had been tempted to come to this pub by the mention in the Good Beer Guide that they had free crisps, something which wasn’t happening when we got there. If they had been, it is quite possible that we wouldn’t have left….

The cider selection.

Beer notes, which I know Greene King encourage, but many of their pubs don’t provide them so willingly.

Dave and Steve, getting on well with the locals.

Then our quiet was shattered, in marches Bev, complaining that we’re not in the pubs she has gone round looking for us. Before she comes to sit down with us, we discover that she knows half the customers in the bar, reminding us that she used to live down the road.

Actually, this turned into a feature of the whole evening, Bev walking around like she was on a farewell tour of Swindon. Locals fêted her, some confirmed they were related to her and there was a real feel that Bev had made a substantial impact on Swindon during the year which she lived here. If the walls of Swindon could talk, what stories they would tell…

After a second pack of Monster Munch (these ones were in date), it was time to move on to the next pub. Bev had discovered that a former sex shop was now a pub, and that was where she wanted to go.

March 25, 2025
Ridgeway – Day 0 (The Savoy)

[I originally posted this 11 June 2018, but have reposted it to fix some broken image links]

We thought for our pub visits in Swindon that we should rely on the Good Beer Guide, so many thanks to Nathan for sending the details of pubs which were listed.

The Savoy, which is a JD Wetherspoon pub, had made the cut and so we thought we’d go there for a quick drink and small snack.

There was a pleasant external beer garden area, although Bev later complained about the locals when she went to examine the clientele…… This was our last chance to talk about the others before they turned up, so we made sure that we took advantage of that opportunity.

Since the devastating removal of pastrami bagel from the menu, the chicken wrap will have to do….

A lovely pint of Guinness, although perhaps not perfectly poured…

There were nine real ales available, an impressive number, and they were well selected with some interesting options. The stout had a rich and pleasant flavour, with the price of £2.29 being particularly appealing. The service at the bar was also engaging, with the team member being willing to offer samples and she happily discussed the options available.

Interior of the pub, which is a former cinema that originally opened in 1937 for ABC. It was redesigned in 1973 to add a pub at the rear and was taken over by Cannon in 1986, before closing in March 1991. It re-opened as a JD Wetherspoon pub in February 1996.

March 21, 2025
Ridgeway – Day 0 (Watergate)

[I originally posted this in June 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

So, Steve, Dave and I managed to navigate across London’s underground system, despite the closure of Liverpool Street Underground’s concourse and the closure of the Hammersmith & City Line. We were like a team of Michael Palins as we arrived into Paddington, ready to see if we could get some group saver tickets to Swindon. We could, so delighted at our purchases, we jumped onto the first train to Penzance.

The train to Penzance was fortunately going to Swindon, but it was a bit full. We didn’t want to wait 4 minutes for the next empty train, so we positioned ourselves near to the buffet carriages.

There was free water near to the area that we were standing. Or at least we thought it was free water, since Dave decided to hand some out to nearly the entire train.

Steve also considered walking through the train with a little basket of goods. But Dave was the natural here, tempting customers into taking two bottles of water when they probably only wanted one.

Fortunately, the train restocked at Reading, with the train crew no doubt wondering where their entire stock of sparkling and still water had disappeared to. However, we disembarked at Swindon and there was no British Transport Police, so I’m fairly sure we did nothing wrong 🙂

But in case we did, I’m calling this incident Watergate. Above is Steve monitoring the on-board replacement of water supplies at Reading.

March 21, 2025
Ridgeway – Day 0 (it begins)

[I originally posted this in June 2018 but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

So, it’s all happening now. Three of us have met at Norwich railway station ready for the big Ridgeway adventure. When I say big adventure, I don’t mean the walk, I mean coping with Bev and her breakfast requirements.

The event has started, with a trip to West Cornwall Pasty at Norwich railway station. I can’t remember whose idea it was.

That’s right, it was Dave’s idea, I remember now.

Well, how delicious. Important to eat healthily on a walking week like this, so this is full of nutrients and tasty pastry.

Lakenheath railway station. I’ve never been on a train that stops here, and apparently it stops on weekends and special days only for the RSPB Lakenheath Fen site.

We’re on the second train of the day, heading towards London Liverpool Street, having changed at Cambridge. Our train into London is running a few minutes later as it’s behind a slightly late Greater Northern service. The conductor announced on our Greater Anglia train “we’re sorry for the inability of Greater Northern to run any service at all”.

From London Liverpool Street we’ll get an underground to London Paddington, and then we get the train to Swindon. There we will meet with the others, who will likely all be drunk already.

March 11, 2025
Ridgeway – Day 0

[I originally posted this in June 2018, but have reposted it to fix a broken image link]

It’s Sunday morning and today is the start of the annual Hike Norfolk attempt to walk a long distance path in its entirety. Last year it was Hadrian’s Wall, this year it’s the Ridgeway. We’re covering the 87 miles in six days, so it’s a leisurely expedition along what is thought to be England’s oldest road.

Our expedition begins today for three of us on the train and four others who are making their own way there (I think secretly it’s so they can spend more time in the pub). So for three of us we have the excitement of the railways today to get to the tourist mecca that is Swindon, the Las Vegas of the West Country. I’m aware that we might have to fight off holiday makers flocking to Swindon today, but hopefully we’ll get there safely.

There will be several, perhaps hundreds, of posts throughout the week. So many questions, who will win bravest walker of the week? Who will be the most unhappy at their breakfast? What will be the best pub of the week?

March 11, 2025
Canterbury – The Foundry

[I originally posted this in May 2018, but am reposting it to fix some broken image links]

Back in Canterbury, so back on my little walking trail whilst visiting some of the better rated pubs in the city….

The reasoning for the pub’s name becomes apparent given the industrial look of the buildings.

I like a bit of pub history. The foundry was started in 1835 as a small ironworks, and has made a wide range of items since, including street-lights, torpedoes, girders and engines.

These are some decent choices, and it’s pleasing to see so many stout options, including nitro stouts. Some of these are a little expensive, given the ABV, but the selection feels on-trend and relevant. And it reminds me a little of California….

I opted for the Street Light Porter which has a rich taste and notes of chocolate.

The beer names are inspired by the building’s past use. The service was efficient and friendly, with a laid-back and comfortable atmosphere. There is music on in the background, but pleasingly it’s quiet and not distracting.

The upstairs bar, which seems to be primarily used for restaurants. It’s quite a spacious location though, with a downstairs bar and external seating.

This was about as busy as it got during my visit….

March 11, 2025
Folkestone Museum

[I originally posted this in May 2018, but I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image links]

Folkestone Museum is located in the same building as the town’s tourist information office.

They discovered forty bodies when building a wider road in the early twentieth century, and the skeleton of one is on display (that’s not really the right word, but that’s what it effectively is) in the basement. It’s a female who is aged around thirty to forty.

The Bouverie Shield, which was fixed above the entrance to the old Town Hall until it was replaced with a larger building in 1858. The shield is the family arms of the Pleydell and Bouverie families and is in surprisingly good condition, other than the damaged fixing on the left hand side.

This cinema was only open for a few years, apparently (I know this because there was a sign telling me) it closed as there were numerous pillars in the way of the screen. I can imagine that this isn’t an ideal state of affairs for a cinema….

The formal clothing of the Mayor…

A rather lovely little museum, clearly laid out and nicely thought through. It’s of a relatively small size, but it is free of charge and the staff were friendly and helpful.

March 11, 2025
Canterbury – Bottle Shop

[I originally posted this in May 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

The Bottle Shop is located in the Goods Shed next to Canterbury West railway station, in a former railway building.

The market is full of fresh produce and sellers of speciality products, in what is really a middle class environment that is a little alien to me. I’m used to Greggs and JD Wetherspoons, not locations which sell organic turnips. Anyway, it’s a nice environment and it feels like something a little different.

The exterior of the building, which I initially found a little confusing in its layout, but that’s mostly because I’m an idiot.

The Bottle Shop is a very well reviewed part of the Goods Shed, a location which sells a range of craft beers. They advertise a wide range of beers and I’m not sure that there is that much choice. Anyway, the deal is that this outlet sells a range of craft beer products for takeaway or to consume in the market hall.

The service – well, that’s impeccable. The staff member didn’t demur when I asked for a cheap dark beer, and he offered appropriate recommendations. I ignored some of the more expensive options, but only because I’d tried the ones he suggested from the Left Hand Brewery in Colorado. I know that brewery relatively well, and its beer are awesome and wonderfully rich in taste.

So, after much debate, I opted for this. This was £5.25, so way over what I’d usually pay and this is into the middle class territory occupied by Mr. Hensley of Norwich bar billiard fame. But, there’s an incredible richness and depth of flavour. I’m not a huge fan of peanut butter, but the smoothness is notable and it’s a clean taste. It’s from the Belching Beaver Brewery in Oceanside, California, and it’s part of the United States that I know well. It’s nearing perfection.

As a location, this is interesting. They offer table service in the evening and the friendliness of the staff member was excellent. For anyone waiting for a train at Canterbury West railway station, it’s worth a little meander down here.

March 11, 2025
Canterbury – Eight Bells

[I originally posted this in May 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

Located a little outside of the city centre, this is probably a pub which isn’t visited by many visitors to Canterbury. However, the exterior looks welcoming and it’s clean and well maintained. WhatPub notes that the pub is owned by Admiral Taverns, which doesn’t fill me with high expectations though.

I’m not over-whelmed by choices here, it’s Young’s Bitter or Young’s Special. I’m OK with both, although these aren’t fascinating choices for such a well reviewed pub. However, my choice of Young’s Special tasted fine, although I’d have preferred for the pint to have been allowed to settle before it was served.

A cluttered back bar, although I like the items randomly placed above the bar. The service missed some of the elements I like, such as being acknowledged whilst waiting and conversation beyond the minimum needed, but it was efficient and customers were served in turn. The music from the 1980s is at an acceptable volume to me, which is very quiet, but I don’t really see it as necessary.

There is though a lovely little garden area, and it’s rare to see a pub still with outside toilets. Although the pub didn’t burden themselves with providing soap or a hand dryer…

Clean and comfortable, this is a traditional pub which apparently offers some exceptional food (I say apparently only because I’m not here to try it). Does it offer anything which makes it worth the walk from the city centre? Probably not….

March 11, 2025
Canterbury – Unicorn

[I originally posted this in May 2018 but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

Working through the list of pubs in the Good Beer Guide (thanks Nathan) this is the first. And, to be honest, it’ll be hard to beat this. Listening to some of the regulars they were supplying quote after quote, some of which can’t really be repeated, a sign of a pub truly at ease with itself 🙂

The welcome was prompt and authentic, it’s nice to be met with a friendly smile and with a member of bar staff who seems personable. It’s clearly a pub which has some contented regulars, but not one which seems unfriendly or slightly scary.

The pub had four real ales on, although all a bit light for my liking. The staff member though recommended the Kernel Export India Porter in a bottle, and this was an excellent recommendation. The taste was rich, and there were notes of chocolate, vanilla and chicken bake (OK, no chicken bake, but it was that sort of quality).

The staff member poured the bottle carefully to avoid pouring in any sediment, a warning that was repeated on the bottle itself, but there wasn’t really anything at the base of the bottle.

The wooden beams and carpet added to the atmosphere in the whole venue, it feels cosy and atmospheric. There are some items nailed on the wall, including the bugle on the peg, and I didn’t much want to leave, which must be the ultimate aim of any pub. By that I mean they don’t want customers to leave, not me specifically, it would be a bit arrogant to assume that the aim of every pub was to not want me to leave.

I sometimes feel that customer service in pubs seems to be a complete mystery to some staff. But here, it was perfectly paced and I liked how the staff member made conversation when I took the bottle and glass back to the bar.

This is a smooth pub, focusing on being simply a traditional and welcoming location near to one of the city’s two railway stations. I happened to visit at a time in the afternoon when food was being served, but the options looked pretty decent. A perfectly pitched pub.

March 10, 2025