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Carnarvon Arms
Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle in
real life) is a neighbour in this rather
lovely neck of the woods.
Plan a
standout
staycation
Break for the border
The Hampshire-Wiltshire border, that is.
This country is a beautiful one to explore in the spring and summer
months. And because our pubs are dotted about, it’s easy to plot
a mini adventure. Here are a couple of step-by-step itineraries
to inspire your next British-based odyssey.
We have pubs stretching between Devon and Norfolk, with
dozens in between. And new ones are joining the family every
year. It means you can put together a road trip with a few different
stops and know you’ll always have a great place to lay your head.
Maybe best of all, you get to revel in the British countryside and
visit sights and attractions along the way. Packed? Let’s go.
A Cotswolds-bound caper
We’re kicking things off on the Hampshire-Wiltshire border
at the Carnarvon Arms, just outside Newbury (a hop from
the M4). It’s a beautiful part of the world with days out aplenty.
How about a trip to nearby Highclere Castle (of Downton Abbey
fame), the stunning North Wessex Downs, or the Bombay
Sapphire Distillery? Our next stop is Lambourn in Berkshire (less
than a 30-minute drive away). You’re heading to the Pheasant Inn,
a perfect country pub set on the edge of Shefford Woodlands.
Local hot spots here include the historic town of Marlborough
and the ancient Avebury stone circles. Now, we’re off to our
昀椀nal destination, the Cotswolds, rightly renowned for its widescreen scenery. We have a couple of pubs with rooms here, but
we’ll settle on the Wheatsheaf Inn in the so-so-pretty town of
Northleach. As well as miles and more miles of rolling countryside
to roam, must-see gems include Blenheim Palace and the idyllic
Bourton-on-the-Water.
Pheasant Inn
You’ll get a horse racing
history lesson just from the
walls of this bucolic bolthole.
Or, for a different whirl, let’s head west.
A West Country wander
Set your sat-nav for Dorset – our 昀椀rst stay is at The Canford
in Poole. You’re right on the coast here, so bagging some
beach time is a no-brainer. And lovers of all things green will
dig Compton Acres, one of England’s 昀椀nest private gardens.
Next up, an hour’s drive north lands you in Shaftesbury
and The Mitre pub. The town’s historic Gold Hill is a must-visit
– made famous by a Hovis ad (if you’re old enough to remember
that). Other sights include the stunning Stourhead Gardens
and Melbury Vale vineyard (you’ve earned a drink by now).
Last leg, another hour north, where your room is at the
White Hart in the history-laden hamlet of Ford. Here, you’re
only 30 minutes from Bath and all its Georgian glory. Closer at
hand is Castle Combe Circuit, with car and bike racing events
year-round. It’s a high-octane end to a brilliant trip (just keep
within the speed limit on the drive home).
We dreamt up these two routes to give you a taster.
A good place to start plotting your own is by looking
at the map on the back page.
