Cycling – Stratford-upon-Avon to Ilmington
Jack Thurston, cycling author (‘Lost Lanes’ cycling guidebooks, which can be found on Amazon) has recently written an article for the Daily Telegraph detailing some of his favourite cycling routes in the UK. This suggested route comes from his “Lost Lanes. West” book. Pubs always feature on his routes and he aims to find quiet lanes and traffic free cycleways in beautiful countryside and places which could be described as ‘hidden’. You see so much more from a bike!
One of the routes which he calls the Shakespeare shuffle takes you through Ilmington and to our local pub, The Howard Arms, for a ‘pit stop’. It starts and ends at Stratford-upon-Avon taking you through Welford, Honeybourne, Ilmington and Long Marston, cycling through the part of Warwickshire which lies on the Cotswold Edge. It is 32 miles long and of course you can start and finish in Ilmington if you stay with us.
As Jack points out, the English Midlands gave birth to the modern bicycle and in this part of South Warwickshire bordering on Gloucestershire, there is something for every cyclist as you can ride flat routes or go for rolling countryside and even some very steep hills if you want a challenge. This particular route ascends to 822 feet but is predominantly flat country lane cycling although you will have to share the road with cars in some places! The start, if you start in Stratford follows the Avon river, southwards. It can be found on the map www.thebikeshow.net/stratford. It takes in the edge of the Meon Hill, near Mickleton, which has long been associated with tales of ghosts, murder and witchcraft. The section from Stratford to Long Marston runs along the Stratford Greenway traffic free cycle path, a very pleasant ride beside the canal and the route of the former railway line.
Our local pub, the Howard Arms is quintessentially Cotswold in character. Flagstone floors, beams and a roaring fire on cold days. On top of that, great food and drink! Even better, you get a 10% discount on food there when you stay with us at Sansome House Cottage www.houfy.com/1016
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In Ilmington – The community shop (staffed by volunteers) on Grump Street. Sited in the old Catholic Church on the Upper Green. Open from 7.30 in the morning. Fresh local vegetables and meat. Fruit, all everyday items. Newspapers etc. Freshly baked croissants every morning. There is a café attached.
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