15th May 2014 Chipping Campden Crawl 58

Had a good day today. Decided to go for the most mileage with a trip to Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds. Went out through Leamington and reached Chipping via Loxley, Ettington, and Ilmington. The return journey was a lot flatter through Mickleton, Long Marston, Stratford and Charlecote.  The weather was perfect for cycling.

The Royal Pug

You may recall, a couple of days ago the Fat Pug pub was featured here. This must be the 'sister' pub to the Fat Pug, the Royal Pug, and is on the site of the old Warwick Arms, later the Sozzled Sausage.

Blue Lane Loxley

This is quite a climb up through Loxley Village but the view at the top is pretty spectacular. The ride down the other side is not bad either!

Ettington Park Hotel

This is dedicated to my granddaughter Katie who married Mark here in December 2010. The hotel is in a splendid setting and passing the gate, could not resist riding up the drive to get this for her.

Ilmington

This is a lovely little village on the edge of the Cotswolds. The Howard Arms looks a nice pub, set in an idyllic setting.  One feature about Ilmington is it is home to a huge hill! I had checked the map several times and worked out a route around the village that cut out the climb to the top. Unfortunately, I missed the turning, negotiated a corner and there, like a huge wall was the hill. As Graham once said to me, "Don't look up!". I got about half way up but had to get off and walk. Not sure what the gradient was but it was enough to warrant the use of oxygen.

Transmitter Station, Ilmington

Once at the top of the hill, took a slight detour to see what the views were like. Pretty spectacular but there wasn't a decent viewpoint for them. Found this station though at the top. The 620' climb seemed worth it after all.  It was all downhill then to Chipping Campden.

Chipping Campden Market Hall

In the centre of the town stands the old market hall. Built in 1627, its main purpose was as a central place to sell the wool that was produced here. The word chipping is actually old english for market place. Note it is built of the local Cotswold stone as is every other building in these parts.

The Bantam Tea Rooms

This was a nice little find, and after 30 miles and a ruddy great hill, very necessary! Situated just opposite the market hall, it was just what the doctor ordered. Tea and a warm cheese scone went down very well. The staff were very pleasant and filled my water bottle up before I left. Can recommend it.

A good ride today, followed by a sense of achievement at having done 58.5 miles.  This is the most done in a single day, a little short of the 60 I was after, but still a red letter day.