The Cotswold Water Park Pub Walk
From the Gateway Cafe to the Red Lion in CrickladeStarting within the Cotswold Water Park. This four-stop pub walk is reasonably easy walking. Taking in a section of the Thames Path finishing in Cricklade at the award-winning Red Lion, an exceptional pub with its own Micro Brewery.
Route Map
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At Glance
EASY FLAT WALKING ON WELL MARKED PATHS CLASSES THIS ROUTE AS ‘LIGHTWEIGHT’ BUT AT 14 MILES LONG YOU’LL NEED TO KEEP A GOOD PACE TO COMPLETE WITHIN THE TARGETED 6 HOURS
Distance
14 miles
Time [approx]
6 Hours
Pub Count
4
CBA Grade
Lightweight
Total Ascent
250 ft
Start Point
The Gateway Cafe
Highlights
The Itinerary
In winter it’s possible to start this walk early to ensure you finish in daylight. Starting at the popular Gateway cafe a few miles south of Cirencester you will find a great choice for breakfast. The pubs you will visit on the walk range from the exceptional to the ‘no so’ exceptional but in the spirit of all Beer Adventures, it’s about the conviviality of the day!

10:00 - 10:30: GATEWAY CAFE - South Cerney
The Gateway Cafe is Situated at the ‘Gateway’ of the Cotswold Water Park, it’s a great venue for starting your pub walk. Enjoy a substantial ‘Big Breakfast’ or beautifully cooked butty with wholemeal buttered bread washed down with a proper coffee.
12:30 - 13:00: THE MASONS ARMS - Meysey Hampton
The Masons Arms sits on the village green in the center of Meysey Hampton. Recently taken over the pub has been smartened up into a very appealing stop where you will receive a warm welcome.
The Masons Arms has been named as the country’s NEW PUB OF THE YEAR by The Good Pub Guide 2019!
14:30 - 15:00 THE OLD SPOTTED COW - Marston Meysey
The Old Spotted Cow is a traditional Cotswold-stone pub on the outskirts of the pretty village of Marston Meysey, The pub has been under the same ownership for the last 10 years and they clearly know what they are doing. The pub offers excellent real ales and freshly-cooked good British food.
15:30 - 16:00: THE RED LION - Castle Eaton
The first of two Red Lions on this pub walk! An acceptable pub for a quick stop off before heading onto the Thames path and striking for home
17:30 THE RED LION - Cricklade
The Red Lion Inn is situated in the center of historic Cricklade. The pub dates back to the early 1600s and has a real British pub atmosphere. The Pub offers an amazingly diverse and interesting range of beers including some made in their own onsite microbrewery The Hop Kettle Brewery.
For food you can eat in the bar and choose from pub classic such as Hop Kettle beer battered haddock, triple cooked chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce or eat in the restaurant for something a little more elegant like Confit Kelmscott pork belly, black pudding scotched quails egg, cep potato, buttered baby vegetables, chicken and thyme sauce – delicious!
Any pub that gives beer and food matching notes on the menu has to be serious about its commitment to beer. This is a classic finishing pub for a beer adventure
The Logistics:
GETTING HERE
The closest train station to the start of the walk is Kemble only 10 minutes taxi ride from the Gateway Center. Swindon is 20 minutes away.
TRANSPORT
Local taxis from Kemble need booking in advance. We recommend P & A Travel
Email info@pandatravelcirencester.co.uk
Phone 01285 657 983
Mobile 07946 006 847
ORGANISED BEER ADVENTURE:
If you’re in a large party, organising a stag or corporate event or simply want local insight we can help to ensure you have a fantastic weekend or day out in the Cotswolds – Let us help you create your own true Cotswold Beer Adventure. please contact us with your enquiry.
STAYING:
This is a selection of accommodation in the area. They are convenient for this particular pub walk and we like them! Those listed provided a range to suit most pockets but if you don’t find what you’re looking for follow the link to browse find the best value accommodation in this area
- The Masons Arms – Meysey Hampton
- The Red Lion – Cricklade
- The Eliot Arms – South Cerney
- Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel
- Habitat Escapes – Holiday cottages on the Lower Mill Estate within the Cotswold Water Park
Cirencester is 10 minutes from The Gateway Cafe start point and has a number of good hotels
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If you have completed this walk or would like to know more we would love to hear from you
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Somerford Keynes
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