Discussion
My wife and I are staying at the Queen's Arms in East Garston for two night this coming weekend - chosen mainly for convenience and relaxation factors, it's in the middle of nowhere but only 1 hour 30 from home.
It's a part of the UK have not been to before as it never seemed particularly glamorous (being between Reading and Swindon...) - any nice market towns, walks, pubs that are recommended?
Itinerary so far is going to Welford Park to see the snow drops, mooching in Hungerford and perhaps Marlborough (my wife likes pottering around independent shops)? Not sure Wantage is worth a visit?
It's a part of the UK have not been to before as it never seemed particularly glamorous (being between Reading and Swindon...) - any nice market towns, walks, pubs that are recommended?
Itinerary so far is going to Welford Park to see the snow drops, mooching in Hungerford and perhaps Marlborough (my wife likes pottering around independent shops)? Not sure Wantage is worth a visit?
Hungerford is good for antiques, Marlborough better for ladies' clothes. Avebury is nice if you want some neolithic stone action and a stroll. Lots of great walking on the Downs - south of Marlborough there are some good circular walks you can do on the hills looking down across the Vale of Pewsey (above the Alton Barnes white horse for example) or further north the Downs around Uffington are also nice. It would be a shame to come all this way and not see a white horse! Barbury and Liddington castles are also good spots for windy walks, both are hillforts and it's amazing to imagine some ancient peoples storming up the steep hills to attack them.
Pubs I'm not very good on around here any more I'm afraid. The Silks in Ogbourne St Andrew is now run by an ex-Masterchef winner and I read good things but not been myself in ages. The Red Lion at East Chisenbury is excellent, but might be a bit far and spendy - Michelin quality cookery. La Bobina does good tapas in Marlborough. The Palm nr Froxfield on the A4 between Marlborough and Hungerford does an excellent curry, a cut above a typical takeaway.
Pubs I'm not very good on around here any more I'm afraid. The Silks in Ogbourne St Andrew is now run by an ex-Masterchef winner and I read good things but not been myself in ages. The Red Lion at East Chisenbury is excellent, but might be a bit far and spendy - Michelin quality cookery. La Bobina does good tapas in Marlborough. The Palm nr Froxfield on the A4 between Marlborough and Hungerford does an excellent curry, a cut above a typical takeaway.
Agree with all of the above.
Wouldn't go out of my way to visit Wantage, it's OK but not great.
In terms of places to eat and drink, the Crab & Boar at Chieveley is quite good, but the main reason for visiting is it's on the fabulous B4494, which is an all-time favourite driving road. You can make a loop by following it to Wantage then turning left, heading West out of town and taking the B4001 back towards Lambourn, where you turn left and pick up the Newbury Road back towards East Garston.
Wouldn't go out of my way to visit Wantage, it's OK but not great.
In terms of places to eat and drink, the Crab & Boar at Chieveley is quite good, but the main reason for visiting is it's on the fabulous B4494, which is an all-time favourite driving road. You can make a loop by following it to Wantage then turning left, heading West out of town and taking the B4001 back towards Lambourn, where you turn left and pick up the Newbury Road back towards East Garston.
Edited by FlyingPanda on Wednesday 18th February 16:29
uffington wight horse/waylands smith and the ridgeway, avebury even for walks, all worth a visit if never been and have a passing interest in our history.
likewise giants grave in the vale of pewsey, and generaly other location in the vale of pewsey.
its a strange and atmospheric landscape, massively underrated round there.
not wanting to be mystical but you sense the age of the landscape and its connections with our ancient forefathers.
ramsbury bell is decent food near you, as above red lion is nice, and woodspeen just outside newbury is good, its sister star at sparsholt used to be great, ironically went downhill after the woodspeen folk took it over which (led me to cease going couple of years ago), but may have upped its game. greyhound at letcombe is good too.
likewise giants grave in the vale of pewsey, and generaly other location in the vale of pewsey.
its a strange and atmospheric landscape, massively underrated round there.
not wanting to be mystical but you sense the age of the landscape and its connections with our ancient forefathers.
ramsbury bell is decent food near you, as above red lion is nice, and woodspeen just outside newbury is good, its sister star at sparsholt used to be great, ironically went downhill after the woodspeen folk took it over which (led me to cease going couple of years ago), but may have upped its game. greyhound at letcombe is good too.
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