Star to Rooksbridge

7/9/19 A return on the Falcon coach service to Star to start. Then we took the footpath across some fields and past the Swan Inn to Rowberrow Warren. We soon find the spot were I went wrong on the previous walk and then less than ten minutes later, we are back at the door of the Swan Inn as it opened for business.


This hurriedly taken photo was trying to catch Sid walking by. The building is not really at an angle. We sat to the bar and had pleasant pints of Butcombe Haka (4.5%) and Gold (4.4%) for £8.10 as various people came in to order their lunch to eat outside. From here, it was a short walk along some lanes to Shipham.


The Penscod Inn sits just below the road near the centre of the village. It feels like an old pub on the inside. We had two pints of Forest Hare (3.9%) for £7 and chatted to the barman as it was quiet. On leaving, we headed south along a fairly busy road. As we left the village, the footpath ran out and we headed cross country on the West Mendip Way. The path dropped into a combe and up the other side towards the border. We were walking along the border for quite a way and did stray over it by a few yards at one point, but our health and safety team said that option was better than the busy road with no path. There were nice views towards Weston, the Severn Channel and Wales as we started descending off the Mendips.


We could have gone via Axbridge and its pubs, but we opted to stick close to the border and came out on the A38 just above Cross.

The New Inn seemed to be ticking over with passing trade and their meals. We sat at the bar and had Bristol Beer Factory pints of Independence (4.6%) and Great North Western (5.2%) for £8.40. Further away from the main road is the White Hart.


Just a few locals in as we had two pints of Tribute (4.2%) for £7.20, played pool and went on the juke box. Then it was down onto the A38 for a walk. At least there was a pavement. The Lamb at Weare was closed for the afternoon and we had to keep walking to Rooksbridge for a pint.


The Wellington Arms was open with a few locals in. When we asked for the real ale, the landlord started telling us how good he was at keeping it. That made us suspicious as we tried a Tribute (4.2%) and a Gem (4.1%) for £7. We were right to be suspicious.

Although walking along the A38 isn't great, at least it meant we were close for the Falcon service back.

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