The Wessex Ridgeway 2014
Accommodation review
One word -
expensive. The problems of a single night stay down in a
tourist area are magnified at weekends, with many
establishments wanting a minimum two night stay, some three.
I based my walking schedule around a 15 mile per day
routine, which didn’t always work out as some of my
preferred B&B’s were full or not available. A consequence of
this was that I stayed at a couple of expensive venues. Ok
if you’re a couple but not so good for a single walker.
There are plenty of choices generally if you dig around and
are prepared for some longer and shorter days. Generally
they were all fine establishments, with some more than
others, but I can honestly say I enjoyed them all.
Beckhampton B&B –
Beckhampton is about a
mile away from Avebury, and probably a twenty minute wander
along a back lane. The B&B fronts to a road as did my room.
It wasn’t noisy though and I had a fine sleep in a single
bed. I’d had a mooch around Avebury the day before and
really enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere. There’s a couple of
B&B’s there, a pub,
and a community shop where a sandwich or two can be
purchased. The B&B was well equipped, welcoming and quiet.
Breakfast was good.
http://www.aveburyworld.co.uk/
I spent most of the
evening across the road in the Waggon and Horses where I had
some good food and a nice relaxing drink or two listening in
to the pub quiz and trying not to shout the answers out.
http://www.waggonandhorsesbeckhampton.co.uk/home
Roundway (Devizes) B&B-
I chose Roundway as a
stopping off point as the owner Sue is a member of the
Walking
Forum and it looked a good place for walkers to stay.
After screwing up my reservation at Beckhampton Sue came to
the rescue and I managed to get an extra night and the bus
back to Avebury to start my walk. The B&B is lovely and
peaceful, very well equipped and I had a really good sleep.
Breakfast was a delight and nothing was too much to ask. A
very well run and welcoming B&B
http://www.whitehorsewalking.co.uk/
For my evening meal I
chose a small Italian called Franco’s and was rewarded with
a fine meal and an entertaining argument between the owners.
The walk down to Devizes from the B&B is down a lovely
avenue and takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
http://www.francosristorantedevizes.co.uk/
Edington Restaurant
with rooms -
I walked into Edington
after a long day, and went into the bar to check in – I had
a shandy before being shown up to the room. There’s a micro
brewery next door and I sampled one or two of their wares
before sleep. I ate in the restaurant which was very
pleasant, good food and good service. There was a great
lounge upstairs to sit in and enjoy, with an honesty bar if
you get thirsty later on. Breakfast was good and set me up
nicely for the day. The only down side was that in the quiet
of the night the fridges down in the kitchens set up an
annoying little resonance that came up through the floor and
did disturb my sleep a little.
http://www.threedaggers.co.uk/
Heytesbury Pub –
I really enjoyed the stay
here, mainly due to excellent entertainment at the quiz
night. No prizes for the winners, but a packed pub, friendly
locals and so nearly on the winning team. The food was
typical pub grub which filled a hole nicely. The room was
comfortable and quiet and I had a good nights sleep.
Breakfast was at a shared
table and was everything that I needed. They also made me up
a packed lunch at short notice due to the village shop next
door not having any that day.
http://www.redlionheytesbury.co.uk/
Donhead St Mary B&B–
The B&B is a little way
off the Wessex Ridgeway being a short walk up the hill from
Donhead St Andrew. It was the only place I could find around
here though. The welcome was OK, and a fresh pot of tea and
cake made before I disappeared for the evening down to the
pub in Donhead St Andrew. The gardens are beautiful, as is
the house, and the room was lovely. But the owner seemed a
little frosty, so maybe she doesn’t like having hikers
through her front door – who knows. After breakfast I didn’t
hang around for farewells which tell its own story. Maybe I
caught her on a bad day.
http://www.rosecottage.uk.com/
I did have a very good
evening in the pub, great company and good food, and very
welcoming by all.
http://www.theforesterdonheadstandrew.co.uk/
the tradesman entrance at Rose Cottage
Iwerne Minster Pub –
A little quiet, but the
food was OK. It’s not a gastro pub that’s for sure.
Breakfast was a bit hit and miss, with all the guests
expected to cram into a corner, despite plenty of table
room. It’s on a main road but the room was quiet enough and
again I slept well.
The King John at Tollard Royal
Higher Melcombe B&B –
The most expensive stay of
my trip, but it is a beautiful house and location. Very
quirky, but also very relaxed, I asked if I could use the
washing machine and was quickly told ‘just give me the
clothes and I’ll bung them in.
I could have wandered
anywhere around the house and I don’t think they would have
minded. The room was on the top floor, and had a separate
guest lounge to relax in. Well equipped and comfortable as
you would expect.
http://www.highermelcombemanor.co.uk/
For the evening meal a
walk down to Lower Ansty was about a mile and a half down
quiet lanes to the Fox Inn. I could have stayed here but
didn’t realise they had rooms to stay. Reasonable food and
great service as the bar staff gave a lift back up the road
to the Manor which did save tired legs
Melcombe Manor with the chapel on the right
The Chapel interior
a grand breakfast setting
Cattistock B&B-
I stayed here two nights
as it suited the logistics of the walk. What a wonderful
welcome to the house and again they couldn’t do enough to
help. Very good value and strongly recommended. I parked the
car here and travelled up to Avebury to start the walk.
Everything about the B&B was superb, comfortable room and
well equipped. Breakfast is around a big table and the food
prepared as everyone sits down. A great start to each day.
http://www.hightreesdorset.co.uk/
I walked down through the
village to the local pub for my evening meal. As a village
pub should be with a nice mix of locals and visitors. The
food was pub grub and ok, and the cider went down a treat.
http://www.foxandhoundsinn.com/
Broadwindsor B&B-
I tried to stay here but
it was fully booked. There are a couple of B&B’s in the
village and a pub. It’s also only a few miles to Beaminster,
but I couldn’t find anywhere to stay there either. Maybe
that’s because it was a Saturday night and they only take
two night bookings?
http://www.theoldgeorge-broadwindsor.co.uk/
