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Pub Guide

Chequers - Little Gransden

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Roy Rides

Roy Rides

Great Staughton, Buckden, Offords

Introduction:

We are back to Cambridgeshire for our next ride. This is another ride that has evolved out of delivering branch newsletters. Dedication to duty again.

Distance:20 miles. Should take around 4 hours. Depending on how many pubs you visit and how long you stay in each.

The Ride:

This time we start from St Neots Market Square. Exit the square by travelling over the town river bridge. At the roundabout take the third exit, towards the Barley Mow (Greene King). Stop if you want to, but it’s a little early in the ride. Proceed along Crosshall Road, parallel to Riverside Park, then up the hill, until you reach the Eaton Oak, (1.0 Mile) a Charles Wells house. This is a relatively new pub and was formerly called Stephenson’s Rocket. Again stop if you wish, but you will hardly have had time to work up a thirst, so for most it’s onward we go.

There is a cycle path on the right hand side of the road so it would be prudent to use that in preference to the road. Follow the cycle path to the end, and turn right off the main road into Hail Weston village where you will find our first pub, the Royal Oak. (2.0 miles) This is a lovely thatched village pub, belonging to Charles Wells. It has a huge garden for kids to play in. Inside there is a cosy inglenook fireplace in the main bar and a separate restaurant for diners. Charles Wells, Eagle and Marstons Pedigree were on offer at the time of our visit. Exit the pub, turn right and follow the road out of the village. On the left hand side at the end of village you will notice Crown Court which has taken its name from the Crown public house which stood the site until a few years ago.

Unfortunately the cycle path is no more, so it’s on to the main road heading towards Great Staughton.

The next pub, the White Hart (5.0 miles) is 500 metres or so after entering the village. This is a former coaching inn, as suggested by the archway through to the car park at the back. This is a Bateman’s tied house, one of only two in the branch area. DM dark mild and XB bitter are usually on sale.

After tearing yourself away from the excellent mild, the next pub, just around the corner is the Tavern on the Green. The pub has just been entered in the Michelin ‘Eating out in Pubs’ guide, so maybe a chance to have a good bite to eat. This is a free house so a wide range of beers is possible. Greene King featured heavily in our visit. This pub was originally named the Crown, and belonged to the former local brewer James Paine. Interestingly, the name Tavern was taken from the closed New Tavern on the opposite side of the road.

After leaving the pub take the B661 towards West Perry. There is bit of a hill to climb but then it is flat along the side of Grafham Water and then into West Perry.

The next pub is the Wheatsheaf (7.0 miles), a Greene King tied house with all the usual beers on offer. This pub is good for traditional pub food. Note the bar is shaped like a boat.

Continue right after leaving the pub, towards Buckden. The road leads to the A1 Buckden roundabout, but do not attempt to cross the road. There is an underpass on the left which will see you safely underneath. In Buckden (10 miles) we have a choice of three pubs. The Vine is a popular free house selling Black Sheep Bitter and Fullers London Pride on our visit. Adjacent is the upmarket George Hotel, an old coaching inn, with its grand stainless steel bar counter. Adnams Bitter and a cask beer from B & T were on tap here. Across the road is another old coaching inn, the Lion Hotel, another very upmarket establishment, sadly closed at the time we called.

Time to leave Buckden. From the Lion Hotel follow the road towards the Offords. A point of interest en route is the former Spread Eagle pub on the right. Take in the sights of Offord mill and marina. You may also have to wait at the level crossing for a train or two. This is the main East coast line. Whilst waiting, ponder that there was once a station here, sadly closed in 1959. Once across, proceed to the main road. On your left is the Swan (11.7 miles) a Charles Wells house. On our visit handpumps were on the bar, but there was no real ale on. All sold out. Never mind!

The next pub is only a short ride. Leaving the Sun, turn right towards Offord D’Arcy and in less than half a mile is the Horseshoes (12 miles), a fine old building with plenty of character. There is plenty of choice, with three beers usually on tap. There is also a good selection of good value food if you are feeling peckish.

Now its decision time, between a return to St Neots via Great Paxton or via Graveley. Great Paxton is the shortest route, but you must traverse the steepest hill on the route, at Paxton Hill. There is one pub at Great Paxton, the Bell which offers Greene King beers. We took the longer route but with no hill via Graveley.

Once in Graveley go just past the Toseland turn to get to the Three Horseshoes (14.5 miles). This is the only pub in the village and offers a couple of beers on handpump. Adnams Bitter is usually the house beer. The pub made a bold move in the summer by announcing that it was going totally no smoking. I’m glad to report that this has been a hit with all the customers.

Leaving the Three Horseshoes, go back to the junction and take the road towards Toseland. Keep going until you reach a crossroads and turn right into Toseland. There was once a pub in this small village, the Blue Ball. One of the branch’s first campaigning events was to try to stop Greene King from closing the pub. Sadly we lost and the pub closed in 1977. Continue through the village and along the road until you reach the junction at the top of Paxton Hill. Turn left and freewheel all the way back down the hill to St Neots.

By now you are probably thirsty so call in at the Woolpack (20.5 miles) in Church Street for a pint of Charles Wells or one of the usual guest beers on offer.

Roy Endersby