Cleobury Food and Ale Trail

Yesterday we went on the third Cleobury Country Food and Ale Trail.  Having been on the previous two, our expectations were high, and we were not disappointed.  It started near to the lovely Norman-Early English Kinlet Church (which marks the site of a village which was in the Domesday book but was demolished in the early 18th century when Kinlet Hall was built).  We went through farmland: 

and bluebell woods:

to the first stop.  It's pretty well my idea of heaven, - we had a map to guide us through beautiful countryside, and stewards to make sure you don't get lost, there was good company and every couple of miles a stop with food and drink from local suppliers:

The first stop was for coffee and Ashley's fantastic cakes:

and then on through more farmland:

to Heath Farm, Bagginswood.  The trail guide helpfully pointed out that Bagginswood is nothing to do with Tolkein (good - I can't stand the Hobbit) but means "wood where there be badgers".  Here handsome (?) bar men would serve Hobson's Twisted Spire blonde beer (named after the twisted spire of Cleobury Mortimer Church).

and a smoked salmon starter:

I will cover Heath Farm shop in a later post, but there was a chance to admire their cattle:

before pressing on to Chorley, and passing (?) the Duck Inn:
We got to Chorley Village Hall

where Le Potager served chilli with local bread and Hobson's mild (deservedly voted best in Britain in 2007).  

Here we were entertained by the Bridgnorth Area Youth Orchestra:

we then went past the magnificent medieval Lower Chorley  Farmhouse:
to go straight back (or not for those who got lost) to Kinlet where WI helpers served a dessert:which was either a Catalan style dessert (made with Saddlers Barn eggs):

or Eaton Mess:

I rather liked these Silver Service vans:

and the notice on the back:

The day finished at Kinlet Hall (built in 1727 and now a school):

Kinlet Hall was once owned by the 16th century physician and naturalist Thomas Moffat, who wrote the first serious treatise on insects, and his daughter Patience is believed to be the ‘Little Miss Muffet’ of the nursery rhyme.  Entertainment was provided by the barbecue:

(sorry for that joke), Steeple Morris dancers:

and the Bell Inn Brass Band and the Reid Warblers and barn dancing (for anyone with the energy).

It was a brilliant day, a big thank you to all concerned.  I'll try and put details here of future trails, but only after I've secured my tickets first!

Web: www.cleoburycountry.com