Touring the Banburyshire pubs on a bike: Cycle to film sets and battlefields

Lazy days are what summer is about and no better way to enjoy them than a cycle to a village pub to support their struggling businesses. This week the Three Conies in Thorpe Mandeville is particularly in need. It was taken over in December and has been shut longer than it has been open.

Starting the reverse of last week was satisfying downhill to Chacombe before a gentle climb through golden, poppy strewn fields to Wardington to meet Pete and son Ben.

Setting off past the church then the pub meant using the A361 but it was resurfaced and can easily be avoided via the pavement. The Hare and Hounds is shut but locals have been served with brilliant barbecue food from The Coachhouse. I imagined the smell of roasting meat as it might have been 551 years ago when armies prepared for the Battle of Edgcote on July 26, 1469.

In the battle during the War of the Roses the Earl of Pembroke’s Royalists were defeated by the Earl of Warwick’s Rebels who briefly captured King Edward IV but eventually lost the war. More memorably for most, Edgcote House was Mr Bingley’s residence in Pride and Prejudice. Continuing to Culworth Ben was involved with his own battle up the hill which meant we took the flatter Sulgrave Road to Thorpe Mandeville.

At the Three Conies proprietor Darren Drummond talked us through the changes. The function room is now a funky lounge leading through to decking where we met the equally funky chickens and enjoyed drinks. Owned by Hook Norton Brewery I was excited to have my latest favourite, Haymaker. Fruity and slightly citrusy it was refreshing but the classic, crisp Hooky Gold deserved its 2019 awards. For food I chose salt and pepper squid that was wonderfully light and crispy. Ben had a bucket of fish with prawns, lemon goujons and scampi which would be great to share as would Pete’s classy charcuterie. The ultimate seafood must be the chowder, in a cottage loaf – enough to satisfy the hungriest fisherman.

Returning to Middleton is quickest on the B4525 or you could go via Thenford or Chacombe or, as we did, via Wardington. The tiny road opposite the pub avoids the climb from last week but has a nice downhill. I hope the momentum to get people cycling and supporting our pubs is getting going and perhaps we can take advantage of the ‘eat out to help out’ programme for cheaper food Monday to Wednesday.

Route 3 – 13.1 miles www.maps.ie/map-my-route/viewMap.php?route=148145