Touring the Banburyshire pubs on a bike: The Star Inn in Sulgrave

Pub Pedals by Miles Doughty

Enjoying a sunny September Saturday lots of people were out enjoying the country lanes around Banburyshire and I was again cycling to check out another pub.

I was joined by my brother, Mark, who, with a bit more cycling experience didn’t mind the slightly hillier ride (a flatter short cut is also shown). We took one of several routes to Thorpe Mandeville then up to Culworth where we were overtaken by several classic rally cars. In Eydon we discovered more cars and the high street festooned with bunting and all the stalls of a normal village fete. We resisted the cakes and headed to Canon’s Ashby house, a popular National trust property, the first to be rescued in the 1980s using government funds although perhaps not so lucky in this pandemic. We escaped the relative crowds, keen to get to the pub, like monks from the priory at Canon’s Ashby had notoriously done before us.

Taking the bigger road to Moreton Pinkney, we soon turned off heading to Weston, Helmdon then Sulgrave. These back roads are lovely, rolling through fields and are quiet except for farmers trying to get the harvest in. This clearly makes them popular with cyclists as we saw more than any of the pub pedals so far.

The Star pub in Sulgrave is also popular with cyclists according to landlord Steve, as well as with walkers and visitors to the nearby historic Sulgrave Manor. Both are lovely listed buildings with extensive gardens and it has taken Steve several years to sort out the pub gardens and kept him busy during lockdown.

A Hook Norton pub, I happily tucked into a refreshing pint of Cotswold Pale Ale that is tastier in my opinion than the brewery’s Ironstone lager that we tried afterwards. From a simple starters menu, I had potato and onion hotpot that was really tasty despite it’s simplicity. I was also tempted by the crispy chilli beef main, which showcases the local Newbottle beef that my brother enjoyed on his mission to find the perfect burger.

Heading home from Sulgrave we reflected how good it was to see the pub doing so well and nice to see other things returning to more normality. I hope the students returning to school goes as well. I also hope that you keep up the cycling despite the autumn weather and continue to support the pubs now Eat Out to Help Out has finished.