Fill Yer Boots

The Waendel Walk attracts participants from all over the world. Hardly surprising really, the rolling countryside around Wellingborough is just made for walking. After a long day on the hoof there can be nothing better than a cool, refreshing pint of beer or cider, and that's where the Waendel Walk Beer Festival comes in.


I don't know about you, but when I go off route and visit far-flung parts of the world, it's not a pint of the usual I'm after, it's something local, something I can't easily get at home. Beer Festival organiser John Norton (aka Farmer John) agrees, and that's why all the beers, and most of the ciders have been sourced from within 30 miles of Wellingborough. Most of the local Northamptonshire breweries are represented, and for our part we've sent a couple of barrels of Rockingham Forest Cider (7.2%), and a couple more of Blakeney Red Perry (6%). In addition there will be cider from Eve's of Kettering, and Westons Herefordshire Country Perry.

After dropping the barrels off, we had a swift half in the local CAMRA award winning Coach & Horses. This was our first time at the Coach & Horses, and I was suitably impressed. Festooned with interesting breweriana, and not a hint of the shabbiness you find in some 'real ale' pubs. The bar offering was good too, I had something tasty from Summerskills of Devon, whilst the missus enjoyed a Webb Ellis Bitter from the Rugby Brewing Co. A real cider is also available, but the strikingly orange Thatchers Cheddar Valley is really not to my taste! There's a pleasant looking garden at the rear of the pub too, just the job for when the hot Summer finally arrives...