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The Bridge Inn

Michaelchurch Escley, Herefordshire HR2 0JW
3.5

We say

Teaser text: 

Grab your bike and and tackle those stunning hertfordshire hills. Or you could just pitch up by the brook and enjoy a refreshing pint of locally brewed ale and unwind.

Cool Camping campsite review: 

There's a small back road from the Welsh village of Pandy that skirts around the bottom of the Black Mountains, and so unwittingly finds itself in England for a stretch. Just before it heads back for the border at Hay-on-Wye, it slides into Michaelchurch Escley, a sinuous village named after both its church and its brook. At one of the few turnings-off sits the deftliest of hidden pubs, the Bridge Inn. The demarcation here is clear: campervans and caravans are corralled by the riverside, while a grassy terrace plays host to the two-man tents. The top terrace – a sunny circle bounded by trees – accommodates the family-sized dwellings. In summer, children play in the stream by the inn's eponymous bridge, while their parents sit out in the beer garden pretending to keep an eye on them. The pub, a low-beamed inn of indeterminate age, was once a place where drovers slaked their thirst before taking their herds or flocks across the river. Today it still serves locally brewed real ales, and meals that use locally sourced produce wherever possible. A large folder in the pub bulges with scores of local walks – if you did one a day you'd be here all summer – urging hikers up to Hergest Ridge, the Devil's Pulpit, Arthur's Stone and beyond. The cycling is pretty good here too, with plenty of very minor roads wending their way from somnolent village to somnolent village, before surprising the patient pedaller with huge open vistas of Herefordshire hills.

The basics: 

Size: 3⁄5 acre. Pitches: 15 (3 hard standing). Terrain: Flat. Shelter: Yes. View: No. Waterside: Yes, the Escley brook. Electric hook-ups: 6. Noise/Light/Olfactory pollution: Only whatever noise emanates from the pub or the car park, and it’s possible to nab a pitch away from both.

The facilities: 

Loos: 2 Men's 2 Women's. Showers: 1 Men's 1 Women's (free). Other facilities: Belfast sink in ladies'. Stuff for children: Children’s playground, various toys & swings in trees. Recycling: Bottles and shoes (oh yes).

The rules: 

Dogs: On leads. Fires: BBQs and fires off ground. Other: No parking on grass.

Shop: 

Shop Hopes of Longtown, (3½ miles) – a stylish curving roof on a modern wooden building that houses a comprehensive range of victuals and an off licence; 01873 860444.

Nearest decent pub: 

The Bridge Inn (free house; on the doorstep).

Out and about: 

The 177-mile Offa’s Dyke Path and the Black Mountains are just 4 miles away as the crow flies (though the crow will need to gain some height), both offer superb walking possibilities. Llanthony (13½ miles by road, around 5 by footpath) – a hamlet in the high Vale of Ewyas that plays host to the ruins of 12th century Llanthony Priory, part of which is an exquisite hotel whose bar is always worth a visit; 01873 890487.

The damage: 

Backpacker: Up to £5, Couple: Up to £10, Family: Up to £15

Open: 

All year.

3.5

You say

Reviews:
  • The Bridge Inn
    Glyn
    12/11
    5

    This Ancient Riverside Inn at the foot of the Black Mountains in the Heart of the Golden Valley has recently been lovingly restored and now serves cask conditioned real ale and a selection of local ciders. Great food is available daily from 12noon until 9pm (except Sunday evening and all day Monday). Pool and darts to keep the kids entertained.

    Refurbishment of the camping area, showers and campsite toilets is planned for late February. Until then ‘rough’ winter camping is available to those who wish to brave it free of charge (note no showers available).

    Book early for 2012 to avoid disappointment.

    The Bridge Inn - Eat | Drink | Enjoy
    Michaelchurch Escley
    Herefordshire
    HR2 0JW
    Tel: 01981510646

    tent pitch
    20/12/11
  • The Bridge Inn
    Zoelyworm
    09/10
    2

    Just got back from two nights camping at The Bridge Inn. Sadly, the site was a bit of a let down despite the beautiful setting and incredible scenery. The site was tiny and well presented but the toilet and shower blocks were pretty rough and the pub was less than welcoming. The children's play area consists of a trampoline surrounded by broken toys, rubbish and, rather disturbingly, two rabbit hutches overcrowded with bunnies that were clearly not being fed, cleaned out or looked after. No real woodland to speak of although there are some trees behind the campsite with a couple of rope swings for the kids. The pub doesn't open until 12noon, closes at 3pm, opens again at 6pm and then closes as soon as it's empty which makes it difficult for you to come and go or pop back for a night cap. The kitchen looked fairly abandoned and the menu was uninspired, we didn't risk eating there as there only appeared to be children in the kitchen and no adults which was a bit of a worry. Only one real ale on that wasn't up to much. Pool table, dart board and outdated jukebox which provided some entertainment on the Friday night, didn't get a look in on Saturday night as the pub closed at 9pm. Lovely friendly pub dog and cat and some really good pubs and walks within an hour's drive (The Crown at Longtown did an excellent pint of Butty Back and great food, including a full children's menu at good prices). Heard that the current owners are looking to sell up which could explain why it feels like the business is being run down a bit. Alot of potential, shame the place feels a bit unloved.

    tent pitch
    05/09/10
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    Getting there

    Public transport: 

    Train station: Abergavenny (14 miles) or Hereford (15 miles) – Shrewsbury to Newport line. From Abergavenny, walk to nearby Llanfoist Fawr, take bus no. X4 (www.stagecoachbus.com) to Pontrilas and pick up the Nick Maddy Coaches’ no. 440 to Michaelchurch Escley.

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    Contact

    Phone: 
    01981 510646
     
    Address: 
    Michaelchurch Escley, Herefordshire HR2 0JW
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    • Michaelchurch Escley, County of Herefordshire, County of Herefordshire HR2 0JW, United Kingdom
    • 52.002064°, -2.997932°
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