Now we’re not encouraging you to drink ON the bus: no beers when you’re actually riding the Daffodil Line, please! But the 232 does have a splendid selection of watering holes along her route, So in our “Beers on the Bus” features we are going to introduce you to some that you may not have tried out yet. In this issue, we are visiting the Kilcot Inn.
Two miles west of Newent on the way to Gorsley in the Ross direction, the Kilcot Inn is one of the closest pubs to the route of the Daffodil Line – the bus stops are right outside the pub car park, on both sides of the road. A pleasant and carefully restored building originating in the 17th Century, it has a characterful bright interior.
Casual drinkers are well catered for with two or three hand-pulled cask ales, often from Wye Valley Brewery, with local ciders served on draft and some in bottles. International beers and lagers and a wide range of wines are served. There is a small bar area for non-diners.
The main emphasis here is on excellent food, from light bites and sandwiches to full three course meals, with lunch service, evening meals and Sunday roasts. Booking is advised. The dining area is divided into several areas, giving an intimate feel although there is plenty of room for larger groups of diners.
Sustainability and the environment are a big focus here too. The pub is home to Newent Bee Keepers Society and Kilcot Honey is available to buy. All waste waler is recycled through on-site reed beds and all food is sourced within 50 miles some grown on-site.
Despite the close location to the road, The Kilcot has a lovely big garden making it a good choice for the summer months. There is a pleasant outside seating area to the rear of the pub, with extensive seating, some of it in quirky rustic tiki/safari-style huts, perfect for when the English summer lives up to its reputation. There is a large upper field with a children’s play area giving plenty of space for kids to run around and let off steam whilst you enjoy your drink. And in the summer months, the whole garden is filled with flowers, to keep the resident bees happy.
For those who want to stay a little longer the pub offers four comfortable and stylish en-suite rooms with high ratings from the AA and other rating websites.
The Kilcot is a good base for walkers. The situation at the junction of several regional and local walking routes makes the Kilcot Inn a great start or finish to an extensive network of walks on Public Rights of Way. The Three Choirs Way passes by the Kilcot Inn, coming from Oxenhall to the north, and crosses the B4421 road to continue south to where it joins the Geopark Way and on to the summit of May Hill, just 3 miles the Kilcot bus stop. There is easy access to the many paths of the Newent Woods. Several paths offer a walk onwards to Newent town centre to rejoin the Daffodil line.
The Daffodil Line runs an evening service past the Kilcot on Friday and Saturday, with the last bus back to Ross leaving at around 9.15, pm and 10.15pm for Newent and points to Ledbury. There are buses, in both directions throughout the day, 7 days a week.
Opening Times
Monday: 10:00am – 10:30pm
Tuesday – Wednesday: 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Thursday – Saturday: 10:00am – 11:00pm
Sunday: 12:00 am – 7:00 pm
Tel: 01989 720707 Website: http://www.kilcotinn.com
