AROUND AND ABOUT
The River Avon is a five-minute stroll away, offering lovely views. Turn right, walking across the fields, and you reach Bidford, first crossing the Avon at a 15th century stone bridge. There's excellent fishing all along here for members of Birmingham Anglers Association (www.baa.uk.com).
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Turn left, and you reach the lock, where you can rest and watch the narrow boats go by or treat your dog to a swim. Turn back on yourself and walk right, and you can get to Stratford on foot. Go back to the Hamlet, walk up the steep footpath and you can walk across the fields to Cleeve Prior. Don’t miss the King’s Arms, a 16th century pub with good food (at the moment!).
Bidford has a small Budgeon's (with good local produce), a baker’s, several pubs (including the Frog), takeaways and restaurants, notably the Bridge, which offers good food and views of the river. If you want country food for your shopping basket, Hillers (www.hillers.co.uk), a short drive away near Broom, has free-range meat from nearby Ragley Estate, fresh fish Tues-Fri and a deli counter. There’s also a nursery with gardens and a light, modern café with home-cooked food, which we recommend.
Approaching the cafe and garden at Hillers Nursery
If you prefer to get around by bike, you can hire one at Stratford Bike Hire:www.stratfordbikehire.com. The Stratford area is ideal for cycling with not too many hills and plenty of safe cycleways, including the Stratford Greenway, five miles along a former railway line, which forms part of the National Cycling Network Route 5. The Greenway goes as far as Welford, which is just a five-minute drive from Lantern Cottage (and not much more by bike). Look for the cafe set in a converted railway carriage with adjacent free car park. You can hire a bike there (best to check beforehand), get on it and ride right off.
Taking a break on the Stratford Greenway, where bikes can hired from Stratford Bike Hire