The Tipperary Inn


It's important that any walk of more than a few miles either begin and end at a pub, or that there be a pub halfway around. This afternoon, Clara, Peter and I went on a seven-mile walk from Kenilworth Castle to the Tipperary Inn in Meer End. The Tipperary Inn (originally The Plough) was once owned by the Williams family, originally of Balsall. One of the Williams sons, Harry, became famous for writing the World War I standard, "It's a Long Way to Tipperary." The walk (an extension of my favorite short walk, see Tuesday, September 19) begins with wonderful views of the castle, crosses numerous fields full of friendly cows, and passes close to Rudfyn Manor, an Elizabethan farm house. The Tipperary has a pleasant beer garden and good ale on tap, including Director's and Tetley's.

Rudfyn Manor

A Contented Cow

Kenilworth Castle. Here you can see that Kenilworth is a "motte and bailey" castle: it is built on a raised mound of earth (motte), with a courtyard (bailey) enclosed in a curtain wall. The building on top of the mound is the Great Hall built by John of Gaunt, the second-oldest section of the castle.