The best road cycling routes around Cop Mere

In the search for a worthy patron saint for this church, the Archangel Michael was initially chosen, whose name (derived from Hebrew) means "Who is like God?". However, it was then apparently decided that it wouldn't hurt to significantly increase the number of intercessors before God's throne for this church and its parishioners. Thus, the idea arose not to choose just a single patron saint, but to extend the patronage to the entire heavenly host (i.e., "All Angels").

Great ride up to the Hall, a bit of a climb (but the only climb on this route considered worth rating by Garmin!). Turn left just at the hall, and a great lane again, but mind the speed humps which are quite sharp.

Excellent stop-off in Newport, good coffee, great cake.

A lovely old Joules pub, steeped in history. The Royal Oak is a quintessential coaching inn of the 1900s which provided substantial stabling and accommodation for travellers. Its story dates back even further than the coaching inn era, the origins of the building can be seen in the attics; the central chimney may even pre-date the ancient timbers. The attics, long abandoned reveal a set of small eerie servants rooms with no natural light. With lath and lime plaster and small oak framed door openings, these rooms evidence an ancient building and suggest the Royal Oak was a substantial inn well before the old toll roads. The Inn’s name also suggests royalist loyalty at the time of the English civil war which explains the rumour of a tunnel leading from the cellars to Gaol Butts nearby. The cellars are certainly ancient; old stone and arched and do reveal an intriguing closed passage. The coaching era heralded a major change of the Oak, in the early 1800’s the arches would have been added and the attics abandoned in favour of extensions to the pub including the coaching stables and the fine assembly rooms. In Victorian times, the inn was radically changed again, staircases and internal toilets added and rooms amalgamated and the introduction of a bar servery. Before this it is likely the inn would not have had a servery – just ale in jugs poured straight from the cask in the cellar.

A fabulous bakery & cafe selling homemade bread & cakes, and a lovely breakfast menu.

A superb pub selling great drinks and amazing food. Highly recommended that if you wish to eat there, you book a table at the weekends. https://fitzherbertarms.co.uk/

The present Church of St Nicholas is of Norman origin but was lengthened in the 14th century. The Perpendicular style tower was added around 1460 by the Earl of Warwick but he didn't get round to finish the job and top it off with a spire. Being an Earl must be a tad busy I guess!

The church of St Swithun in Cheswardine. First built in the 13th centaury with the tower added in the late 15th centaury and then several modifications since. It's now a grade 2 listed building. As a different rider said the deep porch is useful to escape the rain.