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Barge Inn, Honey Street, Wiltshire

Barge Inn, Honey Street, Wiltshire

19
Member
19

    Apr 29, 2017#1

    This may be old news to some of you, but meybe not everyone knows that the Barge Inn at Honey Street [Kennet and Avon] has changed hands [again]. It used to be one of the highlights of a paddle on the Canal to haul out there and camp, with a BBQ and good ale. The new owner doesn't seem inclined to continue the arrangement for allowing folks to camp in his field and use a fire-pit. There is also a debate about how long the pub itself will stay open as the new Italian owner has plans that MIGHT include closing down and going for residential use.

    27K3,045
    Contributing Member
    27K3,045

      Apr 29, 2017#2

      Sounds like bad news, the Barge was one of those pubs which had a unique atmosphere all of its own, and was very friendly, if a little weird. Where will all the crop circle devotees and UFO spotters go now?
      SMopencanoePaddler,blogger,camper,pyromaniac:

      Blog: Wilderness is a State of Mind

      Paddle Points - where to paddle

      19
      Member
      19

        Apr 29, 2017#3

        Lots of local unhappiness. The Croppies are campaigning to prevent the owner from painting over the ceiling mural as "he doesn't like it". The Barge was renowned for both the Croppies and their music and the mural. May be a compromise with the mural - a suspended ceiling put in to cover it. For us paddlers the future of the camping is in great doubt. Will keep folks posted.

        484
        Member
        484

          Apr 29, 2017#4

          I was disappointed to find it had stopped doing camping when I looked recently

          the closest alternative seems to be The Golden Swan a few miles east, although it's 300m off the canal

          http://www.thegoldenswan.co.uk/

          http://www.paddlepoints.net/paddlepoint ... =SN9%205NN

          860
          Member
          860

            Apr 29, 2017#5

            aannddyyhh wrote:I was disappointed to find it had stopped doing camping when I looked recently

            the closest alternative seems to be The Golden Swan a few miles east, although it's 300m off the canal

            http://www.thegoldenswan.co.uk/

            http://www.paddlepoints.net/paddlepoint ... =SN9%205NN
            We have camped in the farmer's field at Brassknocker Basin before, only a tap though and a chemical loo can be hired in for enough of you. As most will know we have had a few marauders there, I am sure Woodworm and two sugars will share Farmer Richard Young's number if someone wanted to organise a meet. Shame about the Barge inn, there were some downsides though. Partying in various camping vehicles and barges seemed to be the norm till 2 or 3 in the morning, and the toilets were crap (pun definitely intended) I understand there was a makeover before it closed. I do like the canal but in Summer it is like the M25 of the waterways

            Dave

            36
            Member
            36

              May 02, 2017#6

              Yes but the cider was good

              8871
              Member
              8871

                May 02, 2017#7

                adrian 1 wrote:Yes but the cider was good

                But it was the Alien green beer you were drinking Adrian

                36
                Member
                36

                  May 02, 2017#8

                  Still good

                  1,548257
                  Member
                  1,548257

                    May 03, 2017#9

                    There was also a fairly mean swan further along from the Barge Inn. Wonder if he is still around.
                    And a friendly dog at the pub - a British Bulldog.