The Self Guided Cotswolds Way is the perfect inn-to-inn hiking tour if you like curry.
At the Noel Arms Hotel in Chipping-Campden, England (day 1 of our hiking tour), chef Indunil Upatissa serves up curry dishes with distinction. Upatissa is Britain’s only three-time winner, and the current title-holder, of the Great British Pubs Awards—Best Curry Chef.Under Upatissa’s direction, the Noel Arms serves delicious curry, with a special “curry night” offered during the last Thursday of every month. The Noel Arms offers a choice of authentic curries from across the Far East served in the hotel’s restaurant, conservatory, and the Dover's Bar.
Can’t make curry night on the last Thursday of the month? No problem!
In the Cotswolds, virtually every pub offers a curry of the day, and every town of modest size boasts at least one Indian restaurant. As Ryder-Walker’s founder, Peter Walker, likes to say,”It is possible to eat curry twice a day, every day, and I do!”
Here’s a partial list of some of our favorite pubs and Indian restaurants along the Cotswolds Way. Tip: don’t underestimate the “take away” restaurants. Our Cotswolds hiking tour offers charming B&B accommodations every night so that you can sample the regional fare at your leisure. While upscale dining is a must-do during the course of this tour, oftentimes, it’s the casual take away curry restaurants that really hit the spot mid week (especially for lunch).
In Chipping Campden:
Noel Arms
Best Curry Chef—Three time winner.
Maharaja Restaurant
A real treasure if you like atmospheric seventeenth century English pubs.
Stonehouse/Stroud
Bengal Balti
This little gem is a take away restaurant. They don't have a website, but they don't really need one. The reviews speak for themselves.
Wotton under Edge
India Palace
Another take away restaurant that satisfies. This is a great place to refuel after a long day on the trail. Load up on curry, then grab a Guinness at the local pub. Yum!
Painswick
JK's at St. Michaels
Part of St. Michaels luxury inn. This seventeenth century home overlooks the historic village square. The experience is "shear" poetry, as they like to say in this old wool town.
Bath
The Mint Room
Best Restaurant—Winner of the Best Restaurant category of the Bath Life Awards 2013.
Photos: Courtesy of the Mint Room (top) and the Noel Arms (right).
