Pints of View Summer 2026 - the branch magazine of Mansfield & Ashfield CAMRA.
Trail and Ale with Duggie
A regular feature highlighting a dog-friendly pub, in or around our branch, with a good walk from the door and great beer at the end. The branch has an abundance of scenic countryside with Sherwood Forest, The Dukeries and Robin Hood Way, to name a few of the highlights. Nothing beats a nice pint at the end of a good walk, so lace up your boots and enjoy what our branch has to offer.
The Beehive, Maplebeck, and east of the branch
Length: 10.62 km (6.60 miles) - Ascent: 99m (325ft) - Terrain: Sections of quiet road, well-made tracks and bridleways, footpath, woodland. Map: Explorer 270/271 or LandRanger 120
Address: Main Street, Maplebeck, NG22 OBS.
My walk began in the village of Maplebeck, located right on the eastern border of the branch. From the picturesque village, footpaths cross farmland where the skies are wide and the views are far-reaching. I was soon met with a sign showing my intended route was closed until August, but it suggested an alternative that didn't add any length to the walk, so I was soon back on track and heading into Dilliner Wood and Mansey Common. The paths through here looked like they might have been a bit of a mud bath in wetter months, but had just about dried out with the slightly dryer recent weather. Crossing a stream and alighting from the wood brought me near to Eakring, though again I had to take an unexpected route, as it seems my expected path has now closed due to the fairly recent erection of the unusual pylons that span the fields to the east of the village. I soon wound my way around to the edge of the village, where the path east would eventually take me back towards Maplebeck, but first I wanted to head through the village to a beautiful spot for a quick 'halfway' rest. Just to the west of Eakring stands a memorial to William Mompesson, the rector of Eyam church at the time of the Black Plague of 1665-1666, where he was credited with helping to limit the spread of the deadly disease. He moved to Eakring in 1670, and it is said he held sermons at the Pulpit Ash where the memorial stands. It is a lovely spot to sit and rest a while. Walking back through the village, the path then takes you across undulating farmland, eventually arriving back in Mapleback at the rear of the church of St. Radegund and the short walk back to the Beehive. A beautiful walk, during which I was accompanied by the sound of birdsong from skylarks, robins and wrens, and the sight of butterflies dancing along the hedgerow, including peacock, common blue and my favourite species, orange tip.
Mompesson's memorial
The Beehive is the smallest traditional pub in the county, yet big on personality and welcome. The original building dates back to 1803 and sits on an elevated spot adjacent to the main street through the village and just a stone's throw from the picturesque church of St. Radegund. Inside, there are two small rooms, one of which has a bar to the rear. Two Castle Rock ales are served: Preservation, a 4.4% best bitter, with a red colour and sweet malt balance, and Harvest Pale, an award-winning 3.8% pale session ale, and my choice to quench the thirst I had worked up following my lengthy walk. Duggie was treated to a bowl of water and a cupful of treats, which he thoroughly enjoyed! The pretty beer garden was busy with customers enjoying the spring sunshine, and if I'd had longer to linger, I would have been happy to do the same. I'm already looking forward to a return visit.
30 | Pints of View Summer 2026
The 'larger' of the two rooms