WHAT better way to spend the longest day than combining walking with good beer and an education?

To celebrate the Summer Solstice this Sunday, the Teme Valley Geological Society has devised a walking route taking in geological wonders and watering holes along the way.

To add an extra enticing element to the trip, brewer Chris Gooch has concocted a special ale, fittingly dubbed Martley Rock.

John Nicklin, society secretary, said he hopes people will join them for a jolly on the day.

"It should be a brilliant day, especially if the weather holds out. We have created maps and leaflets for the Three Pubs Challenge which people can pick up from the Crown in Martley on the day," he said.

"It's a self-guided walk which takes in three pubs along the way — the Crown, the Admiral Rodney in Berrow Green and the Talbot in Knightwick — as well as some fascinating geological sights. In Martley we actually have one particular site — the Martley Rock — which we believe has a wider variety of different rock formations than anywhere else in the country. It's a really quite unique site.

"The walk is free to attend and we really hope people will join us. It's roughly a four mile walk and you go at your own pace. At the end of the walk there will be a quiz to see how much you managed to learn along the way. It's all a bit of fun. There will also be free half hourly lifts back to the Crown from 2pm."

To mark the event, Mr Gooch, brewer at the Teme Valley Brewery which is based at the Talbot, created the special beer.

Mr Nicklin said: "Our chairman was at the Talbot speaking to Chris about it and he decided to devise this special beer.

"He called it Martley Rock after the geological site. He has brewed a few gallons of this ale and has had it available at the Talbot, and so far it has sold quicker than many of the guest ales they have had previously, which is brilliant."

The Talbot will also have a festival at the pub on Sunday to celebrate the longest day.

For more information visit www.geo-village.eu.