Bus Pass Bandit: Part Seventy Six - LONG MARSTON, LOWER QUINTON & STRATFORD

With not a trombone or a big parade in sight, the Bus Pass Bandit presents his 76th piece of pub plundering for your esteemed consideration...

On a cold and sunny January morning the Bandit takes a bus from Stratford to Long Marston for a stop at The Masons Arms.

And an opening half of Wye Valley Pyoneer.

Following the Heart of England Way, the Bandit crosses the Stratford Greenway which was the route of the old Honeybourne railway line.

The next destination is the College Arms at Lower Quinton.

The beer is Wye Valley Butty Bach, next to quite a grand fireplace.

St Swithin's Church at Lower Quinton on a winter's afternoon.

Back in Stratford and time to stop at The Bear at Swans Nest.

A dark half of Winter Solstice from the North Cotswold Brewery.

On to the Prospero Lounge on Bridge Street.

And a closing half of Henry Westons Vintage Cider while admiring the artwork.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Seventy Five - SHIPSTON ON STOUR

Happy New Year to any followers of our resident Warwickshire highwayman and his pub-getting antics. For an early January jaunt, the Bandit takes a bus from Stratford to Shipston on Stour...

The first stop is the White Bear on the High Street.

A refreshing half of Cotswold Gold from the Donnington Brewery.

Nearby is the George Townhouse.

And a half of Brakspear Oxford Gold to follow.

The next stop is The Horseshoe on Church Street.

For some North Cotswold Shagweaver.

The Coach & Horses is on New Street.

And serves Hook Norton Hooky Best Bitter (in this case, on a darts-themed table).

Onwards to The White Horse.

And a taste of "Old Golden Hen" - no pecking!

And finally on to the excellent Thirst Edition micropub.

And some Exeter County Best to finish.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Seventy Four - KENILWORTH

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and - as we head deeper into December - the Bus Pass Bandit is primed to report from the confines of Kenilworth...

Yes, this is Bus Pass Travels 74 whereby the Bandit and his accomplice alight at Kenilworth Station on the 'Elephant & Bear Line'.

The day commences with a walk to Leyes Lane to investigate the old school buildings, with a stop at The Tiltyard.

And a very enjoyable half of Bass Beer.

A sprightly walk via Kenilworth Common then takes us to The Engine.

And some suitably festive Wychwood Bah Humbug.

Nearby is the interestingly named Wyandotte Inn, the Wyandotte being a Native American tribe or a sociable breed of chicken.

The beer in here is Wainwright Gold.

Next is The Royal Oak for some Wye Valley Butty Bach.

The Cross combines a pub with Michelin-starred food.

Here we partake of the Genesis Bedford Stout.

The Old Bakery on the High Street is also a hotel.

And serves the excellent Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild.

Our next stop is The Clarendon Arms on Castle Hill.

Some Wye Valley Christmas Cracker helps to get us in the festive mood.

There follows an unscheduled walk through side streets to The Gauntlet ...

Where some Abbot Ale and crisps can be found.

After a stop at the Dictum of Kenilworth for food, our final destination is The Station House.

And a St Austell Proper Job to finish.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Seventy Three - STRATFORD UPON AVON & WELFORD ON AVON

The Bus Pass Bandit is keeping himself busy in the lead-up to Christmas by staging a December dalliance over Stratford-upon-Avon way. Where has he inspected for your delectation on this crisp but chilly occasion?

Indeed, the Bandit is back in Stratford for an early start at the Pen & Parchment at Bridge Foot.

An opening half of North Cotswold Winter Solstice before following Shakespeare's Avon Way towards Bidford on Avon.

A view of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from the Tramway Bridge.

Stannels Bridge once carried the railway line from Stratford to Cheltenham, and is now part of the Stratford Greenway.

All Saints' Church at Weston on Avon.

The Bandit arrives at Welford on Avon and heads first for The Shakespeare Inn.

And a festive half of Brains Santa's Ale.

Next is The Bell Inn, an attractive 17th century Inn.

For some refreshing Purity Gold.

The Four Alls is situated by Binton Bridge.

And has Fuller's London Pride.

St Peter's Church at Welford on Avon.

Continuing along Shakespeare's Avon Way, the grand finale is a stop at The Cottage of Content at Barton.

And a Wye Valley HPA to finish.