Bus Pass Bandit: Part Seventy Two - STRATFORD UPON AVON

For the first of his December 2025 excursions, the Bus Pass Bandit takes a winter excursion to Stratford upon Avon...

The first stop is The Garrick Inn  on the High Street.

And the first beer, suitably enough, is Shakespeare Bitter.

Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried.

Nearby in the side streets is The Bull.

A visit is rewarded by a half of Saxby's Mulled Cider.

The next stop is The Windmill Inn on Church Street.

And some Timothy Taylor's Landlord.

The Old Thatch Tavern is on Greenhill Street.

And provides suitably festive surroundings to enjoy some Dark Star Hophead.

Leaving Stratford, the final stop is The Crown at Tiddington.

And a Wye Valley HPA to finish.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Seventy One - LEAMINGTON (continued)

Hear ye, hear ye! On a cold and sunny November morning the Bandit takes a bus ride out to Leamington...

The first stop is The Royal Pug on Regent Street.

Colossus is a strong beer from Green Duck Brewery which goes down very well.

Then onwards to Cubbington and a stop at the Rugby Tavern.

A half of Old Golden Hen in here.

Back on the Parade in Leamington is the Salino Lounge.

An excellent place to enjoy some Henry Westons Vintage cider. Just look at that tasselled lampshade (although the Bandit might feel the Book Swap reminds him of work too much).

The final Pug of the day is The Fat Pug on Guy's Cliffe Road.

And a Purity Bunny Hop to finish.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Seventy - BRECON

In another of his occasional departures from the usual highwayman patch, the Bus Pass Bandit embarks upon a Welsh odyssey covering the market town of Brecon...

His autumn break in mid Wales begins with a sighting of the bridge over the River Usk.

The Brecon Canal Basin is the start of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

The George Hotel in Brecon is a Wetherspoon pub.

This is an American Amber Ale from the Conway Brewery.

Nearby is the excellent Brecon Tap.

Time for some Monty's Mischief from another Welsh brewery. Let it not be said that the Bandit isn't partial to the odd spot of mischief!

The Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist.

The magnificent Brecon Beacons in the surrounding area.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Sixty Nine - STUDLEY & ULLENHALL

Just when the highways and byways of Warwickshire start to feel safe again, the Bus Pass Bandit is at large yet once more, plundering more pubs for your delectation...

Today the Bandit takes a bus from Stratford to Studley, alighting at the Little Lark.

This is an active community pub with a nice half of Adnams Ghost Ship.

The Studley Tap House nearby has an excellent choice of beers and a friendly atmosphere.

This is Salopian Black Forest cherry chocolate stout.

Other pubs in the centre of Studley include The Bell.

A half of Guinness in here.

And nearby the Barley Mow, a Stonehouse pub.

Time for another Guinness!

The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Studley.

The Bandit then follows the Arden Way to the village of Ullenhall for a stop at The Winged Spur.

A relaxing half of Purity Gold before continuing to Henley in Arden.

The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Ullenhall.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Sixty Eight - BADDESLEY CLINTON

The Bus Pass Bandit revs up for his autumnal adventures by visiting a historic Warwickshire moated manor...

On a sunny September morning, the Bandit makes his way from Lapworth Station to the Orange Tree at Chadwick End.

A half of Guinness makes a good start.

Nearby is St Michael's Church at Baddesley Clinton.

The National Trust property at Baddesley Clinton is an impressive medieval manor house, complete with moat.

The Chapel inside the house.

Then onwards to the Punchbowl at Lapworth.

And a Blue Moon Belgian White beer to finish.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Sixty Seven - KENILWORTH

Accomplices assemble! The Bus Pass Bandit has recently marked another birthday, so he gathers his trusty team of henchmen for a celebratory tour of Kenilworth...

A meeting at Kenilworth Station is followed by a walk through the Abbey Fields, the site of the once famous St Mary's Abbey. The old barn is still standing.

As indeed are the ruins of the former gatehouse.

The entrance to St Nicholas Church is nearby.

Our first stop is at The Abbey Field on the High Street.

The beer is Greene King IPA.

We then proceed to the Queen & Castle on Castle Green.

And relax in comfort with some St Austell Proper Job.

Our route takes us via the Castle and Abbey Fields back into the town centre.

Next are a couple of revisits. Firstly The Dictum of Kenilworth for a fish and chip lunch and a pint of Burton Porter - note the strange shape of the fish. 

Followed by the Ale Rooms in Smalley Place for a refreshing 'Goozle' from the Napton Lock Brewhouse.

Our final unexpected stop is at the Fossato Lounge in Abbey End.

We partake in a Birra Moretti.

While admiring the surrounding art gallery.