Bus Pass Bandit: Part Eighty - GAYDON & BARFORD

Just when you think the Bus Pass Bandit must have covered every inch of Warwickshire within a certain radius of Warwick, Leamington Spa and Stratford, he uncovers more unseen corners to investigate...

The Bandit ventures forth to explore some new areas of Warwickshire, starting at The Malt Shovel Inn at Gaydon.

The first pub with a resident parrot! The beer is "Old Golden Hen" (as opposed to Pretty Polly).

Gaydon Village Hall has a very distinctive appearance.

The Church of St Giles at Gaydon.

Then onwards to Loxley, near Wellesbourne, for a stop at The Fox.

A cunning taste of Cheltenham Gold from Goffs Brewery.

The next stop is at Barford for The Granville Arms.

And a Wye Valley HPA.

Time for a final bonus stop at The Racehorse on the Stratford Road in Warwick.

The theme reflects the Warwick Racecourse nearby.

A Rosie's Pig cloudy cider to complete the day.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Seventy Nine - MORETON-IN-MARSH

For his first March excerpt of 2026, the Bus Pass Bandit takes us across into Gloucestershire for a most charming slice of the Cotswolds...

Today the Bandit takes a bus from Stratford to Moreton-in-Marsh, arriving on market day.

The Black Bear Inn on the High Street has beers from the Cotswold-based Donnington Brewery.

This is their SBA (Special Bitter Ale).

The next stop is The Bell Inn, also on the High Street.

And some Hill Climb from the Prescott Brewery.

This pub has links with J. R. R. Tolkien and may have inspired that famous Middle Earth tavern 'The Prancing Pony' as featured in The Lord of the Rings.

On the Stow Road is the Inn on the Marsh.

Time for some Moreton Mild from the North Cotswold Brewery.

A train to Worcester arriving at Moreton in Marsh Station.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Seventy Eight - BIRMINGHAM

By way of a February Frolic, the Bus Pass Bandit and his trusty henchmen descend upon the Second City with an array of taverns to target...

The Bandit arrives at Snow Hill Station in Birmingham for a further exploration of a place locals affectionately call Brum.

The first stop is The Square Peg, a permanently busy Wetherspoon pub on Corporation Street.

A welcome pint of Titanic Plum Porter gets the trip up to speed.

Following a rendezvous at New Street Station, we proceed to The Dragon Inn on Hurst Street.

This is another Wetherspoon pub, and the Titanic theme continues with a Raspberry Pale. Yes it really does look that pink!

It is then on to The Wellington Hotel on Bristol Street (a different establishment entirely from the Black Country Ales place on Bennetts Hill).

And back to the Guinness.

We next make our way to The Victoria on John Bright Street.

And manage to catch a Purity Mad Goose, which can be a daredevil feat if the beer fights back.

It is then a short distance to Cherry Reds.

Where we make the pleasurable acquaintance of a Pale Brummie.

The view of Birmingham Council House at night, noting the Floozy in the Jacuzzi water feature.

Our final stop is the Purecraft Bar & Kitchen on Waterloo Street.

And a Purity Jumbo to finish.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Seventy Seven - GORNAL

For Bus Pass Travels #77, much Guzzling in Gornal is planned as the Bandit and accomplices embark upon a Black Country day out...

The day begins with a meeting in the Jolly Crispin in Upper Gornal, once the Brewery Tap of the Fownes Brewery.

Making the acquaintance of an Ossett White Rat.

Nearby is The Britannia, a Bathams pub with an historic interior.

A chance to sample the Bathams Mild.

Moving down into Lower Gornal, we encounter The Chapel House. This Holdens pub was previously known as The Miners Arms.

The ever popular Holdens Golden Glow.

The next stop is The Fountain which has an excellent choice of beers.

This is Church End Fallen Angel.

The Old Bull's Head is the original home of Black Country Ales.

And this is their Pig on the Wall.

Moving further down towards Gornal Wood, we find the Bush Inn.

The beer in here is Exmoor Gold.

A bus ride back into Wolverhampton takes us to our final stop at PACK (Perfect Ale, Cask & Keg) in Queen Square.

A nice Milk Stout from the Bristol Beer Factory accompanied by table football!

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.