Sunday, October 18, 2026

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Ninety Three - DEPPERS BRIDGE & LEAMINGTON

Inching ever closer to his century of highwayman escapades, the Bus Pass Bandit and his accomplice target more of Leamington's pub-going pleasures...

The outing gets underway with a return to The Benjamin Satchwell on the Parade.

The Wetherspoon Beer Festival includes Urbrew Oolong ESB, a Chinese beer containing oolong tea.

A bus ride out to Deppers Bridge then takes us to The Great Western.

Enjoying a half of Bass while watching the model railway above the bar!

Back in Leamington we head for The Boiler Room.

Here is a good selection of craft beers. This is a London Black Porter.

Further up the Parade is The House.

Time for a Guinness!

A lunch stop takes us back to the Benjamin Satchwell for fish and chips and an interesting Ukrainian Varvar Golden Ale containing coriander. Then it is on to the Bedford Street Bar.

And another Guinness!

We then encounter The Spicy Librarian, a bookshop specialising in romantic fiction.

Our next destination is The Beer Lodge.

And a very satisfying Phipps Bison Brown Ale.

The railway arches in the Old Town have been transformed into a "vibrant cultural, creative, and hospitality hub". We start with The Hive.

A selection of three delicious meads to try. The Tavern Mead (8% abv) is especially recommended!

Next is a return to the Windmill Hill Brewery Bar.

And an excellent Byatts All Day Foreign Extra Stout.

An unexpected find in an adjacent unit is The Lucky Shiba Sake Bar.

We go for the Kirin Ichiban Japanese Premier Beer.

And finally a return to the Brubl Tap Room.

An enjoyable Brubl Stardust Pale Ale with musical accompaniment.

Monday, October 12, 2026

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Ninety Two - EDGEHILL

Putting on his historical helmet, the Bus Pass Bandit treads in the footsteps of Cavaliers and Roundheads as he heads for the site of the Battle of Edgehill in 1642...

The starting point is the Rose & Crown at Ratley.

Preparing for battle with a half of North Cotswold Shagweaver.

St Peter ad Vincula Church at Ratley.

What a sight! The tower of the Castle Inn at Edgehill is based on Guy's Tower at Warwick Castle.

Armed with a Hook Norton Best Bitter in the Beer Garden overlooking the field of battle.

The Battle of Edgehill was the first major battle of the English Civil War, but the result was indecisive.

St Peter's Church in the nearby village of Radway has a permanent exhibition about the battle.

Onwards to Kineton and a return to The White Swan.

A concluding half of Cotswold Best from the North Cotswold Brewery.

Monday, September 28, 2026

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Ninety One - BURTON DASSETT & FENNY COMPTON

With autumnal sunshine as his companion, the Bus Pass Bandit heads for the hills - the Burton Dassett Hills - for his next Warwickshire exploration...

The starting point  is The Lost Pug at Northend.

An opening half of Aurora Pale from the North Cotswold Brewery.

The Beacon on the Burton Dassett Hills.

All Saints Church at Burton Dassett.

Onwards to The Yew Tree at Avon Dassett.

And a refreshing half of Rainbow Bridge from the Langton Brewery.

Next is a welcome return to The Merrie Lion at Fenny Compton.

Time for some Wye Valley Pyoneer.

Nearby is Fenny Marina on the South Oxford Canal.

A walk along the canal leads to The Wharf Inn.

Timothy Taylor's Golden Best makes a satisfying finale.

Saturday, September 12, 2026

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Ninety - HAMPTON LUCY & CHARLECOTE

From stately piles to ordinary estate pubs, the Bus Pass Bandit sees it all on his latest Warwickshire wander...

Today the Bandit takes a bus to Charlecote and makes his way to The Boars Head at Hampton Lucy.

For a nice refreshing Wye Valley HPA.

Nearby is Charlecote House, a National Trust property.

Watching the deer in Charlecote Park.

Onwards to Barford and the Joseph Arch.

And a half of Theakstons Lightfoot.

Joseph Arch was born in Barford in 1826. He was a trade unionist and Liberal politician who founded the first union for agricultural workers.

St Peter's Church in Barford. The tower bears marks of cannon shot from the Civil War.

And a final stop at the Woodloes Tavern in Warwick.

A closing half of Wye Valley Butty Bach.