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.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Sixty Six - LEAMINGTON (continued)

Anyone up for an afternoon spent Loitering in Leamington in the company of the Bus Pass Bandit? That's what Bus Pass Travels No. 66 is all about...

This Saturday afternoon story involves starting at The Old Library.

Enjoying some Purity Bunny Hop in the 'secret garden'.

The next stop is The Cricketers in Archery Road. A cricket ground was created near here in 1849 by John Wisden and his friend George Parr, and many important matches were played.

The beer is Timothy Taylor's Boltmaker. The National Bowls Finals are being played at Leamington Bowling Club opposite the pub.

On Regent Street is the Fizzy Moon, which was once a brewhouse.

Their Sandhu Singh session IPA is made to a recipe once brewed here.

On to Warwick Street and a stop at the Copper Pot.

Greene King Old Golden Hen is the beer in here.

And finally to the Hope & Anchor, a more traditional pub on Hill Street.

A Cotswold Craft Pale Ale from Prescott Brewery to finish.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Sixty Five - BIRMINGHAM (Bulls in the City)

There's something suspiciously bovine about the Bus Pass Bandit's latest highwayman happenings when he encounters a series of sculptures whilst marauding around the Second City...

For Bus Pass Travels 65, the Bandit returns to Birmingham and is greeted at Moor Street Station by one of many 'Bulls in the City'.

After a rendezvous at New Street Station, the destination is the Craven Arms on Upper Gough Street, an excellent Black Country Ales pub.

Titanic Cappuccino Stout always goes down well.

An unexpected stop at the Mailbox is the Gas Street Social.

Here we find a refreshing Pravha, a Czech Pilsner brewed by Staropramen.

Further down the canal is the Tap & Spile on Gas Street.

Some Holden's Black Country Special and a cob are very welcome.

Our final stop is the attractive Canalside Cafe.

Davenport XPA is available, now brewed in Smethwick.

A view of Black Sabbath Bridge with tributes to Ozzy Osbourne.

And a final Bull spotted on the way home.