Bus Pass Bandit: Part Fifty Two - ILMINGTON

The outings are flooding in thick and fast at the moment, the Bus Pass Bandit being keen to maximise an upturn in the weather. Here then comes another extract from the wilds of Warwickshire...

Today the Bandit takes a bus to the village of Ilmington in South Warwickshire. The first stop is The Red Lion.

It has to be Hook Norton Old Hooky.

St Mary's Church in Ilmington.

One of eleven carved mice inside the Church.

Next on to The Howard Arms.

And some Wye Valley Bitter.

The site of the old well at Ilmington.

On the way back to Stratford is the New Inn Hotel at Clifford Chambers.

And this is a half of Fosseway Flanker from the North Cotswold Brewery.

Back in Stratford and a final visit to The Golden Bee.

Thornbridge Bess is a Wetherspoon Festival ale.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Fifty One - SHREWLEY & LOWSONFORD

After several recent brushes with Birmingham, the Bus Pass Bandit requires some Warwickshire wayfaring to make the most of the early spring sunshine...

On a sunny Saturday morning the Bandit starts at Hatton Station and walks north up the Grand Union Canal.

Approaching the canal tunnel at Shrewley, where the towpath separates off to go up and over.

The first pub stop is the Durham Ox at Shrewley.

Comfortable surroundings in which to enjoy some Hobgoblin IPA from Wychwood Brewery.

A walk across country leads to the Fleur de Lys at Lowsonford on the Stratford Canal.

Sitting in the extensive beer garden with some Timothy Taylor's Landlord.

One of several barrel-roofed cottages on the Stratford Canal.

Proceeding up the Stratford Canal, the Bandit reaches Lapworth Canal Basin.

Time for a stop at The Boot Inn in Lapworth.

And some Fuller's London Pride.

Awaiting the train at Lapworth after an excellent excursion.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Fifty - BIRMINGHAM

The Bus Pass Bandit brings up a highwayman's half century of outings with another return to the Second City, Birmingham having almost become his second home of late. Fifty not out has been a lot of fun, taking our hero from Watchet to Haworth via Llangollen and Matlock, but always with Warwickshire in his heart...

The Bandit is soon back in Birmingham with a lunchtime visit to the Figure of Eight, one of two JD Wetherspoons establishments on Broad Street.

A Katsu chicken curry is accompanied by a pint of Barking Mad from the local Froth Blowers Brewery.

Followed by a walk along the Birmingham canals, in this case seeing Old Turn Junction by the Sea Life Centre.

The next stop is the Old Contemptibles on Edmund Street, the pub named after a British Expeditionary Force during the First World War.

Awaiting a rendezvous with a half of Purity UBU.

With his accomplice having arrived, the next stop is The Botanist on Temple Street.

And a nice Cornish Orchards cider, making the most of a Happy Hour promotion.

The Royal on Church Street is a splendid building with a clear royal theme, including framed portraits of Kings and Queens along the tiled staircase.

Enjoying a Guinness in the upper restaurant room.

Princess Victoria was in the vicinity back in 1830 before she became Queen.

Keeping with the regal disposition, nearby in Newhall Street is the Queens Arms.

The beer in here is Theakstons XB Ruby Ale, held aloft next to a glowing crown.

And finally on to The Shakespeare Inn on Summer Row.

This time for some Theakstons Old Peculier.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Forty Nine - NEWTOWN & DIGBETH

As February 2025 gives way to March, the Bus Pass Bandit and chums brace themselves for a busy day of Birmingham beery business...

It is always a pleasure to be back in the Wellington on Bennetts Hill in the heart of Birmingham.

An excellent place for a rendezvous with a good selection of beers. Today the choice is London Thunder and Old Smokey.

A bus ride up towards Aston takes us to the magnificent Bartons Arms in Newtown.

A beautiful interior in which to enjoy some Black Sheep Ale.

Next we head towards Digbeth to explore a series of establishments. The first is The Rainbow.

It is a half of Guinness in here.

Nearby is an Irish pub, The Spotted Dog.

We are pleased to find they have Holden's Black Country Mild and some tasty cobs.

The Old Crown is one of the oldest buildings in Birmingham and is said to date from 1368.

A half of Guinness is perched precariously on the side of a well.

The Chance & Counters, a board game cafe, is a revisit within the surroundings of the Custard Factory.

A good place to enjoy some Devon Red Cider outside in the sunshine.

Birdies Bar is an unexpected stop.

The cider theme continues with Sharp's Cold River.

Even more unexpected is a visit to Roxy Lanes ten pin bowling alley.

Some Somersby Cider probably helps with the attempt at bowling.

The name of the last pub is The Ruin.

And some Orchard Pig Cider to finish.