Bus Pass Bandit: Part Fifty Nine - RUGBY

May 2025 sees the Bus Pass Bandit returning to a sporting town he is particularly fond of, namely Rugby. The number 63 Stagecoach bus up from Leamington has him in prime position for an afternoon pubcrawl...

After meeting his companions, the first stop is the Raglan Arms on Dunchurch Road.

This is a Black Country Ales pub with some nice Salopian Dark Shadow.

Nearby is the interesting Webb Ellis Museum dedicated to the game of rugby.

A return to the Merchants Inn on Little Church Street is part of any visit to Rugby.

The Elgood's Blackberry Porter is excellent among many interesting items of breweriana.

Our next stop is The Rupert Brooke, a Wetherspoon pub named after the First World War poet.

Lunchtime takes on an Indian flavour with a Chicken Korma and a pint of Thornbridge Jaipur.

Then onwards to the Windmill Inn on North Street, another Black Country Ales pub.

The Titanic Cappuccino Stout is an excellent choice.

Another reminder of the game of rugby as we make our way to Rugby Museum and Art Gallery.

The next pub on Warwick Street is appropriately called The William Webb Ellis.

A half of Marstons Pedigree will suffice in here.

Keeping to the rugby theme, our final stop is the Rugby Tap next to the Webb Ellis Museum.

Here are two excellent beers from the Church End Brewery - Goats Milk and Irish Coffee. We are pleased to find a copy of the Good Beer Guide dated 1980!

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Fifty Eight - WARWICK

Mix glorious May sunshine with good company and even more of Warwick's finest beer discoveries, and you have a recipe for the Bus Pass Bandit's latest day out...

Warwick Station is the starting point for a rendezvous and some further wanderings around the county town.

A walk along the Emscote Road, including a diversion along the Grand Union Canal, leads to the Slaughterhouse Brewery Tap hidden down Bridge Street.

The beer is intriguingly named 'Poking the Bear' and is being sampled at source right in amongst the brewing vessels.

Retracing our steps along the Emscote Road, we encounter the Nelson.

A Guinness is accompanied by a rather tasty chicken biryani.

Back in the centre of Warwick, on the High Street, is the Warwick Arms Hotel.

These are comfortable surroundings in which to enjoy some Wainwright Gold.

Nearby is the Dough & Brew on Brook Street.

Church Farm IPA is the choice here, while we peruse the speciality pizza menu.

No trip to Warwick is complete without a visit to the Old Post Office. The beer today is Dark Hollow Porter from the Liquid Light Brewery, enjoyed with musical accompaniment!

It is Race Day in Warwick as we make our way beside the Racecourse to the Antelope on the Saltisford.

This pub has a long association with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, hence the large mural outside. The Antelope was the mascot of the Regiment.

Their Theakstons Quencher is most refreshing.

Our final stop is the nearby Kings Head.

Some Old Golden Hen makes a suitable finale.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Fifty Seven - OFFCHURCH & CUBBINGTON

The Bus Pass Bandit's quest to uncover the most scenic segments of Warwickshire shows no sign of abating. Let's see which villages he's got his eye on for Episode 57 of his travels...

For starters, a bus ride from Leamington out to Offchurch is rewarded by a visit to The Stag with its hints of thatch.

And a nice half of Purity Mad Goose.

St Gregory's Church at Offchurch.

A walk across fields (and HS2 workings) leads to the Red Lion at Hunningham

Some St Austell High Tide is welcome here.

St Margaret's Church at Hunningham.

Onwards via St Michael's Church at Weston under Wetherley (encountering even more HS2 workings along the way)...

... to reach the Kings Head at Cubbington.

And some refreshing Wye Valley HPA.

The final church of the day is St Mary's at Cubbington.

And the final pub is the nearby Queens Head.

Wye Valley Bitter has been rebranded as Pyoneer to celebrate 40 years of the brewery.