Bus Pass Bandit: Part Thirty Five - CLAVERDON & WOOTTON WAWEN

To round off his August antics, the Bus Pass Bandit takes to the tracks for a Warwickshire wander...

The first stop is Claverdon station, served by occasional trains on the branch between Stratford-upon-Avon and Hatton.

The Red Lion has superb views over the Warwickshire countryside...

And a suitably hoppy Hopfather from Wye Valley Brewery helps make the most of such scenery.

The Church of St Michael and All Angels in Claverdon.

The Crown Inn on Henley Road has recently reopened after a period of closure.

Some Scorcher from Belhaven Brewery seems appropriate for a hot day

Onwards and over the stile towards Kington where the gnomes live.

Making the acquaintance of the Kington gnomes!

It's then a case of pressing on via Austy Wood to join the Stratford Canal. At Wootton Wawen a notable aqueduct crosses the road.

Nearby is the Church of Our Lady and St Benedict.

And also St Peter's 'Saxon Sanctuary', the oldest church in Warwickshire

The excellent Bull's Head in Wootton Wawen provides a final stop.

A welcome Wootton Wawen whistle-whetter is this pint of Banks's Mild.

For an addendum, how about the Harbury Beer Festival - here represented by some Somerset 'Bad Boy' cider. After a selection of nice perries, the Morris dancers should be out shortly...

Ah here they are - complete with sashes, bells and billowing handkerchiefs - as the Bandit samples Lonely Partridge perry from Hogan's Cider in Warwickshire.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Thirty Four - NEWBOLD-ON-STOUR & ALDERMINSTER

For his next August adventure, the bus route between Shipston-on-Stour and Stratford-upon-Avon gives the Bus Pass Bandit a chance to explore even more Warwickshire villages...

The first stop is Newbold-on-Stour and a visit to the White Hart.

The Butty Bach is from the Wye Valley Brewery.

St David's Church in Newbold-on-Stour.

Onwards to Alderminster and The Bell on Shipston Road.

Their delicious Wild Elder cider is made by the Warwickshire cider maker Hogans.

The Church of St Mary and the Holy Cross in Alderminster.

Back into Stratford and time to visit the Stratford Ale House which is the Warwickshire Shakespeare CAMRA Pub of the Year.

Cotswold Best is brewed by the North Cotswold Brewery

The final stop has to be at Ya-Bard which has an intriguing selection of craft beers that the great playwright himself might possibly have approved of.

'You got it' 6% Tropical fruit IPA certainly tickles the tastebuds!

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Thirty Three - ALVESTON & CHASE MEADOW

The last few days have genuinely felt like the height of summer thanks to rising temperatures and a prolonged spell of sunshine. What better conditions for the Bus Pass Bandit (and accomplice) to master more of Warwickshire's pub outposts?

Following a rendezvous in Warwick, the Bus Pass Bandit and his trusty assistant take the no. 15 Stagecoach bus towards Stratford-upon-Avon, alighting at the Stratford Youth Hostel.

Alveston is an attractive village with the Church of St James ...

... and the Old Church of St James too.

Unfortunately the Ferry pub is closed (hopefully only temporarily) but a refreshing cider outside the Youth Hostel will do nicely.

Taking the bus back to Wellesbourne allows chance to revisit the Stags Head and the Kings Head. A pleasant walk through the old village leads to the Church of St Peter.

Continuing on the bus back to Warwick, the next stop is the Unicorn serving the sprawling Chase Meadow estate.

This is a Marston's pub offering Wainwright Gold.

A few doors away is the Ale Hub, one of a growing chain.

A high table perch for some nice Amarillo Gold (Wadworth Brewery).

A walk over Warwick Racecourse results in an unexpected stop at Warwick Golf Centre.

The clubhouse is open to the public, allowing time for some Theakstons Best Bitter.

The final stop of the day is The Railway in Warwick, very convenient for the Station.

A chance to catch up with the action at the Paris Olympics over a final half of Timothy Taylor Golden Best.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Thirty Two - HAWORTH

Ee bah gum! The Bus Pass Bandit is swapping Warwickshire for the pleasures of the Pennines for one post only. Join him as he embarks on this coach trip special to Haworth and the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway... 

Haworth is in Bronte Country with a steep cobbled street and many interesting buildings, such as a Steam Brewing Company...

...the Old Post Office...

...and the Cabinet of Curiosities.

Time to stop at the Kings Arms...

...and sample some Charlotte Bronte beer.

The Church of St Michael and All Angels is where the father of the Bronte sisters was once the Minister.

Onwards to the village of Oxenhope and the terminus of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

The train is arriving!

Our arrival at Keighley is greeted by an accordion band!

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Thirty One - BISHOP'S TACHBROOK

A Thirsty Thursday trip into the wilds of Warwickshire brings the Bus Pass Bandit to the village of Bishop's Tachbrook followed by a leisurely look around more Leamington haunts...

Bishop's Tachbrook is a small settlement due south of Royal Leamington Spa. Its local pub - the Leopard - is on the site of a former coaching inn dating back to the 17th century.

A comfortable corner in which to enjoy some Wye Valley HPA.

St Chad's Church in Bishop's Tachbrook.

Back into Leamington and a visit to the New Inn on Leam Terrace.

Time for a taste of Byatt's Hop Town IPA.

A riverside walk is rewarded by a visit to the Newbold Comyn Arms...

... where the Purity UBU tickles the Bandit's fancy.

On next to the Somerville Arms, an excellent pub and music venue on Campion Terrace.

A half of Everards Tiger to finish at the Somerville Arms.

As an added bonus, the Bandit attended the Warwick Court Leet Beer, Cider and Music Festival, held at the town's racecourse. The Flattler Original Cornish cider made for a fine start, and a Victorian Imperial Porter is also highly recommended!