It may be advisable to book a table

It will involve buses, trains and, possibly, trams. It is also just an itinerary that, should you follow it, may mean you’ll be in the company of some familiar faces, at least as far as the first pub, the Beacon Hotel

The plan is to take the Chiltern Railways service to Birmingham Moor Street that arrives at 11:05. This stops at High Wycombe at 09:28 and Haddenham and Thame Parkway at 09:42 (anyone coming from Princes Risborough needs to get a connecting train to Haddenham).

The plan is then to transfer to Birmingham New Street, buying the West Midlands equivalent of a travelcard (about £9, which will cover all your transport needs) on the way, and then take the 11:41 train from Birmingham New Street to Coseley. From there it’s either a half an hour walk (uphill) or wait about 15 minutes for the 229 bus, which will drop us right outside the Beacon Hotel at 12:28.

After downing a welcoming pint of Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild, everyone can then do whatever they like. One option is to head back to south Birmingham to investigate the pubs on the new rail line there. On the other hand, Sedgley has various other Good Beer Guide Pubs and can potentially keep beer lovers entertained the whole day. Alternatively, Wolverhampton, with many superb pubs, is not far away on the bus.

Coming back, the last train from Moor Street is at 21:13 but it’s probably not advisable to leave it until then. The one before is 20:13 and then 19:43 and 19:13. They take about 90 minutes to Wycombe.

Starting at the Boot, Soulbury at 7:30 pm, then the Swan, Stewkley at 8:15 pm, and the Carpenters Arms, Stewkley at 8:45 pm, and finishing at the Cock Inn, Wing at 9:30 pm.

Starting at the Crown, Cuddington at 7 pm, then the Bell, Chearsley at 7:45 pm, and the Eight Bells, Long Crendon at 8:30 pm, and finishing at the Churchill Arms, Long Crendon at 9:15 pm.