Video: Hold tight please, for the beer lovers' busman's holiday

Public transport buffs Paul Kirby and former work colleague Brian Thackray have spent hours studying bus and rail timetables and The Good Pub Guide to come up with the ultimate beer-and-buses tour.

Their carefully-planned itinerary takes in real-ale pubs from Wakefield to Whitby, taking in the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, Yorkshire coast and well-known TV locations such as Holmfirth (Last of the Summer Wine) and Goathland (Aidensfield in Heartbeat), the Black Sheep Brewery at Masham and York Brewery.

The bus brains behind the newly-formed Beer n Buses holiday company is Mr Kirby, 44, a data analyst from Wetherby.

He estimates the trip involves about 1,000 miles on trains and buses and the chance to call into at least 104 good pubs.

The research has been a labour of love for the self-confessed bus fan. "I'm not a real ale drinker, that's Brian's forte. I'm a cider drinker. I am interested in public transport, mainly buses."

His favourite bus route is the Coastliner service from York to Whitby, taking in the rugged beauty of the North York Moors.

He and Mr Thackray, 49, from Wakefield, came up with their business idea while chatting in a pub when they realised there was a gap in the market for holidays catering for "fans of real all who enjoy travelling on public transport.

"We believe there are many people out there who share our passions and don't want the stress of driving everywhere whilst on holiday, " says Mr Kirby.

"They can give the car a holiday and enjoy a pint or two in a nice pub without the worry of being over the limit."

"I am surprised that we are the only holiday company in the UK offering this type of package.

"Coach holidays are all well and good but you can't just get off when you feel like it, and you don't get the chance to mix with the local people.

"You can meet some real characters on rural buses and the views from double-deckers are far better than those from a coach. For example, the Coastliner service to Whitby is now completely double-decked, giving fantastic views as you sit back and enjoy the scenery of the North York Moors.

"And we have the first ever coach-standard double-deckers on the Leeds to Harrogate route – the famous 36 – on which you can relax in leathered-seated luxury and enjoy sights like the red kites flying near Harewood House."

Those signing up for the 370 holidays are given travel tickets, maps and timetables and accommodation for eight nights, four in Leeds and four in York.

Mr Thackray, a member of the Campaign for Real Ale, says: "People don't want to be shepherded around and told what to do all the time so our timetables provide different options for them.

"Travellers can stay longer in a particular place they like, or move on and explore somewhere else. This flexibility is a major selling point, we believe, as well as the variety of trips during the eight-day holiday. To round off the holiday we have a quiz and real ale trail in York when we can all meet up and share experiences."

Mr Thackray, who also works as a data analyst, admits that the holidays will, at first glance, probably appeal more to men than women – but he says it's not just about beer and buses.

"There are plenty of interesting places for partners who aren't necessarily into pubs and real ale. Included are the TV locations in West and North Yorkshire that are known to millions around the world.

"We couldn't miss out on the charms of Last of the Summer Wine country around Holmfirth, or the ruggedness of the Dales as seen in All Creatures Great and Small.

"Perhaps the most well-known TV location is Goathland. The picturesque town of Knaresborough has a lively market on the day we visit, and the ladies can always have a day on their own in the excellent shopping centres of Leeds and York."

Holidaymakers also get to ride the scenic Settle-Carlisle railway and also journey outside Yorkshire to Newcastle, Berwick and the Northumbrian coast.

Bookings are being taken now, with the first holidays starting on May 8.

More details are available at www.BeerAndBuses.co.uk