The Red Lion  

This is a large family food oriented pub with many rooms. You enter from the car park at the side into the lounge bar and restaurant area. Here you can either sit in the eating area which seats about 50 and is brightly lit if a little twee. The lounge itself is of the farmhouse style and the long bar down the left serves a plenty.

You can usually find two guest ales on, Everards Beacon and Batham Bitter this time.

There is a second bar with two rooms, one for sitting and one for darts. Here there is a real fire and domino evenings on Thursdays. This bar is smaller but just as friendly.

The toilets are again basic and cannot be negotiated by the disabled.

A poolroom is here too.

Food is served mainly in evenings and is quite exotic for the area. Choices are good value and usually come with a full plate of veg. Some choice for vegetarians.

Outside there is a large beer garden with children's slides, etc. they use oversized glasses here.

Comments
 

Decor was reasonable although a make-over is called for. Food: the food was mainly disappointing and suggested boil in the bag quality and ready made convenience microwaved food the service was very slow and the staff were unhappy and not very amenable we arrived at 8pm and our food was not served until 9.45pm the prices are not expensive but I would have been happy to pay more for better quality food and service. My advice to prospective customers is do not arrive hungry and prepare yourself for a long wait - better still go somewhere else. (Diane Rosindale - 2/6/05)

I can't believe the comment about poor food and service at the Red Lion Great Chatwell. I am a regular customer at this pub and have always had good food and service. The boil in the bag and microwaved food is totally wrong. The service has always been reasonable even when very busy. I would certainly recommend this pub to prospective customers. (2006)

My friends and myself went to The Red Lion, and the car park was full, which to me is always a good sign, especially when you know they serve food in an evening. We entered the pub the atmosphere was friendly, busy, but the staff were excellent and soon found us a table, we ordered our food, the lady that served us did pre warn us of the wait for food as they were extremely busy, but having dined at the pub before we didn't mind the wait.

When the food arrived it was good quality, and enough was provided. My Friends who are so fussy all enjoyed the steaks which they had ordered, and I had chosen chicken which was very good indeed. Puddings are always a favourite of ours and they were perfect, although most customers had gone when we had finished there was no rush from the staff for us to leave, they were a great group of people, a very enjoyable evening was had by all. (Andrea Keeling - 22/9/07)

Until recently, The Red Lion was a country jewel and you had to get there early if you wanted to secure a parking place, let alone a table. Unfortunately the long time owners sold-up recently and in February 2008 we made our first visit since the new owners took over. AAAAAGGGHH!!!

On a Sunday lunchtime, the pub was half empty. The service was achingly slow and we waited for nearly an hour before we got any food, having been told that the steak was holding everything up. When it arrived, the 'medium' steak was charred and incinerated. A mixed grill proved barely edible and the accompanying vegetables included carrots which were completely raw. A plate of fish and chips had clearly been in oil that was too hot, because the fish was terribly overcooked, while the vegetarian in the group had to abandon plans for the rest of the afternoon because she spent the next four hours in the bathroom. Frankly, it felt as if we were in the hands of people who had never eaten out, let alone run a kitchen and was a tragic example of how to bring a great pub down - 12 months time and this is bound to be up for conversion to a country house.

One extra grumble - we thought that our dog might be able to eat some of the meat that we couldn't face (heaven knows why, she'd been quite good that day) and asked for a doggie bag. In the event, the waitress simply chucked the food away - it must have become automatic! (Clare 17/02/08)

I can't believe the comment I just read on here from someone called Claire. You obviously called in on a bad day because the new owner of this pub worked for the old owners for 7 years and worked in the kitchen every weekend so she knows exactly what she is doing with the pub. We go the every weekend and the food is still fantastic like always. And as for this pub being turned into a house within 12 months I DON'T THINK SO. The new landlady is doing very well and keeping it busy like it all ways has been. (Russell - 13/05/08) 

 

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