The Golden Lion in Central Bedfordshire

I’ve been to this pub quite a few times lately for a drink with Ali and few on Thursday for 2 for £15 steak night. I just want to say the burgers come with cheese and bacon chips and onion rings, what great value and they are delicious. The staff are friendly and very helpful to. Get down to the golden Lion and have a great burger.

I have just moved into the area and took the grandkids for a meal and drink,the Pub looks great nice staff and food portions are large and everyone enjoyed there food.The beer garden is large .

Staff were lovely. Garden is fab for kids and sitting out chilling with friends. There is a free pool table but it's ripped. Food and drink are expensive. Food was seriously awful. The chips were OK. The fries were just shells of grease (3 portions were almost £12).The battered fish was by far the worst I've ever tried. It was literally coated in what I can only describe as undercooked, thick Yorkshire pudding. Although the staff were lovely, I wouldn't go back.

Been here on a few occasions for a meal but recently now there have been rowdy troublesome men fighting and causing other people to get hurt including women. The landlady Sophie is well known for ripping you off and charging for rounds again which you had already paid for earlier, there have been lots of complaints about this. Its now an awful place to pop in for a drink and best to be avoided at all costs especially if you have children, it certainly is NOT a family pub . Also no Covid rules in place at all .

Had a great Christening party in a marquee in their garden. Lovely buffet and friendly staff. One of the party guests got ill and Sophie, the landlady stayed with her in the toilet until the ambulance arrived an hour later. A very friendly pub. I am looking forward to visit when I am back in the area with no family dramas! Thank you again Sophie.

Wow, a steak night, well worth the visit 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩we live locally and couldn’t of had a better evening, the beer garden, staff, and food, the halloumi burger 🍔 was delicious, we would highly recommend a visit and we will be bringing the kids next week 👍

We have been a bit nervous about venturing out to pubs or for shopping just lately. Decided to brave it on Saturday and went to the Golden Lion. I had smashing fish and chips and my wife was really pleased with her Hunters Chicken. But what we liked as much as the food itself was the safe and caring environment in the pub itself. The staff worked very hard to make us feel comfortable, checked our temperatures and although we are not fans of masks we could at least take them off whilst seated. The whole place felt clean and properly managed so we will visit again soon knowing we should be safe. Well done Golden Lion, thank you.

My mum visited this pub yesterday with my auntie and enjoyed it so much she asked me too take her back today as I am her carer. On arrival my mum as she has health conditions including heart and asthma problems, also severe arthritis didn’t wear a mask as she is exempt from wearing one, however the girl on the door asked why she wasn’t wearing one of which my mum explained but unfortunately didn’t have proof of this on her. Our temperatures were taken and the girl made it very clear that she didn’t want my mum in without a mask, however we were shown too a table which was 2 steps away from the entrance! After we were seated the girl approached my mum again asking for evidence for not wearing a mask, we both said no so she offered too sell my mum 1 for a pound making us feel very uncomfortable, she then said she would speak too the manager too see if it was acceptable for us too be in there as my mum did not wear a mask! This makes no sense at all especially as we were already seated at the table! I think the girl was enjoying the authority but very rude, I appreciate public houses are taking extra precautions and I understand that but too upset a 79 year old lady and make her cry is disgusting, there is no need at all and the girl should learn some manners. Will not be returning

A great family friendly local pub. The team have clearly nailed the new way of doing things around covid. A relatively young team but all if them are friendly, professional and great with the kids. Special shout out to Joe who always delivers.food is also always hot, fresh and well priced.Thanks

Popped in here with my friend on way through. Very nice food and reasonably priced. Plenty to choose from on the menu which all sounded yummy. We had jacket potatoes which had plenty of toppings. Girl behind the bar was very friendly. Would definitely recommend

Ended up here today after a couple of other options for lunch with twin toddlers were either closed or full and we were very pleasantly surprised. I’m not usually a fan of Greene King pubs, but the food here was above average pub style food, with great choice (including plenty of vegetarian options) and very, very healthy(!) portions! It’s only a little local pub but is lovely inside and the outdoor play area for the kids is a real bonus and will definitely be back in the nicer weather. The Golden Lion is now on our short list of less-stress places to go with the kids!

Just moved to Clifton and popped in for dinner as a family. The staff were welcoming, the food was good and reasonable priced, and the garden was a great place to relax, chat, and a safe place for children to play.

I’ve been coming to this pub a few times in the past couple of years as my sort of local but have noticed the quality of food has deteriorated each time we come, esp when they’re busy at the bar. Their meals are not cheap and the food is now only ok. We ordered food the other night and sat in the pub for 3 hours and no food came...even though we were reassured our food was the next out of the kitchen ... others were served before us clearly. We had to get a refund and left very hungry and not impressed. I know it was a football night, but even so.😬 The kitchen guy looked particularly stressed too, like he doesn’t really normally work there? It’s a child-friendly pub yet the barman was loud and using the F word loudly to customers he knows a lot , and with kids present. We will not be back and will find ourselves a new nice local pub.

Skull head shots were good but if you not a local then it feels that you have your own skull head as you walk in. Arrived at 8.30pm left at 11.15pm, has own parking.

Popped in on the off chance to ask if the could serve 18 of us for my wife's birthday The staff were fantastic we sat in the garden at tables that were arranged for us Food came out all at the same time cooked fresh, how that was done was amazing The manager and staff looked after us proper nothing was too much trouble All the family loved it kids played in the lovely garden 5 stars aren't enough firmly recommend this pub Thanks again to the manager and staff

I haven’t eaten here before but come in for a few drinks every now and then, bar staff are always lovely. The Sunday quiz is fun and only a £1 per person, will be coming again

Food was very poor,no taste at all,shame really as it was recommended ,the restaurant was empty on a Sunday afternoon that should have been a sign

Visited with friends from Bedford half way meeting place. Lovely lunchtime snack, only complaint too much! Beer was off changed no problem . Will come again if in the area needs a bit of cleaning in the ladies according to the boss!

Spend a lot of time here for drinks, first time for a meal yesterday evening (August 17). This is not a fine dining restaurant but serves 'pub grub'. The food was excellent, fresh, tasty and served hot at the table. Large portions, couldn't finish it all. The staff are friendly, helpful, welcoming and provide excellent service. Highly recommend, will definitely visit again.

Used a few times for business lunches, as it’s one of the few places locally that is open every lunchtime for food.

We went today as a family of 9 adults and 4 children. The staff said there was only one person in the kitchen so we were apprehensive. The food took a while to arrive but it all arrived together and was lovely. Considering there was one chef we were really impressed and especially as we were a large party. The play area and garden were good for the children. We will definitely come again. Thankyou for a nice afternoon

We visited with friends to have dinner/drinks in the pub garden & let the kids expel some energy in the play area.

I went to visit friends who live in Shefford. They took me out to lunch at the Golden Lion. We had to wait 35 minutes for our food, but the wait was well worth it. We all had different meals, I had scampi. The portions of all the meals were very generous, and I would say the chips are the best I have tasted anywhere. After enjoying my large portion lunch I ordered just ice cream for sweet. This again was a generous portion. Any one who lives in or visits this area, this restaurant is well worth a visit.

We had heard bad reports so avoided the place but was invited by some other families for a lunch drink. We discovered the place has changed hands and wow, we were impressed. In fact so impressed we returned 6 hours later for dinner.

Rang up on Bank Holiday Monday for evening meal booking, spoke to a very friendly guy called Paul.

We booked part of the pub for an 18th birthday celebration on Saturday afternoon and had a great time. The bar staff were brilliant and the food plentiful and very tasty. The whole afternoon was fantastic and the birthday girl had a fantastic time. Would recommend this for a small function.

The food and service at this pub is great, the menu is not massive but very tasty This was the first time we went in the evening but regularly go for lunch with reasonable prices and portions

The Golden Lion in Clifton had suffered in the past few years from having little or no food. The food now is excellent value, and they do a fantastic roast. They have an excellent selection of Gin - favorite is Rhubarb.

First time there. Great service and excellent food. Smashing garden for kids. Will go again and would definitely recommend.