The Golden Lion at Southwick in Winchester

Food fabulous, staff fabulous and pub fabulous. Stayed the night in the car park in our camper and already making plans to return. Had a really lovely time in the warm and cosy atmosphere, haven’t visited such a nice pub in a long time. 5 stars from us 👍

Group of us booked roast lunch for 1.15. Service was excellent at the beginning. Roast was either sirloin beef or roast pork. For those who choose beef, we were warned that the beef maybe a bit red, yummy as I love my beef that way. Beef came and was one thick slice and was tough as old boots and overdone! We passed on some feedback and the answer we got was we got there early, really 1.15 and they started a new joint, first few servings are well cooked. 5 of us had the beef and it was all same. I left the beef, just couldn’t eat it, was so dry and tough. We finished and waited a while for someone to take dessert and coffee orders, we gave up in end. Was a shame because rest of the lunch was lovely, vegetables and potatoes were cooked to perfection and had lots flavour. But £17.50 for a plate veg was tad expensive! First roast dinner with the GL but won’t be back.

Inside the pub was delightful and full of character with a good selection of beers available. The staff engagement was first class. 5/5. However, the food was disappointing, although tasty, the venison was over-salted and there was excessive veg and not as much meat in the stew as I would have expected. 3/5. Balancing the venue, staff attentiveness and character against the food leaves us with a 4/5 overall for a pub that would be good to visit for a drink and chat.

This is a fabulous pub. We got a warm welcome from the landlord, the range of beers is extensive and the food is absolutely delicious and all home cooked. We picked the pub for a stopover in our campervan knowing nothing about it or the village and were delighted to learn about its D Day history - really fascinating. We will definitely return

Superb welcome, delicious food and drinks. Looking forward to visiting again on our next trip over from Brittany. Thanks for all the times we've been with you. Julian and Enid

Last minute dinner food was good, choice of bitter was wide and they served New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc by the glass. Good value I had the special (chicken, leak and pancetta bake), Mrs H had fish and chips followed by cheese to share which had been brought to room temp so nice and ripe. Good value and service well worth a visit.

Stopped over in our motorhome after ringing ahead and booking a parking space. Lovely pub with a great landlord and staff. The food was top notch and we will definitely be back. Many thanks

We popped in for a couple of pints after a very muddy walk around Southwick. We were given a warm welcome and were delighted to find an excellent selection of real ales. We were lucky that there was space for us to have some lunch (I would recommend booking as other people who arrived after us weren't so lucky) The food was delicious and all freshly cooked. I liked it so much I would love to pop back again for Sunday lunch.

A fabulous family Sunday lunch out at the Golden Lion. Food and service were excellent as usual. If you want a tasty roast this is the place to go. Friendly staff and nothing is ever too much for them to make your experience perfect. Compliments to the chef and all the staff members. Hope to see you again soon.

The staff and food were amazing , I would definitely recommend this pub. The food was freshly cooked and good quality. The staff were very friendly and let my husband taste a few beers before he ordered.

Booked for the NHS out of hours district nurse team & their drivers. From the start of enquiring to the end (paying the bills) everything was outstanding. I really cant fault anything at all, pre-meal, drinks, the food itself and afterwards when there was no hurry for us to leave despite the pub actually closing, everything was a plus plus from me. Thank you all

What a find. We arranged to meet friends at the Golden Lion as it was half way between our homes in the New Forest and West Sussex. Amazing Sunday roast. Fantastic gravy. Rather nice cheese board to follow. Good Service. Just wish we lived closer.

We stopped off after visiting Southwick house as I was based here when it was hms dryad and used to drink in the pub. Took my family and the pub and staff were amazing , really made you feel welcome and showed genuine interest when I told them I used to drink there. Gluten options were good and the steak pie was amazing as were the puddings. Always worth dropping is you won’t want to leave.

Best Sunday roast I've ever had in any restaurant. Great quality beef, crispy roast potatoes and gravy to die for.

Really enjoyed out first night as new locals Stumbled into the jazz night which was good. Great choice of beers, well served by friendly staff. Not tried food yet but surely will

Our first visit here as a convenient midway meting point. An historicaly interesting venue, but in essence a fine country pub. Busy, even on a wet weekday evening, so make sure that you book. Excellent food at reasonable cost and very friendly staff.

This little Gem of a pub is just out of this world! So much History in the pub all to do with the DDay landings. Your host Greg, is such a ‘Colourful’ character and nothing was too much trouble. Now the food, well the food here was Michelin star without a doubt!! The service was also first class! Thank you Greg.

Stopped here on the way home, very tasty and well presented dinner, choice of four real ales, we had Landlord Dark which was excellent. Attentive and friendly service, nice atmosphere. Just what a pub should be. Not our first visit and won’t be our last!

Fantastic as always , staff are so helpful, food selection is brilliant,. We had an outside lodge that can seat 6/8 . Lovely garden .

The staff at The Golden Lion catered for our son's wedding reception held across the road at the D Day Memorial Hall. The standard of the food and service was outstanding. We have also eaten lunch and had drinks in the pub/ restaurant and that too was an excellent experience on each occasion. We highly recommend this lovely place and their team.

Oh my god stayed here overnight with camper van had a wonderful meal , lovely service wonderful staff very welcoming , nothing is to much trouble at all landlord and landlady spoke to everyone it was so very nice couldn’t fault it at all , thank you so very much to you all for a wonderful stay we will be back xx

Great pub for Food and Beer and dog friendly too. It ain't the cheapest but the quality and staff make up for the difference - will definitely be back soon.

Yes we all had very nice meals at this pub, and would have gone back for a good xmas meal. We thought!!!! We booked a date for Dec meal, which we were looking forward too as we had ,had a lovely meal. But a few days before we were due to go for a nice xmas lunch, a disappointing phone call to say, we will have to cancel your booking as we have overbooked. CLICK!!!!.

Lovely pub in the village of Southwick with a historical link to Operation Overlord. Nice atmosphere inside but we sat outside in the garden and made the most of a sunny afternoon. The two ladies behind the bar very welcoming and friendly. Our sandwiches yummy and reasonably priced. Well worth a visit.

The team at The Golden Lion couldn’t have been more accommodating. Our Son has Autism and can be very picky about where he sits as well as what he eats which means we don’t often get out with him. When we struggled to move him away from the bar to the lounge to wait for our table, a lovely lady at the bar, we assume an owner, reached across to our son and said ‘we have a lovely fire to look at’ and he instantly calmed and followed round to the lounge. There was an understanding of our situation which we don’t often experience The entire afternoon was perfect from then on. From some odd starter requests to additions to the roasts, all requests were met with a ‘nothing is too much trouble’ response. Topped off with some very kind words from the owners as we were leaving and a parting gift for our daughter for being the best big sister that she is, the whole experience left us feeling very emotional at being so welcomed and accepted. The food was exceptional, thank you, we will definitely be returning!

Quick service. Child friendly. Helpful staff. Kids loved it .park opposite is a bonus. Lovely Easter treat .

The best roast dinner we’ve had in a pub. Bar none. Excellent service, truly local food and fresh ingredients. The waiting and bar staff really know their stuff and the service is perfect. Great atmosphere, reasonable prices and a really great time had by all!...

Absolutely enjoyed my time at The Golden Lion. A friend who is an avid historian referred me here because of its historical connections to the Second World War - it is a place that Eisenhower and Montgomery frequented for a drink. I'm glad I ventured...

Great pub with good local beer choices and fantastic food. What really makes the pub is the landlord who is full of information about the pub and village and all his staff who are great. We pitched up unannounced as a group of 7 and...

A lovely traditional pub nestled away in the beautiful Southwick village. The food is of an excellent standard, the pub is so clean, warm and inviting. One of our favourites. My only small suggestion is that it would be nice to have a variety on...

If you are looking for a traditional English pub, this is the place. Decent choice of ales and a friendly reception. The pub has history with links to nearby Southwick Park which are both historical and interesting. Not far from Pompey – give it a...

Popped in for a weekend lunch and received a warm welcome. When asked if they could cater for a specific need it was dealt with in the same friendly manner. Lovely to see the Village Pub doing so well and welcoming everyone.

As always, we were made to feel extremely welcome, the staff are always super friendly and the pub has a great choice of drinks. We went for a lovely meal with our good friends and we weren't disappointed. The food was fantastic and as a...

We were recommended this Sunday lunch by a friend and have to say it lived up to the hype. Landlord and staff very friendly. The food is fresh and clearly has a home cooked feel to it with little extra flavour combinations. We will gladly...

I booked a last minute table here for myself and my daughter for dinner, after being recommended by a friend. We were made very welcome, including my Staffie who got lots of attention. The food was absolutely superb, as was the beer. I would highly...

Operation Overlord was the codename for the Battle of Normandy and the planning took place here. Eisenhower and Montgomery met and planned the cross-channel invasion of Normandy. Eisenhower had made the decision to commit more than 3 million soldiers and 2,272 ships to the cause....

We found this pub by accident and despite not having booked a group of four of us was made welcome and the staff found us a table. There is plenty of parking available. The ambience of the pub is immediately welcoming. The landlord is a...

Booked a table for their Sunday Roast. My partner has been here several times for lunch during the week in recent months & kept saying that we have to go there. We weren't disappointed. A busy Sunday session was well hosted by efficient & hard...

Been here a few times now ,to eat or just for a drink, The staff are always helpful and cheerful nothing is to much trouble. Food is excellent.

We were greeted by a very welcoming landlord. We hadn’t booked but had come from Fort Nelson on the hope that we could have lunch. He was able to accommodate us even though his kitchen was short staffed. The beers were excellent and the food...

Lovely pint and a warm welcome. Very clean Surprising blend of beautiful structure with a decor of modern clean vide

Visited on a very busy Sunday where a coach of Americans were just leaving. Despite this we were greeted warmly and given a seat in a cosy lounge whole our family table was cleared. All enjoyed their food. I have never eaten such fabulous chips...

Sunday lunch was packed and a small menu heralds a focus on doing things well. We were not disappointed in one of the best roast beef dinners we have had in a while. Dessert was good too as was the local beer. There was live...

Visit was with the current & ex neighbours of ours 6 in total All was fantastic While waiting homemade bread as mentioned in other reviews was given along with another treat Starters again very nice Steakx1, i & wife had steak & pie . 2x...

Recently stopped off here on the way to Southsea and ate in the restaurant. Had phoned ahead to reserve. We were greeted by Landlord Greg who was very welcoming, hugely helpful and explained the history of the pub and Southwick itself. Greg also gave us...

Wow, what a stunning find. Beautiful little village with a delightful ambience. The Golden Lion is a fab family run concern, serving outstanding food. We have just eaten some homemade Charcoal and Sea Salt bread followed by the most amazing Steak & Ale pie served...

We booked a table on Thursday [11/08/22] for a 1 p.m. lunch. We chose this establishment because their website stated that roast lamb was on the menu. When we arrived and were given the menu there was no roast lamb option. When we inquired we...

Starters - Crayfish OK and the Scallops OK albeit Scallops can be cooked as per a persons preference -these we very good and had the traditional accompaniments. I had the Devon Sole for main and my partner had a starter for main - The halloumi...

Great visit once again, landlord really in tune with clients. Will stop there again. We have eaten her before and the food is gorgeous too

We went for my birthday lunch and had a great meal. We shared fish cakes to start which were delicious. We both had the sea trout for mains and this was one of the nicest fish dishes I’ve ever had, cooked to perfection. The cheese...

Six of us had lunch in this lovely pub today. We were warmly welcomed, tasted beers until we found the ones we liked most and then all ordered different meals from the menu. The food was excellent and beautifully presented. My risotto was the best...

Booked for Sunday Roast as we love a roast after a good walk. And I must say how delightful this place is. People lovely and friendly and food was delicious. Will definitely be coming back.

A great pub. I’ve eaten here twice. Food is priced above average but worth it because it is delicious. Good selection of beers and kept properly so they taste really good. Staff are friendly. Highly recommended.

I visited with some friends for a quick drink and instantly was impressed by its quaint features. The staff are super friendly. I bought some bread (facachia bread, I think it’s spelt?!) that the chef makes fresh, rosemary and sea salt, that they had loaves...

Beautiful pub and such a warm welcome. Staff so friendly and a great selection of wines. Would definitely return for great food and more lovely wine.

Always a good experience at the Golden Lion. Delicious food - lunch and dinner menu. Attentive staff. Friendly atmosphere.

Fantastic food, atmosphere and service. I would highly recommend the pub. Family friendly and has wonderful history.

9 members of the Community Ale Bus had a fantastic experience here. Excellent ales. Well kept and a wide choice. Greg will explain the origins and taste of each Ale, along with the fascinating history of this wonderful little pub. 100% recommended it. Caters for...

Today, we walked here from Fareham. We aren’t regulars, but every visit we have had has been great. The welcome from the staff and Greg is friendly. The food was great and the beer and wine good. Southwick is a pretty village with lots of...

Well done Greg, Jane & your excellent team! Everything about the experience from planning through to the day itself was handled with confidence & professionalism. We had a fantastic day. The food was superb - thanks Sonny & team! Highly recommended as a pub, restaurant,...

I have been here in the past with my father, but only for a drink. I was pleased to try it again with a good friend for a reunion. She liked the menu and quality of the food too. Not cheap, but good, honest ,well...

We stayed overnight in our motorhome.. parked up and had a fab meal. Greg and Jane gave us a warm friendly welcome.. spotlessly clean everywhere.. food delicious.. head chef sonny fab chef.. very accommodating.. most definitely be back soon.. only 6 miles from home.. thanks...

Gregory Clark made the evening special with his amazing knowledge of the pub, the village. How The Golden Lion was used as the unofficial officers mess, during WWII by Monty and Eisenhower. Greg made us AND our Furry family feel very welcome, VERY dog friendly.....

I had the grilled plaice and I can honestly say it was the best fish I have eaten for a long time.! The decor of the pub is very tasteful and everywhere is immaculately clean. Greg and Jane, the hosts are really welcoming and clearly...

A fabulous traditional pub with such great history. 6 of us had a lovely meal recently. Quiet due to the football - now the football is over please head back. As soon as we were seated drinks ordered and came swiftly. Then we were treated...

Popped here for lunch. Sat in garden food was delicious, garden beautifully kept and the toilets were the best

Food & Service is amazing here - had the Sundried Ciabatta sandwich with roasted Courgette Red Pepper & Camembert which includes home cooked crunchy chips - perfect for a girlie lunch - followed by LocalBere Forest Ice Cream. All Covid precautions being observed which was...

Just returned home from a lovely roast dinner at the Golden Lion, great service, great food. One of the nicest roast dinners we have had out. Very relaxed atmosphere and very welcoming. Would highly recommend and we will definitely be returning. Well worth the money.

Enjoyed a great Father's Day Sunday Lunch at the historic Golden Lion in Southwick. Excellent food and nice friendly staff. The proprietor is very proud of his pub and his staff and took time to chat. Thoroughly recommend a visit here for a meal and...

Turned up on a Saturday afternoon for a couple of there gourmet sandwiches. As we walked through the door a rather grumpy old man snapped drinks only now. I did say your website says sandwiches till 3pm. He said it says nothing of the sort....

Been a few times but disappointed on our last visit,understand covid restriction but the menu now needs to be updated, the manager (not the owner)walking around with shirt hanging out, the girl who served us was a bit abrupt, my steak was grissaly and I...

A lovely cosy, but Covid safe bar restaurant. I’ve visited this place on a number of occasions and the standard never slips and the experience gets better. Whilst the menu is slightly limited (as is the case with moth establishments) at the moment, there was...

Greg the owner is an amazing man! I called last minute to book a couple of tables in his heated and well ventilated marquee, we had the offer of hot water bottles and blankets in case we got chilly too. The bar staff were very...

I don’t leave reviews very often but I couldn’t let the hospitality show to me and my family when we asked if we could park our Motorhome in the car park overnight, the host “Greg” went out of his way to welcome us, he moved...

My family and I decided to give this establishment a visit and have found that the Landlord is an excellent host, super friendly and accommodating. My family and I decided to partake of the food being offered and our family have found that the prices...

Great to visit again after lockdown and sit outside in the sun. Great beer, great food, great service. We shared BLT on home made foccacia bread with home made relish and fries. Finger licking good. We sampled well kept ales Skew and Old Dick beers....

Under COVID restrictions the owners have made it so welcoming and we enjoyed a lovely meal. The Landlord took time to say hello and engage with us and telling us some of the local history.

We had to get back to the Golden Lion post lockdown as soon as possible. Whilst Greg and his team had not opened the kitchen yet, will be next week, it was great to have some real ale and a wonderful welcome as always with...

Booked with a late change for our microwedding reception. Everything was perfect and we couldn’t be happier with the service provided. Being able to be in a room off the bar was fantastic and the team were excellent, professional and cheerful which stems from Greg...

Although in no way can the food served be described as cheap and instant it is well worth the wait to receive great cuisine and on some nights of the week great jazz and blues bands of all kinds currently in the marquee where the...

Visited last weekend 25/10 great Sunday lunch ! Marquee at the rear of the pub Swing band playing great music very enjoyable

Very friendly staff, exceptionally accomodating, we were made to feel very welcome. Food was divine, fresh, homemade and very reasonably priced. Cannot fault this place. We stopped off on our way to IOW, and would definitely make the detour to here again. Thank you!

Stayed overnight in our Motorhome and Greg, who has a Motorhome himself, was tremendously welcoming. It’s a quiet area at the rear of the pub and we had a fantastic evening meal which fortunately we had booked the day before (full house on a Saturday...

We met friends here on Friday evening and had the worst service I have ever had. We sat without drinks for ages, i asked for butter 3 times and resorted to going and getting my own out of my motorhome! My friend had a ploughman’s...

Came here for an early dinner, stayed for 3 hours.!! Food was lovely, atmosphere was good and the staff were second to none. I'd use this pub a whole lot more if it were closer jf really is a friendly place to go.

Thank you to the landlord and staff for a fabulous Sunday lunch and your genuine hospitality to my wife and me and our dog Tilly. The beef and accompanying vegetables were the best in my long living memory. This was the highlight of our few...

I am always disappointed when I have a pub roast as it never tastes as nice as a home cooked one. No disappointment with the wonderful roast dinner I had today whilst listening to live jazz music. Beef was cooked to perfection, veg nice &...

First time at this lovely pub...staff are superb, food fantastic (Sunday roast), also a wonderful Jazz band- couldn’t ask for more....thoroughly recommend it.

Probably the best Sunday lunch I've had in a pub. Roast beef was superb. Great service and a warm welcome. Decent selection of beers.

Allowed to park our motorhome here for the use of the pub. Room for two motorhomes... Plus good car parking. The use of the marquee for a wonderful jazz night exceptional food went down a treat the staff were all friendly and professional,all being careful...

What a great evening listening to ‘The Vicar’s Crackpipe’, a brilliant folk band, and enjoying outstanding grub in a great pub. Greg hosted us very well with a quirky style and good old fashioned manners. Thank you very much indeed!

Spent a very pleasant evening at The Golden Lion for ‘Folk on Friday’ with the excellent ‘Courtiers’ folk band. Food, beers, staff were all superb, and have never been made more welcome by the amazingly friendly and hospitable landlord.

Had a great meal one evening here. Met the landlord and he was very friendly and welcoming. Would definitely recommend this place for a nice escape

Booked a table for Sunday dinner. First off, the food was delicious; totally scrummy roast dinner and dessert to die for. Lovely. Furthermore, and important in these times.... The staff have obviously worked really hard to make best of the social distancing measures. I felt...

We called in for lunch on the way home from Portsmouth. We have stopped in in the past, but only for drinks. The Covid situation means everything is a little different, but the staff are doing what they can to keep things as normal as...

These are not normal times but an hour and a quarter from arriving to get a meal seems excessive. Always forgive when the food is excellent but the steak ordered medium rare was definitely medium +. So disappointing because the previous week was very good...

Was very nice very welcome when we arrived and ordered had few drinks shots also and was good prices and was nice and relaxed reccomend it to anyone cheers

What a place , very welcoming . Food was Amazing , service was top notch. Felt very safe and things put in place . Very quick service. Would recommend to anyone .

Fine dining in the local pub!! We love it here and they never disappoint. Hospitality at its best. Thank you so much!

Owners have created a new outside space so we sat outside for lunch. Food was so delicious, really recommend and the staff were so friendly and helpful. Following all COVID guidelines and felt very safe. Theres also lots of tables outside under a gazebo.