Based on 90 opinions finded in 2 websites
Based on 90 opinions finded in 2 websites
Nº 339 in 421 in North Hertfordshire
Nº 84 of 95 British in North Hertfordshire
Opinions
Had the best time celebrating a 69th wedding anniversary with family. Lovely Sunday dinner. Beef was perfect and cauliflower cheese to die for. Lovely atmosphere, friendly helpful staff and good service. We all want to go again next Sunday!
Jane F . 2024-02-18
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1st time visit even though we only live in Hitchin. Lovely atmosphere and super roast dinner (cauliflower cheese was a nice touch) Very busy but staff were excellent. 1st community pub I’ve ever visited. Definitely worth supporting. Will be back for sure. Thanks.
James B . 2023-11-12
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Absolutely fantastic from the moment we arrived, the warm welcome from the staff was just the beginning. This was our first and will definitely not be our last visit. They were booked out but this didn't seem to phase them one bit. The chicken ,leek and mushroom pie ordered by 2 of our party was excellent, flavoursome and well packed with chicken. The tuna and salad baguette ordered by the other member of our party was so fresh, the choice of baguette used was excellent. From order to receipt of food was of average time expected when ordering freshly cooked meals. We were definitely not disappointed. I'm reluctant to recommend this hidden gem because if l tell too many people, it maybe fully booked next we wish to go. Congratulations on your 40th birthday as a community ran pub, keep doing what you are doing as it works so well
jo v . 2023-11-10
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We had to wait 45 minutes for our main course. When I complained the landlord was unapologetic, terse and dismissive. The food, when it eventually turned up, was of poor quality and overpriced. I had the pheasant and bacon pie which looked and tasted more like chicken was dominated by a thick caramel type sauce topped by flat overcooked pastry. This is a place to avoid
Alex W . 2023-10-29
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Absolutely fantastic Easter Roast Lamb lunch with delicious roast potatoes and fine broccoli 🥦 carrots 🥕 and Cauliflower Cheese . We sat outside in the back garden soaking up the warm Spring sunshine 🌞 Staff so welcoming and professional.
Graham S . 2023-04-09
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We spotted for a drink in the garden, was lovely. Didn’t realise there was such a good garden out there back. Lots of people eating this Sunday abs the food looked good (burgers, chips, lasagne we saw) - we’ll be back to try the food sometime soon.
Liz B . 2021-06-27
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The Red Lion has always been one of our favourite pubs but when we read recent reviews we thought perhaps it had suffered a sort of post-Covid meltdown. Well, not a bit of it! They still had the wide range of beers plus a variety of interesting home-cooked meals on the blackboard. We had the red onion and goats cheese tart and the ham and leek crumble. Both came with salad and chips, so the dog was happy (about the chips, she can take or leave the salad) . One or two popular dishes had run out early but there was still plenty left to choose from.As it was a sunny day, we had booked a table in the garden, as had many visitors. But there were still some tables unbooked for people who just turned up (although it was a weekday, so maybe this wouldn't be the case at weekends). Obviously we had to wait for our order to be taken (rather than ordering at the bar) but the service was actually pretty prompt, and we didnt have to wait long for our meals either. Of course, it helps to pass the time if you have a pint of Tring Brewery Side Pocket to keep you going!
Andrew W . 2021-06-24
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We ate here after a three hour walk around the local area. The pub kindly allowed us to park our cars in their car park, and of course we ate there afterwards. They were very Covid safe, and the staff were friendly and efficient. The food was pretty basic though and portions quite small; the burger had seen better and more juicy days, and the venison pie was more pie than venison. But…. In lockdown, they were trying their best, and maybe three stars is a bit harsh, but I review it as I saw it, and I’m sure once things return to normal, their ratings will once again be much higher. We would return to give it a second go, certainly.
Andy-S60 . 2021-06-07
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Having been one of our favourite local pubs for many years we chose to visit for our first post lockdown lunch alfresco. Unable to book as they were full we were assured that there would be a good chance of a table and food all afternoon as they would be serving pizzas once the kitchen closed at 3. We arrived at 1, got shown to a table immediately and after a 30 min wait, got a drink in. Was told kitchen was very busy, so to wait a while before ordering food. When ready for another pint, and after another wait to get served, we were again told to wait as kitchen still very busy. The next time we asked it was 3, and was told the kitchen was closed and no pizzas either. We were extremely disappointed that after such a long lockdown they couldn’t have got more staff in and maybe extended the ridiculous 12-3 kitchen opening hours, particularly at weekends or at least fired up the pizza oven, as we were told. Final insult, they didn’t seem to care. Plenty more pubs in the area serving food all day to try!
Debs_Loves_Sunshine . 2021-06-06
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Nice pub garden and good choice of beer but food is abysmal!Never seem to have anything that's listed on the menu.... even when we were the first order when they started serving food!We were given stale rolls/baguettes, very thin and dry fries and very small portions!Extremely rude landlord and landlady too!Far nicer places to eat than here......will certainly not go back!!
clairebR8503CW . 2021-05-07
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The sample menu showed four decent veggie options so was really looking forward to lunch. However, only two were available, curry or spaghetti. The wild mushroom spaghetti was spaghetti with some wild mushrooms on top. No sauce even. So not a good option. Shame as it looked on the website as if they were making an effort with their veggie options, but sadly not.
Kitessa . 2020-12-10
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Always amazing home cooked food. We’ve never had a bad meal here and always love the beers on tap. Hoping as things get back to normal a few more craft beers start appearing again. Perfect for a family especially when the weather is nice and able to sit in the beer garden.
vpullinger . 2020-10-30
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Our first meal out since lockdown and it was such a treat. We popped in after completing Walk 107 the Preston Loop (5.5 miles) which were were mapping out and testing before uploading to our Hertfordshire Walker site. We always like to try the local pubs when we do our walks, and this one was one of the best. We ate out in the beer garden and shared the stilton and mushroom starter followed by the wild mushroom spaghetti and the chilli crab spaghetti - everything was delicious. The social distancing was great, the service spot on, the one-way system worked well, and the beer - Tring Side Pocket, was superb. My wife said the white wine was lovely too. Well done the Red Lion. Thanks for a lovely lunch.
breweruk . 2020-07-17
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Excellent lunch of Brocolli and Stilton soup and Venison chilli with chips. Quiet atmosphere, excellent portion size and a wide selection of fine ales and a real fire . Quintessential pub on the village green with ample parking. Landlord and locals most hospitable. Gluten free options including beer.
johnpX8567HI . 2020-02-06
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Good pub! We went there for lunch today and the food was quite good for the price. Possibly a few more chips with the Pheasant & Partridge pie, but the pie was delicious and packed with meat so only a small observation, nothing to stress about! Very friendly staff. Boiler broken so a little cold but two welcoming fires so not as bad as all that. The one thing that was apparent is that they keep great beer! Top notch and we will definitely visit again. No Frills but a proper pub over all...
OJS1 . 2020-01-25
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Visited this pub for the first time with our walking party on a Saturday lunchtime. The menu included a number of meat and fish pie dishes which several of our group ordered and enjoyed. My choice was a pheasant pie, which had a generous filling of meat and was excellent. It also offers a good choice of beers which included a very palatable mild which I tried called Oscar Wilde from the Mighty Oak Brewery.I understand the Red Lion is a community owned pub and was the first of its kind in the country. Nice to see that this enterprise that the locals are supporting appears to be a success, at a time when so many country pubs are closing. Well worth a visit.
LutonPhil_11 . 2020-01-19
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Ordered 3 x. £12.50 cottage pies and veg, long wait, and a proceeded mince thing with literally 10 peas
johneddington17 . 2019-12-12
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Beer was good, food was tasty but a little stingy on the portion size. Nice atmosphere, would definitely visit again!
tomdD6435TS . 2019-11-23
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Came here on a Thursday lunchtime and what a joy it was. 5 real ales, long wine list, good pub food and service. Well worth a visit. Have a wander around the village after to let the food and beer go down.
TrevandSuz . 2019-10-10
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We went as a group of 13, ordered our lunch before we set off. The food selection was very varied. Written up on a blackboard by this local residents owned pub) Service was good and the food was excellent quantity and Quality. Highly recommend the Rabbit casserole, and the Haddock crumble - much better and more interesting than a fish pie. The pub had arranged tables so that we could all sit round 1 table. We intend going there again just as a couple with friends
Passenger802237 . 2019-09-18
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Found this lovely pub on a country drive. Excellent food, very good service, very homely atmosphere. Would recommend this pub.
Barry T . 2019-08-27
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Good pub food in a lovely position on the village green. Better for lunch, as it is hearty country-style food. In the evening, the pub was packed and service was rather slow. We still enjoyed our dinner.
Miriam14 . 2019-08-12
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This is rated by the Campaign for Real Ale as he best pub in Hertfordshire, and if beer quality was the only criteria, that would be a fair assessment as my pint was superb. It is community owned, pleasant clean and comfortable and they rustled up a very acceptable sandwich at lunchtime.So why is it not 5 stars? Two things. First my food was delivered with no cutlery and no directions as how to find it, Secondly, there was a guy draped across the bar in front of the hand pumps when we went in. He made it very difficult to see what beer was on offer and to get served. He was watching cricket on a mobile phone propped at the far end of the bar. The signal was fine at the tables. Come on. the bar is for serving. To occupy pretty much all the bar is ridiculous, and the staff might have requested him to move.
Jeff1903 . 2019-07-11
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Good country pub good food & excellent beer recommended every village should have a pub like this friendly staff good selection of beers ciders & food
TrevorR486 . 2019-06-05
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I have been visiting this pub for several years and am sorry to say that the portion size continues to diminish and the presentation of the food has become poor.
urbanmonkee . 2019-05-17
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We have been here a few times for dinner and lunch. Met for dinner this time and had a really wonderful time. The pub/restaurant is owned by the villager, so all the food is home made and is excellent and varied from night to night. Service was good, if a bit hassled as it was very busy this time. Good wine, great food. Best to book as tables are few and it is obviously a well loved asset to the village.
rabandted . 2019-05-11
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Visited this lovely local pub on Saturday for lunch. It had been a good idea to book as they were busy, however due to the super weather the majority of people were choosing to sit outside.
_judi_cameron2 . 2019-03-31
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Booked the pub two weeks ago for a local walking group. Parked there at ten, 13 of us chose our lunch. Six and a quarter miles later we reached the pub at 1pm,food served at 1.20.
dickdowns . 2019-03-19
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There were more than 20 of us ranging in age from 2 to 87, every one’s meal was freshly cooked and delicious, the staff were fantastic and the beer was perfect.
PaulTozer . 2019-03-04
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We visited the Red Lion at the end of our 5 mile circular walk. The staff, the pub and our snack meals were excellent Thank You red lion
johnj7054 . 2019-02-21
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We often visit the Red Lion to enjoy the wonderful food and drink Ray, Jo and team offer. I thought I would write another review as our meal last night was exceptionally good; sublime halibut in lobster bisque - and congratulate the team for being shortlisted for a Countryside Alliance Rural Oscar. The Red Lion has been rightly recognized for being an excellent country pub. Good luck and I hope you make the finals!!
AlisonHitchin . 2019-01-18
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Frequent, and much deserved, winner of North Herts Camra "Pub of the Year"
Tim H . 2018-12-26
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I have eaten at The Red Lion on many occasions and it's always top notch. It's owned by the village and is the first community owned pub in the UK I'm told and recently appeared in the Guardians Top 50 pubs in the UK. The menu isn't the biggest but they do it all very well and every visit it seems there's something different - seasonal meat and game variations along with fresh fish dishes backed up with some regular favourites. The passion fruit pavlova is worth the journey on it's own. The weekends get busy with the visitors eating and drinking, the village cricket team in the summer having a drink and dog walkers, ramblers etc often frequenting the pub, so we always try to book. The big garden is excellent in the summer and is a great space to relax and not be in anyone's way. Has a real feeling of community. It's a genuine pub, with regulars having a drink at the bar but people looking for a decent, home-cooked meal. I find the prices extremely reasonable and the dishes are very interesting - fresh crab linguine, haddock and bacon crumble and dover sole being ordered on three fairly recent visits. The beers are very good and change regularly too my husband tells me and I like their wine selection. Well worth a visit.
cookeditorhitchin . 2018-12-20
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Came here with a regular on a weekday for lunch and a pint. Had some sandwiches and conversation by one of the wood burning stoves. Very cozy pub. I've been to a few English country pubs and this is one of the best. Lovely area in and around the pub. The toilets were new and clean as well. Would love for this place to be my local!
. 2018-12-13
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We used to come here regularly when we lived in Hitchin 15 years ago. It is one of the first community pubs and still retains the feel of an original village pub. So do expect locals to be there having a pint at the bar. We reserved a table which is essential at a weekend. I had plaice and my wife had crab. Both were delicious. The staff were friendly. A true gem.
JandJ19 . 2018-11-10
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Had a sunday lunch today. The food is very good and the staff are friendly and helpful.
Honey_paw . 2018-09-23
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Being new to the area, and having driven past the pub I thought it deserved a visit.
TheSkippman . 2018-08-16
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We called in for lunch on a sunny Sunday. A family was setting up a party in one of the rooms off the bar and most of the tables in the bar area were reserved.
Sils55 . 2018-07-23
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Great value delicious home cooked food and with a garden that the kids can run around in. All in all makes for the most relaxing family dining experience we know!
vicky m . 2018-07-09
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This has got to be one of my favourite pubs in the area! The food is incredible, the ambience was excellent, there is always a vast range in local beers and the service could't be better!
RichW15 . 2018-06-04
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Me and my motorcycling mate have enjoyed frequenting this pub on and off for over three years now. The food especially there Sunday roast is an absolute must and with it's beautiful back and front gardens esteemed in fantastic idyllic countryside your never left disappointed. STAFF here are friendly but professional and the choice of beers and wines are impressive.
grahamsX2081RH . 2018-04-24
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The Red Lion has been a regular place to visit over the year. First off, it's a true village pub - walking a fine line between pub and restaurant that so many get wrong these days. It's interestingly a community owned pub - the first in the UK. It's well supported by villagers, shareholders and lovers of well prepared and not the usual style of menu (crab spaghetti, mussels, lamb moussaka and fish pie when we ate there last). It's usually OK easy enough to get a table if you book in advance. The beers are always different every visit which is also excellent. It's won CAMRA awards and appears in the Good Pub Guide. Whenever we are down in the area, we always pay a visit. Well recommended.
Accountant76 . 2017-12-18
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me and my motorcycling mate rode up here for a very enjoyable Sunday roast lunch. the roast lamb was cooked to perfection and the vegetables absolutely delicious. we hadn't been here for about a year but like the previous times,staff were friendly and helpful as before. the huge garden in the back is a must...relaxing and beautiful .
Graham S . 2017-10-09
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Not good experience. Prawn starter.... I have never had a black prawn before. Main course spaghetti with crab and chilli sauce was like warm and dry. Not charged for this course. Very unwell once I got home.
Diane L . 2017-10-07
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My wife and I have been a number of times with friends to the Red Lion over the last few years and we went with them again recently. The Red Lion is run by a Board of Directors on behalf of the villagers of Preston and is at the centre of this small Hertfordshire village. It always stocks a good range of real ales and has a nice garden in which to sit out on a sunny day. It also has a good menu with a particularly good selection of fish dishes.
RTS780 . 2017-08-24
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Nuestro grupo de 11 llegó caminando a almorzar hoy y fuimos muy bien atendidos
HSeeingtheworld . 2017-07-26
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Relaxed in the large well kept garden on a Saturday lunch time. Reasonably priced beer went down nicely and we both had a most enjoyable lunch. Clean, well kept and friendly pub, wish there was more of them about!
Mark E . 2017-07-09
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Justo lo que el doctor! Si estás buscando un lugar para relajarse con amigos en un día de verano, no busques más. El Red Lion lo tiene todo! Fantástica comida, bebidas y la mejor compañía mejor. La mejor parada para cualquier ciclista en ciernes, especialmente en aquellos días. Los veranos lento
DJBobHoskins . 2017-05-14
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Pop in to this nice village pub for a beer and/or some food when out walking the lovely local countryside. Nice garden and choice of ales. Beer quality not bad. Nothing outstanding about the place but nothing bad either
ManInBlack64 . 2017-05-04
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Due to building work being undertaken this pub has dropped its high standard. however when this is complete I will...
An_English_Man . 2017-04-29
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Encantador pub cálido con chimenea, sin embargo, la comida es cara, cada campo tiene que ser ordenados en el bar por lo tanto un servicio mínimo. Tanto nuestros platos eran tibio y tenía que ir al bar para quejarse. Se llevaron comida y recalentados en...
720jackson5 . 2016-11-12
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Me and my motorcycling mate rode up from London last Sunday for an enjoyable exquisite roast dinner. The generous portions of roast lamb and vegetables were immensely appreciated. The surroundings of the pub are stunning. ..incredibly beautiful red orange and leaves immersed from trees in the back huge pub garden alone. Staff here work hard and are professional and this made our visit on our 3rd time just as enjoyable. Ample room for parking and quiet areas all around. Suitable for families and produce is all free range.
Graham S . 2016-11-10
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Really warm and welcoming pub, have been here on a few occasions for food and drinks. Limited menu on chalk board which is fab as you know it's gonna be fresh! Booking recommended as it gets busy
Andie G . 2016-10-18
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We had a family meal here on a bank holiday Friday in August. Menu was lovely but we had to wait an hour for our meal, despite booking. When it arrived the rice was cold and chicken curry very small with just a few small pieces of chicken in very thin, bland sauce. Veg curry and crab were nice. They had completely run out of desserts despite the fact that we saw no one else eating all the time we were there! Looked like they couldn't cope, understaffed, waitress had no time to be friendly or ask if everything was ok. Such a shame, lovely pub and location but poor experience.
Charm_Lover . 2016-08-30
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The chef is incredible. They serve a varied selection of lovely meals that are crafted with care. It's a great pub with great beer and great food. I cannot recommend The Red Lion highly enough. Enjoy!
Philipstorey . 2016-08-24
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Visited here for lunch, had a lovely baguette and it has a good selection of beers. Very god beer garden and a nice atmosphere- well worth visiting
Mike T . 2016-08-23
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Had to book in advance for a meal at this pub, better than being disappointed. Great community pub set on the village green. Looked like it was being used by the locals as all the tables were occupied. Good selection of starters, mains and desserts. Had the plaice in caper butter sauce - delicious. Food on other tables looked delicious especially the very large prawns. Must go back and try them. Large garden with seating which all was well looked after. Well worth a visit.
Lynda W . 2016-08-22
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They have a good selection of drinks and the food is delicious too. It is homemade and is really fantastic. The pub has a great atmosphere with a great outdoor seating area with proper tables as well as bench style tables. They also have outdoor heaters too!
Izzy B . 2016-08-05
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This is a beautiful old village in the centre of Preston near Stevenage inHertfordshire.The first community owned pub, and a terrific job they are doing, we'll decorated, clean and fresh with a well maintained large garden.There are 3 real ales on all in good condition and well presented a good mix to choose from as well, also cider and larger available.The locals who have turned this pub around need to be commended, support this great effort and I am sure you will enjoy the experience. Although we did not eat on this visit the food being served looked very good.
PAUL M . 2016-08-03
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I came across this pub after looking at trip advisor, and its well worth a visit.Set in a lovely village they provide a varied menu of home made food, that includes a a good selection of vegetarian meals.the bar has a wide selection of draught beers.We visited mid week and were surprised that a lot of the tables had been booked, but after our meal we could see why All in all a very pleasant night in a pub that has found the secret of running a good business, food and beer at a reasonable price
crackermean . 2016-07-18
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Fantastic food and service. The burger is one of the best I have had. A regular haunt never disappoints. Great selection of beers that change on a regular basis. All the food is freshly prepared and very tasty. Great garden for hot weather
Robin H . 2016-07-08
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Had a really lovely time meeting up with friends, who were in the area ,but was very disappointed with the Restuarant. Meals were very mediocre and not at all cheap. I had a chicken and leak pie and my wife the lasagne, both of which were not at all appetizing. Would not visit again.
David F . 2016-05-26
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Great looking pub in a great location. The well maintained garden is super in the summer with lots of sun. The food is OKish and the service is slightly chilly. The locals can be boorish and a bit hooray Henry.
Richard Z . 2016-05-03
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Good value and reasonably varied menu of delicious homemade grub in this truly local traditional pub. Free house with a lovely traditional atmosphere.
Aninacastle . 2016-01-05
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This was our first visit to the Red LionGreat choice of real ales and drinks generallyWe both had the pork belly for main and it was delicious - a slightly bigger portion would have been goodBoth deserts were really nice and tasty but again portions were smallService was polite and efficientWould definitely go again and recommend the quality of foodJimStevenage
jim k . 2015-12-18
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We visited the restaurant in a foursome for lunch. The welcome was warm, and we sat by the fireside and ordered from the chalk board menu. The food was served hot and the quality and quantity was just right. You need to arrive early as they are not a large restaurant with lots of stock and as time passed, items began to disappear from the menu as stock ran out, so if you get there at 1.30, the choices are limited.Good value for money
bougivalbob . 2015-12-16
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This is quite a small village pub so if you want a table inside to eat a peak time you will certainly need to book. If the weather is good then eating outside should be no problem as there is a large garden with loads of seating.We both had dressed crab salad with warm new potatoes for £11.50, which we felt was a very fair price for a delicious meal.
PADiPAWS . 2015-09-06
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The Red Lion is a perfect country pub: lovely location, perfect ales and delicious home cooked meals as good as, if not better, than many restaurants. The menu is not large but everything is homemade, including the puddings. Options include traditional pub meals as well as more unusual dishes and a lot of fresh fish. The pub is relatively small so at busy times, the menu options can run out. Don't let this put this off, you will be missing a gem!
AlisonHitchin . 2015-08-21
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Lovely setting, but although booked we waited about 35mins for our food to arrive. A waitress then came to ourtable and said, sorry we do not have the prawns that were ordered (that took 30mins) so we had to choosesomething else.Next main course already ordered at the bar. Same waitress after we finished the first course, sorry we do not have any vegetables! WHAT NOT EVEN FROZEN ONES.So the hot chicken pie was served with SALAD against the hot pie dish!!!.Never again.
drupel2014 . 2015-07-03
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We popped in here after a country walk. It was busy but we got a table easily. Ordered a sandwich and chips to share. Lovely fresh bread and great big bowel of chips. Good selection of real ales. Great looking pub from the outside. Looks like a manor house, and great location on the green. Shame it was rainy otherwise we would have given the garden a go. Looks like a good selection of interesting vegetarian dishes too.
Gill M . 2015-05-25
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We were somewhat worried about the mixed reviews but like to test new places for lunches on Sundays. We found the place buzzing and its as well that we booked a table. Guest real ales are a speciality and a real scrumpy cider is served from the cellar. The menu is not nearly as extensive as on the website and is contained on a blackboard (we were warned when we booked that they did not do traditional Sunday lunches). The fish pie was tasty but could have done with more fish; the chill crab pasta was also enjoyed but was very light on the chili. Service was friendly and efficient. The setting is lovely in this off the beaten track village. Certainly worth a visit but do not set gastro expectations too high...
Hedgehog44 . 2015-05-17
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Small, advise reserving, friendly and with a chalkboard menu of fresh mainly local produce, sometimes including fresh fish from Lowestoft.Well worth a visit and a meal - in the summer with a garden area.
Gofer42 . 2015-03-28
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First ate at the Red Lion some two years ago after a walk out from Hitchin with friends - we were given a warm welcome and the service and food were very good. Same thing, different friends, a year ago - except the food was even better. We chose our recent walk with a friend specifically so that we could eat at the Red Lion, booked a table for 1pm. We arrived on time, were immediately disappointed as the chap behind the bar was far from friendly and told us our table wasn't free yet but the people using it had nearly finished (they hadn't - they were half way through their meal). We looked at the menu - the roasts were on (good for our friend as we are both vegetarian), there were a couple of fish dishes and two vegetarian options. As it was a nice day, we sat outside with our drinks to wait for our table. Eventually we were seated at about 1.20 and were surprised that in that time so much had been erased form the menu - all that was left were the two vegetarian dishes (luckily for us) and one of the fish dishes. Our friend was naturally very disappointed as she had been looking forward to a roast meal. We ordered immediately (it doesn't take long to choose when there is so little choice) from a less than friendly waitress and waited. And waited. And waited. By about 1.50 when the pub was emptying and other people had been served, we asked the unfriendly barman how long our meals would be. He said he would find out and came back to say they were nearly ready. A friendly and apologetic waitress then stopped by our table to tell us that there was no veggie cottage pie left after all, which our friend and I had ordered - she said there had been a mix up over tables. We couldn't believe that only after we had sat and waited for over 30 minutes had someone noticed there was no cottage pie left. However, the barman then came out and said to the waitress "It's all right, it's all right" he flapped his arms at her and carried on with what he was doing. He did not apologise to us or even acknowledge us. We had just decided to go home and have scrambled eggs on toast when our meals did finally appear. The cottage pies were very small and served with a few vegetables; my husband's curry was similarly tiny, served without chutney or naan bread, although he did say it tasted good. I could have prepared those meals in the time we had waited for them - they would have been just as good but much more plentiful. No-one suggested we should be offered any sort of refund, and the only apology was from the waitress who wasn't even serving us. The other thing that we found very off putting was the number of dogs in the bar - at one time it seemed as though there were more dogs than people. The small ones kept on a tight rein and sitting underneath chairs or tables were bearable, but there was also a large lurcher type of dog which was not on a lead and wandered around freely when the fancy took him - sometimes his owner called him back, but he soon wandered again - his great head was level with the food on our table and there was little enough of it as it was - certainly not enough to share with a dog!Needless to say we will not be visiting the Red Lion again and no longer recommend it.
jenmarsmart . 2014-11-20
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Lovely garden. We had booked a table for 32 people. They had plenty of warning of our visit, a small area in the snug had been set aside but it would only seat about 12. We elected to all sit in the garden. Two of our party wrote down the menu as 32 of us queing at the blackboard would have been silly. Meals were chosen and the order the food was put in. Quite a long time later the foods started to come out, unfortunately they had 'forgotten' the 4-5 pasta dishes so the people who had ordered that had to watch the rest of us eat first. I cleared the tables as there appeared to be no staff around.Lovely village.
671MrsWhite . 2014-07-21
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My sister booked a table as it getsBooked up fast for six of us and they only do lunch 12 to 2 so we booked our table for 1pm. Looking forward to our roast I know a bit odd on a hot day but you can't beat a good roast, Anyway my sister asked the guy serving which I think is the landlord what meat for the roasts are and he replied we don't do roasts this time of year and my sister replied you could've told me when I booked and he replied well you could've asked and we haven't done it for the past five years well that really helps if you've never been there before.I got my phone out and looked on there website and it doesn't that on there website either, The menu was getting smaller as when we arrived the girl had rubbed of two items from the board and they had only been open for lunch am hour so I ordered a rib eye steak and it arrived almost cold, this is the second time know I've been for food and it wasn't brilliant then either but I must say there real aleIs top notch.I don't think we will be returning for food just for a drink as it is a nice pub and a nice garden. SHAME
Bothbarrells2012 . 2014-07-14
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lovely friendly, nice food, peaceful setting, great for bed and breakfast and lunch/evening meal outings
bevandmike . 2014-07-08
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Had a walk around the village and then decided to have lunch here. Absolutely delicious. The best Sunday lunch ever. Have been back a few times for a drink. The garden is stunning with plenty of seating. There is often live music in the garden in the summer. The best pub in this area, I can't praise it enough.
ChrissyChavit . 2014-07-08
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The menu may not be extensive but everyhting on offer was homemade and freshly cooked. The fish options were particualry good and I really enjoyed my sea bass with asian spices. This is a local pub that serves top quality food, although the food does not dominate the establishment. It is not a 'grasto pub', rather a frinedly local that serves freshly cooked food. In the summer the garden is lovely and well kept. The real and ales, cider and perry add to the whole experience; this is what all pubs should be like. I have no negative comments and can highly recommend the Red Lion for either lunch or a casual dinner.
AlisonHitchin . 2014-05-02
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After a cosy drink at this pub on a very busy Sunday we decided to have a lunch here a couple of days later when things were quieter. First the positive things. A well frequented and a very popular dog friendly establishment which was the first pub to be bought by a village when the brewery put it up for sale over 30 years ago. The beers were first class and many different beers were on sale compared with our previous visit of only 2 days before.Now the negative things. First the menu on the pubs website has very little resemblance to what was on offer. The actual menu consisted of just what was on a chalkboard. Despite arriving at 12:45 the pub had already run out of burger buns so we were told that we could not order burger and chips. My wife asked if we could have the burgers served in baguettes which was agreed.By around 1pm they could no longer offer sandwiches as they had run out of bread and the meagre menu on the chalkboard was getting shorter by the minute as various items were rubbed out as people requested them.Our burgers, chips and greenery arrived after a 40 minute wait and was very nice. We were offered cheese and bacon as a topping which was included in the reasonable price.All in all a nice meal in a nice friendly pub which was let down in a big way by a fast disappearing menu.
Jeff M . 2014-04-17
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Stopped here for lunch whilst walking in the area. Only had sandwich and chips but done very nicely (served on artisan bread) and other diners food looked/smelled good. Lovely garden in the sunshine and good range of local beer.
d92eyj . 2014-03-15
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We booked a table for 5 of us on 13Aug having won a £25 voucher towards a meal from a raffle prize. We reserved as per advice on website. We got there at 7pm to be told table was still being used. We ordered our first round of drinks, were then told table that was ours would be available soon, the table then cleared for only new arrivals to take it throwing to one side the reserved sign. We went to the bar but no one was interested in what happened and when we said we were paying for drinks ordered and leaving still no one was interested. A very casual, hap hazard place to eat and obviously unable to comment on food. Will not attempt to go back.
Fabienne72 . 2013-08-13
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We had a lovely meal at the Red lion. The Restaurant area was quite busy so we sat in the bar area which was very welcoming. The bar maid was very friendly and helpful. Very good choice of different meals, i could of choice for or five options. The meal did not take long to arrive. My lasagna was home made with lovely fresh salad and chips. My 5 year old daughter loved her child s portion of scampi and chips. My husband was a little disappointed with his fish cakes. He said they were not home made , he could clearly tell they were shop bought which was a shame as the rest of the food was lovely. But for the price we thought it was well worth it and we both said the bar maid was a real asset to that pub. We will return again.
Tracey S . 2013-07-01
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59 Opinions
I attended Hitchin Priory with 3 other members of my family for Christmas Day lunch. The whole experience from start to finish was exceptional. The staff, service and food were all excellent. The feel of the room was very relaxing and the tables nicely spaced out. The atmosphere was very convivial. If it is still the same set up next year we shall definitely be back. Our visit to Hitchin Priory made our Christmas Day. Thanks to all concerned.
1132 Opinions
We like Wetherspoons, and the lovely buildings that are used, this building was nice, but not as good as others.
298 Opinions
This has been our local for 10 years. We’ve seen a few changes during that time and have always supported it. Unfortunately it seems to have turned into a sports bar. I can understand this for the Euros and Olympics. However, last night there were 3 large TVs blaring with Sky Sports. The locals don’t want this. We’ll be finding a new local that cares about what their local customers want.
314 Opinions
Delicious well presented food. Large portions. Excellent and friendly service. Beautiful pub inside and out and very clean!
256 Opinions
Used to go here a lot and there were two lovely girls waiting thr tables, one cook and the senior man overseeing it all. Today we visited and no adult apart from the cook. Three young waiting staff who were clueless. Two breakfasts and two hot drinks. One drink came, they forgot the other one and dive minutes later they finally realised. Breakfasts arrived but no toast, another five minute wait and was plonked down unceremoniously without a word. Finally someone should tell the young boy in there to get his mum to put new elastic or a belt on because he kept his joggers half way down his backside and they kept slipping off, constantly adjusting them slightly up so his pants were in show. Not appropriate for serving in a cafe. Overall service was downhill but food still good.