The Red Lion Chalton in East Hampshire

Just visited for Sunday roasts for four, portion size was good but all four were cold and returned to the kitchen, all we received was an half hearted apology from our waitress, wouldn’t recommend and definitely won’t be returning

We booked the snug for Sunday lunch with a big (probably too big) group of us and it was brilliant. Staff were all incredible, attentive and friendly and the food was great quality and delivered so quickly (especially since the pub was packed!). Thanks to Lauren who helped us arrange our pre-order and thanks to the team for looking after everybody so well. If you’re looking for wholesome, warm and welcoming pub - this is the place for you!

Booked for valentines day. No atmosphere at all. I think there were about 4 other couples in there. Never known a pub to be so quiet on valentines day. The food was aweful. Wrong starter came out yet the place was empty, my burger was dry and over cooked, my husbands steak was gristly and tough (£25). The wine was £33 a bottle and wasn't even on the wine list menu. Just over £250 for 4 people 2 courses. Also a £26 service charge for a service where we had to ask for another drink. Ridiculously expensive and food very dissappointing. Sadly won't be returning.

Just had a pint at The Red Lion in Chalton, and it was a roaring good time! The staff are like pub wizards, magically appearing with perfectly poured pints and a smile. The pub itself is a cozy den, perfect for plotting adventures or just enjoying a laugh with friends. The beer? So good, it could make a lion purr. I tried a local brew that was so refreshing, I felt like I could conquer the world (or at least the pub quiz). The regulars are a friendly bunch, always ready with a joke or a story. If you’re in Chalton and need a pint, The Red Lion is the place to be. Cheers to great times and even better beer!

Mediocre food all round. Shame as it's a lovely pub with very attentive staff. Would go back for drinks

Can say that I can recommend this pub for food or service. Roast was bland and there was no service until they wanted us to leave because of another booking and the dining room was cold. I had to get up to request drinks. Might be ok if u only go for drinks as it's got nice views

After an 8 mile hike around the area, the Red Lion was a most welcome stop for lunch. Although quiet the staff were welcoming and helpful. This was a Monday lunchtime in mid January 😊.

Roast was overpriced and mediocre, and we were hounded to leave early. Went for my birthday and despite them being informed there was no effort. The food took long, the roast meat (one chicken, one beef, one pork) was dry and bland. Vegetables were done very well and the pub itself was beautiful but my final complaint is that we had the table booked for 2 hours, but the next booking turned up early so we had 2 waitresses ask us for the table. I talked to the hostess and she confirmed that we did have the table for two hours. Hounding us was unnecessary.

I love this old country pub the staff are always friendly and helpful. The food is great, and the pub is always welcoming. In the winter the open fire is always lit. Good outdoor seating in the summer months, great for walkers or anyone who just wants a drink with a lovely cosy atmosphere. Would strongly recommend. What's happened....... This pub has new owners. The fire was always lit,not now. The toilets need to be checked ,they were not clean. Visited on 2 separate occasions , ordered soup an easy dish but had to ask bar staff where my order was as I waited over 40 minutes for the soup to arrive, as did another customer. Clearly not enough staff.

The Red Lion in Chalton is a charming spot nestled in a quaint village surrounded by scenic walking routes. It’s the perfect place to unwind after exploring the area. The pub boasts a lovely outside seating area, ideal for soaking up the peaceful atmosphere, and its thatched roof adds to its rustic charm. The staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming, making you feel right at home. They offer a great selection of local ales and drinks, adding a nice touch of authenticity. Overall, it’s a warm and inviting place with a fantastic atmosphere – well worth a visit!

We had our family Christmas dinner here and the service was amazing. All the staff were so patient and welcoming despite being at work on Christmas Day. Will definitely be back next year! Thank you all.

Great meal with family and staff were really helpful.

Four of us booked a table for lunch today and enjoyed it so much! We’ve been here before and we love this place .. the food and the service never disappoints. Thanks to you all

Just be aware that the menu advertised on their website bears no resemblance to the menu in the pub. We looked at their website and booked for dinner only to find that the actual menu was much smaller than the advertised menu and then only about half of that was actually available.

Popped in for Sunday lunch, food was superb! Large portions, great service! Will be back again soon

Lovely cottage style pub/restaurant, oldy, worldy. Lovely log fire in the bar. Good selection of food,beers, and wine. It's a bit pricey but a very different menu, worth the money. Well worth a visit.

Returning customers. Really like the quality of the food here, nice service as usual Sunday roast was great, my partner didn’t like roasts but they do have a few other choices too. We didn’t have dessert, gutted you don’t have sticky toffee pud anymore , so we didn’t have desserts this time

Fantastic pub the staff are lovely, helpful, attentive and so welcoming! And the food was absolutely delicious! Highly recommend, and super dog friendly too!

I'm going to have to go against the grain here as most of the reviews do seem really positive, we must have caught them on a bad day. Last Saturday lunchtime (2/11) we waited over an hour for our food to be served and when it came out it was average at best. The two tables nearby to us also waited over an hour and all three tables had questioned staff on if the food would ever arrive which created a bit of a bad atmosphere in the venue. I don't think this was the waiting staffs fault directly but more likely the brewers (Fullers) trying to cut cost on staffing and ultimately not having enough staff on to service or be in the kitchen. Pub itself is beautiful and looks very appeasing both from the exterior and interior but our experience was ruined by the long wait and the food being average at best.

Little bit disappointed that the mac and cheese had been removed from the menu. However we did get choccy mints with our bill so all is forgiven

It’s a nice setting and the food was fine but we did wait a very long time for it to arrive when the restaurant didn’t seem that busy.

Lovely meal in a great location. Service excellent and great atmosphere. Worth a visit

Amazing food and drink plus excellent service. Can’t wait to return.

I wanted to reward myself with a nice roast dinner and I was not disappointed at all! I was greeted when I first arrived by the front of house staff who were very friendly, I was then shown to a table where they were able to accommodate me very quickly without a booking, the inside decor is lovely and clean and the views are great, then to the food, the beef was scrumptious, a lovely amount of veg which was all fresh, and all in all very delicious, the staff throughout ensured I had everything I needed and you could tell they genuinely cared and took pride in there work, Top job everyone, I will not hesitate to return or recommend you guys! Thank you

Lovely pub we were in the private function room which used to be the lounge bar. Good food classic pub menu. Staff very friendly

We were given exclusive use of the old Lounge bar for my sons wedding lunch which was fantastic. The event organising was made easy. The food was excellent, the service was exceptional. I would recommend this lovely pub to everyone.

Georgia is an absolute diamond. Great burgers, great atmosphere, great service.

Attended this restaurant on Sunday 15th September we were a family of four adults the starters arrived they were lovely we were booked to dine at 3.30pm two in the company opted for the Sunday roast beef - matured an seasoned with garlic and herbs along with-seasonal vegetables stuffing an roast potatoes - what arrived was absolutely diabolical .. the beef was slimy wafer thin an presented like kebab meat it was the worst roast beef I personaly have ever tasted the Yorkshire puddings were rock hard cold an unappetising and the roast potatoes rock hard and cold an congealed not fit to serve to a dog let alone a person ….unfourtunately the vegetables whilst sparse slimy and also cold were disgusting too and gravy cold an minimal …… my other two guests went for the Sunday roast chicken it was no better dried up tasteless like it had sat for hours on a hot plate and the seasonal vegetables diabolical too I’m afraid too relay thus I conveyed our dismay to the waitress who apologised profusely —- we asked to see the chef to get his explanation for serving such rubbish to diners within a restaurant but he failed to materialise however the manageress did , and she apologised too an then conveyed there had been other complaints too an they were no longer serving sunday roasts as a result of the numerous complaints she then asked if we would like our pre ordered desserts which beggared disbelief - but in light of what we had partially eaten we couldn’t face more disappointment or stomach upsets - - - the manageress removed the price of the mains and I generously paid for the starters an pre dinner drinks to the tune of £80 and left hungry dismayed and dissapointed with the manageress saying as we left please call again …… I think not I’m tempted to call in an health inspector as we have all food poisoning symptoms they formerly had a great food reputation but this shambles is worthy of a visit from Gordon Ramseys tv show …….. so so deplorable and disappointing I’d not recommend this establishment to my worst enemies I’m sad to relay .

Great pub with lovely garden and a nice selection of lager

Staters nice but main horrible. Roast potatoes hard as a rock cauliflower cheese cold was expecting a chicken fillet but recieved a chicken on the bone was tasteless very little gravy. Felt as if the food was left on the hot plate for hours so I didn't get deserts because of the main meal. Left dissapointed with the food and still hungry. Was over from Ireland.

Enjoyed the food. Well kept beer. Good friendly service. Great views.

Went there for lunch and it was very good

Really lovely pub, in an absolutely stunning location, surrounded by rolling hills and trees dotting the horizon. Beautiful building, and extremely welcoming staff. Well worth a visit, for food or just a pint of something local.

Lovely country pub. The restaurant can be heaving so worth booking ahead. Lovely terrace at the rear. Nice walks in every direction, but especially to the east, past the church.

Exceptional food! And friendly staff!

One of the nicest pubs I’ve been to!! The view is insane and the interior is done up so nicely. The staff are super friendly, and the food is AMAZING. So worth a visit. We came for lunch and the lunch menu had some amazing stuff on it. Will definitely be back for dinner!!

Just left after having fish and chips meal. Initially delicious, but within 20 mins of finishing meal I was violently sick .

I write this review regretfully, because I've visited this pub a lot over the last 15 years. Sadly it seems to have lost its way lately. Prices in all pubs are high these days, but the red lion seems to be exceptionally so. I can live with paying a high price if it's excellent, but the service is often lacking and the staff are unenthusiastic. For example, on our most recent visit, we ordered two Jamieson whiskys with ginger ale, a simple order. One would expect to be given a glass with the whisky, and a small can/bottle of ginger ale. Instead we were served whisky, in large glasses, which had then been filled the rest of the way with ginger beer (not ale, a very different thing!). For two disgusting drinks which we couldn't finish, £16. High prices are fine, but, that also sets an expectation for the level of service!

My second time visiting here. Lunch this time catching up with a friend. Lovely food, great service. Will definitely come again

We had a nice family birthday outing. Sat outside in the garden. The meal was tasty and well presented.

Really friendly and polite staff, lovely food, beautiful location. Would highly recommend.

This was my first time visiting with my friends and grandson and honestly I couldn't fault the visit from ample parking stunning veiws plenty off tables polite staff great food the whole experience was defo one to encourage me to return . also to top it all of the Beer festival with hog roast and live music just finished the whole experience as a customer. A huge congratulations to Jake and his team keep up the amazing work .....

Incredible service from Jake and the team. Food was brilliant and the hospitality second to none. Will be back again soon!

Delicious lunch in a fabulous pub. Food was excellent. Service friendly and prompt. Good value for money.

Lovely pub with friendly and efficient service. We had a Sunday roast, which was delicious. The pub itself has an oldy worldly feel inside and is situated within quiet and beautiful countryside.

This used to be a much nicer place to go. Food was great the staff were very welcoming, you felt that you were important to them. Now it's like you are just a punter. Food is no where near as good as it was and frankly is not worth the money. The "Shandy battered Haddock" was bland the Tartar sauce did not taste like Tartar sauce. The prawn cocktail was nice however. Sad times. 😔

The food was good for a pub, but if you need Gluten Free stay away, they say Gluten free but it's not.

Nice pub in a lovely location, however,,,,, drinks very expensive, and food mediocre and certainly not worth the prices. All food served on cold plates!!! I had steak and ale pie, I would serve a 10 year old a bigger portion. It had 3 pieces of meat in, and although tasty, did not arrive with the extra gravy I ordered. Mash was OK, but greens undercooked and probably 50% stalks. Partner had grilled sole which tasted heavily of pepper and looked anaemic, Hasselback potatoes were deep fried and like bullets, broccoli was cold. Dish returned to the kitchen as unacceptable (no charge). Waitresses trying hard and pleasant, but not at all attentive!!!!! Overall, really disappointing experience, and will not be going back!!

As it was a nice sunny late afternoon we had a last minute decision to make. Shall we have a Sunday afternoon beer with my better half. Yes! Been going to this pub for many years. Sat outside in the beer garden enjoying the nice sun and the pub wasn’t too busy so overall we had a nice experience. Just 2 gripes and I may be picky. But the Ale choices was poor. The only ale on offer was a London Pride. Outside tables were cluttered with empty glasses and plates etc. is it not too much to ask that when food servers deliver food that on the way back they take some glasses and or plates with them? Is that due to a lack of awareness by the servers or a lack of guidance by the management. So 4/5 mainly due to the nice weather and nice location

Had a roast ,i had pork, and my wife had beef .The beef was dreadful chewy and couldn't be cut unless you had a really sharp knife .won't be going back !

Sunday lunch for a party of approximately twenty people booked in advance was a confused affair. Staff didn’t understand how food orders were to be taken, either individually or as a group. Menu prices were different from those advertised resulting in further time wasting. One person was charged twice and no refund was presented. Telephone communication was impossible after the error was noticed. The South Coast Pork was reasonable but a giant overlooked Yorkshire pudding topped the tower of food. Why? There was no apple sauce, no stuffing and no crackling. The gravy was insipid, pale and tasteless. Much of the meal was left on the plate. Very unsatisfactory and despite the beautiful location on a Summers day will not recommend it. Overall chaotic and disappointing food.

Beautiful little place, the food as very very nice, tasty and good portions. The view from the deck is to die for!

Beautiful idyllic country pub in a wonderful location affording stunning views across the South Downs. Food, although expensive (it's a Fullers Pub) was good. Service was excellent and the atmosphere really good. Highly recommended for a visit any time.

Set in the South Downs near the famous windmill, this is a typical English country pub done well. We enjoyed a Sunday Lunch here ( note - tables have to be reserved in advance) with a selection of roast dinners available, with seating both inside and outdoors in the garden. I went with a South Downs roast pork, followed by a Toffee Pannacota, food was very good, busy place of a Sunday. The menu is very limited, so outside of a roast there isn't much choice otherwise, traditional burger, fish and chips or a pie. That aside this venue is well worth a visit.

One of the oldest pubs on the south side of English. Fascinating story behind this pub placed in the English countryside. Open for over 500 years as a stopover for those travelling between Portsmouth and London. It has a large car park which is great. Restaurant is seperate from the pub which is super. No mocktails on the menu but the bar staff mixed up a concuction on request. Food was OK. You go there more to sit in history. Food was just normal pub food. Some of the oil bits was very oily.

Went on BH Monday for lunch. For main course the Wife's main had no apple sauce as described, chips were undercooked for all three dishes. Desert, ordered then told "No Eton Mess available, would I like to order something else provided I didn't want vanilla ice cream with it as they'd run out. By 2200 that evening all three of us has stomach cramps and I won't describe what happened next. Will not be returning any time soon,

A whole walking group of 26 of us had an arranged lunch here yesterday. The list of choices for all had been given in a week previously. The food was over one hour late in coming out as it turned out that a management change meant we didn't exist. No staff came to inform us as just showed us to our seats. No water on the table despite glasses being there and cold room. When food came out it was tepid (plates were warmer), pastry rock hard, not much meat in the so called steak pie and jelly like gravy, Pie portions were small when priced at £18 each. Offered free hot drinks as compo for an abysmal showing by the pub. Overpriced menu anyway but they still got £700 in takings from us. DO NOT GO HERE!!!!!! Only gets one star as really wanted to award NO stars but not allowed to do that

I went to the red lion for a roast in a sunny Sunday we where sat in the restaurant by a lovely waitress who facilitated to all our needs are roasts came out in a timely and orderly manner the food was absolutely pucker steaming hot and tasty all in all I would highly advise you give them a visit outstanding experience !

We have been coming here for many years as its only two miles or so from home. Came today for lunch with my son, daughter and her chappie. Three of us had the lamb dish from the Specials board. It was absolutely lovely. Might even be the best lamb I have ever had. My daughter is a strict vegan and was also extremely happy with her choice. The service was nice and the village location is beautiful. I think its under new management with a new head chef too. Really enjoyable.....thankyou!

There Sunday gone Order roast belly pork which came with very dry pork I've eaten there before usually very good

The staff was super welcoming and Ella was super entertaining also food was top tier will be coming again

Staff were very friendly and welcoming, the Sunday roast was absolutely amazing. Will definitely coming back very soon and will be recommending to family and friends

Lovely little pub for Sunday lunch and more.

Very good service and excellent quality.

The food is not good. In our party of 10 most didn't like the food, especially for the price. I ordered the steak which was overdone and burned, plus the side salad had burned croutons. Not worth the money. The place is in a lovely location, however, with good outdoor seating. Ideal for mid-walk drinks.

Always such a beautiful place to visit, views are incredible and as we sat and watched the sun go down it makes you appreciate where we live even more. A regular visitor here, food always very good and friendly staff. Disappointed in the specials today as not a huge amount of choice but food from the menu was nonetheless fresh, hot and tasty.

I think that £17 for a few chips, small pie and a few cabbage leaves is a bit much. Lovely pub in a fab setting. Good service. Won't be back through because of high food prices

We love this pub resteraunt. It never lets us down. Fantastic food, good beer, great choice of Gins. Just marvelous.

The food and drink is v good. Service is excellent we walk from clanfield to the pub and are always made welcome. Summer plough mans to die for. views are sublime and walks in area are great. Still amazing 2024

First time visiting and we were not disappointed. Food was delicious, service good with friendly staff

Lovely pub, really great atmosphere, could do with just that little extra pop in the kitchen vegetables can be hard to get right a lot of vegetarian options, which is great for those veggies out there!! Wide range of gins and bubbly staff great afternoon with the family.

Great food, lovely ambiance and very helpful and attentive staff - thank you, we will be back. 2nd visit was very disappointing. Tasteless and undercooked food. Will not be back.

A warm welcome guaranteed for all 🤗 🍻 🔥

Sunday 24.03.24. One of 8 members for a Sunday lunch. Whole meal was a disaster inexperience waitresses and food poorly prepared . Only redeeming feature the staff were all friendly. However tippexed off from future visits

Wow, what a quaint, warm, cosy, historic little find! Driving through and looking for a traditional pub lunch, luckily we were drawn to this wonderful find after, after stopping in awe of its beautiful thatched roofing. From the gorgeous views of the Southdowns out the back in the spacious outside seating area, to the huge open fire, the pub in itself is a sight to see with so much history dating back to the church located opposite in the 12th century. Getting past the aesthetics, you are immediately welcomed with warmth, and if you are lucky greeted by the bar lady Tracy, who I believe has been with the pub for well over 10 years? She was so enthusiastic about educating and informing patrons of the history of the pub, its was almost a guided tour so to say, amazing! Standard selection of tap lagers etc as to be expected from a Fullers, but a nice selection none the less The food, again wow divine! Just what I was after proper pub food to a standard and quality, with no faff the menu is simple and vibrant. Opting for the monkfish that tasted so fresh and perfectly salty incredible. Maybe I was lucky and happened to just miss the rush but, no real complaints from me. Definitely coming back on one of those lovely sunny English pub garden kinda days!

Just back home after a wonderful meal for my dad's birthday. The food was delicious and home cooked but the icing on the cake was the historical tour of the building from our wonderful waitress, Tracey, for my history loving Dad. Quick friendly service and not rushed out of the door. We will be back!

Food was good, just service could have been better.

Just reopened under new management first day and food and staff all very good

Fairly unimaginative pub menu, fish and chips, burger, steak pie et cetera. Table for 1pm, it was 1:30pm by the time anyone took our order and 2 pm by the time we got the food. Pretty much ignored by the staff throughout our visit.

Went here with our dogs today and what a great pub, very dog friendly and food superb. Great service.

Love coming to this pub , such beautiful surroundings and great atmosphere . Please please do not get rid of your fish finger sandwiches!! They’re the best and a lot of customers including ourselves come just for it 👌 Tracey our server was a star ⭐️!

We arrived early but that wasn't a problem. The polite staff showed us through to the bar where we enjoyed a drink whilst our table was prepared. As it was Sunday, we had already decided to have a roast dinner, so it was just a case of deciding what meat to go for (there were vegetarian/vegan options). The meal was absolutely wonderful, as was the homemade desert. Will definitely be coming back and highly recommend to others.

Really great steak pie - and I'm fussy. The London Pride was very nice

We booked the Red Lion for our annual family gathering as it’s ideally located for us all to get to and is on the doorstep of Queen Elisabeth Country Park. Following a stretch of our legs, we turned up to a warm welcome and our party of 18 (plus two woofers) were given a private room where we could truly relax. We had a wonderful 3 hours to enjoy each others company in a cosy environment with excellent food and service. Thank you to everyone for making the start to our New Year so wonderful despite being short staffed. We’ll be back!

A good pub not far from the main road. The service was good as was the food and beer. It would of been a little more cozy if the fire had been on and one of the chairs was a little exposed to the through traffic from staff. If going again I would request a different table.

Went for a sunday roast, but they eventually told us they had sold out, were shown to our table we had to ask for menu to be told she had forgotten us, not that it was busy, weren't even offered a drink, when we were asked for our order we were told no roasts, the very limited me u left us no choice other than to get up and leave

Food was lovely. Was quiet to start with, then a big family party arrived, and things got loud. Waiting staff were attentive and polite. Steak and chips were hot and tasty.

Stayed in our motorhome, a quiet overnight, really friendly with great menu.

It was a chilly weekend when we popped along here. You'd be hoping to be greeted by some sort of warmth within the pub, after all there's a beautiful fireplace in the bar as you enter, although this area did not seem to be staffed well and I presume it's a little redundant as a first port of call. I know people also enter through the back way to get to the restaurant part, which seems confusing. So, unfortunately no warm greetings, in fact we waited ages for a member of staff who just happened to be walking through to the kitchen! Felt very cool throughout our meal seated on a table by a draughty door at the front of the pub. Really disappointed as had taken visitors there hoping for something nicer. Staff were good & food was acceptable.

Very good roast dinner. Party of 5.

The pie was superb as was the Goan madras

Fab location, service & delicious food 👍❣️ Went again & had to take stars off unfortunately. Although there is a beautiful fireplace as you enter the pub, no heat 🔥was evident today!. We sat in the front dining area & I was freezing! 🥶🥶 No fires working anywhere 😕. We were seated by a door which tbh I had to keep closing to keep draft off. Disappointed as had taken relatives out to Chalton expecting a better experience. Service staff were excellent & food nice and hot.

We have been coming here a lot over the years. Knowing full well that Fullers are changing owners of this pub in January thought we would give it a try again unfortunately the standards have dropped massively to the dirty dirty toilets, to the mess all over the floor too food portions every thing has massively dropped today I had a burger run of the mill pub food and asked for bacon to be added to the burger. After waiting a little while for it to come out they forgot to put the bacon on the burger not a big deal but the way they went about replacing it was not right it was replaced with a new burger smaller and less chips. Which I find is wrong! To me it feels like fullers are running it down to the ground which is completely wrong! I hope things will change for the better soon!

Cosy pub/restaurant with lovely views, friendly staff and great food. Superb place for a cosy, leisurely meal surrounded by ancient buildings and intruiging antiques and books.

Average pub food, kitchen closes pretty early on the weekdays

Nice food,pleasant service have been a few times now.

Gorgeous food and fab service..will be back

A classic pub thats not easy to find. Has been classic for a very long time and continues to deliver great food, outstanding service and excellent beer

Very welcoming and great service. We visited with our dog who was welcomed. We had food and drinks, great choice and was really good. Plenty of parking round the back and loads of room inside

Great food and great service, easy to park.