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The White Lion Restaurant and Bar in Ashford - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

20-30£Time Icon57 High Street
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3,70

Based on 2.017 opinions finded in 3 websites

3.2Ambience3.2Cuisine3.2Price3.7Service
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Very disappointed. My wife and I decided to go to The White Lion Hotel in Tenterden for lunch, as we had such a good meal the last time we went when it was owned by the Jarvis chain. It must have been taken over by a different company as the food was not at all up to standard, overpriced and tiny portions. We both ordered the Apricot Glazed Ham, Egg and Triple Fried Chips. When the food arrived it was like a child's portion, half a dozen chips, which were not triple fried, more like commercially available frozen chips, the smallest fried egg l've ever seen, and pieces of ham which were tasteless, chewy and no sign of apricot glaze. My wife wrapped it up and took it home for our dog! In hindsight I wish we had gone to The Lemon Tree restaurant further along the high street, as we've been there before and the portion sizes are bigger and the food is of higher quality. Needless to say we will not be returning to The White Lion in Tenterden.

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Colin roffey . 2024-09-03

MORE AT Google

Nice pub, outside space with plenty of seating, quite expensive for drinks, service was OK.

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Haydn Marshall . 2024-09-02

MORE AT Google

Eaten here a couple of times and no complaints, but not for a while. Visited for lunch, both had sausages. Nothing startling for the price on the menu, and certainly not when we returned home and realised we had been overcharged for the meal.

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Wendy L . 2024-08-25

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Lovely food, great service and overall nice venue. We sat in the bay window which was rather overrun with flies and the odd wasp. You may wish to address that somehow. Will return some time.

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Tim . 2024-08-24

MORE AT TripAdvisor

We stayed at The White Lion on Friday 16th August whilst visiting Chapel Down winery. First impressions weren't the best as we had to wait 10 minutes just to be seen at the check-in, even after asking at the bar. My partner had to physically flag somebody down in the end. The room was okay. If I had paid £70-80 for the night, it would have been fine. For £139 a night, I wasn't expecting a very tired room with flaky paint, cracked tiles and a general lack of care. On the Friday after Chapel Down, we stayed for a meal even though they had no record of my reservation despite my call history showing I definitely contacted the correct place. It wasn't a problem as the restaurant area was absolutely empty. We ordered two pizzas and some mac and cheese, but asked for a change to one of the pizzas. As the waitress brought out the food, she noticed it wasn't right and immediately took it back to be replaced. This was fine, but my partner had to eat on her own whilst I sat there which is less than ideal. They also did not bring out the mac and cheese. We chased this with both waitresses but it didn't come out until when my re-made pizza arrived, so it had obviously been forgotten. In the end, we wished it hadn't arrived as the mac and cheese was watery and completely bland of any flavour. The pizzas were nice. In fairness, we informed the waitress we were unimpressed by the mac and cheese, and she did remove it from the bill. After the meal we went for a walk around the lovely high street and returned for a drink. My partner waited patiently to be served and was ignored for what were obviously locals. One of the locals even had to point out that she was waiting before them. On my trip to the bar, I ordered a single gin and mixer which was made and charged as a double gin. Not the end of the world, but it spoke to the attention to detail of the pub. The pub had some live music on but closed the top of the restaurant in order to lay out the breakfast for the next day in advance, which made the pub feel rather cramped and unwelcoming. The mattress was possibly one of the hardest mattresses I've ever laid on. I slept on top of the duvet to try and give it some padding, but both my partner and I still woke up with backache and not well rested at all. The location of the pub is great, but we were so disappointed after a lovely trip to Chapel Down, which was absolutely fantastic.

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Bradley R . 2024-08-19

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Worst SUNDAY ROAST EVER, EVERYTHING WAS UNDERCOOKED SO DISAPPOINTING EVEN THE GRAVY WAS LIKE WATER NO FLAVOUR. WANT BE GOING BACK

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Josephine H . 2024-08-19

MORE AT TripAdvisor

On Monday night Hannah Izzy and Ellie gave the best service possible, I was truly content. I will return and wine and dine whenever possible, thanks. You have truly amazing staff.

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Maisie T . 2024-08-12

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Dropped in with some friends to grab some lunch and drinks, prices were very reasonable and the food was enjoyable. We had dogs with us and they provided drinking water for them which is a nice touch. Service was quick and the staff were friendly, unfortunately I cannot give more information about the hotel or interior as stated we sat outside, however, when I went in to order the food and drinks it looked very pleasant. Would visit again in the future.

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Nik Brooks . 2024-06-05

MORE AT Google

Nice staff pleasant atmosphere 👌

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Dai . 2024-05-25

MORE AT Google

I met a friend here for dinner and I have to say the service is great, the food is lovely and the atmosphere is really good. We’ve met up 3 times over the past couple of months at the same place because it’s this good. Today we shared a Brie, bacon and onion chutney pizza which was divine. The sticky toffee pudding was incredible and my friend had a rhubarb crumble which went down very well too! You get service with a smile here too and it’s really friendly. Bev was particularly good this evening but we’ve had a few different people deal with us over the visits and they have all been brilliant. I also went to a music bingo night here with a few friends and that is a guaranteed fun night out! I’d happily recommend this pub :)

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Tracy Dallimore . 2024-05-08

MORE AT Google

Stayed for one night on a bank holiday weekend as we were part of a family celebration, also at The White Lion. The rooms are well equipped, clean, with plenty of character and are a very good compromise of old building (and the limitations of a listed building), and modern living standards. Although looking out onto the High Street and a live band on the night, we were not disturbed by any noise once we went to bed (around midnight). The evening celebratory meal with a group of about 20 in the separate function room was much enjoyed by everyone. The food was nicely presented and very tasty. Staff were helpful and very friendly.

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Gudrun Dewhurst . 2024-05-07

MORE AT Google

Lovely food, reasonably priced and nice atmosphere inside. Would happily return.

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James M . 2024-05-06

MORE AT Google

Bev and Iona were great and looked after us really well, very enjoyable.

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Robert Tarrant . 2024-05-05

MORE AT Google

Great seating area outside for a few drinks in the sun watching the world go bye. Decent selection of beers and ales. We sat inside as we had a table booked for 4 and was seated immediately. The menu looked great and had some serious difficulty deciding what to have as it all looked amazing. We had the crisp lamb belly, prawn starters and, pea soup, bruchetta and bravette steak and ceaser salad. All amazing. Would certainly go back.

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Wiebo Grobler . 2024-05-04

MORE AT Google

Great new menu Staff very friendly Superb choice of gins 😊

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Beverly Paige . 2024-05-01

MORE AT Google

We get to visit this place once a year normally over the Easter weekend. The food is always good, service is good and great atmosphere.

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Tony Harris . 2024-04-07

MORE AT Google

Stayed here whilst seeing my father who was staying in the area was throughly impressed with the place, team members were friendly, food was incredible (very surprised) had both dinner and breakfast here and full compliments to the kitchen team and management. The room was nice as well though the mattress was a tad firm for my liking (just a preference not gonna knock off a star for that). Really lovely property will definitely stay again.

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Liam McLeod . 2024-03-20

MORE AT Google

Thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, chose the Haddock which I am pleased to say was the finest battered fish dish I had eaten for quite a while .

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Ian McLeod . 2024-03-18

MORE AT Google

Our first time visiting the White Lion yesterday for a breakfast treat. Ordered tea and coffee first but we had almost finshed the drinks before the food was served as it took quite a long time. Despite this, the food was good, the table service friendly and ambience in the restaurant area just right.

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Brian Moore . 2024-03-11

MORE AT Google

An impromptu night out and what a great find. Drinks food room all A1

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dave piper . 2024-03-10

MORE AT Google

Our first time visiting the white lion yesterday after my sister raved about the food! So we decided to have a family roast there yesterday and it was really nice until we saw the prices, the portions and the service when we paid. The food took along time to come out our table was at 12 and after ordering took just over an hour to come out. For starters i had the winter soup which was amazing but only a 1/4 full bowl served with toast which was £7.50 I had the roast beef and for £20 you dont even get a full meal you have to buy sides at £4.50 each. My husband had the burger which for £17.00 we both said is that it 🙈 (Very tiny like a previous review) The roast was nice though just was £30.00 including cabbage & stuffing sides) Dessert we had was chocolate brownie (this was like cake mix that hadnt gone in the oven & taste was bland- i couldnt eat it) the atmosphere the whole time was too loud you had to shout to talk to someone oppposite you. We was having an alright time until we got given the bill- paid it and immediatly after was told - sorry but can you hurry up we have a group waiting for this table in the bar😮 (not sorry guys can we move you to this table ) - when you just want to sit and finish your drinks after paying the amount we did to get asked to leave is awful service. Service charge is also included as we was a table of 6 😐 Not sure if we will return

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Millie . 2024-03-04

MORE AT Google

Very good pub, staff were friendly and attentive. Would highly recommend the pepperoni pizza. Would come again.

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Benjamin Murtagh (Benjamin Murtagh) . 2024-02-17

MORE AT Google

I really like this place. The staff are warm and friendly and the food is very good. It's a pub, so don't expect cordon bleu, but if you want quality food, cooked really well, this is the place.

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Caroline Robertson . 2024-02-16

MORE AT Google

Had a lovely stay on a Sunday night, good pillows and mattress. Nice clean room. Creaky floorboards but couldn't hear anything at night. The pod coffee machine in the room was a nice touch, some different varieties available. Good tea/coffee making station. Large TV in room but wasn't used. Had the full English breakfast which was really nice. Staff all really nice. Can't comment on dinner or lunch menu or bar.

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Dan Burns . 2024-02-13

MORE AT Google

Nice pub went for drinks bit noisy with group of local lads food looked nice that I saw other people eating

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Chris Capel . 2024-02-04

MORE AT Google

Friendly pub centrally located on the high street. Good food although a bit on the pricier side. Service was fairly relaxed. My half of Harvey's Sussex Best was in good nick. Although we were in the "restaurant" area of the pub this looked like a good place to just stop in for a drink as well. Plenty of seating outside and there's a car park, although the town car parks are free on Sunday which may be a better bet if you're going to spend the day in the area.

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David Wilcock . 2024-02-03

MORE AT Google

Wonderful open fire. Excellent staff, so helpful. Just had drinks and a long catch up with a friend on a Sunday afternoon/ early evening. Very pleasant atmosphere.

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MA . 2024-01-30

MORE AT Google

After reading some of the negative reviews I was a bit sceptical. We booked one night here as I had been given the cheese and wine tasting at Chapledown Winery for a Xmas present. i have to say we had a great stay, we arrived a bit early, but that wasn't a problem, one of the members of staff took our bags and promised they would be delivered when the room was ready. We then went to Chapledown had a great time and went back to the pub. Sure enough, the bags were in a very nice room, cosy, v comfortable bed and some nice welcome touches. I can see that some people say the bedroom areas looks a bit tired, I.E. The hall ways could use a lick of paint and maybe a new carpet but the bedrooms were great and all for £130 including breakfast! The band on the Saturday night was spot on too and the breakfast was lovely. But it was the staff that made the stay. My only criticism is that the cocktail we ordered was way too weak and missing another shot of vodka at least. But overall I could recommend.

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Dominic Williams . 2024-01-30

MORE AT Google

Haven't been there for 40+ years, but was one of my favourites

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Simon Loadsamoney . 2024-01-26

MORE AT Google

Ordered a light snack, took some time to come, then was luke warm. Sent it back, was told they would re-do the meal and ready in 2 minutes. Half an hour later it arrived. Staff weren't that apologetic, momentarily asked if it was alright, backing away before I answered. Average snack, expensive for what it was. Then took an age to return to pay the bill. Charged full price including a 121/2% service charge. I suggested we only pay the meal and no service, since it wasn't good. No sincere apologies for the experience. Shocking!

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Deana Ould . 2024-01-15

MORE AT Google

I had a lovely pizza at the White Lion the other evening. Made freshly and cooked in their wood fire stone oven, it was so good! Will definitely be back to sample more of the menu!

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Fay Hamilton . 2024-01-04

MORE AT Google

Food is tasty and the service is adequate, but I paid 17£ for a tiny tiny burger, smaller than the children's portions. Horribly overpriced.

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Gui Santos . 2023-12-31

MORE AT Google

We were served by Ellie. A very pleasant cheerful young lady attentive to our needs

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pauline warne . 2023-12-22

MORE AT Google

I was impressed with this pub and the food that was served until I used the loo and witnessed one of the kitchen staff leave the toilet without washing his hands.

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Charles Franklin . 2023-12-20

MORE AT Google

We had the most amazing Christmas party here last night. The staff were brilliant - a packed pub, no endless waiting, served promptly. Lovely atmosphere and beautifully decorated for Christmas.

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Caroline Hopkins . 2023-12-13

MORE AT Google

Fantastic food , surperb souroundings lovely staff but food could be hotter as was only Luke warm !

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MandyandPaul123 . 2023-11-27

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Lovely atmosphere but like a sauna, couldn’t wait to leave. The roast was disappointing, small and dry. Such a shame when you have great staff and atmosphere but bad food.

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Benjamin Campbell . 2023-11-26

MORE AT Google

As a group we had breakfast and returned, later, for lunch. Despite being a large number the standard of food remained excellent and the staff cheerful and helpful, despite being very busy.

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Peter L . 2023-11-14

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Having read previous reviews we were very disappointed with this place. We were looking for a good gastronomy pub with nice quality rooms before heading to the channel tunnel. Firstly let me say, this review I s absolutely not a reflection on the staff. They were all very helpful!! The room we were allocated is on the second floor, it smelt of stale cigarettes and awful plug ins. The sheets had a hole in them. The room was very tired and carpets looked in need of a deep clean. Food, is not freshly made, roast dinner was very bland and gravy out of a packet. Vegetables no flavour. Very disappointing. Maybe the pizza is good but we shall never know as sadly we would never return as is at the moment. To confirm the staff do their best with what the management provide.

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jacquic964 . 2023-11-12

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Tasty food but expensive and not much for vegetarians

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George Hendry . 2023-11-08

MORE AT Google

What a fantastic experience we had here. Me, my Fiancé, and doggy, were here on holiday. We were celebrating our new engagement and couldn’t fault anything about this place. On arrival we were quickly shown a seat in the doggy friendly area. The drinks were delicious, I had a spritz cocktail. Once the staff found out we were newly engaged we also got given a complimentary glass of fizz, what a fabulous touch! They made us feel so welcome and they chatted with us as if we were locals. The food was to die for, I had a pizza and I’m not actually a huge pizza fan, but theirs was so delicious! Honestly would recommend to anyone and we will return if we’re ever on holiday here again, brilliant!

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Izabelamelia5 . 2023-11-04

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Had a fabulous last minute stay at The White Lion. Enjoyed a delicious pizza and a couple of pints in the bar. The staff were all lovely and friendly. My room was large, spotlessly clean and had a big bay window. The bed was very comfortable and the room was quiet. Slept like a log! Currently enjoying a coffee from the Nespresso machine in the room whilst catching up on some paperwork, the Wi-fi works!!!!

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matt swan . 2023-11-02

MORE AT Google

Had a fabulous last minute stay at The White Lion. Enjoyed a delicious pizza and a couple of pints in the bar. The staff were all lovely and friendly. My room was large, spotlessly clean and had a big bay window. The bed was very comfortable and the room was quiet. Slept like a log! Currently enjoying a coffee from the Nespresso machine in the room whilst catching up on some paperwork, the Wi-fi works!!!!

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matt s . 2023-11-02

MORE AT TripAdvisor

4 of us had the sausage and mash and the gravy was really bland and watery, very disappointing for such a lovely cosy pub. Also a lot of things were run out for early on a Saturday evening and on the second day of the new menu…! E.g. the crackling and broccoli! Thank you for a lovely evening though and excellent service.

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nancy stuart . 2023-10-28

MORE AT Google

Goed hotel, heerlijk eten en goede sfeer. En super vriendelijke medewerkers! Wij hebben met 4 personen 6 nachten geslapen en vanuit daar veel van de omgeving gezien. Echt voor herhaling vatbaar! Dank voor jullie gastvrijheid! Hartelijke groeten vanuit Nederland!

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A V . 2023-10-25

MORE AT Google

We recently visited The White Lion, for an over night stay, whilst visiting friends. Firstly parking was free, in a small car park around the back of the hotel, which was a very welcomed surprise. We had a beautiful spacious room, with tea, coffee and water provided. The room was immaculate, the bed was very comfortable (usually I struggle with hotel beds), the sheets felt great quality, and the hot water for bathing was delightful. The night of our stay, we were met by our friends for dinner in the restaurant. The atmosphere was great, with music, and everyone seemed so friendly. Our dinner was served quickly, hot, and the pizza tasted amazing. Pricing was very reasonable for portion sizes. Throughout the night we were served and greeted by many staff, but I apologise I can only remember two names, Mia and Bev. Nothing was too much trouble and they had plenty of time to answer questions and recommend local places to visit. Breakfast the following morning, was delicious, A full English breakfast. A truly pleasant stay and one I will be making again soon. Thank you.

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Kerry B . 2023-10-21

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Had the fish and chips but stingey on the food for almost £17 and peas were dried up. Not value for money but service as always very good.

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Steve Robinson . 2023-10-19

MORE AT Google

Live music and great atmosphere

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Polar Bear Photography . 2023-10-17

MORE AT Google

Popped into the white lion for a drink with friends, greeted by Hannah who was very welcome was served by the lovely nicole, very chatty and friendly - great atmosphere

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Ellie Franklin . 2023-10-10

MORE AT Google

Popped into the white lion for a drink with friends, greeted by Hannah who was very welcome was served by the lovely nicole, very chatty and friendly - great atmosphere

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izzytheodore . 2023-10-10

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Wow Nicole is amazing she pours a wonderful guinness.

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Huw Rhys-Davies . 2023-10-08

MORE AT Google

Visited today for Sunday lunch waited a good hour for the food to arrive. I had beef which on the plate looked like scraps of what had been left of the joint.The roast potatoes were definitely stale. We have been so many times before and the service and food have always been excellent please don't spoil the quality and service it would be such a shame

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Patricia Ashton . 2023-10-08

MORE AT Google

Great atmosphere in the Saddlery for Tenterden Folk Festival.

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Simon Thomson . 2023-10-07

MORE AT Google

Lovely stay, good value and comfy rooms.

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Alistair Harriss . 2023-09-30

MORE AT Google

Lovely roast beef on Sunday, everyone really enjoyed it. Service was a little slow, but very friendly which made up for it.

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Tim Hancock . 2023-09-25

MORE AT Google

Lovely pub in the heart of Tenterden big restaurant area old fashioned style pub nice bar area and lots of outside seating to sit in the sun and watch the world go by, great selection of food and ales 🍺

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Paul Spencer . 2023-09-24

MORE AT Google

We stayed last Saturday evening for one night. Very friendly staff and service, the Pub/ Hotel has just changed owners, and I think the new owners should prioritise a refurb on bedrooms and corridors as they are starting to look tired.

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stevebdec . 2023-09-12

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Had a wonderful stay at The White Lion in Tenterden for a family reunion weekend: friendly staff, incredible range of real ales and ciders, tasty English breakfast, great service, central location and ample car parking

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John Henden . 2023-09-11

MORE AT Google

Just had the most lovely Sunday lunch Roast Beef with all the trimmings - thank you

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Dawn Haydon . 2023-09-03

MORE AT Google

Lovely pub in the centre of the village. We stayed overnight and the room was lovely with very good facilities. Big bathroom, bath robes and a bath. Sofa in the room and big TV. Tea and coffee machine and homemade biscuits were a nice touch. Bed was a bit hard but that was a minor complaint. Dinner was great, I had the roast, hubby had a burger and we had some lovely wine. Waiting staff were lovely. I cannot recommend the breakfast enough the full English breakfast I had was probably the best I’ve ever had! The reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was due to a slight issue checking in with a stressed out member of staff and the hard bed. Overall we loved our stay.

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Esther R . 2023-08-28

MORE AT TripAdvisor

This is the first time we have been to The White Lion. From the start all the staff were very polite very helpful and cheerful. Hannah thank you for making my disabled sons lunch experience very relaxed and enjoyable. And to the other female member of staff who took time to talk to and engage with my son I thank you. You made his day with chocolate brownie. Food side it was fantastic. Will definitely be going back.

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Vikkie A . 2023-08-28

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Nice and beautiful place with a white lion above the fireplace. We will come back to this place when we will visiting this country again. Good food and nice people.

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Jasper Aikema . 2023-08-25

MORE AT Google

We’ve been here many times. I was disappointed to find that the management has changed and there were no longer virgin mojitos which used to be the best of anywhere. Also the half pizza option has been discontinued; this replaced half the pizza with salad which made a less fattening but satisfying meal. There are no vegan options

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Kathryn694 . 2023-08-21

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Ok so firstly I had to wait 20 minutes at the bar just to get served which was annoying seeing as it wasn’t busy. We all decided to go for the lunch menu which seemed the most budget friendly… 2 dishes for £15 or 3 dishes for £18.50. This was one menu especially for the lunch deal. When we went to pay we where told that half the dishes we had ordered weren’t on this lunch deal. It was so confusing , we had to reorder as we didn’t want to pay £165 together just for a measly bit of food. As it happens it was measly too I paid £8.50 for a tiny piece of pate on 2 tiny pieces of baguette no butter or salad with it then a steak sandwich and chips for £11.50 which sound alright but the steak was chewy the bread tuff and an tiny portion of chips that looks like it arrived in an egg cup. Oh not to mention the £7.50 VAT she charged me on top for paying for my meal (cheek). My friend ordered the specified £15 deal after changing her order and she still tried to charge her £17.50 🤣. We told them we would not be paying the 12% service charge as they shouldn’t just charge us for a service if we don’t choose too especially bad service not to mention they didn’t take our order or give us cutlery. Im surprise we didn’t have to pick our own food up from over the counter. Overall a horrible experience and horrible food. Don’t go unless you want to be ripped off and leave disappointed

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Юра С . 2023-08-17

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My friend recommended the white lion for Sunday lunch. We were sat in the window which was nice but the table was not clean. The roast beef was poorly cooked and cold, I mentioned this to the server but he didnt seem that interested. We had to keep asking for drinks, and werent offered coffee, and had to chase for the bill. Its not cheap so I expected better food and service and standards of cleanliness, in fact a better experience all round, this is a great looking pub in a fab location they need to make more of it.

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nessaroberts59 . 2023-08-14

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Lovely staff, lovely decor but the food wasn't up to much. We all had sandwiches with fries, the bread was ordinary and the fillings uninspiring. Sorry White Lion, not our favourite on this particular visit.

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Julie Gillam . 2023-08-11

MORE AT Google

Fantastic quiz night run by Dan with great assistance from Mia & Hanna Great food and service with a smile - perfect

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petercS900IJ . 2023-08-09

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Just the best pub in Tenterden. Great quiz night led by Dan and service by Mia. We loved it! Fab food & drinks and great company.

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fabricbarn . 2023-08-09

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My second stay in this quirky old pub and hotel. I love the breakfast, cooked to order, full of choice, and all delicious. Very friendly team. Lovely little town.

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Britta Martini-Miles . 2023-08-07

MORE AT Google

I’ll keep the experience to myself, but let’s just say it was bloody brilliant. 10/10 Best Pub in the known universe. Sue is my favourite. Theo is also my favourite.

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akurro . 2023-08-06

MORE AT Google

Such a pleasant pub, rustic and very nice

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Andrew Penney . 2023-08-06

MORE AT Google

Great local pub with a good atmosphere, good food and friendly staff. Good outside seating area with heaters which is great for people watching. Went again tonight and was as good as it was last time, although as it was so warm the patio heaters were not needed. Went again today for a last minute bite to eat. Food was good, bit slow coming out. Staff were as friendly as always.

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DAVE SPICER . 2023-08-01

MORE AT Google

Vanessa and Maddy are stars,very cool,polite,professional and charming.We had a full English and it was delicious The prices were very,very reasonable To be honest this is the first eaterie in Tenterden we have found to be worth returning to Big up the White Lion Merci,Vanessa.

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Pamela Munday -Chanin . 2023-07-31

MORE AT Google

Although previous visits to the White Lion have been reasonable, this one was not! The service was slow, no fewer than three desserts were "unavailable", and when the bill came it was wrong. Even worse, the staff apparently had the greatest difficulty in correcting it....

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Anthony R . 2023-07-29

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Good pub in a good location, some nice outside tables on the edge of the high street for people watching. some good snacks.

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JLM3080 . 2023-07-25

MORE AT TripAdvisor

We had a wedding at Tenterden church. The location was ideal and comes with free car parking, The rooms are very spacious and a very good nights sleep guaranteed. We had Smallhythe room and my sister in law Rye room both with a nice view of the church and high Street. The bathroom was a large bath I'm 6ft and could lay and submerge fully in it with a shower over bath , Large bath sheets and small towel. Tea & coffee and a sparkling and still water in room. Breakfast is from 7.30 - 10.30 and caters for all tastes vegan etc, no cereals out and you pay for everything including tea & coffee which I thought a little strange as most hotels tea and coffee included in breakfast. However I would recommend The White Lion as it's centrally located in Tenterden and reasonably priced. It also has a great bar. Friendly helpful staff.

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Andy Packham . 2023-07-22

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Having enjoyed many previous visits, this one put us off for good. First up, no pizzas available, which is why we were there. No one informed us and no written notification on website or in the pub. This also meant the menu was severely reduced as other items were prepared in the pizza oven. We found out from a mate who happened to be there. Next up were the prices. I’ve paid similar at much better restaurants, so I was looking forward to a great meal on our special occasion. I appreciate the staff are young, but I recognised some as being long serving members of the team, so expected better, especially as we were in early and were one of only two covers in the restaurant, yet staff seemed invisible and 15mins passed before we were offered a drink. We shared a starter, crispy squid, but the supply must have changed as it was greasy, flavourless, chewy and the accompanying dip looked like the remnants of jars at the back of the fridge. Main arrived, my burger was good, but no sign of the sauces advertised on the menu until I asked for them. Kids meals were distinctly yellow/orange and featured zero veg. My wife’s salad was returned as awful; slimy, limp and could easily be mistaken for a few days old. We politely sat for 20mins, with finished plates, and watched 3 different members of staff pass our table numerous times before anything was cleared. At this point there were 5 covers, so hardly taxing in the “restaurant.” Adults didn’t bother with dessert, but kids opted for brownie which arrived 30mins later, after 3 reminders, and included a miso sauce. Lovely, if you have a mature palette and hadn’t ordered it off the kids menu. The break down of the kids meal deal on the bill is unnecessary, complicated and confusing. Our frustrations and disappointment were conveyed to staff and was met with a less than interesting explanation about change of management. Coming from an experienced member of staff in a venue that doesn’t appear to have changed in anyway, I was left feeling unheard and more frustrated. I informed her our experience would provoke negative feedback, but she didn’t seem too bothered, similar to the attentiveness of the team, throughout. We won’t be returning or recommending anytime soon.

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Ian Collins . 2023-07-17

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Probably the best pub Sunday lunch I have had in years. Fish and Chips for Mum and I had roast pork. Both cooked skilfully. Large portions. Made a great Sunday lunch out.

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chrisiber . 2023-07-15

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First off the menu online is much bigger of that is on offer, when we went there was no pizzas ( or garlic bread ect) due to being short staffed, forgivable apart from there was no mention of this when i phoned only a few hours before we went , the food took forever to arrive, again forgivable if busy but we were the only ones in there eating ( its a pub too) the only saving grace was the staff that served us , very polite and attentive. One final negative, and this is one of safety, we required a high chair for our daughter, the one supplied was not clean and 10 out of 12 bolts were loose one was even missing, so if you go and use their high chairs look out for this.

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jimmi213 . 2023-07-15

MORE AT Google

staff excellent. Ambience good. However my meal, sausages and mash was appalling, I mean, catering sausages? really ! The price of the meal would have been fully justified if the sausages had been excellent but they were in my opinion rubbish. Catering sausages will not do.

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david oliver . 2023-07-12

MORE AT Google

We thoroughly enjoyed our overnight stay. The Receptionist was very friendly and efficient who booked us in and gave us a card with taxi numbers for our trip to Chapel Down vine yard. We had lunch outside and it was of a high quality, the...

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sarahjI7731KM . 2023-07-10

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The rooms are very nice. Location is also very good and concenient. Nice shops around. Food also very good. Love Tenterden town.

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Pariya174 . 2023-07-10

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Great atmosphere. Dog friendly. Excellent food.

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Chris Pegler . 2023-07-09

MORE AT Google

We were staying locally for one night and booked a table for dinner at The White Lion. Food was excellent and the staff super friendly. Would highly recommend.

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jojo108 . 2023-07-08

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Great customer service. Wonderful staff.

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Lola Ferrand . 2023-07-07

MORE AT Google

I actually liked the atmosphere and our food was decent. When it had been a very unacceptable time for our food, I asked about it, as we had to be somewhere. I was met with a rude response. The bartender went to the kitchen to find out how long it would be and she came out with the food. I then said that where I am from, we would be compensated for such a long wait as I was coming in to say that it was too late for us to eat and enjoy the food. I was met with a response of the food being delivered, with the person walking agar of me. . There was no cutlery on our table and when I asked about that the person said ‘ you can get it yourself over there.’ She tried to use staffing as an excuse, but I feel there is zero excuse for rudeness. I was offered no compensation. I just moved to the area and will never eat here again. As an ex bartender and server, it was one of the worst customer service experience I have had.

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Kate M Ayotte . 2023-07-06

MORE AT Google

My recent experience at The White Lion in Tenterden was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm smiles and a genuine eagerness to make our stay enjoyable. This charming inn exceeded our expectations in every aspect, from its lovely rooms and delectable food to its extensive selection of drinks. Let's start with the rooms. The accommodation at The White Lion was simply delightful. Our room was tastefully decorated, exuding a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The attention to detail was evident, and the room boasted all the amenities we needed for a comfortable stay. The bed was plush and luxurious, ensuring a restful night's sleep. We were thoroughly impressed with the cleanliness and overall upkeep of the room. Now, let's talk about the food. The dining experience at The White Lion was a culinary delight. The menu offered a wide range of options, and each dish we sampled was prepared to perfection. The flavors were exquisite, and the presentation was artful. Whether it was breakfast, lunch, or dinner, we were consistently impressed with the quality and taste of the food. It's safe to say that the chefs at The White Lion know how to satisfy their guests' taste buds. Equally impressive was the impressive selection of drinks available at the inn. The bar offered a comprehensive array of beverages, from fine wines to craft beers and artisanal cocktails. We enjoyed exploring the menu and indulging in the skillfully crafted drinks, making our evenings at The White Lion even more delightful. However, what truly set The White Lion apart was its outstanding staff. One person, in particular, deserves special mention - Mia. She went above and beyond to ensure our stay was exceptional. Mia's assistance in rearranging our booking and her help with transportation when we were unable to secure a taxi were lifesavers. Her friendliness, professionalism, and extensive knowledge of the area made our stay all the more memorable. We truly appreciate the level of care and attention Mia and the entire staff provided throughout our visit. In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend The White Lion in Tenterden for a remarkable stay. The lovely rooms, superb food, and diverse drink selection are sure to please any guest. However, it is the exceptional staff, particularly Mia, that sets this establishment apart. Their dedication to making guests feel welcome and comfortable is commendable. We look forward to returning to The White Lion for our future visits to Tenterden.

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Heidi Oxley-Whitnell . 2023-07-05

MORE AT Google

Superb food, excellent service - despite running with a reduced team - and staff who listen and appreciate feedback.

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Harry Sherlock . 2023-07-03

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Decent pint to end a lovely evening.

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Patrick McGinley . 2023-07-02

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I stayed for 8 nights with my 3 children. Very happy with the rooms. Fantastic food and the staff are really wonderful.

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Kate Thripp . 2023-07-02

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Lovely food, atmosphere and staff. Nice Father’s Day treat!

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Annabel Matthews . 2023-06-19

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Staff were lovely, food was just about average, had heard it was really good but the burgers were suitable for clay pigeon shooting

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julie-anne reilly . 2023-06-16

MORE AT Google

Lovely Pub that draws you in Food delicious and reasonably priced.Great staff professional and friendly thank you Maisy and Molly😀

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Venture10186244901 . 2023-06-16

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Excellent evening meal, food quality was amazing and service was outstanding. The restaurant is in an ideal setting and suits the ambience of the bar.

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W1462TFandyr . 2023-06-15

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Didn't eat here just stopped in for drinks but lively clean pub well decorated and loved the fairy lights would def return

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Anne marie Francis . 2023-06-15

MORE AT Google

Lovely place to stay. Room was very pleasant & clean. Good central location for few days away. Food was 1st class and we found the staff exceptionally friendly and helpful.

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Jackie Bellamy . 2023-06-13

MORE AT Google

Very enjoyable experience, great and attentive hosting by George and Mia and a gorgeous roast enjoyed all round. Will definitely be back ☺️

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Dan S . 2023-06-11

MORE AT Google

Good spot for people watching in the high street. a nice selection of cold beers, which was much needed after a sweaty romp across the nearby countryside. Attentive and friendly service from Hannah. Kids loved the pizzas.

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RCKentt . 2023-06-11

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Stopped in for a drink and from the welcome to our departure it was top class. This pub has a great atmosphere whether sitting inside or out and everyone was enjoying themselves. Thanks!

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JB . 2023-06-05

MORE AT Google

An ad hoc walk in to this pub, Charlotte our lovely server seated us and we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch! Food and drink choices are fab. We had fish n chips, chicken dish and a side of Mac n cheese which was amazing!!!!! Definitely recommend...

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Jakki39 . 2023-06-03

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