Red Lion

This rather civilised dining pub is decorated in a charming rustic style and the atmosphere throughout is relaxed and informal. The yellow room on the right, with its collection of wooden spoons and lambing chairs, has a simple country-pub feel. The lounge bar has sofas, an open fire and a big table with books, newspapers and magazines. It leads off the smaller, more traditional flagstoned bar with terracotta walls, another fireplace with a pile of logs beside it, and lots of beams and hops. A little room with tables set for eating leads to the long, narrow, main dining room, and out to a nicely arranged suntrap with good hardwood furnishings spread over its lawn and terrace; piped music. Red Lion Ale (from Grainstore) and a couple of guests such as Brewsters Decadence and Fullers London Pride are on handpump, with draught belgian and continental bottled beers, several ciders and a varied wine list (several by the glass). There's an unusually big play area behind the car park with swings, climbing frames and so on. This is under the same ownership as the Olive Branch in Clipsham. More reports please.