The White Lion, Bristol

Blackthorn _ left this review about The White Lion

A good-sized pub in Thornbury’s High Street, it extends back quite some way from the front with a barn like area at the rear that could perhaps be used as a function room, although it was not segregated from the main part of the pub. It was very quiet on our Saturday afternoon visit with only a handful of other punters in, although perhaps that was due to the lack of any real ales on – apparently there had been some “damage to the lines” and all the pump clips were reversed.

Décor wise, it’s fairly traditional, although also rather plain and bland with little in the way of any character. There were dark wooden boards on the floor, and the front part of the pub had an Artex covered ceiling with more white plasterwork on the upper part of the walls and blue/grey wood panelling down below as well as some areas of exposed stonework. The barn area the rear was somewhat more attractive and split in to two halves, with a vaulted wood panelled ceiling, much exposed stone walling, fitted banquette seating and a few pictures dotted around the walls. The other half of the extension to the left seemed the most popular part of the pub for some reason.

As mentioned, all the real ales were off unfortunately, although from what I could see from the reversed pump clips they usually included Directors, Bombardier and Pedigree. Ciders meanwhile were Thatcher’s Gold and Haze, Stan’s Cheddar valley and Strongbow Dark Fruit. Overall, this was ok for a pit stop I suppose, but the lack of any character means I’d be unlikely to make a point of returning.

On 8^th February 2024 - rating: 6
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