The Red Lion, Swanage

A nice traditional looking white rendered stone and brick pub and eatery that also does accommodation. It is in the GBG 2010 and has a nice beer garden at the back, where we spent our time. The pub looks like a few former cottages that have been knocked through. The interior has two rooms. The lounge is didn't really see, other than it had a pool table and i think this is where the food is served. The bar, to the left on entry is in white and wood panel, with cream ceiling (so it looked, a bit gloomy light-wise) along with a brick fireplace and some beams. There was a dartboard in this room. There were some jug glasses and old photos for interest, but it looked a little bare. I didn't see a TV and soft general music was playing in the background. The service was fine and there was a good mix of clientele, many clearly locals. I didn't eat, so i can't comment on that. Beer; tap stuff with real ales being served direct from the barrels from the back - Palmers Copper, Otter Bitter, Sharpe's Doombar, Ringwood Bitter and Timothy Taylor Landlord were on offer. I had the Landlord, which was OK. I didn't really spend much time inside the pub, other than to get the drinks, but it seemed fine to me - I would like to go back and simply try the beers, one after the other.

Occupying a central position on Swanage's High Street, The Red Lion is an attractive looking 17th century inn with a whitewashed exterior and hanging baskets. On approaching the pub, a sandwich board on the pavement outside entices us in with the words " up to 6 real ales and 57 ciders" and proudly advertises itself as local CAMRA Pub of the Season 2010. Despite retaining its 2 bar format - note the etched glass denoting "saloon bar" and "public bar" - the interior has been modernised and there is little to indicate its 17th century origins. Disappointingly, I failed to notice even one picture / photo of the pub in early times anywhere on the walls. The public bar is basic and has a dartboard and displays many darts trophies. The saloon bar has an area with a pool table and a separate restaurant area, where much exposed brickwork is still in evidence. The pub is a sponsor of Bournemouth AFC and a framed advert from the matchday programme and an autographed football shirt are displayed. There's a large outside drinking area at the back with a smokers marquee. A few rooms are available for B & B in a converted coach house at the rear of the pub. On the beer front, two etched windows denoting " Strong's Ales and Stout" tell us that Strong's of Romsey had this pub in days long gone. It's now a free house which, on my recent visit, was offering 6 real ales - Ringwood Best, Otter Bitter, Palmers Copper Ale, Yeovil Summerset, Sharps Doom Bar and TT Landlord - all served direct from the barrel. The Otter Bitter was a pleasant tasty pint. The pub is in the 2010 CAMRA Good Beer Guide and displays local branch awards. Whilst visitors and holiday makers are welcomed and an extensive food menu is offered, The Red Lion would, pleasingly, appear to be first and foremost a pub and evidently has a loyal band of regulars. Despite an unattractively modernised interior, I'd be happy to come here again