The Red Lion, Milton Keynes

Occupying a canalside location close to Fenny Stratford station ( Bletchley – Bedford branch line ) , The Red Lion is a popular watering hole for football supporters either before or after a game at nearby Milton Keynes Dons F C. It’s a smallish pub directly opposite a lock with some outside seating by the canal and a larger partly covered garden with a smokers tent. There’s two adjoining bars – a smaller bar at the front and a larger bar with a snooker table. Reflecting the canalside location, the outside corridor has several maps showing the route of the Grand Union Canal, from which we learn that the lock has a drop of only 12 inches and has a rare swingbridge. In truth, it’s not a desperately inspiring pub, looking rather ordinary, somewhat tired and a bit worn in places. Calling in before the Sheffield Wednesday match, my initial impressions of this pub were not particularly positive because it was uncomfortably crowded, but, returning for a post match pint, when the pub was considerably quieter, I saw the pub in a more favourable light. With a lit coal fire and a friendly crowd of locals watching the International Rugby ( the smaller bar was showing Liverpool v West Ham ), I was able to appreciate to some extent why the 2011 CAMRA Good Beer Guide refers to this pub as “a gem of a local”. Above the bar, the pub proudly displays a CAMRA certificate denoting it as Milton Keynes CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year 2010. The pub is part of the Punch Taverns portfolio and, based on my visit, the friendly and enthusiastic landlord makes good use of the range of guest beers made available to him. Beers on were Henrys IPA, Okells Red and Coach House Dick Turpin. Both the IPA and the Okells were splendid pints. I don’t regard this as a pub ordinarily worth going out of your way to visit, but if you’re here for the football, it’s worth seeking out.

3 real ales which change regularly and 1 traditional scrumpy must have contributed to The Red Lion Winning the CAMRA Milton Keynes and North Bucks Pub of the Year for 2010

Yeah i agree, a good pub. freindly. 2and a half!

Friendly pub situated next to the smallest lock on the Grand Union Canal. 2 Real ales on offer. Expected to start serving food by easter 2008