The Red Lion, Wallingford

Lovely chocolate-box village pub with a thatched roof and whitewashed exterior. The atmosphere is very friendly and the licensees are very welcoming of visitors. They’ve run the pub for a few years and have made a real effort with it. There’s plenty of objet d’art scattered around and the interior beams are adorned with pictures of the pub and its regulars. Sofas, mis-matched wooden furnishings, and a flooring combination of red tiling and carpet make up an atmospheric interior which was nicely enhanced on my latest visit by laid-back brass music being piped. Food is offered. The rear garden is pleasant in the summer. To top things off there are four ales with an emphasis on fairly local breweries (spotted Loddon, West Berks, Rebellion, Appleford) which are usually in good form and there’s also Tutts Clump cider for the apple heads. All-in-all this is a rather special pub and it’s sad to hear that the current licensees have decided not to continue once their lease runs out. Here’s hoping their successors don’t mess with a winning formula. Try and get here!

Official site of the Red Lion, includes beer details, menu and upcoming events listing - www.redlion.biz