Red Lion, Southwold

Later in the day when we staggered back from Walberswick to the Red Lion, which was now very busy around the bar but we mercifully grabbed a table in an anex room. Exhausted from drinking and improvised twilight dune 'boules' (rock throwing) it all seemed a bit raucous for me, especially with an upstairs party getting into gear, but that would be an unfair reflection of the pub. Omnipresent Adnams beers were good, the folk were friendly, the long chalkboard menu looked appetising. Another good pub but, by now, (& whisper it quietly in Adnamsland), I was sacrilegiously craving a guest ale!

A fairly nondescript looking pub at the end of Southwold’s pleasant High Street, it has an Adnams shop adjoining it and a fairly run of the mill, no frills feel to it. The main bar is an L-shape room running along the front of the pub with a smaller room off to the rear. Décor wise it’s fairly traditional with wood flooring, and pine benches with black vinyl cushions to sit on. A number of black and white portraits of fishermen were on the walls and there was a brick fire-place off to one side with a copper chimney hood. Some solid wood partitioning separated off some parts of the pub, and sitting next to this you felt a bit boxed in. In fact, I thought the whole pub had a slightly odd feel to it, although it’s difficult to pin down exactly why. Probably the lowered venetian blinds in the window didn’t help. Despite eight hand pumps on the bar, many were doubled up or unused leaving just a trio from Adnams – Broadside, Ghost Ship and Southwold. Ciders meanwhile were Aspall’s Suffolk and Harry Sparrow.

Official site of Red Lion - www.theredlion-southwold.co.uk

Quite a plain building, apart from the Adnams gift shop on the corner. The red lion 'sign' above the main entrance is also an unusual feature. Traditional main bar with dark-wood furniture. Two refurbished dining rooms furnished in a much more modern style on one side. Small additional seating area on the other. Lots of black & white photographs of seafarers on the walls. Patio seating area to the front. Tidy outside toilets. Southwold, Broadside and Ghost Ship (£3.90) available from two sets of three handpumps. Keg Spindrift also available. A good spot for a pint.

Official site of Red Lion - www.theredlion-southwold.co.uk

Walking from the middle of town we hit the Adnams souvenir shop on the corner of the pub first, which we thought was interesting. The dining room is now finished and is in keeping with the rest of the pub. This pub was the busiest on the day, lots of people were also sitting outside in the front. Two Adnams on handpump.

I have always liked the Red Lion because of all the pubs in Southwold it seems to be the one in the most original condition. It normally less crowded that the Sole Bay Inn and the Lord Nelson. It is unusual in still having outside toilets. When I visited there was building work in progress that is for an extension to the dining room. Adnams Bitter at £3.20, Broadside at £3.50, Explorer at £3.50, Spindrift at £3.85 and Old Ale available. Worth a visit.