Red Lion, Stratford Central, Stratford-Upon-Avon

An identikit chain with the twin advantages of an attractive exterior and good location. The Red Lion is central to Stratford, has a decent sized garden and overlooks the canal and river. I have eaten here in recent years and the food was neither awful nor memorable. Standard food service delivered I'd guess. Our recent visit found Sharp's Atlantic and Pedigree on and I have never found anything other than nationals or large regionals here which has tended to lead to Stella on warm days. Fine to sit outside with the family on a nice day but that's as far as it goes.

A rather lifeless Table-Table chain pub ,with a full gastro makeover inside and few original features.There is a decent sized beer garden which backs onto the towpath of the Stratford Canal ,but the busy one way road system dominates the view meaning it is neither relaxing nor quiet. Just two real ales on during my trip Pedigree and Sharp's Atlantic,which didn't excite either.

Our second pub on our visit to Stratford been in here before and never disappointed had a good pint of old Hooky 4.6 sat out side in a very big beer garden well kept it was busy and the staff were rushed off their feet well worth a visit

The Red Lion is a largish pub that loked fairly nice from the outside,once inside the pub had been opened out into one room which was carpeted and fairly smart. A lot of the tables were laid out for diners but as a drinker i was made just as welcome,this pub was a Whitbread tied house and there was only one real ale on here this was Boddingtons bittter which was drinkable but not that good. The pub was very quiet as i got in here before the dinner time rush. Pub visited 23/6/2001