The Lion, Bicester

Still 'brown-signed' from the A41 as 'Red Lion Inn' with the obligatory crossed knife and fork, this spent a period of closure before purchase and refurbishment to something that could be classed as a modern country inn. So for that, expect brushed exposed stone, clean flagstone floor, neat ceiling beams, ramrod-straight wood panelling, smartly-rendered walls, landscaped garden out back and certain marques in the car park. It's a long, rectangular space internally, with two smallish bar 'hatches'. Toilets and a hidden function room are accessed via a corridor to the bar's left and there's seating of varying comfort and height opposite the bar (avoid Friday and Saturday nights when it can get rammed). Head towards the right for areas focussed on the dry trade. Two ales on three handpumps (one unclipped) - Wychwood Hobgoblin Gold and 'The Lion at Wendlebury Ale' (a 3.6% Ushers rebadge). All very pretentious, but at least a village still has a pub.

Official site of The Lion - thelionwendlebury.co.uk

Official site of The Lion - thelionwendlebury.co.uk