Red Lion, Waterlooville

The Red Lion is apparently the oldest pub in Hampshire and comes with all the picture postcard attributes that you would expect from a pub of this age – thatched roof, timbered walls and not a right angle to be seen. Bits date from the 12th century and it has been a licenced inn since 1503. The main bar is a delight - small, cosy and dominated by a magnificent inglenook fireplace complete with seats within the fireplace itself. A line of old 3d pieces line the mantle piece above and there are pots, pans, brasses, bed warmers and dangling dimpled tankards in abundance. The ceiling is naturally very low and contains gnarled beams aplenty. The furnishings are very rustic and in keeping with the buildings character with pew seats, a settle and an old clock. Only the floor covering lets things down - it is just crying to have flag stones or even bare wood. Beers on during our visit were HSB & Winter Warmer and as you would xpect from a Cask Marque accredited pub, tasted fine. Just as we were wondering why we virtually had the pub to ourselves, a trip to the toilets revealed another large bar and restaurant area which was fairly busy. In hindsight I wish we had not discovered this bit of the pub as it seemed at odds with the intimacy of the main bar. At the opposite end of the pub is another bar with a partly wooden floor and another fine fireplace. As there was no one in here I assume is only used when busy or for private functions. To summarise the Red Lion, stick to the main bar for a taste of the ye olde drinking experience. Unless you are specifically going for a meal or need to use the loos, pretend the restaurant end doesn't exist. Alternatively there are apparently some wonderful views from the garden but as it was dark I can't really comment on that side of things.

Official site of The Red Lion - www.redlionchalton.co.uk

Official site of The Red Lion - www.redlionchalton.co.uk