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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
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Detail Pages
The Golden Lion, Settle
Settle
BD24 9DU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Golden Lion
Old skool place with a hotel vibe. A bit of modernisation but the grand full-length wooden bar and staircase combo (with drinking area) remains, with fairly staid rooms off either side. Laid-back atmosphere that complements the other GBG pub, the Talbot. The big topic of discussion was where to put the Xmas tree. Reviewers below might be pleased to note that whilst I was indeed the youngest customer, there were at least a couple of others who weren’t yet eligible for a free bus pass. Six cask on which seemed a stretch, majoring on Thwaites. My two halves of Dark Horse beers were easily GBG though 2x NBSS 3.5 with Westons Rosies Pig available for the apple-grapplers. Whilst I preferred the Talbot as drinking venue, this one more than held its own. 7.5
On 9th February 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Golden Lion
I used the Lions Den entrance on my recent visit, but it was more like Dogs Central. Now merely part of a large opened out space, this must have been a real separate room back in the day, with its own stretch of bar counter sporting five hand pumnps, each with a charming little Santa hat. Yes, it's the season to be grumpy once again.
Four Thwaites beers plus a mild from Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery. I queried this with the barman, and he said they do ask for Thwaites Mild, but they haven't had it for a while, so maybe Thwaites aren't brewing it. Anyway, the substitute was good enough, though not as good as some of the beers I had in other pubs on this visit to Settle.
On 6th December 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 4273 recommendations about 3935 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Golden Lion
Good Beer Guide 2022 entry. Hotel bar experience that you would expect - immaculate, separate bar area but setup for dining, a restaurant for more formal dining, and finally, a third room setup for dining somewhere inbetween the bar and restaurant level of formality. Exterior, a gorgeous 1670 coaching inn.
Superb Thwaites Original - as good as cask gets. Food was excellent and twice over 8 years now, I have enjoyed the signature suet pudding. Not to be missed "pie fans". Service friendly and efficient.
Good place for a meal, but if you want a drinking den, try the Talbot.
On 18th October 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1563 recommendations about 1543 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Golden Lion
This hotel has been well described by the previous reviewer, including the fact that all the customers were older than either of us. Which takes a bit of doing. However, they all seemed in fairly good nick - I overheard one woman say to another (this in the context of an acquaintance of both who had died at 75), "I'm 79 - how old are you?"; "81", was the reply. They could both have been 10 years or more younger.
At the time of my visit there were five Thwaites beers on the bar, plus two guests (see photos). My Thwaites Mild was in very good condition. Service was friendly and informal, and I was happy to spend some time here. If this is what God's Waiting Room looks like, perhaps there is hope for us all.
On 2nd February 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 4273 recommendations about 3935 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about The Golden Lion
Traditional some may say staid hotel bar, comfortable wooden furnished. The main entrance leads straight into a lounge bar area with a sweeping staircase to one side and a massive fireplace that looks like it means business but houses a relatively weedy wood burner. The counter is straight ahead with six pulls for decently kept Thwaites and one of Old Rosie, there are three more in a room to the left which was laid out for dining. There’s another dining type area away to the right. The drinks menu says they stock local and guests in addition to Thwaites. Other than the bar staff I appeared to be the youngest person in the room, I thought I’d wandered into an episode of “Waiting for God”, I suspect they may have the undertaker’s number on speed dial. There’s a more public bar called the "Lion’s Den" at one end, it has a separate entrance and offers the same Thwaites beers and a less refined ambience.
On 12th September 2019
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3599 recommendations about 3279 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about The Golden Lion
Paid another visit, now operating as the Golden Lion rather than the Lion at Settle, but it is pretty much the same place. There were seven hand pulls with one off, the selection being Wainwright, Sin Bin (Thwaites?), Lancaster Bomber, Thwaites Original, Thwaites Nutty Black and Jericho Blonde by Settle. The Jericho Blonde set me back £1.80 or £1.85 for a half.
The place is dog friendly and I noticed water, towels and cushions all available for those four legged friends.
Service felt a little "corporate" but I think the young chap serving was fairly new so it may just have been nerves. Certainly not unfriendly though.
The layout is pretty much as previously reviewed, still with the separate area laid out for dining.
On 20th February 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 830 recommendations about 657 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about The Lion at Settle
I have been to Settle a few times but never managed to visit the Lion. Corrected that back in the start of December. It still appears to be a Thwaites house - offering at the time of my visit Thwaites Original, Nutty Black, Lancaster Bomber, Wainwright, Hygge (which I assume was a seasonal one) and a solitary guest which was Devil's Bridge by Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery. I had the Devil's Bridge and the Hygge which were both in good condition and slipped down nicely.
It's a nice pub with a couple of different seating areas plus a further area more set up for formal dining with glasses laid on tables etc. The lady behind the bar was friendly. I would be very happy to go again some time.
On 4th January 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 830 recommendations about 657 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Golden Lion Hotel
Had a very pleasurable visit here and was made most welcome from the locals and staff alike. I was invited to join in the party and was up dancing in the lounge - good 1! This is a Danny Thwaites house, even better again as I rate their beer highly. Will call again.
On 17th March 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3645 recommendations about 3645 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
James Joines left this review about Golden Lion Hotel
A Thwaites House with 3 fine examples on hand pull.
Bar has 2 drinking areas with the main area also having bar meals. A Restaurant is also available.
Accommodation provided in this dated Hotel with unusual decoration and Real Fires.
Car Park available.
Live Music.
On 25th February 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 841 recommendations about 835 pubs]