The White Lion, Heeley, Sheffield

Visited in 2009 The White Lion is a main road classic multi-roomed traditional locals pub in the mainly industrial suburb of Heeley, a mile or so south of Sheffield City Centre in an area that might perhaps best be described as being "in need of regeneration". The central tiled corridor has several rooms on either side , leading to a main bar at the end which has a snooker table and where regular music nights take place. The pub has a rather old fashioned genuine feel to it, enhanced by the leaded, frosted Gilmours windows where the name "White Lion Hotel" is notable for having an upside down capital N. In the first room on the right is a fine collection of old photos and prints of the area and some old brewery labels and adverts from former breweries such as Tomlinsons Anchor Ales, Birks Finest Ales from the Lady's Bridge Brewery and J L Cockayne & Sons of the Owlerton Brewery. Another framed advert revealed that Billy Marsden, a former SWFC footballer, used to own the pub - quite a bit before I started supporting them, I would reckon. On the date of my visit, the landlady was gearing up for the pub's beer festival between 9-12 April, phoning round the various breweries organising supplies, pump clips etc. I gather that a total of 15 beers are expected over the 4 day period. Both beers that I sampled on my recent visit on 2 April, Kelham Island Pale Rider and Holdens Springhead Jack were nice tasty pints, although at prices of £ 2.60 and £ 2.65 respectively, might be considered a bit pricy by Sheffield standards, especially given the area. The White Lion is in the 2009 GBG, where it's described as "one of Sheffield's finest pubs". Heeley is easily accessible from Sheffield City Centre - there's a frequent bus service - so, if you're in to pubs of this ilk, try and make time to get there