Red Lion, Stratford Central, Stratford-Upon-Avon

The Red Lion is a food led pub from the Table Table chain and the split-level left side of the pub is designated as a restaurant. During my recent Tuesday afternoon visit an aged couple came in to try and make a reservation for the evening but were told it was fully booked. A reduced menu is available in the bar area which is in the smaller right side of the pub. The bar counter on the rear wall facing the entrance supports standard keg alongside Birra Moretti, Madri and three handpumps. These were drawing Doom Bar, Wainwright and Black Sheep. A small chalkboard on the end of the bar instructs visitors to queue for drinks at the other end of the bar where there is a retractable barrier, much like in an airport. A shiver went down my spine as I imagined what sort of hellish place this is during periods. Opposite the bar along the front windows is seating and a couple of steps to the right lead up to a larger seating area and the rear exit to the large canal side beer garden that consists of a covered patio area and lawn strewn with picnics. There are also a few picnic tables and high tables out the front and to the left of the pub is a small private car park that is also used by the Premier Inn over the road. To avoid a parking fine don’t forget to register your car in the pub. I found the service to be polite, but the pub itself is a bland food chain pub that won’t make it onto my list of pubs to revisit in the area.

Official site of Red Lion - www.tabletable.co.uk

Official site of Red Lion - www.tabletable.co.uk

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.