The Lion & Key, Hull

A very solid alehouse with a high ceiling covered in pump clips and an impressive wooden staircase leading to the loos.The front section is comfy ,while the bar supporting the 16 handpumps has an impressive bar back with signage of Direct Importers,Tinned Fruit and Choice Preserves although I failed to discover the connection with the pub.The walls are covered with old tin and enamel brand advert signs and above the bar room a huge wagon wheel is suspended from the ceiling.There is even a beer garden through some french windows. The ale selection on my visit was Yates Undercliff Experience,Dark Side of the Wight and Holy Joe,Black Country Pig on the Wall and Fireside,Revolution Kissing with Confidence,Sperrin Third Party,Wentworth Speckled Wood,Great Heck Dave,Milestone Honey Porter,Cathead Pale Ale and Dark mill (house beers)and a good Wold Top Spring Fling.Thats a good range with a mix of styles which means this pub would get another visit from me and should be included on any ale tour of the Old Town.The welcome was most friendly ,food is served (mains £8.50-£12 ) and its the sister pub to the nearby Wm Hawkes so expect a similar real ale range there if you plan to hit both pubs.

A splendid pub in alehouse style with the inevitable pump clip decor but quite a choice of well kept beers on the seventeen hand pumps, one is for cider and another for perry. There is a yard at the rear where there was a small brewery, now gone.

As noted below, The Lion and Key is in common ownership with Walters & Wm. Hawkes just down the street and, if you visit more than one, you'll notice the similarities. This one is a long-established pub and feels like it, with dark bare boards and copious decorations (old photos, brewery enamels, pump clips, as well as "stuff"). Two adjoining rooms, with the bar in the back room and this shows the primary focus of the group: 16 pumps (a few turned) offered 3 ciders along with ale from far & wide (2 from Battlefields in Nuneaton, one from Long Man in East Sussex, for example), as well as Tetleys Cask for the more, aah, conservative drinker. The only taps I could discern offered Stowford Press and "Blond". Food is available lunchtime & evening. I missed that, but was offered home-made crisps - I don't suppose everyone gets that, but I was impressed. I also noticed a couple of cakes on the bar (something for everyone here!). Probably my favourite of the 3 in the group and I'd recommend The Lion and Key to anyone seeking good ale in Hull's scenic Old Town.