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Detail Pages
The White Lion, Ross-On-Wye
Wilton
Postal town: Ross-On-Wye
HR9 6AQ
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 White Lion
A revisit for a function found the place pretty much as described before. Three Wye Valley ales on at the bar and all in good shape. The hitherto unexplored garden by the river was fully appreciated on a lovely sunny day. Upped by a point.
June 2009
Popped in on the strength of its GBG entry whilst we were heading through town a few weeks back. Dating from the 16th century, it's a big old place next to the River Wye, which affords a nice view if you sit by the window or on the patio. There's a real fire which injected some much-needed warmth that day, complementing the beams and stonework inside. Ales on offer were Otter and Wye Valley Bitter. There was a third handpull, with a clip turned (I forget what). I was feeling very unwell that day, so the fact I was able to have a couple of halves says as much about the good beer quality as anything. Food is offered and we tried some - not bad but relatively formulaic, I suspect it's from a Brake Bros type concern. The fresh salad side was good though. Well-worth a stop if you happen to be nearby, though I wouldn't call it an essential experience.
Rated 7
On 1st June 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5089 recommendations about 5072 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The White Lion
Tucked away down a side turning, can be easily missed if you don't know it is there. Most notable for its riverside garden, food trade and a couple of good beers, but somehow doesn't quite make best use of the historic buildings and setting. A shame as it could be be exceptional with a little more effort.
On 27th November 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about The White Lion
The White Lion is situated in a small hamlet just the other side of Wilton Bridge, about 10 minute walk from Ross on Wye town centre. The building dates back to 1650 and was previously used as a police station, the original lock being to the right of the pub as you look at it.
The interior is divided into 3 sections with the main bar to the right of the entrance. The bar has a modernish extension to the rear with the remnants of the original outside wall splitting the bar into front and rear sections. The front has a handsome fireplace and a few artifacts on display including an original copy of the lease. The rear is quite plain with an assortment of local pictures and views down to the river behind the pub. The bar itself has a mass of hops covering the canopy and a series of pump clips from the various guest beers that pass through.
A few steps up from the bar is the Gaol restaurant which is contained within the aforementioned lock up. This solid stone wall room has another handsome fireplace and is no doubt a lot more cosy than some of its earlier incumbents would have found it. There is another dining room to the left of the main entrance but this was closed on my visit so I didn’t get much of a view of it.
Behind the pub is a large attractive patio with several benches and a robust covered area. Beyond is a grassy riverside area which is owned by the pub but is also a public right of way. Basic camping is an option here if the pub’s own accommodation is a little sophisticated for your tastes.
There was a hat-trick of Wye Valley beers available - Bitter, Butty Bach and Dave’s Blond which I’ll assume to be a generic personalized rebadging. A 4th pump was unused. There is a decent range of traditional food with main courses ranging from £8-£14 although I didn’t eat here on this visit.
There was some piped background musaic but I didn’t note any TV’s. Much of the entertainment seems to be by way of canine mischief (Bailey the pub dog has the run of the place) and a weekly quiz night.
The pub was welcoming enough, ticks all the comfort zone boxes and is certainly worth the picturesque riverside walk from town to visit.
On 29th April 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The White Lion
From the front this is an attractive and traditional old coaching inn with plenty of colourful hanging baskets to brighten it up. Around the rear there is a good sized garden and patio area alongside the river with very pleasant views across to the old 16th century bridge.
The interior is slightly dated decor wise, with an old blue floral carpet covering much of the floor with just a few strips of wood alongside the windows at the rear. A small room off to the left has exposed stone walls and a tall vertical tropical fish tank along the chimney breast which was completely obscured by a projector screen. It's a shame it couldn't be retracted out of sight when not in use, as this rather spoilt what is otherwise a pleasant enough room.
The main room runs from front to back and is split in two by a stone wall. There is a large brick fire-place at the front, and a bar counter clad with pale blue wooden panels at the rear. Numerous bunches of hops are hung from beams on the ceiling and around the bar. There is also apparently the "Old Gaol" restaurant upstairs, although we did not investigate this.
The main draw for many people will be the large outside seating area alongside the river, and this was divided in to three areas. The first part on exiting the rear of the pub is what could be a converted cow shed, but was perhaps stables in a former life. It looks to have been refurbished and is a pleasant, covered space with wood panelling on the back wall and wooden arches in the roof space. Beyond this is some elevated decking and a pleasant beer garden with plenty more hanging baskets alongside.
The menu offered an extensive selection of dishes divided in to sections such as fish, burgers, classics, etc., and most of the mains appeared to be in the £8 - £10 range. Beers on tap were Wye Valley Bitter, Butty Bach and Dave's Blond Beer. Ciders were well represented with Magner's Golden Draught, Stowford Press, Strongbow, Ross-on-Wye Traditional Cider and Ross-on-Wye Traditional Perry.
On 13th August 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1948 recommendations about 1861 pubs]