Red Lion, Chinnor

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Komakino . left this review about Red Lion

UPDATE
Taken on (well, leased from EI Group) by the family-run pubco Oak Taverns (they of noted Cross Keys in Thame) in early March before pandemic panic set in. This gave them additional time to make things 'just so' before the delayed grand re-opening in early July. The old stable-type internal doors which separated the lobby from Public and Snug bars have gone as have the quarry tiles and the bar extended into the former, now forming an L-shape. Licks of paint here and there and load-bearing cobwebs cleaned up gives a 'same-but-different' vibe which this pub sorely needed as well as the TV finally removed. Outside, the hazardous decking has been ripped up and smart flagstones laid, with sleeper-type wood creating a wall separating the car park; half of which has been taken over by a large semi-permanent gazebo with seating underneath/within. The handpump has increased by one to four and offered XT 4, Wainwright's Golden, CW Bombardier and Blackpit Cloud Nine - two more national beers than I was expecting to see. On an extremely hot day, the Blacpit didn't quite hit the spot, so a pint of keg WIld Beer Pogo was a bit more thirst-quenching (they also had Camden Pale and Beavertown Neck Oil on the keg founts). Cask prices are slightly cheaper than under the old regime (£3.80 compared to £4.10) and overall, there's enough here to elevate this to the go-to pub in Chinnor.

19th December 2017
At one time three cottages, now knocked through this is the most characterful of the remaining pubs in Chinnor with its low ceilings and beams, original quarry stone tiles, tiny bar, separate, small Public Bar room and large brick inglenook fireplace in a former dining area at the rear. The best choice of ale in the village with Wychwood Hobgoblin, Loddon Ferryman's Gold and Rebellion Humbug on this visit (the three ales rotate). The size of the bar, means it can seem rather crowded if there's more than five in, and a large TV screen above another fireplace, mid-pub (showing Sky Sports Soccer Saturday on my visit) can detract from the ambience.

On 3^rd September 2020 - rating: 6
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