please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Fantastic looking pub set within the famous stone circle (or henge). It is a Green King pub and had IPA, Speckled Hen and Avebury well water (nice bitter) on my visit. Food was good, but the guy in front of me complained about the half hour wait for food. He did have a point, as he was told that even if he ordered a starter, the mains would still be half an hour after the starter that doesnt really make sense... He just ordered mains and the pub lost the trade... This pub will always be busy...
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A perfect looking pub - in the middle of the stone circles. Very busy but staff coped well and no queue at bar. I had a pint of the Avebury Well. Very decent.
Cant see why this pub has such a low rating
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Not too busy on a mid-October Monday afternoon. Food, beer, and service were all quite acceptable and provided a nice break after touring the stone circle. Avebury is a lovely little village.
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Visit on Friday, 12 July 2013.
FOOD - It was a little on the expensive side for pub grub, but I had already seen the menu online - so no surprises. I opted for the "Sizzling Friday" vegetarian option of "tandoori vegetables, lemon-scented basmati rice & poppadom" at £9.95. It was fairly standard pub quality, but the rice also contained wild rice, which was a nice touch. The (2) poppadoms were no better than the average pub, but who needs poppdoms anyway?
BEER - I opted for a pint of the Avebury Well Water (£2.95), and it was good enough to repeat the experience twice over.
STAFF - I found the bar and catering staff friendly and helpful. When asked, the bar man happily pointed out the exact location of the bus stop across the road (for my return journey), and quoted times too.
GENERAL - I liked the olde world charme, and the old photos on the wall. There were many different locations to sit (I deliberately went after the lunch time peak). Two hours earlier all the outside seats were taken, so I assume it was equally busy inside.
musiu - 13 Jul 2013 15:54 |
I hadn't been here for nearly 10 years (and hadn't been impressed). Now, for the only pub in a tourist-trap location, they aren't half bad. "Avebury Well" beer is genuinely local thing (I won't mention the Greedy King") and the food is pretty good. I can understand the pay-and-display (refundable) car park, as otherwise genuine patrons wouldn't be able to find a place to park. Today was untypical, as a large crowd of "Celts" "Pagans" and "Wiccans" were there celebrating Imbolc. (I'm not any of them.) The pub coped admirably. Friendly staff, but slightly slow service. 6/10
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Car park might be "pay and display" but the pub refunds your money. Not the cheapest but this is a (mega) tourist spot and no compliants from our group about beer or food. Lunchtime entertainment (autumn equinox) included various witches and wizards and some sort of druid wedding outside. We would definately visit again if in the area.
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Apparently a change of management since latest comments. At my visit (hot day, half-term), service was understandably slow, but pleasant. The internal lay-out of the bar area does not help: apart from bog-standard items, staff have to go up steps to the kitchen, which slows things down. Staff friendly, sandwich good, beer (Greene King IPA) well-kept.
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Very disappointing, visited mid week too few staff on duty, food poor, general cleanliness poor, no atmosphere. This could be so much better the only pub within a Neolithic stone circle in the world. It is so obvious that the pub company are only interested in making a fast buck, with a guaranteed income from a world wide tourist trade the pub is tired and neglected, yet is busy every day�such as shame as this is one of England�s world heritage sites.
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since last going to this pub last year for a meal in the space of less than a yaer the food has gone down hill,i went there on april the 27th for dinner,and the bar man was not warm and welcoming,and all we choose on the menu was not available.so we opted for the steak and ive never seen such small prtions in all my life,we had a spoon full of chips,1 portebello mushroom that looked so un appetisng.1 tomato a chewy piece of steak and 2 onoin rings .last year the portions were of a acceptable size and the meal was lovely,even the person attending our table said that alot of people were commenting on the portions or lack of food.some of my friends were going to book there for a meal but after what they heard they have decided not too.i would not recommend this pub to anyone i know.
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We had a very long wait for three teas that were luke warm when they eventually came. The beer was very poor. The barman was not so welcoming, although the female member of staff who served the rubbish tea was smiley.
It's a shame this pub isn't better because it is in such a lovely location.
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hello
i work at the lion ,
as for the wasps we have tryed with traps but we are in the country side so we cant help it guys
but i know where your comeing from there are loads
hope it will not put you off
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hello
i work at the lion ,
as for the wasps we have tryed with traps but we are in the country side so we cant help it guys
but i know where your comeing from there are loads
hope it will not put you off
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Lets hope a new broom here will sweep the place clean, it certainly deserves it, could be such a good pub. Shame.
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Food at lunchtime poor & prices fit only for forign tourists, lunar atmosphere (there is none) outside plagued by hordes of wasps, inside loud music, a loose loose situation. I won't be going back.
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UNDER NEW MANAGERMENT >> THE RED LION AVEBURY<< JON AND THE TEAM WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME BACK ALL CUTOMERS ALL AND NEW TO THE RED LION , WITH NEW OFFERS AND A FRESH NEW OUT LOOK , COME ALONG AND GET 2 MAIN MEALS FOR �9.95 AND KIDS EAT FREE WHEN MUM AND DAD BUY A MEAL :O , SPICE NIGHTS ON A WEDNESDAY CURRY AND A PINT OR S......OFT DRINK OR WINE FOR...... 6.95 , AND MENY MORE TO COME ....
COME ALONG AND SEE FOR YOUR SELF GUYS :D
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Hurrah! Under new management, 'pparently. Hopefully looking forward to simply enjoying the magick ole place again rather than forever cursing it! Good luck & all support the new team!
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Could this pub actually be the WORST pub in England?, I've been in a lot of pubs over the years and this is certainly the crappiest run, shabbiest toilet I've ever had the misfortune to cross the threshold of. DO NOT BOTHER.
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Sadly, I must agree with the previous reviews. Visited a couple of weeks ago, paid the two quid charge to park ( refundable on a �5 purchase) had a look around and couldn't see anything to spend the five quid on. Went to the NT tearoom instead.
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Oh boy what a dissapointment!
I rather naively stopped in for a meal the other day and whilst perusing the menu I ordered a couple of drinks. This should have started the alarm bells ringing as the glass was so dirty I couldn't even wipe it clean with a cloth, however the barman did apologise and changed the glass.
Upon taking my seat at the table I was met with the residue of the previous patron's meal, which incidently was not wiped away whilst I dined. The cutlery resided in a dirty jar on the table and inspection revealed food residue on all but one item.
The food did however arrive in a timely manner and the waitress was fairly polite, although I suspect that she may have been the recipient of numerous complaints and seemed nervous when she enquired as to our satsfaction regarding the food.
I was looking forward to a nice plate of gammon & chips, but after two mouthfulls of the gammon I was nearly sick due to the taste and very bad smell coming from the meat, not surprisingly I did not eat any more.
As an establishment at the hub of a world heritage site I am absolutely gobsmacked that the proprietor's have been allowed to continue running this pub in such a disgraceful manner.
With visitor's from all over the world it's rather embarrasing to think that they might frequent these premises and take away an eating experience which may haunt them forever.
I would have awarded a score of zero but the staff were polite.
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Dear god! Called in to this establishment a couple of weeks ago and if there was ever a prize for the 'Shabbiest Pub in England Award' this place would win it.
Beer awful, staff with as much charisma as a cold pork chop in a synagogue, decor dreadful, food, well didn�t even go there.
If you feel like a drink when you are visiting Avebury, keep going till you reach the Wagon and Horse at Beckhampton, about three miles away. Not too bad as long as you ignore the landlady.
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It's crap.
Don't go.
If custom drops off maybe we can get a chage of landlords....or owners!
Perhaps to much to hope for.
Can't give a minus so 0 will have to do.
Come on guys get a life.
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Very disapointing.
We visited recently with our seven year old daughter and intended to
buy a meal whilst we were there.
One quick look around the bar whilst buying our ale was enough to put us
off actually buying any food there.
Certainly did not want to give the little 'un food poisoning.
The whole place was so dirty I didn;t want to think about the kitchen area.
To echo past comments...what a shame as could be a brilliant pub
with fantastic location.
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Typical tourist trap pub. They don't need to try hard to get people through the door because of the location - so they don't.
Unkept interior, uninspiring food and if you're lucky one or two real ales - generally green king and of mediocre quality.
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Has to be worth a visit at least once given its location. Say no more.
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I agree will all the other reviews concerning probably England�s most scruffiest pub. I can not believe that some of you have taken your lives in your hands and actually eaten their.
I live within seven miles of Avebury stone circle and pass the Red Lion many times�I don�t call in anymore though. I am constantly amazed that this pub, the only one in the village, has been allowed to fall into what can only be described as utter decay. Surely Greene King are aware that the Red Lion sits in the centre of a world heritage site, which attracts thousand of visitor each year. It is not a good advertisement for Greene King, especially their beer, which is normally very good elsewhere but here, don�t bother, they don�t know how to keep it. The Red Lion�s growing reputation for bad food, bad waiting times, abrupt and curt bar staff and tatty and tired interior, should be sounding alarm bells back in Bury-St-Edmunds HQ. Alas not so it would seem, the brewery seem quite content to let the red lion slip further into decline. I wonder if the reason the brewery ignores this place, is simply because of the kind of clientele the Red Lion regularity attracts. I refer to the endless stream of drum beating, cannabis smoking hippies, pagans, druids and various other fully paid up members of the great unwashed, who take over the car park, sprawl themselves on the benches and tables looking like the winos and tramps annual convention...not a good first impression Greene King.
In fairness to Greene King, would you bother piling money into an establishment knowing the kind of deadbeats your pub attracts, I think not? Having said that, are you happy in the knowing Mr. Greene King and Co, that thousands visit this pub every year and the first impression they get of your company is one of utter disinterest from your staff and a shabby run down establishment? Get your finger out!
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We were very disappointed with our visit to this pub. We had tried visiting on a Saturday, though the car park was full and there was nowhere else locally to park. We returned on a Thursday lunchtime.
The menu seemed well thought out and promising. Despite visiting on a weekday, the food took forty minutes to arrive. And we only ordered a Ploughmans!
The ploughmans was not particularly appealing, and certainly not good value for money. The sparse shreds of lettuce on the plate were dry, dull and lifeless; the portions were meagre; the apple was old, bruised, and uncut (presumably so they could reuse them). I would personally have preferred to have some pickle or chutney accompanying the ploughmans, and would have preferred some crusty bread or baguette to the flaccid slice of brown bread we were presented with.
This is a shame, because the pub has great potential. As I live locally, I will certainly be leaving this pub to the tourists in the future; it is regrettable that foreign tourists might leave thinking this pub is typical.
My rating of 3* is solely for the convenience and location. In future I would rather take a picnic or visit a pub further afield.
las31 - 12 Jul 2009 08:44 |
I would agree with the posts below, I can only think that Green King take prospective staff to the Red Lion at Avebury and use it as an example of how NOT to run a pub. Its an absolute disgrace and has been for a couple of years now, what the foreign tourists who visit here thinking its a real English pub must think God alone knows, the people who run it are pikeys. It should be so good, and it still could be, why it isn't is anybodies guess by GK management ought to pay a visit and be thoroughly ashamed.
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The coachloads who visit Avebury once or only occasionally will probably not be affected or bothered by what I�m about to write, as it�s written from my perspective as a regular visitor who stays in the village to photograph the Stones at different times of year in different light, and to walk the Ridgeway. As such it has been sad to watch the consistent decline in service at this fantastic old pub in recent years.
The Red Lion now trades purely on its position, providing poor food and begrudging indifferent service to tourists who will only ever visit once. Even the modest B&B accommodation (where you were actually locked in the pub at night with stale sheets) has now been stopped. Evening food is often irregular which is a real nuisance for those in the village B&B�s. Locals now seem to give the place a wide berth, probably at other pubs/restaurants more interested in returning custom. The outside seating is in a decrepid state on an unswept carpet of ground-in fag-butts. It�s such a waste of a potential business opportunity and an all-round miserable experience for the regular visitor.
However, a simplified British menu with ultra-fresh local produce highlighting local suppliers (who would in turn highlight the pub), an interior refit, more emphasis on a level of cuisine and service that would ensure returning trade in the evenings and in winter when the coaches have gone. Guest ales for the discerning ale drinker. Accommodation, modestly priced to fit below the expensive village options, but to price out the unruly would guarantee more revenue from food and drink sales to guests.
Links and discounts for the local community and interest groups would foster loyalty and guarantee return trade. In the summer, open-air barbeques could cater for tourists and scooter/motorcycle clubs alike. The Red Lion could & should be a focal point for local businesses and the local community. Instead it�s being run down with a minimum work/effort philosophy.
For *%�$sake, Greene King, it�s not rocket science, it�s in everyone�s interest including your shareholders. Get Ramsey or HFW in and you could even re-launch the kind of venture I�ve described on national TV. SORT IT OUT!
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Booked a table for Sunday lunch for three people. Ordered a Thai Red Curry for me that sounded good, but unfortunately I could see into the kitchen and watched the chef use her scissors to cut open the "boil in the bag" rice. The meals however were not too bad but nothing special. A large party (30+) of middle aged bikers descended
on the pub and formed a long queue at the food counter. When we asked a waitress for three coffees to finish our meal she very rudely told us to go and join the queue! Eventually another older waitress came and took our coffee order. Later we went pay the bill at the counter. The rude young waitress was there and once again told us to join the queue. My wife told her that if she wanted the bill paid she should deal with it immediately as we were leaving. Much to the amusement of people in the queue she hurriedly accepted payment. My wife was congratulated by other customers who commented on the attitude of the staff. We will not be back and note that we are not the only ones to suffer rudeness from staff. The Landlord/Landlady should get a grip on their establishment as pubs are closing across the country. An investment in staff training would not go amiss.
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Average, basic pub with picnic tables outside slap in the centre of a stone circle. Is what it is because of the all the tourists I guess, which is, a place to slake your thirst after wandering round Avebury before moving on.
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No great shakes, I'm afraid. For a start the beers are standard Green King fair, and the summer special (I forget the name) was boring and one-dimensional.
We were there mid afternoon on an overcast Sunday in September. Clearly the pub was busy, and the person serving was busy too, apparently the only person serving, and somewhat grumpy.
Shame. It looks like it could be a terrific pub.
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We arrived in Avebury at the end of walking the Ridgeway looking forward to a pint at this pub. Sadly they could not have been less welcoming. They wouldn't let us bring our dog inside (despite the fact that part of the bar is tiled) and were pretty unhelpful about ordering food. We ended up sitting outside in the rain waiting for our bus, and the celebratory pint had to be put on hold. Disappointing.
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I visited the pub with my family on 22 June 2008. Beer was nice, but served in plastic glasses because it was Solstice Weekend. Greene King - ok - just not too good in plastic. Waited ages for our food. Had the pie and mash and it was really nice. Pub seemed a bit dishevelled though. Should have tried the Waggon and Horses in Beckhampton!
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This is probably the only pub with a web site warning people about it. Google Aoid the Red Lion Avebury if you want a laugh!
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Sunday the 1st of July, The start of the no-smoking ban & we decided to take our 14 month old daughter into the red lion after our day around the stones, crop circles etc. We went in & stood at the first bar for about 10 mins but no-one came. so we walked through to the back bar & found a few staff who weren't very welcoming.
The place was empty, tables were filthy & the bar was a wash with spilt drinks. The food came very quick but wasn't great. Barely warm, Microwaved roast dinner. Tough, smelt horrible & tasted bland. What a dissapointment! Oh & over priced. Will never go again.
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My husband and i booked to stay on 25/06/2007 and was disgusted with what we were presented with. The smell of the place was horrible what they claimed as "rustic". Then we seen the state of our double bedroom first of all it was freezing (and that was not because of the ghosts) with the windows not been able to be closed and the rot of the wood. So to keep warm there was two portable heaters that did not work. The walls and ceiling were held together with sellotape. The sofa and bed in the room must have come off the local tip.
And the worst thing was we had to pay them to stay there i think they need to pay someone to stay there. Needless to say we asked for a refund which we got and spent a fantastic night in the Marwell hotel for less money.
We felt the story of the hauntings of Florrie were all lies it is just to get people to stay there. As even the well she supposively was thrown down was where the tomato sauce was kept and even if the stories are true this is no way to present them to the public.
In my opinion no person should stay there as it is a waste of money and time to get there.
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Food is nothing special and the queueing to order your food is a real down side - this is not a fast food establishment.
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Overpriced pub, which cashes in on the thousands of visitors it gets in the summer. You'll generally get a decent sized meal however
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I have used this pub from time to time and found it so so,but it`s handy for a visit to admire the stone circles,sometimes when I am at work I make a detour and pop inthere for a quick pint of Abbot ale and then go on my way.Well I stopped there this afternoon and found that they had now installed a pay and display machine in their car park! All well and good I thought this is no doubt to prevent people from taking advantage of its central position,so I payed my pound for an hours parking and put the top half in my windscreen and took the bottom part in to the pub and ordered a pint of Abbot handing over said half of ticket in part payment for my beer only to be told that I had to spend over �5.00 before I could expect a rebate,when I complained about this as I was on my own and for obvious reasons only wanted the one pint It was implied by the barmaid that I was stupid not to have read the notice properly by the machine
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A poorly organised, unwelcoming, exploitive pub. Ate here 15th May 2006 (unfortunately),table was sticky and dirty and the food was nothing speicial. Waited over half an hour just for the starter!.
At one point due to being totally unprepared, disorganised and understaffed, the kitchen was actually closed!
With such historical and geographical importance, this pub deserves to be treated and run, with passion, interest and more importantly, a feeling, for it's sacred surroundings.
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Pretty average pub taking advantage of thye stone circle and it's tourists. So much more could be made of this pub if it were to get it's act together
Came down here for the spring equinox March 2006. Great atmosphere, but only due to the friendly croud of druids and the like. Had to put up with a brash landlord, unfriendly staff and a feeling that the Avebury has been let down by such an establishment.
anonymous - 2 May 2006 17:44 |
Had a nice pint (Green King IPA) at this pub a couple of weeks ago but the food was pretty dismal - cold chips, empty condiments, irritable staff, naff menu were a bad start. A jacket potato arrived quickly but would have glowed in the dark from all of the radiation fired at it from the microwave!
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Went there yesterday, not overly impressed and yes the staff are miserable. Food is overpriced for what it is and it generally needs a coat of paint in most places.
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Stayed in the Red Lion for a couple of nights, 4 years ago. We returned this summer and were shocked to see how this (formally) wonderful little inn has been allowed to deteriorate. The bar & accommodation were drab & grubby, the meals were all poor and staff miserable almost to the point of being comical. Risk a pint in the bar, but nothing else!
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Didn't fancy the look of the food at all, and to be honest, the lass behind the bar was not exactly selling it...
This place could be all out amazing given its location, but somethings clearly not right. If you have to eat, go to the other place nearby. The drink is...well its ok as it goes, but something tells you it could be alot better....and surely you shouldn't have to wait that long to get it.
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Pub near the breeze blocks - Not a bad pub, and is very fortunate in that it has a tourist attraction next door - Which must keep it in a healthy profit..
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I visited this pub in May 2005 and although it advertised food being available there was no evidence of it even at 1 pm. I couldn't even ask as despite waiting for 15 minutes in the bar no member of staff appeared.
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We stopped off here last year, checked out the stones then went for a pint. They have some very interesting pictures on the wall of how the stone circles were originally. The pub is apparently haunted too. Friendly staff, comfy sofa but suspect it would err a little too much on the side of 'family', i.e. screaming kids, if we'd got here a few hours earlier. Nice enough tho and the menu did look lovely, although we didn't eat here. Would definitely go back.
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We had lunch there on our last trip through Avebury and the food was really nice, although the service was eccentric-- they closed the kitchen for 10 minutes just as we were ready to put our order in, and that was the longest 10 minutes I've spent in awhile! When the proprietor came back, he apologized for being so long and his children were suddenly there; they were delightful. He gave us complimentary bread and brouht us fantastic pies, great mash, good vegetables. The atmosphere was really nice, and the pub has a cat called Alex who isn't really supposed to be in the pub, but gets in through windows anyway. We had a good experience there.
Gwen - 22 Oct 2004 18:08 |
NICE LOOKING PUB SPOILT BY AWFULL SERVICE OUTDATED ROOMS AND POOR FOOD
TONY - 17 Sep 2004 14:36 |
Nice location but bad food and terrible service. On both occasions that I have been there I was presented with cold chips and vegetbales, half bowls of lukewarm soup and mould on our bread. It wasn't busy either.
Daz - 6 Jul 2004 14:26 |
Good biker pub in the summer, just watch out for speed cameras on surrounding roads
kev - 26 Jan 2004 19:36 |
The Red Lion is the only pub in Avebury - so they do not have to please. There always is a ready supply of tourists - and it is better to find a pub outside the village. Anyway, the Red Lion has its own resident ghost. Also every year there is a crop circle, that appears in full view of this pub. The customers love to see that, but the only trouble is that this year it was mowed. There are genuine crop circles - but this one is always a hoax.
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Went there to see the stones. Great pub nice beer. But the pub was full of druids. Apparantly, it was there new year, so I don't think that it is normally occupied by druids!!
Mike - 1 Nov 2003 18:40 |
