The Red Lion, Bletchley

A real gem of a pub with a friendly atmosphere. Inside the Grade II listed building, the main bar area has various seating, a pool table, duke box and a large screen TV showing live rugby/football matches. It can get quite busy at weekends and a further room is available for those busier occasions. An open fire is also used during the winter months.

Externally, the pub has had a facelift and it now looks splendid with its new coat of white paint and striking red lion. The garden is right on the edge of the Grand Union canal and is a lovely place to spend a few hours on a sunny afternoon watching the boats go by.

Two regularly changing real ales are offered with a further hand pump being brought into use on Fridays and the weekend. These range from mainstream brewers to some of the more obscure and smaller breweries with a few nice surprises being discovered on some visits, such as Kelham Island ‘Pale Rider’, Harviestoun ‘Old Engine Oil’ and Inveralmond ‘Thrappledouser. Future beers include Wooden Hand Brewery’s ‘Cornish Mutiny’ and Whale Ale Co’s ‘Premium Amber’.

The landlord certainly knows how to look after his cellar with the beers always being served in tip-top condition. Ciders.... are Strongbow and Westons Old Rosie, with a few bottled ciders also on offer.

The pub was awarded MK and North Bucks Pub of the Year in 2010 and is Good Beer Guide listed. It’s also dog friendly and well worth a visit.

25 Mar 2014 18:45