The Red Lion Hunningham

By Rod Perkins
Posted: 15/08/2010

 

The Red Lion, Main Street, Hunningham, CV33 9DY

 

 

In an age where country pubs are closing at an alarming rate it is not often that one discovers a local pub with a chequered history that has bucked the trend.  So what a great surprise I had when I discovered the transformation of The Red Lion at Hunningham.

 

It is a fabulous example of a small village pub that has re invented itself and in my opinion a shining example of how a local pub should be run to suit today’s clientele.

 

On my recent visit the Red Lion served three cask ales which included two Green King beers and a very drinkable pint of Joseph Holts Humdinger. Food is imaginative and well priced and the riverside garden is an absolute pleasure.

At the end of August the pub is holding a riverside Beer and film festival with a giant outdoor screen ,hog roast and live music.

 (please visit the pubs very informative website for more details)

 

The pub has just been awarded the “Morning Advertiser” best Tenanted/Leased Pub in the East and West Midlands 2010

It may be a little out of town but should you find yourself out and about in that direction then it’s well worth a visit..

 

To quote the pubs new owner:

“Hello, my name is Sam, I’m a local lad- my father was the vicar of Bilton in Rugby and then Leek Wootton in Leamington and my mum lives up the road in Cubbington. I bought The Red Lion in Hunningham a couple of years ago, one of those pubs that you may have heard of but haven’t been to in several years (if ever) because:

a) It wasn’t very good last time
b) it was a bikers pub
c) it was underwater

Well its changed a little bit over the years- its had umpteen landlords, been a managed house, a carver, had a children’s playground, served bikers, not served bikers, been extended, flooded, refitted, flooded again- its had its fair share of turmoil and success.

The Red Lion is a lovely country pub in rural Warwickshire between Leamington, Rugby and Coventry. It’s light and airy with stunning views of sheep, cows and a slightly over friendly river. We serve locally sourced food, cooked simply and honestly and around fifty and over 30 single malts.

The décor is simple and cosy. Three, ever blazing, real fires are linked by stone & timber. There’s plenty of car parking and there is wines, most of which are available by the glass; well kept cask ales disabled access too, not to mention a huge beer garden that leads down to a 14th century bridge.
I remember a time when pubs weren’t gastropubs or brasseries, they were just pubs that were good pubs with good food and that’s what I aspire to be.”