Old Red Lion, Litchborough

Pub Name::Old Red Lion

Village::Litchborough

Recent History
The Old Red Lion reopened (May 2010) having been closed for two years, steadily falling into dereliction during that time. Despite the best efforts of its then owners to sell the site for development, the pub refused to die, thanks to the determination of the local community to save it. Realising the building had the potential to become a thriving business, as well as seeing the chance to bring life back into a small village community, the pub was purchased by a local farming family.

The story of the reopening of the pub is told in the article from The Independent, which can be read by clicking on this link:

Litchborough, is of course, well known to real ale drinkers - being the location of one of the country's first micro breweries - Bill Urquhart's Litchborough Brewery which operated from 1974 to 1986. Bill was the last Head Brewer at Phipps' in Northampton. Litchborough is now the home of Hoggleys.

New restaurant now open featuring food from the owners’ farm

Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 11-11 or 2.30-11 (winter)

Sat: 11-11

Sun: 12-10.30

General Description
Opposite the church, memorial green and cricket pitch, how much more of a village pub location can you get. Stone built pub with inglenook fireplaces and stone flag floors too.

The present entry on the front opens into a hall area and to the left is the marvellous cozy bar room with small serving bar (now redecorated on the front), flagstone floor and inglenook with large coal stove.

To the right of the hall area the snug with carpet, inglenook and french doors and the former skittles room with coal fire and new wooden floors.

All the rooms have been redecorated in a simple style.

Currently no food is available but when a new kitchen is complete there are plans to serve locally sourced meals and snacks.

Also planned are reintroduction of Northants Skittles in a new room, wheelchair access, a courtyard drinking area plus a farm shop selling local produce.


 * Northants CAMRA Pub of the Season winner Spring 2011

Beers and Beverages
The Old Red Lion aims to sell only locally produced beers.

Regulars:
 * Hook Norton Hooky Bitter
 * Hoggleys rotating from their range


 * Guests from local micro breweries LocAle including:
 * Concrete Cow - Milton Keynes
 * Frog Island
 * Great Oakley
 * Nobby's
 * Potbelly
 * Whittlebury


 * plus a large range of bottle LocAle real ales from:
 * Frog Island
 * Great Oakley
 * Hoggleys
 * Nobby's
 * Potbelly

Real Cider - draught Jollydale cider plus a wide range of bottled ciders and perries

Events

 * Quiz night - last Thursday of every month
 * Beer Festival

Other Features

 * Real fire
 * Quiet room - "old skittles room"
 * Garden and outdoor drinking area
 * Lunch meals
 * Evening meals
 * Separate bar
 * Disabled access
 * Northants skittles
 * Parking (see below)
 * Smoking area

Getting There
Address: The Old Red Lion, 4 Banbury Road, Litchborough NN12 8JF

Telephone: 01327 830 064

Location Map

There is no regular bus service to Litchborough

Parking: Own car park on left of pub