The Red Lion

The Red Lion is a community-owned gastropub in Preston, just outside Hitchin, with the feel of a village pub that still draws people from further afield. It has outdoor seating and welcomes dogs, so it works just as well for a walk stop as for a planned meal out. Families and groups are both catered for, and there’s free parking on site. On the menu, expect homemade food alongside a broad drinks list that includes real ales, cider and perry. Regulars also single out traditional ales, Sunday lunch and a choice of board games that add to the pub’s social, unhurried rhythm. The setting is clearly geared towards lingering over food and a pint, rather than a quick in-and-out visit, and bookings are taken if you want to plan ahead. It’s wheelchair accessible too, which makes it easier to arrange meet-ups with mixed company. You’ll find The Red Lion on School Lane in Preston, Hertfordshire, and it’s a practical option for anyone after a pub meal with a local feel and enough space to gather a table.

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