By Jamie Hill
And with confidence I can state that in all of our years dealing with establishments across Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and West Berkshire - one pub has always stood out and that is The Red Lion in East Chisenbury.
There was definitely some stiff competition from other superb establishments like The Perch and The Magdalen in Oxford, The Red Lion in Cricklade, The White Horse in Duns Tew and The Red House in Newbury but this village pub does it for us here at The Ocelot every time.
Run by Brittany and Guy Manning it really is the perfect pub and we’re not the only ones to think so as it’s been awarded and retained a Michelin Star in 2012 and still has its three rosettes from the AA that it was awarded in 2014. But the beauty of the Red Lion is that it’s still a proper, friendly pub open to everyone including children and dogs. It’s as far from a stuffy gourmet restaurant as you can get.
For beer drinkers there’s constantly changing untied local ales and they also do nearly 30 wines by the glass.
And the food won’t cost you an arm and a leg either as it has a Prix fix lunch most days of the week and a dinner menu which is amazing value for money. The pub is open all day for drinks and coffee and serves lunch and dinner every day.
It also has a beautiful garden complete with livestock making it the perfect place to bring the family.
They’ve even got some stunning rooms in their converted Troutbeck and a dining room for special occasions. Brittany said: “We’re not trying too hard to be different, just trying to do everything the best we can. If we can make it in house, we do - from the lime cordial to the ketchup. If we can produce it, we do - from our rescue hens’ eggs, to pork from our West Berkshire piggies and our raised beds and greenhouse. We forage for stuff (don’t worry, Guy tries it first and is still alive!). We seek out and form relationships with the best and most local businesses and suppliers.”
Book a table at www.redlionfreehouse.com
