The Lion Waddesdon

The food is top notch, and there's a great choice of beers on tap. The atmosphere is always good, with staff who are so welcoming. Some people complain about the prices, but with business costs constantly changing, that's not really their fault. Just look at how much more everything costs in the supermarket too. Well done, The Lion!

Dinner here was very average. Nothing was wrong, but there was nothing special about it either. With no fire lit and food that was just average, it felt more like a canteen than a country pub. I suppose that's why dogs aren't allowed.

After visiting The Lion Pub for many years, we won't be coming back. We were there in December 2023 for Christmas drinks with friends and our three young children. We'd parked there plenty of times before without being charged, so we had no reason to think the arrangements had changed. The evening was enjoyable, and we left without any problems. Almost two years later, a demand for £170 arrived, along with a threat of court action. If the pub has leased out its car park or introduced charges, I believe it should make the requirement to enter your registration clear to customers. Nobody on staff mentioned it during our visit, and we didn't notice any signs inside drawing attention to it. I contacted Matt, the pub's director. In my experience, he handled the conversation poorly. His manner felt abrupt, and I came away feeling dismissed instead of helped. He said customers are informed and the signs are clear, but that wasn't our experience that night. I'm sharing this so other visitors know about the parking arrangements and can avoid a similar situation.

The Lion is a must-visit. We ate with friends and all agreed the food was outstanding. The staff were lovely and helpful too. If you're visiting Waddesdon Manor and want somewhere fantastic to eat or stay, I'd recommend The Lion 100%. 10/10 👏👏👏👏