The Red Lion

The pub is lovely, and the staff are absolutely brilliant. We came for dinner tonight and the service was just as good as the food. Portions were massive, everything was beautifully presented, and the food was excellent. You’ve got to try the Espresso crème brulee!

The Red Lion in Cricklade made a great impression. The pie of the day was especially delicious, cooked just right and full of flavour, with incredible triple-fried potato fries alongside. There’s a brilliant range of hand-crafted microbrewery beers on tap, with something for every taste. Friendly, professional staff and a great atmosphere. Definitely recommend a visit, you won’t be disappointed! 🍺🥧

We only had a drink before leaving, which was a disappointing end to the visit. As visitors, we didn’t feel welcome, and there was a noticeable difference in how locals were treated compared with us. We’d booked a table and then found out our slot was two and a half hours, while other reserved tables didn’t seem to have a time limit. It gave us the impression those tables were for locals or regulars. We’d hoped to have dinner and then drinks without feeling rushed. We won’t be back.

The pub atmosphere felt geared towards locals, and as someone from outside the area we didn’t feel valued as paying guests. The room also stayed noticeably cold throughout our visit, making it hard to relax or sleep comfortably. The heating didn’t seem adequate for the time of year. When we raised the issue, the reply came across as abrupt and unhelpful, as though guest comfort wasn’t a priority. For the price and the experience, I wouldn’t stay here again or recommend it to anyone looking for somewhere warm and welcoming.