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Community Pub
Red Lion. (Pub). Published on 01-01-1970

Red Lion, Preston

Open
Operator: Owned by village shareholders
The Green, Preston, SG4 7UD (View on Google Map)
(01462) 459585
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This attractive free house stands on the village green and is the first community owned pub in Great Britain. There is an ever changing list of beers and many are from small breweries. Ray and Jo prepare the fresh home made food, (except Sunday eve and all day Monday), and many of the ingredients are sourced locally. The pub hosts the village cricket teams. Local Pub of the Year 2017, 2018, 2019 and East Anglia Regional Pub of the Year 2019. Holder of a CAMRA 50th anniversary golden award.

Historic Interest

The history of the two cottages, which now form the Red Lion, can be traced back at least to the beginning of the 18th century.

Information for this venue is provided by the North Hertfordshire Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Last updated
03/03/2023
Last surveyed
24/10/2021
Pub ID
HEN/588
Asset of Community Value

Community Owned

The Red Lion became the first community-owned pub in Great Britain; an idea that has been replicated many times since. But what the villagers of Preston achieved in 1982 was ground breaking.

A Board of Directors was created and a call was raised in the village to come forward with any skills and talents that were needed to carry out the substantial alterations, repairs and refurbishments that were necessary. Materials were sourced from all over the country and the bar itself was an old church pew from Yorkshire.

The project is still successfully running today – run by a Board of Directors from the village in conjunction with Managers, Ray and Jo Lambe – on behalf of the shareholders and other customers alike and is a huge testament to Preston’s community and entrepreneurial spirit. The Red Lion is alive and well and has never been better.

General information about community pubs
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Opening
Food
Monday
5:30pm - 11:00pm
No Service
Tuesday
5:30pm - 11:00pm
Noon - 2:00pm
Wednesday
5:30pm - 11:00pm
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday
5:30pm - 11:00pm
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Friday
5:30pm - 11:00pm
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturday
Noon - Midnight
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Sunday
Noon - 10:00pm
Noon - 2:30pm
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Current beers

This Pub serves 4 changing beers and 1 regular beer.

Regular and recently seen

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Red Lion, Preston

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Source: National

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Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Wide range of fresh locally sources dishes
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Wide range of fresh locally sources dishes
Live Music Live Music
Bands occasionally, see website, playing all types of mainstream music.
Garden Garden
Large gardens with additional seating.
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Children
Parking Parking
Large gravel covered car park to the side of the building with approx 40 spaces.
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Dog friendly throughout
Games Games
Assortment of board games available from the bar plus darts.
Newspapers Newspapers
Real Fire Real Fire
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Free WiFi from IDnet
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
Real Cider Real Cider
3 ciders and/or perries, the range varies from mainly local producers.
Community Pub Community Pub
LocAle LocAle
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes (20m)
Centrebus: 88; ,
Directions
Find Preston, the green is at the crossroads, there's the pub!
Are these pub facilities or features correct? Let us know

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