The Lower Red Lion Free house • Accommodation
For a warm welcome in St Albans
About The Lower Red Lion
A historic inn
The Lower Red Lion is one of a rapidly diminishing number of genuine old English inns.
The main part of the building dates back to the 17th century, and the wealth of exposed beams and old brick-work retains the original character of a local inn of four hundred years ago.
To book bed and breakfast here is to take your own place in history.
A bar with character
Seen in Foyle's War
The Lower Red Lion was also featured on ITV's wartime detective drama Foyle's War, which has dedicated a page to the pub. Producers of the programme, which stars Michael Kitchen, liked the pub's unique qualities so much that they rewrote the script. In the original script the pub was called ‘The Queen's Head’ but they liked our sign so much they changed the name.
A traditional pub
The Lower Red Lion offers you the chance to step back to a time when the local inn was the focal point of the community.
No canned music. No TV. No slot machines.
- a changing selection of well-kept real ales,
- real hand-pulled cider,
- distinguished wines.
- A range of traditional bar games.
- Good, home-cooked food.
- A programme of live events.
You can park in our own parking area, and in summer drink in the lovely beer garden, where children are also welcome.
Ross Turner, landlord
Ross says, “The Lower Red Lion is a traditional pub, one of a disappearing type, often referred to as the heart of the community, providing a warm, friendly and welcoming environment for all ages. In the past, it has been referred to as a ‘national treasure’ and I intend to keep striving to live up to that standard.”
He loves to entertain with good food—both eating and creating dishes, accompanied by good wine or beer.
The atmosphere Ross has created
He says, “Speaking to a cross-section of customers, it became clear that many women don’t feel comfortable coming into a pub on their own. One of my goals was to create an atmosphere that is welcoming to all, and free from cliques at the bar—which most people find intimidating. (I call it the ‘Slaughtered Lamb’ syndrome from the film American Werewolf in London.) From the evidence of the last year or so, that particular goal has been achieved.”
And in his time off? Ross has been in customer-focused roles for most of his working life. Given that particular role, and the minimal amount of time off that he has, he likes to spend it out-of-doors with his wife and four children.
Planning a pub crawl?
There are many pubs in St Albans. You can book a room here, then sample bars and beers in nearby pubs. (We are confident you will soon be back here!)
Recognised by experts
Our awards: (reveal)
The Lower Red Lion has twice been awarded “South Hertfordshire Pub of the Year” by CAMRA, for its wide selection of excellently kept Real Ales.
Roger Protz, Britain's foremost beer writer and taster, has included the Lower Red Lion in his “25 favourite pubs in Britain.”
The Independent has listed The Lower Red Lion as one of its top 25 pubs in the country to get the perfect pint.
The London Evening Standard has listed the Red Lion as one of 10 pubs with a real fire.
“A beer drinker's paradise”
Independent reviews: (reveal)