The Red Lion, Burnsall A Pint Of Ale Pub Review
The Red Lion in Burnsall is a 16th Century ferryman’s inn in beautiful Wharfedale, filled with history, charm and character.
Burnsall is a picturesque village a few miles upstream along the River Wharfe from the striking ruins of Bolton Abbey. It’s a small village, with little more than a church, a shop, a tea room, car park and one of the best looking country inns for miles around, The Red Lion.
The pub, with (allegedly haunted) cellars dating to the 12th Century has stood next to the river since the 16th Century and has grown and changed over those years. The bar itself is the oldest part of the building. The downstairs is a meandering, crooked hodge-podge of a place that oozes character out of its original crooked beams.
The Red Lion is usually very busy; its popular restaurant is widely known for its good quality local food. In wetter months, you’ll usually have to step over a wide collection of muddy walking boots deposited in the porch by walkers drawn to the pub’s warmth. There are several rooms, some just for dining. Small stuffed animals in glass cases are displayed here and there to remind you of the country setting. There are old fireplaces and plants, a general cosy, warm feeling. There are usually three ales on tap. On my last visit, this included two from Theakston’s and Tim Taylor’s Best. It’s always been served in good shape and I’ve never had a bad pint here.
Outside, at the back of the pub, is a sizeable car park and a riverside terrace. It’s excellent relaxing with a pint and watching the waters of the Wharfe slowly flow by on their way down towards the Strid and Bolton Abbey. This is an excellent pub in winter, but the summer months really bring it out into its own!
The pub is a family run business and has been in the same hands since 1991. It’s also a hotel with several rooms making for a good base to explore this part of the Yorkshire Dales.
A picture of the pub from the back of the terrace, looking towards the bridge which was apparently built in 1612:
What else can I say? I love this pub. I love it so much that I am getting married here in August 2008! I’m sure some pictures will make their way onto Pint of Ale in due course!
A comment by russ
August 25th, 2007, 7.01pm
Not my idea of a dales pub! Certainly not walker friendly, and hasn’t been for a few years. Like many pubs these days, trying to go la-de-dah food (brings in the money) but never mind customer acre. Bad attitudes from all staff.Shan’t visit again.
A comment by liz
October 9th, 2007, 9.21pm
I agree with mike, this place is fantastic. I got married there in 2004 and the food, the beer, the rooms and the staff were absolutely brilliant. All our guests said how wonderful the whole thing was. We go back there whenever we can.
A comment by Lesley Turner
October 22nd, 2007, 4.09pm
overpriced £1.95 for a portion of chips, £7.95 for mozarella cheese and tomatoes on ciabatta bread, steak and onion sandwiches £7.95 with a SLITHER of steak in each which hardly covered the bread, all served without a knife anf fork and napkin.
Dont mind paying for good food and £40 for 4 x sandwiches and chips seemed a bit ott to me
A comment by Mike
October 22nd, 2007, 6.25pm
Hi Liz, thanks for your comments. I’ve recently changed my own opinion of The Red Lion too and I am deciding whether to recount the sorry tale on here.
A comment by Jane
December 26th, 2007, 7.05pm
called in lunchtime today for light lunch. Found a seat (there were 5 of us). Immediately approaced by a VERY unfriendly and rude man, think he was in charge, who told us unless we were eating the full menu on the board we couldn’t sit there. There was no please, sorry or thank you. Not a good image for the dales, which we have been visiting for more than 30 years (we live in Ilkley). We wont be visiting the Red Lion again. Totaly agree with Russ’s comment. Visit the Craven Arms in nearby Appletreewick instead for a wonderful friendly and welcoming dales pub with views to die for.
A comment by Mr.D Lideard
December 31st, 2007, 12.27pm
Certainly not a walker friendly pub. landlord was telling walkers to get out if they had boots on very unfriendly shan’t visit again
A comment by roger whitwam
February 20th, 2008, 8.21pm
stayed overnight for a friends wedding.Bar closed at ll.30p.m. owners required extra money to keep bar open any longer. Music finished dead on midnight. No night porter so doors locked at midnight Asked for late key, refused.Felt as though I was in a boarding house in Central Blackpool.At £127.00 a night very overpriced. Staff generally unfriendly. Supper meal clock cold.Only good thing was the view outside and the breakfast. Glad to get back to my beloved Wensleydale.
A comment by d quinn
May 7th, 2008, 4.50pm
went there for lunch today. lovely weather so rather busy. Had a beef and ham salad whth chips and a meat & patoto pie with peas. waited 40 mins for food, when it came the presentation of the pie was terrible all gravy burnt on side of dish and my salad was nothing more than a few lettuce leaves with a bit of coleslaw plus what i think was shop bought ham and beef (in that wafer thin stuff). won’t be going again and it cost £17 quid without drinks. Hey this is yorkshire not the south east!