We are delighted to announce that as per the latest government guidelines, we will be able to reopen on Saturday the 4th of July – subject to a number of changes required to maintain the health & safety of our customers and staff (detailed below).
Our opening hours and food service hours will remain the same with the exception of Monday, on which we will not be serving food and we will be open from 5pm to 9pm only.
From Gav & Nix
We are overjoyed to be able to announce that as of the 4th of July, we are able to open our doors once again.
We have to alter our traditional experience in order to keep everyone safe. The measures listed below will be in effect immediately and indefinitely, inkeeping with the advice from the Government and Public Health England.
They will undoubtedly be a culture shock for our longstanding and loyal customers – for one, we are not able to offer the bar for drinkers to sit at, and the one way system is guaranteed to drive people to distraction; but we stress that these changes are critical to our being able to trade safely and as a result we ask for your patience and understanding.
We really hope you are able to join us safely once we reopen, and we would like to thank every one of our loyal customers for their warm words and strong support through these difficult and bewildering times.
Please see the COVID-19 safety information section (below) for details.
for our Customers & Team
The safety of our customers & team are paramount.
To ensure this, please observe the following.
What we have done:
What you need to do:
We would like to thank our customers for their ongoing support, and we ask for your continued patience and understanding as we resume trading in a very different way during these unprecedented times.
Thank you for your understanding.
Gav, Nix & the Team.
about our friendly village pub
The Red Lion is a warm and welcoming friendly pub run by Gavin, Nicky and their team. Nestling at the foot of the South Downs in the beautiful village surroundings of Willingdon, you can enjoy delicious freshly prepared food and well-kept beers. The Red Lion is famously mentioned in George Orwell’s novel “Animal Farm”. We also welcome accompanying children and well behaved dogs.
We do offer a children’s menu with a variety of healthy options. For all our younger guests that clear their plate, we will offer them a complimentary ice cream for dessert. So why not come and visit us? Soak up the atmosphere over a drink and some food, whilst relaxing in the bar and restaurant.
When the sun is shining, there is nowhere nicer to wish away your afternoon other than in our south western facing beer garden.
Cold outside? We offer a cosy village pub atmosphere with log burner which rarely ceases to burn through the winter months. The Red Lion is located off the A22 into Eastbourne. The nearest train stations are Hampden Park (1.3 miles), Polegate (1.8 miles) & Eastbourne (2.5 miles).
Opening times for drinks:
Monday – Thursday 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 11pm.
Friday – Saturday 12pm – 11pm
Sundays 11am – 10pm
All the food served at the Red Lion is freshly prepared and we carefully source local ingredients wherever possible. The menu has been carefully put together to ensure that there is something on offer for all our guests. Our delicious home-made burger, chef’s choice pie and Badger beer battered cod are amongst the most popular dishes served here at the Red Lion.
Alongside our main menu, we also offer a bar menu with a variety of rolls and light bites for those times when a main meal is just too much.
Mon – Thurs : 12pm – 2pm then 6pm – 9pm
Fri and Sat : 12pm – 9pm
Sunday: 12pm – 8pm
Our cask ale is supplied by Hall & Woodhouse family brewer based in Dorset. Their award winning ales are sold in the Red Lion in cask and bottle format. The Badger brand of ales is available in most supermarkets across the country; however we are one of 250 pubs who are lucky enough to stock the exclusive cask ales.
To learn more about Badger ales please visit www.hall-woodhouse.co.uk.
The Red Lion prides itself on selling excellent award winning traditional ales which we deliver in the best condition.
Our current draft drinks on offer at the Red Lion:-
Please feel free to book up in advance for your visit to ensure you have a table exactly when you wish – using our enquiry form provided here.
Please be advised that the enquiry is not confirmed until you receive a comfirmatory email or call from a member of staff. Until this happens the enquiry will not be placed in the diary.
Should you wish to call – please try 01323 502062 and we will be happy to speak to you.
We will confirm your enquiry via E-Mail or Phone.
We have a separate dining area which is available to hire for private functions.
We are flexible in our arrangements to best suit your needs and would be happy to discuss any requirements by phone or by email, using the form in the contact us section.
Alternatively, please click on the button below for a comprehensive list of our hire charges.
To enquire about any events please call
01323 502062
As ever, the Red Lion is going overboard this Christmas!
A fantastic seasonal Christmas menu for parties throughout December, followed by a grand finalé for Christmas itself!
Christmas day is fully booked, however we do have a waiting list available.
For Christmas parties, please call us or pop in to speak to a member of staff for availability – be quick, it is going fast!
See below for our great Christmas day menu and booking form
99 Wish Hill
Willingdon
Eastbourne
East Sussex BN20 9HQ
Call Gavin and Nicky Finnis on T. 01323 502062
Please leave your details and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
redlionwillingdon@hotmail.co.uk
The Red Lion can get very busy and we would encourage you to phone ahead to avoid disappointment. If you would like to make a reservation with us, please contact us on 01323 502062 or use the contact form on this page.
Updated: 27/06/2020
