The Lions of Southwick Part II - The Red Lion

Leaving the Golden Lion we wandered down Southwick’s quiet High Street in the late winter sunshine, in search of the second of its lions, The Red Lion.....

As it is at the opposite end of the village to the Golden Lion this allowed us to do a bit of sightseeing in this war-time-capsule of a village. Except for the modern signs you could easily believe that your ration book would still be essential for purchases at the village post office/general store...

Preserved post office and store

Before going further perhaps I should correct my historical misrepresentations in Part I.  It was Montgomery who enjoyed the hospitality of the Golden Lion with Eisenhower, while Churchill met with other leaders in the more luxurious and secretive surroundings of the Royal Train in a railway siding in nearby Droxford.

So many wartime goings-on in these parts it’s hard to keep up with them, and never let historical facts get in the way of a good story as they say....

Flint walled church

In Southwick it’s not just one of the lions that is red, the village is one of few remaining villages which is still a wholly owned estate, originally by John Whyte who bought it from Henry VIII, and now by his descendants. One peculiarity is that all the houses owned by the estate must have red doors...

Red doors compulsory, but not red cars...

The Red Lion pub (with red door) is a Fuller’s pub, as beautifully kept as the rest of the village...

The Red Lion

...and with a friendly welcome from the landlady.  When I asked which was the most popular of the standard Fullers line up, she obviously had me down as a (foreign?) tourist and helpfully explained the London Pride was popular, so a pint of Pride it was.

Fullers on parade with London Pride in correct uniform.

It’s nice to know there are still some sanctuaries free from the Doom beer round here, thank goodness for British brewery owned pubs...
Not only was the London Pride popular it was in great condition (good/very good).
The pub wasn’t busy - just a couple of tables of people, but it had all the usual atmosphere of a quiet country pub. There were also a few unusual and creative touches...
...like the dried floral decorations....

Ceiling floral ring - mysterious country tradition?...

Old ladies take tea in the sunshine amongst the dried beech woods...

...and the shrunken crocodile head...

Pub crocodile - old inhabitant of the village pond?

 ...and last but not least, a cat called Punk, unusual variant on the pub cat...

Punk cat...

 When I was leaving, and putting my empty glass back on the bar, the landlady smiled and made a point of asking if I enjoyed my London Pride - “It was very nice” I said and she seemed pleased.  So was I - an enjoyable pint and a lovely bit of customer care...
The two lions of Southwick are great pubs and it’s quite unusual to have two pubs in such a small village these days.
Of course this village is quite special with it’s unique history and preservation and you wouldn’t be at all surprised to come across Lance Corporal Jones giving Captain Mainwaring a couple of extra sausages, or Private Walker surreptitiously offering some nylons to Mrs Pike....
Finally...I thought I’d finish with a new blog feature...
Introducing.....The Beer Mat Moment...

Fullers ‘Powered by London Pride’ - (A side)

Fullers ‘Powered by London Pride’ - (B side)