Lions of Bledlow, Church End, Bledlow, PRINCES RISBOROUGH, HP27 9PE [Map]
01844 343345 
12-15, 18-23 MO-SA; 12-16, 19-22:30 SU
Car Park, Evening Meals, Real Fire, Beer Garden, Lunchtime Meals, Quiet Bar

Jon Weller at the Lion's mouth, June 2001

Perhaps not the easiest pub to find, but well worth it when you do. If you're approaching from the south leave the M40 at Junction 6 and head north on the B4009 through Chinnor towards Princes Risborough. You should see a sign by the road pointing up a lane to the right, and the Lions lies on the far side of the village green in the "foothills" of the Chilterns which rise to th rear.

This 16th-century pub, formerly three cottages, has a lovely beamed interior oozing with history with several inglenooks - the fire in the main bar being particularly warming on cold winters days. There are several rooms to choose from; a large main bar, a games room, a no-smoking restaurant and seating outside. The pub is particularly particularly popular on nice days during summer. On the bar we discovered a large stuffed cuddly badger proudly wearing a football scarf. We thought that perhaps it was guarding a bar stool on which resided a "Reserved" sign. A good range of real ales were available including 2 guest beers.

If you wish to eat they serve food at lunchtimes and during the evening and you can either sit in the restaurant, in the bar, outside on the side terrace or out the front on the green. They offer a good range of filling meals all carefully written on the blackboards. They'll include a number of specials and we thought that the food and ale was excellent.

All in all a lovely country pub and if you're out walking it's a great place to call into en route or to relax in afterwards with your friends and family. If you're like me and always feel ripped-off after eating at a motorway service area, the Lions provides a far more pleasant alternative.