Hotel Review: Charming Red Lion in Long Compton, Warwickshire

Long Compton is a village that has little to offer a visitor other than the Rollright Stones. I chose to stay at the Red Lion in Long Compton because I was enticed by a fantastic website. Risky business that but the food just looked so good at this pub that I risked repeating an unhappy pub stay. The last time I had tried this we were kept up until 1 a.m. by rowdy clientele. It doesn't matter how comfortable your room is if you can sleep because of the noise.

Noise was not an issue at all at the Red Lion. Our room had very thick walls and we never heard a sound. This is a small inn with only five rooms. Keep in mind that a pub is a little different than a B&B or hotel when it comes to checking in. They usually close after lunch and don't reopen until close to dinner time. You will need to time your arrival perfectly. We didn't but the hour wait was not too difficult since it was quite a lovely January day.

Our room was on the first floor and our friend was on the second floor. We had to walk up a set of stairs with the luggage so keep it light and our friend had two sets. Our room was very close to the stairs. It was a very cozy room, small with a large bed. We had everything we could possibly want. A nice coffee/tea set up, a small closet, a window seat, a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall and one of the largest bathrooms we have ever had anywhere. It had a large tub and a window seat.
Our friend's room was the one that you see on the website with two beds and the red and white checked bedspreads.

Breakfast is included in the rate. You will find a menu on your bed and you just leave it with them at the bar when you are ordering your dinner. You will want to have dinner there at least one night. We chose to eat there every night of our three-night stay, it was that good.

We loved our breakfast. You tell them when you would like it ready and when we came down our table was set and waiting for us. We enjoy the full English breakfast with fresh juice and coffee. There are daily dinner specials in the pub and they offer everything from soups to delicious pasta dishes, Steaks, chicken and luscious desserts are all available.

This is not your old-time pub, this is a modern gastropub where cuisine is served not pub grub.

Everyone we met here was concerned with the quality of our service. We never wanted for anything. I can't recommend Red Lion in Long Compton highly enough. Good food, comfortable rooms and excellent service guarantee a pleasant stay.

The Red Lion is within an easy drive of Oxford, Blenheim, Chipping Norton and Moreton in the Marsh. For a Cotswolds visit, it is close to ideal.