Alastair Sawday’s Special places: Pubs & Inns 2009 (6th edition)

“The 150 sandbags in the car park are a gentle reminder that the 17^th century Red Lion has been flooded twice in the past decade- but then it does stand next to the river Leam (with ancient bridge) and the river runs past the end of the garden. Owner Sam Cornwall-Jones originally wanted to be an illustrator and his passion for classic comics is evident from the walls, plastered with vintage copies of Fantastic Four, Batman & Supergirl. The food is honest, unfussy and sourced locally, perhaps a starter of salmon & smoked trout fishcake with horseradish mayonnaise followed by a Warwickshire fillet steak with Shropshire blue butter & hand cut chips. The old pub maybe hard to find but you’ll love it for its open fires, cheery bar staff, real ales & Sunday papers, guaranteed to put a smile on your face”