The Lion’s Den
Cool, relaxed and informal are just three of the words customers are using to describe ‘The Lion’s Den’ – a new space in Great Bowden for friends, families and colleagues to come together, writes Tim Relf.
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Want to meet with friends for a quick catch-up or a big night out? Fancy watching a sporting occasion in a unique environment? Looking for a venue for a corporate bash? The new ‘inside-outside’ area at The Red Lion is the perfect place. As well as plenty of standing room, there are six ‘boxes’, each sitting six (eight, if you’re happy squeezing in cosily!) with its own TV screen showing your choice of channels.
The Den is a great spot to soak up match-day atmosphere and watch a Premier League game, but sports lovers can also enjoy rugby, cricket, tennis or golf. It’s a casual, chilled vibe where you can tuck into a pizza, a delicious lighter bite or a sharing dish and enjoy a beer, a glass of wine or cocktail (or two!). And don’t worry, the boxes are heated if the weather’s cold! Regulars at The Red Lion may well remember this section of the garden as ‘The Quadrant’, but it’s been given a complete makeover to become this all-year-round, covered space where walk-ins are welcome, but bookings are advisable at busy times. The Lion’s Den is the latest initiative from the Three Goats group, the Leicestershire and Rutland hospitality business which also owns and runs The Red Lion, along with The Nevill Arms in Medbourne, The Sun Inn at Great Easton, and No. 23 restaurant in Uppingham. It’s invested millions in its venues over the past few years and was keen to create a space unlike anything else in or around Harborough. The Red Lion’s General Manager, Chris Wakley, is a well-known figure on the local hospitality circuit and has a reputation for creating and running ‘immersive experiences’. ‘Part of the joy of my role is giving visitors lasting memories – and The Den is one of those places where groups can come together for unforgettable experiences,’ he says. ‘It’s open Wednesday to Sunday, as is the pub, and really large groups can even hire the whole Den which accommodates up to 120 including standing room. ‘It’s a versatile space, which has been designed to be comfortable all-year-round. ‘Harborough has a vibrant, friendly social scene and has always drawn drinkers and diners from the surrounding villages. The Den offers them a unique place to socialise and celebrate. We think it’s the hottest, coolest new spot in town. It’s the place to be – and the place to be seen!’ The Lion’s Den is self-contained, with its own bar and menu, but if you step into The Red Lion itself, you’ll find the pub unchanged, with its cosy, welcoming atmosphere, traditional décor, well-curated wine list and top-quality à la carte menu. It has built a reputation as one of the best country pubs in the Harborough area. The menu regularly changes to reflect seasonality, but venison and port pie, maple sriracha confit duck, black garlic chicken kiev and pumpkin squash salad are just four examples of the types of dish you can expect on the menu. If you’re a fish lover, you might tuck into beer-battered fish and chips or, if you’re visiting for a special occasion, maybe even indulge in half a grilled fresh lobster. The Red Lion is well known for its ‘field to fork’ credentials, with some of its beef, lamb and pork coming from the Three Goats’ own farm, just a few miles away on the lush Welland Valley pastures at Great Easton. As the Three Goats’ Ellie Uppal explains: ‘We have a policy of sourcing locally wherever we can so, if we can’t produce something ourselves, we try to work with Leicestershire, Rutland or Northamptonshire suppliers who share our commitment to quality and provenance. Forging links with local businesses allows us to improve sustainability and champion regional ingredients. It also reduces food miles and plastic packaging. Local isn’t just a word for us – it’s one of guiding principles, whether it’s the food we serve or the team we employ to run our venues.’ Just one example of this is a tie-up with the award-winning Langton Brewery, based on a farm in Thorpe Langton. One of the most popular beers in The Red Lion is Langton’s Inclined Plane, an amber ale with a light floral finish named after the canal boat lift once operating at Foxton Locks. ‘We are even now feeding the pigs on our farm the grain generated as by-product of the brewing process – so we have created a ‘closed local supply loop’,’ adds Ellie. To book The Den, reserve a table at The Red Lion or for further information, call: 01858 463571 or email: [email protected]
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Issue 28
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