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This is a hotel, which means that the bar is only open to residents.
A difficult venue to summarise, as whole books have been written about the place, this is one of the most historic hostelries in the town. The standard is set from the outset with entrance from the front being through a classic revolving door. It is a Grade 1 listed 16th century coaching inn and hotel, with 57 rooms and 2 suites, though most visible architecture is early Georgian.
The former principal public bar, the Oak Bar, by the entrance, ceased being used as a functioning bar in 2019 with the removal of the handpumps and other bar paraphernalia. Future unknown at the time of writing but may become a coffee lounge or cocktail bar.
The main public bar now is the Tudor Bar opposite the reception. This is a large beamed room with comfortable seating and a fine fireplace.
Bar open to residents of the hotel only.
Historic Interest
During the 19th century the Lion was one of the most celebrated coaching inns in the country with several mail coaches a day travelling between the Lion and London. Charles Dickens stayed here in 1838, Paganini & Disraeli were also noted guests.
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
Listed status: I
This historic hotel has parts dating back to the 15th and 18th centuries and there was clearly a significant refurbishment in the inter-war years. It is included here primarily for the Oak Bar, situated just inside the hotel on the left hand side.
UPDATE 2019 - The Oak Bar is currently not in regular use. If planning a visit please ring the hotel to check that it is possible to view this room.
Twin multi glazed doors lead to a small room with a bare wood floor and walls of oak panelling to picture frame height all around. The shape of the servery matches the ornate plaster cornice all around the room and appears to be from the inter-war renovations. The counter is oak panelled and above are a series of five working shutters with multi glazed panels matching the doors. The shutters are closed at the end of every day – something very rare in pubs nowadays. The bar back displays a tapestry which looks like it was always there and in recent years some shelves to form a bar back have been placed in front of it.
The other public rooms have a few historic features - an inter-war brick fireplace with old fireback in the rear bar, an impressive stone fireplace plus dado panelling in the lounge and, at the back, a magnificent grand ballroom of 1770 in the style of Robert Adam.
The inclusion on the website is for the Oak Bar, situated just inside the hotel on the left hand side.
UPDATE 2019 - The Oak Bar is currently not in regular use. If planning a visit please ring the hotel to check that it is possible to view the Oak Bar.
Twin multi glazed doors lead to a small room with a bare wood floor and walls of oak panelling to picture frame height all around. The servery, has a shape that matches the ornate plaster cornice all around the room and appears to be from the inter-war years. The counter is of oak panelling and above are a series of five working shutters with multi glazed panels matching the doors. The shutters are closed at the end of every day – something very rare in pubs nowadays. The bar back retains a tapestry which looks like it was always there and in recent years some shelves to form a bar back have been placed in front of it.
The Lion Hotel has parts dating to the 15th and 18th century and there is evidence of a significant refurbishment in the inter-war years. As a coaching inn it was the departure point for a direct coach mail service from Shrewsbury to London. The rear bar on the right has a 1930s brick fireplace with an old fireback. The open lounge at the front has an impressive wide segmentally-arched stone fireplace with quatrefoil timber panels in hood and dado panelling from the inter-war period. Many parquet floors throughout the hotel and a revolving door entrance. Don’t miss the grand ballroom at the rear built in 1770 in the style of Robert Adam.
Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury
Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals
Live Music
Family Friendly
Disabled Access
Parking
Accommodation
Function Room
Newspapers
Real Fire
Restaurant
Separate Bar
Smoking
Wi Fi
Real Heritage Pub
Quiet
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