The White Lion, a beautiful, thatched pub in the heart of the village re-opened its doors in Radford Semele this week following a transformation by owners Peach.
Peach opened their very first pub in Warwickshire 20 years ago, when they brought The Rose & Crown in Warwick’s Market Place back to life, creating a great local pub serving top notch food and drink with great friendly service in smart, but relaxed surroundings.
Now Peach has done it again by bringing The White Lion into the stable and bringing it back to a great village pub for locals and guests from further afield to enjoy.
Push open the heavy front door to The White Lion and inside find a lovely, fresh interior that’s been given a new look which is at once stylish whilst letting the age and character of the pub shine through.
Every inch of the old, beamed building has been carefully restored, creating cosy nooks and crannies that are perfect for drinking and dining. There’s a new bar in mellow, waney edge oak, with plenty of spots to linger, and lots of original exposed brickwork and dark wooden beams. A mix of tables and chairs upholstered in plush velvets and bold patterned fabrics and tucked into snugs and sunny bay windows lets everyone find their niche.
Beyond it, a light and modern garden room with new bi-fold doors opening onto the terrace leads to a large, secluded garden that’s been beautifully landscaped and furnished with lounging sofas and tables for delightful al fresco lunches and suppers. A spacious new covered curved pergola and sheltered dining space at the end of the garden that can also be booked for private parties, are spot on for summer.
As is the new menu of fresh, seasonal food made with top quality ingredients in Head Chef Stefan Elliot’s kitchen. Stefan’s career has taken him from the small town of Llangollen in North Wales to Michelin-starred Northcote Manor and then onto Spain working under the watchful eye of Sergi Arola, a close friend of the late Paul Bocuse. All of this great experience brings classic and Mediterranean influences to his dishes that really make them sing.
Stefan loves to cook with the very best in season, and you’ll find an abundance of the good stuff on his specials board. He speaks to his fishmonger daily to find out what’s in the catch to create fish specials from day boats. On the menu you’ll find choice and provenance, with options like hand-picked Devon crab and poached salmon salad, goats’ cheese croustillant with fresh figs and honey and garlic and paprika king prawns with roast tomatoes and toasted sourdough just right for summer eating.
All the pub’s steaks are supplied by Leamington’s Aubrey Allen. Grass-fed, naturally slow-grown on carbon capturing pasture and then 28 Day dry-aged by Aubrey Allen for incredible flavour. Don’t miss the Steak Diane, fillet steak medallions with mushroom, shallot and cream sauce.
There’s plenty of choice for non meat-eaters too, with a daily changing vegetarian special and vegan options including satay aubergine with sautéed spinach and a citrusy ginger and coriander slaw. Alongside classic puds and British cheeses, there’s a fabulous Sunday roast menu with Aubrey Allen’s Dry-aged rump of beef and Jimmy Butler’s free-range pork and crackling as well as Vegetarian Wellington with artichoke heart, spinach, Emmental and pine nuts. Sunday at The White Lion is going to be the best.
Ready to give everyone a warm welcome is new general manager Lianne Sargent and her team. Lianne has hospitality running through her veins as her parents both ran great pubs and for the last four years, she has been at the helm of another lovely Peach pub, The Swan Salford near Milton Keynes.
Taking on The White Lion is a welcome move as it also brings her back closer to home. “We’ve really brought the pub back to life, inside and out and can’t wait to welcome everyone back”, says Lianne. “The pub’s new look is fresh and modern but perfectly in keeping with the building’s history and we’re really looking forward to opening with a menu full of the good stuff.
“We firmly believe that every great village deserves a really great pub, serving seasonal dishes with genuine hospitality, and that’s just what we hope to bring to Radford Semele.
“I’ll be working with my fantastic team to make sure everyone feels at home, whether you pop in for a glass of wine in the sunshine, while away a couple of hours over a leisurely lunch or a come for a celebration dinner with family and friends. So come and enjoy the new White Lion soon,” she says.
Sign up for news and events here. The White Lion is at 60 Southam Rd, Radford Semele, Leamington Spa, CV31 1TE.
