Eating and Drinking
Steeple Aston is fortunate to have two public houses - The Red Lion and The White Lion. Both of them serve food, and both have a busy schedule of activities and events.
In this section, we give detailed descriptions of our two village pubs, along with contact details and sample menus. We also provide information on the nearby Holt Hotel and links to a variety of pubs and restaurants nearby.
The Red Lion
Opening hours:
9.30am - 3.00pm & 5.30 - 11.00pm Mon-Fri
12noon – 11.00pm Saturday, 12noon – 5.00pm Sunday
Food service every lunchtime and evening till 9.00pm, except Sunday.
Thought to date from the 17th century, the building on the corner of South Side and Water Lane became a pub in 1903. It is believed to have been the stables for the original Red Lion located in the House on the Corner.
After many years managing large, busy town and city food pubs, Sarah and Melvin Phipps looked to local family brewer Hook Norton for the opportunity to take over the Brewery’s then latest acquisition, the famous Red Lion at Steeple Aston, in February 2006.
Situated in a peaceful setting in an elevated position with wonderful views from the floral terrace, the Red Lion has long been regarded as an excellent food pub, and it is this reputation that Sarah and Melvin knew they would have to work hard to keep.
The menu contains many ‘pub staples’ to which Sarah has added her personal touch including home cooked ham with North Aston free range eggs and hand cut chips and sirloin of beef carved rare with Yorkshire pudding (a Sunday lunch favourite).
There are also dishes that go well with the award winning ales on sale from Hook Norton Brewery, such as tiger prawns with sweet chilli sauce (try these with ‘Haymaker ‘) and, when in season, local game casserole (great with ‘Old Hooky’). Sarah is proud of the home made pies that feature on her menu, and her best selling golden and crisp lightly beer battered fish fillet and chips!
The Red Lion has historically been a pub where the guest can relax and enjoy conversation - a rarity in the modern pub these days – with no pool table, gaming machine or jukebox to spoil the peace. If you can’t find a local to engage in polite conversation, or more probably witty banter, there’s always a newspaper or magazine to glance at while enjoying a glass of ale that has travelled just 12 miles from brewery to cellar. A wood burner provides a cosy corner in the bar in winter.
The popular pub quiz takes place every Monday evening and starts at 8.00pm. Arrive early for a table and the chance to pit your wits against the regulars and win a prize! Questions are drawn from a wide variety of subjects and there is also a picture quiz.
The restaurant, an oak construction in conservatory style seats 30 and provides a pleasant, light and airy room ideal for either a quiet meal for two or a family celebration.
The Phipps’s are also keen to invite local groups and organisations to use the restaurant for meetings or functions without a hire charge, as it is very often vacant before noon and between 3.00 and 5.30pm. The kitchen can provide tea, coffee and water and/or freshly made sandwiches or even a buffet with bar, if refreshments are required. They are not, however, obligatory.
Contact
Mel and Sarah Phipps
The Red Lion
South Side
Steeple Aston
OX25 4RY
Tel: 01869 340225
Website: www.redlionsteepleaston.co.uk
The White Lion
Opening hours 11.00am - midnight (Sundays, midday to midnight)
Food served 11.00am - 9.30pm
For menus, please click here.
The White Lion is a small, family run, village pub restaurant, located on Southside, just opposite the village shop. It has been a pub since at least 1870. There have been many changes to the ownership and layout over the years, but something remains a constant, the secret garden at the rear.
Since June 2006, the White Lion has been run by the Willatt Family. The licence holder is Dorothy Willatt. Roger, her husband, and their daughter Hannah are also involved. The family returned to England in 2002, after nearly 20 years in the United States. They fell in love with Steeple Aston and Dorothy soon had her eye on the White Lion with the dream of making it a family centre for the village.
They serve cream teas in the summer months, remaining open all afternoon through the evening dinner trade, which finishes around 9.30p.m. until last drink orders are called at midnight.
On Sunday, roasts are served from midday until 3.00pm. Bookings are preferred for this and evening meals. But a full English breakfast is available all day! They also do take away food between midday and 3.00pm and from 6.00 to 9.00 pm. Ring 01869 340307 to place your order.
The kitchen is small and their food is cooked freshly for each customer, so some delay should be expected. Vegetarians and those with special dietary needs are catered for. Desserts are all home made and include Daniel's well-loved White Chocolate Cheesecake. Other specialities are the White Lion Tom Burger and a wide selection of fresh fish.
The Real Ales presently on offer are Timothy Taylor Landlord, and Hook Norton Hooky Bitter. On Tap they have Carling Extra Cold, Marston's Smooth, Draft Guinness, Strongbow Cider, Stowford Press Cider, Stella Artois and San Miguell. They also have an extensive international wine list.
There are lots of special events and activities at the White Lion. Regular events include Coffee and a Chat on the second Wednesday of the month at 10.30am and "Aunt Sally" during the summer on Thursday evenings in the garden. They also have live piano music & singing every Sunday evening from 8.30pm. And in the summer holidays they have Family Friendly Fridays with cartoons, curly straws, games, toys and drawing. There are kids’ meals with free ice-cream for £5 and a garden to run around in every Friday from 4.30 till 8.00pm.
Dominoes, pool, darts and other games are also available.
Contact
The White Lion
Southside
Steeple Aston
OX25 4RR
Tel:01869 340307
Fax: 01869 349989
Email: dwillatt@aol.com
The Holt Hotel
The Holt Hotel at Hopcroft’s Holt is a traditional coaching inn on the Oxford to Banbury Road, just a mile from the centre of Steeple Aston.
The Highwayman Bar
Opening times: Monday to Saturday: 11.30am to 10.00pm
Sunday and Bank Holidays: 12.00 noon to 9.30pm
Du Vall’s Restaurant
Opening times:
Breakfast:
Monday to Friday: 7.00 to 09.30am
Saturday and Sunday: 8.00 to 10.00am
Lunch:
Monday to Saturday: 12.00 noon to 2.00pm
Sunday: 12.00 noon to 3.00pm
Dinner:
Monday to Saturday: 7.00 to 9.30pm (bar open until 10.00pm)
Sunday and Bank Holidays: closed
The Highwayman Bar features an extensive bar menu featuring locally sourced produce and local beers.
The Claude Du Vall Restaurant features a daily table d’hôte and a la carte menu and Sunday carvery. For a sample of the a la carte menu, please see the website.
Contact
The Holt Hotel
Nr Steeple Aston
Oxford Road
OX25 5QQ
Tel: 01869 340259
Email:info@holthotel.co.uk
Website: www.holthotel.co.uk
Other places to eat and drink nearby
The Carpenters Arms, Middle Barton
www.thecarpentersatmiddlebarton.co.uk
The Bell at Hampton Poyle
www.thebellathamptonpoyle.co.uk
La Galleria,Italian restaurant, Woodstock
http://www.la-galleria.co.uk
White Horse Inn, Dun’s Tew
http://www.whitehorse.tablesir.com