The Red Lion Inn Raithby is a one-of-a-kind culinary establishment with a menu inspired by the idea of simple and honest cooking. We developed a unique dining experience for all of our guests using fresh and sustainable local Lincolnshire ingredients—taking you on a culinary journey like no other.

 

From classic recipes to new-age kitchen adventures, each dish reflects our passion for high-quality food presented in a simple yet pleasing manner. Dive right in, and take a bite; join us today.

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One of the oldest buildings in Raithby is the Red Lion Inn which has its origins in the 16th Century. It still has some of the original mud and stud walls with a reed and mud ceiling. The pub was probably thatched as there are traces of thatch in the roof. The earliest part of the building runs beside the road and was probably a hall house with front doors opposite the back doors which means not built later than the 16th Century. The first floor was added sometime between 1900 and 1910.

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The pub belonged to Messrs Soulby, Sons and Winch and was purchased by Mr Preston Rawnsley in 1932. It was then auctioned in 1941 along with local farms, cottages and land. It was bought by the Shades pub owned by James Hole and Co.

The Greenwood family lived in the pub from 1859 to 1959. Robert Leary Greenwood took the licence in 1859 and then his son held the licence until 1926. His eleven children were born in the pub and two of the sisters lived here until 1959. All of the family were ardent church workers. Mary played the church organ for twelve years and her mother was organist for nearly 60 years from the age of 12 to 70. One of the sisters taught at the village school and one of the sons, Joseph, returned to the village after a lifetime of service as a butler.

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In the early days the pub was open from 6am to 10pm 6 days a week. The ale was brought up from the cellar in jugs Paraffin lamps and candles were used. Water came from  outside wells or water systems. There are 3 at the pub. All properties had earth closets and the pub boasted a 3 seater, a double seater and a low seat for a child. In the early years there was the same company every night, the men were hardened drinkers and it was rare to see a woman in the pub. Dominoes was the main activity.

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Over the years things have changed considerably with the coming of cars, cinemas, TV, mechanisation of farming, drink drive and finally the internet. But the pub still remains a social gathering point with a great atmosphere. The villages have lost their schools, shops and village pubs in England as a whole, closing at a rate of 6 per week. 

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There is a danger of the same thing happening to village churches.