Pubs and Bars / A-Z Bristol pub crawl
A-Z Bristol Pub Crawl: The White Lion, Frenchay
The usually lush green Frenchay Common is scorched to the colour of hay. The temperature is hovering around the high 20s and the evening is muggy, making the sight of a pub on the edge of the Common a welcome one.
A patron swings by in the early evening.
The White Lion stands proudly, its facade bearing the striking insignia of a rampant white lion. Outside, the terrace began to fill with customers and sizzling plates, many with pizzas, make their way to tables.
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Inside, the bar is buzzing with thirsty customers. Despite the efforts of three staff behind the bar, there is a short wait. The drink choice is generous and varied, from a selection of IPA to continental lagers.
The White Lion has been a popular focal point of the community for over a century
The patron opts for a pint of Foster’s, a light, summery change from darker beers.
Barman Owen is friendly and thoughtful, greeting the patron with a warm smile.
Spotting the lion insignia again, the patron—curious and chatty—asks about the nearby Frenchay Cricket Club.
An animated exchange follows, with Owen quizzing the patron on whether he knows any players from the club. It turns out that they receive many players for a post-match pint after a game regularly.
The building itself, rich with age and character with balustrades, sparks another question.
Owen explains that it was rebuilt about over a century ago, replacing an earlier inn established in the 1860s. It was not the village’s first pub: that title belongs to the long-lost New Inn.
The drink selection at The White Lion is generous and varied
Inside, the snug area to the left is inviting but fully reserved. So, the patron steps outside and settles near the edge of the common, enjoying the shimmering evening sun.
Just a short walk from Frenchay Cricket Club and overlooking the sun-bleached expanse of Frenchay Common, The White Lion might just be the perfect watering hole for a weary wanderer or post-match pint seeker alike.
The White Lion replaced an earlier inn which stood on the edge of Frenchay Common
White Lion, Frenchay Common, Frenchay, Bristol, BS16 1LZ
All photos: Milan Perera
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