The Red Lion
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Avg. C$178 /night, 9/10 - 9/11
C$178
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C$115
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4.5
#1 of 2 inns in SwaffhamLocation
Cleanliness
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Value
The Red Lion, situated in the main market place of Swaffham. New owners since 2014 which have brought a new fresh refits and during 2016-17 have brought the great place into the modern age. All the rooms have undergone a massive refit. The Red Lion has a long history as a coaching Inn, evidence of which can be seen in its construction, which has during the past 20 years been converted to en-suite rooms. Entering the Red Lion via the bar area, residential door way or through the courtyard by use of the gated side entrance, you will find a warm welcome and comfortable facilities at hand. We also have a relaxing restaurant with a home cooked menu catering for vegetarians gluten and dairy free and vegan options. our bar has a great selection of drinks draught and spirits.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Electric vehicle charging station
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Bar / lounge
Evening entertainment
Karaoke
Non-smoking hotel
Shops
Street parking
Wifi
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Special diet menus
Room features
Housekeeping
Safe
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Tile / marble floor
Flatscreen TV
Radio
Bath / shower
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Business
Location
87 Market Place, Swaffham PE37 7AQ England
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 80 out of 100
80
30 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
82Reviews0Q+A16Room tips
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Detailed Reviews
In all our years of visiting Swaffham, this was the first time we stayed at the Red Lion, and I have to say we were very impressed.
We checked in via the main bar and was welcomed with a vey friendly Swaffham welcome and taken to our room which was at the back of the pub (access can be gained by the driveway at the side of the pub after hours)
Although the room is basic and could do with a little TLC, it was perfect for us for an overnight stay. As it wasn't attached to the pub, the rooms were very quiet and felt very private.
The only draw back I could find with this hotel is that check out is at 10am the next day which, if you are there celebrating, can be a little early. We had a word with the very friendly young lady who checked us in and she extended this to 12pm.
Also, it's worth noting that the hotel does not offer Breakfast, which is fine as we walked across the road to Tutankhamun's which offered a massive breakfast at a reasonable price (please read my review of this venue)
We would defiantly stay there again as the price was very reasonable, the bar was very friendly and welcoming.
We checked in via the main bar and was welcomed with a vey friendly Swaffham welcome and taken to our room which was at the back of the pub (access can be gained by the driveway at the side of the pub after hours)
Although the room is basic and could do with a little TLC, it was perfect for us for an overnight stay. As it wasn't attached to the pub, the rooms were very quiet and felt very private.
The only draw back I could find with this hotel is that check out is at 10am the next day which, if you are there celebrating, can be a little early. We had a word with the very friendly young lady who checked us in and she extended this to 12pm.
Also, it's worth noting that the hotel does not offer Breakfast, which is fine as we walked across the road to Tutankhamun's which offered a massive breakfast at a reasonable price (please read my review of this venue)
We would defiantly stay there again as the price was very reasonable, the bar was very friendly and welcoming.
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Date of stay: July 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Red Lion Swaffham, Owner at The Red Lion
Responded Jul 20, 2021
thanks for taking the time to review and its a pleasure to have you as our guest return soon
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stayed for night for a medieval party close by. The twin room was lovely, breakfast was perfect. Very friendly and welcoming.would definitely stay again. The room we stayed was in a court yard behind the pub, you could come and go as you please, without having to go through the pub.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
booked for a 3pm sunday lunch here as it was on our route through to thursford and had fair reviews. the outside was clean and tidy with water bowls for dogs. inside the appearance was clean and tidy, my wife said the ladies toilet was spotless. a warm welcome from the lady behind bar who showed us through to a small cosy restaurant which again was very clean, food choice was limited with only beef or chicken on the sunday lunch menu but as my wife prefers chicken and myself beef there was no problem. our meals looked fantastic when presented (should have taken photos ) and the taste was just as good. our only observation, not a complaint, was that the roast potatoes seemed to have been left a bit to long as the bottoms were hard, we both had apple crumble and custard for dessert and again could not fault it. we are both big eaters and found the food on our plates plentiful, we left full up and satisfied. would thoroughly recommend this place based on our sunday lunch and would definitely book here again.
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: plenty of parking all around the area, this was a sunday afternoon so may be different during the...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Upon entering the Red Lion through its festively decorated outside seating area housing a couple of smokers, we were greeted (if that's what you could call it) by a very rude and abrupt (and clearly not pleased to see custom that wasn't one of a handful of regulars that were propping the bar up or milking the fruit machines) bar lady. We asked if there was seating in the restaurant area, to which we got a 'mumble'. When I asked again, I got another mumble, followed by a 'and that's why I said you can only sit in the bar area. With a 2yo and a 4yo plus some family who were visiting from Singapore, you can probably imagine how we might not have felt very welcomed. The customers in there at the time all looked to be enduring, rather than enjoying their time there. Needless to say, our tab stopped at pre meal drinks and we decided to take our £100 bill to the White Hart on the opposite side of the road. There we were welcomed with smiles and interaction from the staff with our children. One waitress even took our daughter into the kitchen to chose her ice cream. What a difference. I'm sorry Red Lion, but I wish you all the best on your future endeavours based on the good reviews so far, but I for one would not come within a barge pole of your establishment again in a hurry. Families take heed, you have been warned. You may be lucky and hit an evening with a more cheery bunch of staff. We didn't.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Robert Bartram, Owner at The Red Lion
Responded Dec 30, 2022
Mmmm wow a whole lot of minor issues. I will try and answer them. smokers are outside not an issue! That’s what they do. guests playing fruit machines not an issue! That’s what they do. you asked a question and you got a “mumble” whatever does that means reply? as you clearly understood the answer that there was no room at the restaurant but at the bar. our team don’t mumble they answer questions. without any guidance you made your way straight to our restaurant and were greeted…you requested to be seated in the restaurant and was informed that all tables were booked and you were welcome to sit in the bar area……… which you did….. and actually had a drink (your pre meal drink) …. your pathetic attitude when you cant get your own way is to insult other customers and imply that they were “enduring, rather than enjoying their time there” did you ask them? …….. infact all those guests ENJOYED their time and meal and all have been returning guests for a while. (so get your facts right). you had your drinks,,, (we don’t do tabs!). It was your choice to leave and take your £100 elsewhere and we were sorry that you decided to do so. Thanks for your best wishes for the future of our business and as you know our reviews on many social groups are high and if you bothered to check you would find that we have several awards for family friendly pubs not just in the local area breckland but also Norfolk 2021 and 2022 also currently TripAdvisor’s travelers’ choice to come to 2022. it’s a shame you decided to not return within a barge pole of the red lion in a hurry…. (fyi: The barge pole is made of ash wood and measures 3.6m (12ft) long by 46mm in diameter.) FAMILIES take heed,,,, check all the reviews and not just this sad one. FAMILIES you have been warned ,,,, you might even have a great time here in the most awarded family friendly venue in town….. thing is their are always 2 sides to every story and we have witnesses that contradict lots what you imply,, but actually taking the time to write and give a 1 is just a tad wrong..... reviewing the cctv both in and outside unfort didnt confirm your issues infact confirmed ours,,,,,,,,, its always a shame that we cant rate customers but thats another issue.......
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We were a group of 17 friends who visited the Red Lion en route home for dinner after spending the afternoon at Thursford Extravaganza.
We had pre booked months in advance and always received prompt replies to any quiries/ last-minute changes we made.
On arrival, we were warmly met by staff and shown through to a private room where a table had been set for our use.
As we had pre ordered our meals, we found the staff efficient, helpful, and very attentive to our needs.
All the group commented that the food was hot, plentiful, and delicious.
I would highly recommend this establishment.
We had pre booked months in advance and always received prompt replies to any quiries/ last-minute changes we made.
On arrival, we were warmly met by staff and shown through to a private room where a table had been set for our use.
As we had pre ordered our meals, we found the staff efficient, helpful, and very attentive to our needs.
All the group commented that the food was hot, plentiful, and delicious.
I would highly recommend this establishment.
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you want attitude, and the land land to moan at you this is the pub for you!
Visiting Swaffam with a group of friends, we thought we’d give the Red Lion a go for a few drinks as had spent the previous evening in the Greyhound.
The lady who served us was great, but then it all went south.
One of our group dropped a pint on the floor, to which I offered to clean it up as it was accidental. The land lady lost her cool, started mumbling words to my response, well just leave as we didn’t like attitude, and the professional that she was started mouthing back at us.
The pub was happy to take our £80/£90 we spent on a round of drinks….
We left, and went back to the Greyhound which is a 1 minute walk who had been called by the red lion to advise them not to let us in as we’d smashed the pub up! Comical comes to mind.
Explained what happened, we’re let in to the Greyhound and spent the rest of the evening there and Sunday! Needless to say you can imagine what we spent and what she lost because of her poor attitude and lack of customer service.
Accidents happens, but the way she spoke to us….. wow!
Even one of the locals in the red lion said don’t speak up she’ll only get the hump!
Surprised he still drinks there!
You’ll see from her comments she doesn’t like negative/constructive feedback so that basically sums it up.
Visiting Swaffam with a group of friends, we thought we’d give the Red Lion a go for a few drinks as had spent the previous evening in the Greyhound.
The lady who served us was great, but then it all went south.
One of our group dropped a pint on the floor, to which I offered to clean it up as it was accidental. The land lady lost her cool, started mumbling words to my response, well just leave as we didn’t like attitude, and the professional that she was started mouthing back at us.
The pub was happy to take our £80/£90 we spent on a round of drinks….
We left, and went back to the Greyhound which is a 1 minute walk who had been called by the red lion to advise them not to let us in as we’d smashed the pub up! Comical comes to mind.
Explained what happened, we’re let in to the Greyhound and spent the rest of the evening there and Sunday! Needless to say you can imagine what we spent and what she lost because of her poor attitude and lack of customer service.
Accidents happens, but the way she spoke to us….. wow!
Even one of the locals in the red lion said don’t speak up she’ll only get the hump!
Surprised he still drinks there!
You’ll see from her comments she doesn’t like negative/constructive feedback so that basically sums it up.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Robert Bartram, Owner at The Red Lion
Responded Jan 30, 2024
wow always 2 sides to every story,,,,,,,,,,, you were part of the group that came in and though it was ok to intimidate other patrons and smash glass,,,,,,,, our rude staff are only rude to arrogant disrespectful sad people like ya self,,, our other customers thought it was great you were told to leave due to the attitude of some of your group. you said you were leaving our place anyway and of course we told you nothing to stop you going now and you left. all covered by CCTV.. its a shame we cant rate visitors like your self as we could only rate as zero,,,, you bring up the previous nights visit to another local pub where your group also intimidated single women and the staff had to intervene and you were asked to leave,,. seems you forgot about that,,,,,,, another fact... some of you group even thought the previous evening was spent here and had to be corrected by others in your group that this was not the place. you didn't return to the greyhound you went to another establishment across the road,,,, seems you don't know where you went. comical comes to mind we like all reviews and comments as long as its honest and truthful and all facts are correct..... in your case you seem to have left out loads of facts not just here but at other places.... you are also delusional in thinking that just because you spend a little money you can do what ever you please,,, well that doesn't work here we don't have to put up with your attitude arrogant intimidating groups like you were. like every group you always have the ones that spoil the visit by a few of the group,,, seems you are one that spoils the fun for the group. confirmed by a couple of your group who returned and had a nice quiet drink after you left. shame you cant lead by their example..... unfortunately i have to waste my time in answering your comments as always 2 sides to every story and you honestly wasn't all truthful from your side........ no need to reply or visit ,,,,,and no need to worry we wont pay you to visit....
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Visited for Sunday lunch on2nd April. The portions were enormous and the food was well cooked and presented on a hot plate. The yorkshire puddings were nearly as good as my own. Great stuff and the service of Emma and Gemma was excellent.
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Date of stay: April 2023
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Must book in advance
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Robert Bartram, Owner at The Red Lion
Responded Nov 18, 2023
thanks for taking the time to write and review our team work hard to make all our guests time here a pleasant one
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Needed to stay overnight whilst visiting family in Swaffham. Room was beautifully clean, but incredibly hot, even with the window open and the radiator turned down. My other problem was that there was a lot of light coming in around the curtains and door blind, which made it very hard to sleep. This and the church bells made for a sleepless night for me, although my husband slept well. I did make the landlord aware. The other disappointment was that breakfast was not available, although the website said it was when we booked.
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Date of stay: May 2021
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Be aware of church bells every hour
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Red Lion Swaffham, Owner at The Red Lion
Responded May 23, 2021
thanks for taking the time to review, unfort we cant do anything re church bells, the website redlionswaffham.co.uk Clearly states "Breakfast is not included with the room charge. For a small charge you can order a tasty fresh cooked breakfast. (This must be prebooked and at the discretion of the management) We cook for lunch and dinner inc sunday roasts." with the room being to hot. we rather that and as you did turn the heating down/off even with window open im sure this made it cooler. we during our conversation re the light coming in we will be looking into that as this is the first we have been aware.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Myself and partner popped in for a meal. as we were in the area. Lovely atmosphere in the bar area. Reasonable priced drinks. We went through to dining area. Much smaller than we thought it would be considering it's a hotel. My partner ordered beer battered cod and his came with chips, peas, salad and a homemade looking tartare sauce. I ordered the steak and kidney pie which came with chips . We both enjoyed the food very much. The pie was delicious and my partner couldn't rate his dinner enough. Definitely worth a visit
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I called in on August Bank Holiday to enquire whether or not the pub was participating in the ' eat out to help out' scheme. The guy behind the bar abruptly told me ' no' and that he didn't believe in the scheme .
I would normally have returned the compliment with an equal measure of attitude but I was a little taken aback and left feeling that I'd never go in there again.
I don't often write reviews - probably about 10 in total over the same number of years but a simple no, sorry, would have been suffice on this occasion rather than an opinion of the government's scheme.
I would normally have returned the compliment with an equal measure of attitude but I was a little taken aback and left feeling that I'd never go in there again.
I don't often write reviews - probably about 10 in total over the same number of years but a simple no, sorry, would have been suffice on this occasion rather than an opinion of the government's scheme.
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Date of stay: August 2020
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from robert bartram, Owner at The Red Lion
Responded Sep 10, 2020
what a completely pathetic review, we remember you came in pub we were busy and you did ask about the scheme and i told you we are not participating in the eotho as we dont believe in it. you left, in all spent a total of less than 30 seconds here. then you childishly write a pathetic review and give us a 1 score despite not eating here nor staying here. so thanks for the rating.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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"plenty of parking all around the area, this was a sunday afternoon so may be different during the week but i found a free 2hr bay "Read full review
"We arrived on a Sunday so was able to park out front . Not sure if you would have to use a car park any other time ."Read full review
"Park at the free Theatre Street parking and walk a short distance to the main street. The Red Lion is easy to identify."Read full review
PRICE RANGE
C$140 - C$207 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandEast AngliaNorfolkSwaffham
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Red Lion
Which popular attractions are close to The Red Lion?
Nearby attractions include Shabbytatt (0.1 km), Swaffham Museum (0.1 km), and St Peter & St Paul Church (0.1 km).
What are some of the property amenities at The Red Lion?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at The Red Lion?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at The Red Lion?
Yes, free parking and street parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Red Lion?
Conveniently located restaurants include Rasputin, Shelly's Bistro, and The Tea Pot Cafe.
Is The Red Lion located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.4 km away from the centre of Swaffham.
Are there any historical sites close to The Red Lion?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Castle Acre Castle (6.2 km).
Is The Red Lion accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.