Red Lion

About

Situated on the fringes of Ashdown Forest, the Red Lion is popular with ramblers and families on a country day out. This friendly pub built in the 1800s has seen famous visitors from the past such as Prime Minister Harold Macmillan and President J F Kennedy relaxing in front of the log fire. Before you enter, note the two rather curious Great Dane statues that flank the front door.

But these days the focus is firmly on food. Having recently been taken over by Michelin star chef Mark Raffan and his wife Paula, the Red Lion has rediscovered its roar. Mark has over 30 years experience working in the most exclusive restaurants and hotels around the world, earning and holding a coveted Michelin Star for over a decade at Gravetye Manor Hotel. He trained under the tutelage of the famous Roux Brothers and acquired his skills whilst working at both Le Gavroche and the Waterside Inn. He was appointed Executive Chef in 1992 to His Majesty King Hussein I of Jordan and remained there for four years.

The smart contemporary dining room is a fitting place for Mark’s Michelin star-type dishes blended with the expectations of what is still very much a local pub. They pride themselves on the ability to prepare beautifully cooked fresh local produce, and at all times try to accommodate the customers’ requirements. Fresh fruit and vegetables are produced in the garden that stretches across extensive forest land. News of Mark at the helm here and the reputation of his cooking at a more affordable price is spreading far and wide.