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I am astonished to read the vitriolic comments of Miss G. in her letter of 20th July 2009. I understand the landlord, Bob, has been "in situ" for twenty two years, which proves his popularity. I have only been a resident of Biddenden for four months and have found Bob extremely pleasant, humorous, and his food fantastic. May he continue for many years as our local landlord.

Date visited: 16th March 2011

Review by Andrew Wobijck on 18th October, 2009

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the area is beuatiful thought the pub itself is Interesting and varied on what is esentially a no-choice knd of place. Our extended family stopped by as a meeting point as we'd come in from differnt parts of the country and immeditaley we felt like intruders in someone's house, there was a 'flavour' of locals and were party to some choice conversation about outsiders and we ket a tally on the number of right-wing opinons along with the number of drinks consumed. We ordered quickly and what came out from the kitchen was laughably large - in a quanitiy over quality way. The last of a dying breed preserved like a relic of what 'service' and what goes for 'atmoshphere' might have been like decades ago. It was an eye opening eperience to say the least!

Date visited: October 8th 2009

Review by gail poulton on 7th October, 2009

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We had Sunday lunch at the Red Lion, Biddenden and I have to say that it was the best Sunday lunch I have had in a pub. The food was delicious, beautifully cooked and with a good choice of vegetables. The roast potatoes were home cooked and just right. The pudding we chose, apple pie, was very tasty. We were immediately shown to a table and served within a very reasonable amount of time by the owner of the pub. We were not hurried or pushed to select a pudding and felt that the whole experience was extremely restful and relaxed. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Red Lion and will certainly visit again, even making a detour to do so.

Date visited: 4 October 2009

Review by Ian T Smith on 30th September, 2009

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I was staying at a Local bed and Breakfast (Bettenham). Mrs Edge, of Bettenham B&B, was very good and phoned ahead and booked a table for my family to go and eat at the pub, in the near by village. I must say i'm quite shocked to read the previous comments on this pub. We walked into this beautiful old village pub in the heart of the 17th century high street, there was a particular age and sence of authenticity to the place, definately not a 'gastro' type of pub, and most certainy not run down, but the sort of pub that made the local welcome, and the passing traveller comfortable, with a multitude of personalities! we were sat next to a Belgian couple staying at another local bed and breakfast. Bob (the Landlord) was stearn, but welcoming, we did feel a little like we were being guided to our seats by Basil Fawlty at first! but the jokes and bravado soon subsided and we felt very much like we had been welcomed into a pub that had a very homely and welcoming feel. Bob was certainly no Basil after all. He talked to us about the history of the pub, and asked us about where we were planning to go on our stay. The Food was Big and hearty! and very reasonably priced. I had the Lamb shank with Vegetables, my wife had a somerset chicken (from the butcher next door) and my two children had the home made beef lasagne, which was far too big for my eleven year old! All in all, this is a small Village pub, with a friendly and diverse group of locals, that seems to welcome travellers of all walks of life.

Date visited: Sat 10th Sept 2009

Review by Brian Ales on 7th September, 2009

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We came in from a long walk in the area on a break from the city. The food sounded lovely on the board but what we actually got looked like it had been sitting under heat lamps for a decade. Clientle of depressed-looking locals and a hostile attitude typical of the usual 'you're not from around here' kind. Beautiful area but shame about the people.

Date visited: 15th May 2009

Review by Miss G on 20th July, 2009

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we came across the pub whilst camping at the local campsite. As we were not locals, we were polite to the locals and the staff and had a couple of drinks at the back of the pub and had a game of pool and found the locals to be very friendly. When we decided to leave the pub and call a taxi company, we were advised there would be an hour wait, so we ordered 4 more drinks, only to be told by the landlord, Bob, that they were closed, even though it was clear enough to see, he was serving "the locals"! We were also advised that we would have to wait outside the pub on the benches for our taxi as "they were closed". In the end, a local offered us a lift and we walked out. One of the members of our party said to "Bob" "atleast some people here are friendly eh" Bob then decided to call us all back, shouting "what did you say?" and then told us to "f*** off" We walked out of the pub with the local who offered us a lift and then Bob came out of his pub shouting at the local not to give us a lift and to get back inside and that we can f*** off" A female member of our party went over to Bob to calm him down only to have Bobs finger in her face!In the end, we walked away and another local left The Red Lion to give us a lift and we were told by him that Bob has outstayed his welcome in the village and no body likes him!! So please do not give this pub any of your money, as the landlord does not deserve anybodies business!

Date visited: 18.7.09