3 The Street
High Roding
Essex
CM6 1NT
01371 872847
The Black Lion is a 15th century timber-framed pub which started life as a hall house probably owned by a gentleman farmer (photo 1). By the 18th century it had become a coaching inn which served the London to Norwich route. The olde world feel of the exterior is maintained inside with low beams and log fires in winter.
The pub was a favourite stop for me on Sunday cycle rides when I lived in the area and I remember drinking Ridley’s Bitter brought from the cask in the cellar. There is a greater range of beer now and it is still good enough for the Good Beer Guide, but handpumps have replaced the cellar service.
The lovely old open metal inn sign (photo 2) disappeared a few years ago sadly, but its large supporting frame is still there. Maybe it’s being refurbished somewhere and will eventually reappear!
The hayloft is apparently haunted by the ghost of a Roundhead soldier.
Booked days ahead for party of ten. Arrived at 12:30, last person received food at 14:05. Ridiculous. At no point were we warned of any delay, it was always “You’re a large group, we’re doing our best”. Well, if you can’t handler larger bookings, you shouldn’t accept them in the first place, not accept them and make people wait over an hour and a half. Given that it’s impossible for any competent kitchen to take that long, it’s pretty obvious that anyone in smaller groups arriving after us were put ahead of us in the queue. Disgraceful. Bar staff showed absolutely no sign of contrition: just kept implying it was our fault for being a large group.