Red Lion, Withington
| Red Lion | |
|---|---|
 The pub in 2011 | |
  Location within Greater Manchester | |
Alternative names | Red Lion Inn |
General information | |
| Type | Public house |
| Location | Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester, England |
| Coordinates | 53°25′52.8″N 2°13′44.5″W / 53.431333°N 2.229028°W |
| Year built | 17th century |
| Renovated | 20th century (added) c. 2022 (refurbished) |
| Owner | J.W. Lees |
| Design and construction | |
| Designations | |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
Official name | Red Lion Inn |
| Designated | 3 October 1974 |
| Reference no. | 1270511 |
| Website | |
| www | |
The Red Lion (officially listed as the Red Lion Inn) is a Grade II listed public house on Wilmslow Road in Withington, a suburb of Manchester, England. Dating from the 17th century, it is thought to be the oldest surviving building in the suburb, having begun as a farmhouse or possibly a small group of cottages before later operating as an inn. Its location on a long‑established route between Manchester and the south contributed to its early use as a meeting place for the Withington court leet and the trustees of the Wilmslow Road turnpike. The building was incorporated into the Withington conservation area in 1983. It has had various owners, including crown green bowls player Noel Burrows in the mid‑20th century, and was acquired by J.W. Lees in 2020 before reopening after refurbishment in 2022.
History
The Red Lion is thought to be the oldest surviving building in Withington.[1] According to its official listing, it dates from the 17th century and began as a farmhouse; another source suggests it may have been a small group of cottages,[1] before later functioning as an inn.[2] Its position on one of the main historic routes from Manchester to the south, turnpiked in 1753 and likely in use since the medieval period, indicates that it may have taken on that role at an early stage. The building also hosted meetings of the Withington court leet and gatherings of the trustees responsible for the Wilmslow Road turnpike.[3][4]
In the mid-20th century the pub was owned by the crown green bowls player Noel Burrows.[5]
On 3 October 1974, the Red Lion Inn was designated a Grade II listed building,[2] and in 1983 the site was included within the newly designated Withington conservation area.[1]
In February 2020 it changed ownership, transferring from long‑term operation under Marston's to the local brewery J.W. Lees.[6] It subsequently underwent refurbishment,[7] reopening in 2022 and receiving permission to serve alcohol from an additional bar in the beer garden,[8] which occupies the former bowling green.[6]
Architecture
The building is finished in white roughcast over brick and has a slate roof.[2] It has a long, single‑depth layout with later 20th‑century additions at the rear.[9] The front is two low storeys with six windows, and the ground floor has a sequence of doorways and windows arranged in the pattern w‑w‑d‑w‑w‑w‑d‑w.[2] The doorways have simple modern weatherboards, and there is a later 20th‑century toilet window at the right end.[2] All other windows on both floors are three‑light horizontal sliding sashes with small panes.[9]
Interior
Inside, the ceilings are low and supported by three roughly finished 17th‑century beams: a single cross‑beam in the southern room and two lengthwise beams in the central room.[2]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 Withington Conservation Area Appraisal (PDF) (Report). Manchester City Council. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Historic England. "Red Lion Inn (Grade II) (1270511)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
- ↑ "Withington history". Withington Civic Society. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
- ↑ History of Withington (1969). ASIN 0901598038.
- ↑ "Farewell to 'Mr Mild and Bitter'". Manchester Evening News. 26 May 2005. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Red Lion, Withington". Campaign for Real Ale. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ "The Return of the Red Lion Withington". Glossy Magazine. 13 April 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
- ↑ Timan, Joseph (1 August 2023). "Historic pub wins battle over beer garden – but there's a catch". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Red Lion Inn". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
External links
