The story
The Red Lion in Peterborough operates as a modern gastropub where Frazer and Emma take over the kitchen each morning. They opened the doors in West Deeping during April 2021 after ten years of planning and a return to their Lincolnshire roots. Frazer brings fifteen years of professional experience, having trained under Mark Hix in London and led teams across Norfolk and Cambridge. That background shapes a straightforward approach to pub cooking, sourcing directly from regional farms to secure a two-AA-rosette rating.
The structure itself anchors the village life it serves, with records tracing its role as an inn back to 1632 and a stone facade dated 1795. Visitors can still spot the charred timber beam above the main hearth, a quiet reminder of fires past. Emma manages the front of house while drawing on her theatre production background to keep service calm and attentive. The space feels comfortably lived-in rather than staged, with a small retail corner displaying local goods alongside the bar.
Daily menus rotate around what arrives fresh from nearby producers, including a Grasmere Farm sausage crafted exclusively for the venue and draft beer brewed with Hopshackle Brewery. Sunday roasts anchor the weekend schedule, while weekday evenings feature curated tasting experiences like their vegan wine pairings. Emma’s recently completed WSET Level 1 training guides a carefully selected cellar that matches lighter vegetables with richer cuts. Guests order from chalkboard lists that shift weekly, ensuring every visit to this village gastropub reflects the current harvest rather than a static catalogue.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
Location
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