This is a very popular 'Olde Worlde' pub, with low beamed ceilings, real ale and cosy fires. (It's also the perfect place from which to watch the Annual Shoreham Air Show).
The Red Lion is situated in what was once the pre-Norman heart of Shoreham, before the port and town moved nearer the sea ('New Shoreham') in the 12th century. The river lies just a few yards away on the other side of the road, as does the original wooden Shoreham Toll Bridge, which dates from 1781 and is now a listed monument. However, what could be an idyllic spot is rather marred by the busy road junction in front of the pub and the noise of distant traffic on the new A27.
The pub itself dates from the 16th century, and the old part has beams so low that anyone over 5ft 7in is going to have to get used to having to duck. There are two bar areas, a further room and two very cosy booths which sit four people (just about - you'll be very good friends by the end if you weren't at the start) alongside a passage off the main bar. There's an outdoor area at the front, which is fine if you don't mind the passing traffic.
They serve a range of up to 5 real ales, which on my visit included two local brews, Adur brewery's 'Velocity', W J King & Co's Horsham Best Bitter, as well as Shepherd Neames' Kent Bitter. They have an extensive food menu of traditional pub grub, with a very wide range of starters, with grills, traditional meat and fish dishes, and salads. Vegetarians are less well catered for in the standard menu when it comes to main courses, although for £10 they sometimes do a mezze of starters which might suit two people.
The pub attracts a wide range of visitors, especially at lunchtimes and weekends, but on quieter weekday and Sunday evenings it tends to attract mainly locals. The only downer for me was that the staff were a bit distracted on my visit - more interested in texting than serving.
There's a small car park at the side (access from the rear) and the bus stop for the hourly 2A Shoreham-Steyning bus is located opposite the Amsterdam pub on the other side of the roundabout. The return stop is literally in front of the pub. read more