Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-location">THE LOCATION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/The-White-Lion-exterior-5-1000x668.jpg" alt="The exterior of the White Lion, Radord Semele" class="wp-image-66280" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/The-White-Lion-exterior-5-1000x668.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/The-White-Lion-exterior-5-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/The-White-Lion-exterior-5-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/The-White-Lion-exterior-5-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/The-White-Lion-exterior-5-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The <a href="https://www.thewhitelionradfordsemele.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">White Lion</a> is the sort of place that feels like it&#8217;s been part of the landscape forever &#8211; and, to be fair, it has. Built in the 1700s and still sporting its original thatched roof and beamed ceilings, this cosy gastropub sits in the sleepy village of Radford Semele, where rolling views and peaceful footpaths make it feel a world away from nearby Leamington Spa. </p>



<p>It’s one of the newest additions to the Peach Pubs family who took over the site after the pandemic and thoughtfully restored it in 2022. The result? A warm, heritage-rich pub with low beams, snug corners, an expanded eatery and a covered, secluded garden that’s a dream in summer. The team also lean into village life with seasonal events, from scarecrow festivals to Saturday dog walks, giving the place a genuine community buzz.</p>



<p>Food-wise, it’s all hearty, traditional and properly British. The menu is extensive — brunch, lunch, Sunday roasts and everything in between — with standouts like the beef and ale pie (highly recommend) and a classic fish and chips done exactly as it should be. Dessert is where the real danger lies: an impressive line-up ranging from classics to liquid puds (espresso martini, anyone?) and a “smidgen of cheese” option if you’re feeling delicate.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-23.jpg" alt="Welcome to the White Lion at Radford Semele" class="wp-image-66335" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-23.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-23-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-23-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-23-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-23-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>With Christmas looming, it’s the perfect excuse to treat yourself — and your favourite people — to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thewhitelionradfordsemele.co.uk/christmas-leamingtonspa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The White Lion’s festive menu</a>, available now until Wednesday 24 December. Go for two courses at £32.50 or make a proper occasion of it with three for £38.50.</p>



<p>Got little elves to entertain? The team is hosting<a href="https://www.thewhitelionradfordsemele.co.uk/whats-on-in-leamington-spa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;Breakfast with Santa</a>&nbsp;on Saturday 13 December, complete with a gift for every child to take home. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser and an easy win for festive parent points.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-24-1000x667.jpg" alt="Interiors of the White Lion, Radford Semele" class="wp-image-66338" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-24-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-24-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-24-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-24.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Ever watched&nbsp;<em>The Holiday</em>&nbsp;and secretly wished you could wander into one of those impossibly cosy pubs with Jude Law smouldering over a pint? Same. And while Jude was regrettably busy, The White Lion delivers those cottagecore-meets-modern life vibes in spades. You&#8217;re greeted by that unmistakeable &#8220;something&#8217;s roasting&#8221; perfume as you walk in, and the whole place wraps around you like a very stylish, very well-fed hug.</p>



<p>We were seated in the original building – <em>the snug</em> – in a booth with a window overlooking the fields and the church opposite. It was tipping it down outside (classic), but inside felt serene, warm and suprisingly spacious. Even with a full dining room it still had that gentle low-hum atmosphere that lets you fully exhale. </p>



<p>The décor leans delightfully quirky: patterned armchairs, cheeky slogan artwork and a couple of log fireplaces dotted around for maximum cosy points. Come winter you&#8217;ll struggle to leave. Outside there&#8217;s a large,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thewhitelionradfordsemele.co.uk/outdoor-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">secluded garden</a> with covered areas you can book, plus benches for spontaneous drop-ins. They even wheel out heaters and blankets when the temperature dips, making al fresco dining feel like an option rather than a test of character.</p>



<p>Service is exactly the way you&#8217;d want it in a place like this — friendly, unfussy and properly attentive. We were checked on just enough to feel looked after (topped up drinks, the odd recommendation), but never rushed. The whole thing has that relaxed confidence of a pub that knows it’s doing things right.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-25-1000x667.jpg" alt="Main courses at The White Lion, Radford Semele" class="wp-image-66341" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-25-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-25-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-25-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-25.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It’s all about the good stuff here &#8211; proper comfort food with enough choice to make even the most decisive diner wobble. It was one of those damp, grey, please-send-help British afternoons when we arrived, so naturally we went straight for dishes that would warm us from the inside out. Our server appeared with the daily specials board — an actual moveable chalkboard that gets plonked beside your table until you’ve made up your mind. A tiny touch, but honestly? A delight. No more wandering back and forth trying to remember whether it was pork belly or lamb shoulder you were eyeing up.</p>



<p>The drinks menu is <em>vast</em>, in a very pleasing way: a big, thoughtful wine list and cocktails that run from spritzes to signatures to mocktails. We went saintly with  two mocktails &#8211; the apple martini and the passionfruit spritz, both fruity, crisp and beautifully presented. If I hadn’t been driving, the Hugo spritz would&#8217;ve been my first stop, you don&#8217;t often see those gracing a village pub menu.</p>



<p>With Christmas approaching, there was really only one possible starter: a gooey camembert. This one arrived crowned with a cranberry-and-herb crumb, perfectly molten, and accompanied by warm, soft bread and a glossy onion marmalade. The portion of bread was surprisingly generous &#8211; easily shareable between four if you&#8217;re the restrained sort (we&#8217;re not). </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-27.jpg" alt="Camembert Starter at The White Lion, Radford Semele" class="wp-image-66344" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-27.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-27-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-27-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-27-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-27-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The White Lion specialises in classic pub dishes, but they take it to the next level &#8211; all the tradition, none of stodginess. I&#8217;d had my heart set on the beef wellington (a special that had just been snapped up), so I pivoted to the beef and ale pie, a house favourite. Jam-packed with tender, shredded beef and intensely savoury gravy, it came with indulgent buttery mash and greens &#8211; pure cold weather bliss. We also couldn’t say no to one of their specials for the day:  braised Cornish lamb shoulder. A beauty. Rich, minimal fat, and falling apart with nothing but a fork. It was served alongside roasted butternut squash, spinach and a lively mint jus. If we&#8217;re being picky, a couple of crispy roasties would&#8217;ve nudged it into full-on, eyes closed bliss. </p>



<p>At this point, I was already contemplating unbuttoning my jeans, but you can&#8217;t come to the White Lion and skip dessert. The standout? A tiramisu special. Light but rich (yes, it&#8217;s possible), with coffee sauce giving it just the right kick and topped with enough chocolate shavings – sorry, chunks &#8211; to make every other tiramisu feel underdressed.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-29-1000x667.jpg" alt="Dessert at The White Lion, Radford Semele" class="wp-image-66357" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-29-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-29-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-29-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-29.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kid-friendly">KID-FRIENDLY</h2>



<p>Children are genuinely well looked after here, with all the crowd pleasers you&#8217;d expect plus the option of half portions from the main menu for any junior foodies in training. There&#8217;s no play area &#8211; and it’s not the sort of restaurant where you’d want little ones tearing around anyway &#8211; but there&#8217;s plenty of room for pushchairs and highchairs, and the accessible loo has baby-changing facilities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly">DOG FRIENDLY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-28-1000x667.jpg" alt="Outdoor dining area of The White Lion, Radford Semele" class="wp-image-66347" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-28-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-28-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-28-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-design-28.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Four legged companions are very welcome in the bar and outdoor dining areas, where there&#8217;s plenty of space to stretch out after a long walk. The teams are wonderfully accommodating of furry friends, there&#8217;s even an outdoor tap for refills and a bin on hand for any inevitable doggy duties. Pooches aren’t allowed in the main restaurant, but they’ll be perfectly content in the dog-friendly zones.</p>



<p>They also run popular pub dog walks on Saturday mornings &#8211; totally free and a big hit with locals. The route loops back to the pub, where you can reward yourself with a coffee and something tasty. Honestly, there aren&#8217;t many better ways to start your weekend.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accessibility">ACCESSIBILITY</h2>



<p>The main restaurant area is generally accessible, with disabled parking and an accessible loo (just ask a team member to unlock it). Some parts of the pub &#8211; like the snug in the original thatched building &#8211; aren&#8217;t step-free, but most of the dining space is easy to navigate. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<p>Radford Semele is a dinky, quietly charming village, so the main attractions tend to be the ones nature provides &#8211; and the community events The White Lion puts on itself. You&#8217;ve got easy access to local footpaths, the field and Parish Church of Saint Nicholas just across the way, plus canals and the River Leam for a proper countryside stroll.</p>



<p>If you fancy more bustle, Leamington Spa is only a short drive away and packed with options: independent shops, cafés, restaurants, and a sprinkle of Regency elegance. Prefer greenery? Stroll through Jephson Gardens or head out to Leam Valley Nature Reserve for a wildlife fix. And for history lovers (or anyone trying to tire out the kids), <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenilworth-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kenilworth Castle</a>&nbsp;is an absolute must-visit. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-400-x-600-px.jpg" alt="The specials board at The White Lion, Radford Semele" class="wp-image-66324" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-400-x-600-px.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-400-x-600-px-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-400-x-600-px-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-400-x-600-px-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/11/Untitled-400-x-600-px-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Good for:&nbsp;</strong>Families and foodies who love hearty, traditional, home-style cooking will feel right at home here. It&#8217;s also spot on for a relaxed date night or a well-earned Sunday roast after a long stomp across the fields. Friendship groups are well catered for too &#8211; especially if you&#8217;re after drinks and nibbles in the secluded garden, which is glorious in summer and kept cosy with heaters and blankets come winter.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong>&nbsp;Those after quick, cheap pub grub. The food here is made with the <em>good stuff</em>, and while it&#8217;s a little pricier, the quality speaks for itself. </p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong>&nbsp;Nibbles start at £4.95; starters from £7.75; and mains run from £15.50 to £34.50 (with some showstoppers on the specials board nudging £40+). Desserts begin at £7.50 for Jude&#8217;s Ice Cream &amp; Sorbet and go<strong>&nbsp;</strong>up to £9.75, with an artisan cheese menu from £5.50. There are also dedicated menus for Sunday roasts, brunch and little ones.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.thewhitelionradfordsemele.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The White Lion in Radford Semele</a>, 60 Southam Rd, Radford Semele, Leamington Spa CV31 1TE</em></p>



<p><strong>Words by Sarah Best</strong></p>


Review: The White Lion, Radford Semele

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