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What a charmer this place is. The Black Lion describes itself as as 'iconic country pub', and though it's but a stone's throw from the roaring Great North Road, you can half believe that claim.

Set back from the river, it can't quite boast the Thames views of the nearby Old Ship, but it works its magic in other ways. The cosy, ye olde interior is a joy. I mean, just imagine snuggling into one of these armchairs beside a roaring winter fire.

Round the back, you'll find the pub's most famous feature: a bowling alley:

But if the inside is a real winner, then the beer garden is equally magical. Plenty of space to mop up the local custom, along with passing trade from wanderers on the Thames Path. The circular pit in the image below lights up with fire at night.

The beer choice is reasonable — four cask pumps selling local offerings — without being too showy. The food menu looks splendid, with plenty of options for veggies and vegans.
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Last updated October 2018.