[Earl of Portchester]

The Red Lion Hotel

The Red Lion Hotel has been welcoming guests since 1736, when it was first recorded as a coaching inn. As a substantial and well-found inn, the Red Lion saw plenty of custom not just from travellers on the Portsmouth-Southampton road but also from sea captains whose ships were being unloaded and turned round at the town's quay alike.
In 1891 the Hotel accommodation was discribed as well-arranged as to leaving nothing wished for, and provides Bar, Bar Parlour, Coffee, Commercial, Gaming and Billiard Rooms, 3 Private sitting Rooms, with 15 bedrooms, large Market Room 27ft. x 18ft. and County Ball Room 60ft x 23ft. in which has been held all the County Balls in this division for many years. In the large Posting Yard is a well established Tap with Cottage Residence, stabling for 30 Horses, commodious Coach House, a Range of Piggeries and Fowl Houses, &c. The Freehold includes extensive Vegetable Garden and Bowling Green.