Red Lion Totton

About Us

The Red Lion public house in Totton, Southampton (Hampshire) is more than just another pub. A culmination of three years extreme hard work by  owners, Roger & Jacqui Clapp to rid the venue of its once awful reputation has finally paid off.  The redesigning/refurbishment of the restaurant and live music  and stage area started the ball rolling.  Freshly made traditional food is served daily until 9pm with late snacks until 2am every Fri, Sat and Sun.   Sunday Carvery  is very popular with a choice of 3 meats, fresh vegetables and crispy roasties,  - for only £6.95 for adults, £4.95 for under 12’s and under 2s eat free.  This attracts both the families with children during the day, and then in the evening adults can sample a meal from our extensive menu then sit back and enjoy the live entertainment.  See our gig guide for more details of the national live bands appearing every Fri & Sat. Karaoke by the legendary Mike Dundas is very popular every Wed and Sun evening too.  Children are welcome every night til closing (if accompanied by over 18’s) except Fri and Sat, when 9pm is their bed time, so adults can finally relax and enjoy the entertainment.  Coupled with the pool table, darts, games machines it mixes the old style pub (with its winter log fires and traditional real ales), with simply the best entertainment programme in the area.

The Surroundings

The Red Lion must be one of the few pubs that is actually situated on the edge of a nature reserve, which has remained unspoilt, despite past plans for development. Indeed, the Southampton Natural History Society often meet at the Red Lion. The pub also boasts ownership of considerable land running alongside the reserve, and it's therefore possible for visitors to take a leisurely stroll along the reserve. Visitors will also find that they are just a very short drive from the excellent New Forest, which boasts beautiful scenery & villages, well known landmarks and historical sites and an abundance of forest wildlife and fauna.

The Garden & Children's Play

The garden has been extensively refurbished with a lovely large enclosed beer garden, a rose garden overlooking the nature reserve, patio and an exceptional children's play area  complete with bouncy assault course, ball pit, petanque pitch and football goals at the back..  An  ice cream/sweetie shack is also open during the summer months selling a wide range of ice cream, slush, cool drinks and lots of sweeties. 

As Roger and Jacqui have four young children of their own, they know about parents and children's’ needs. It's somewhere that's safe & fun, kids enjoy themselves and parents can relax. The pub was also runner up in the Pubs in Bloom competition in 2005, quite an achievement for their first attempt at the competition.  Their 2006 entry is already underway with stunning hanging baskets and flower arrangements completely covering the pub exterior and gardens.

Entertainment

Updateable gig guide for Fri and Sat live bands

Every Wed & Sun – Mike Dundas Karaoke

The legendary Mike Dundas has been with us since day 1.  With over 30 years experience in the business, there is no –one better and more professional to guarantee the best Karaoke in the South.  The fun starts at 8pm, get here early, and the children are welcome until closing.

In May 2006 the Red Lion held its first Live Music and Real Ale festival in the grounds.  With over 20 real ales, specially brewed ciders and lagers at £2 per pint served in the outside marquee, 12 bands over three days performing on a specially designed stage including top tribute bands Green Days, Peter Pod & Peas, Rufus Stone, Orange Street as well as top local covers bands, it was certainly a bank holiday weekend to remember.  Due to the exceptional  pre planning the whole event went off very smoothly, with absolutely no trouble at all.  The event was attended by over 2000 people during the three days, including families with young children who were also kept entertained within the enclosed play area, so the adults could relax and enjoy the day.  No one had a chance to go hungry either – with the pig roast, salad bar, burger van, jacket potato and traditional hot pot meals available, as well as ice cream, and sweeties, everyone was well fed and watered!!   Full coverage of the event was also broadcast live on the Saints radio station from the Red Lion – so even if people could not attend the event, they could still listen to all the action on the radio.

As you can see from the pictures in the gallery – everyone had a great weekend!!!

It was all such a success that the next one is already planned for next year – see the poster nearer the time – and will now be a bi annual event every May bank holiday weekend and late summer.  The entertainment for September was simply outstanding and we were all very excited about it.  Don’t miss it next year and get your tickets early.