The Lion at Ickleton

17/06/2026

We’re absolutely thrilled to share that we’ve been named Cambridgeshire Pub of the Year at the 2026.

Less than a year since reopening as a community owned free house, this is a really big moment for us. It's a testament to the love, hard work and sheer determination that has gone into saving The Lion at Ickleton and bringing it back to life.

There are far too many people to thank individually (and we’d be here until next year), but you all know who you are. Big love. We genuinely couldn’t have done this without you.

A special shout out goes to Plunkett UK and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority for helping us to get going with our campaign, as well as to Pippa Heylings and our county and district councillor Peter McDonald, who believed in the project and supported us right from the very beginning.

This award isn’t just for all the hard work that went into renovating the building, or the fabulous food made with love by our chefs, or the friendly service by our lovely front of house team or even the great beer we source from a range of fantastic local breweries.

It’s also for all of you who showed up, chipped in, fundraised, volunteered, shared posts, planted pots, or simply bought a pint and cheered us on.

The Lion is so much more than a pub to us. Isn't it wonderful that other people think the same.

Thank you ❤️



https://www.nationalpubandbarawards.co.uk/find-your-local-2026

16/06/2026

It seems the sun has finally got the memo and is planning to make an appearance this Friday... which is rather convenient, because we're bringing a little bit of Spain to The Lion at Ickleton

Just to say, this is very much a “blink and you’ll miss it” kind of evening - not one of our regulars.

Our guest chef Guillermo’s paella is a labour of love. It takes time, care and preparation, which is why we’re asking everyone to book-ahead - it helps us massively with planning. There might be a couple of spaces on the night, but we can’t promise anything once the sangria starts flowing.

Arrive early, grab a drink, nibble on some tapas in the garden, and watch the magic happen as the paella comes together.

Think of it as a trip to Spain, just without the 4am alarm, the airport queues, the lost luggage, the sunburn, or the argument over who's got the boarding passes.

We're not saying you'll regret missing it...
..but you may well find yourself looking at the photos on Saturday wishing you'd booked a table.

Azahar Spanish Food

16/06/2026

This week, sees Little Bangkok Thai street food Van rolling into The Lion, serving up their amazing Thai street food cooked fresh to order.

Our guest ales today: Jarrylo from Buntingford Brewery, Mango Gelato from Adnams and Mexican Lager from Wylde Sky Brewing

So whether you're after a crisp pint, a pad thai, or both, we've got you covered.

No cooking. No washing up. Just good food, good beer and a sunny spot in the garden.

Food served from 5 - 8 pm. See you there.

16/06/2026

🎬🎵 Movie & Music Quiz Night 🎵🎬

Resident quizmaster and all-round good chap Andy has been busy putting together a Movie & Music Quiz.

We're helping to raise money for a new zipwire at the playground, so every answer, guess, and wild stab in the dark supports a good cause. The aim is simple: give local children more opportunities to fly through the air at alarming speeds and fewer reasons to sit indoors staring at a screen.

Teams of up to 6. Bonnefirebox Wood-fired pizza available. Bar open. No specialist knowledge required, although remembering who sang what and who starred in that film with the thing in it may help.

Come for the quiz. The children get a zipwire, the winners get glory, and everyone else gets pizza. What's not to love? ❤️

15/06/2026

Looking forward to seeing you guys again tomorrow night!

Thai food

15/06/2026

David is taking a well-earned break this week and we miss him already! Thankfully, we've got some brilliant guest chefs and friends helping out while he's away, so you'll be well fed until he's back on Saturday!

Monday – Open from 4pm. Ocean Tree are back Village Hall with their yummy fish & chips. Pick up your supper and bring it into the pub to enjoy with a pint. We've got some cracking guest ales on this week - Single Hop Jarrylo from Buntingford Brewery and Mango Gelato from Adnams

Tuesday – Food Truck Tuesday - THE LITTLE BANGKOK returns with their brilliant Thai street food, serving from 5–8pm.

Wednesday – We're excited to taste Brohmon's Indian set menu. We are now full for advance bookings (thank you!), but we'll do our best to squeeze you in on the night if space allows.

Thursday – The lovely Andy has put together a special Movie & Music Quiz to help raise funds for a new village zipwire. Expect a few curveballs... and possibly a few arguments over answers. Bonnefirebox will be keeping everyone fuelled with their delicious wood-fired pizzas.

Friday – If the weather forecast is telling the truth, it'll be a perfect evening for sangria, tapas and paella from Azahar Spanish Food. Unlike a packet of crisps, paella can't just be pulled off a shelf at the last minute. It's made from scratch, cooked slowly and crafted with love, so please book ahead if you'd like some.

Saturday – David will be back refreshed and recharged! Come and check out his weekend specials.

Sunday is Father's Day! Tables are disappearing faster than the roast potatoes, so don't leave it too late to book. Bring Dad, Grandad, Stepdad, or any father figure you'd like to celebrate, and we'll treat them to a free pint or glass of wine. Seems only fair after all those years of DIY advice (and questionable jokes).

And before anyone asks - yes, we're still serving lunch!

Not too shabby for a week when the chef's away.

13/06/2026

🌧️ Sick of the weather but can’t get on a flight to Spain? 🇪🇸✈️

Let us bring Spain to you!

Join us on Thursday 19th June from 7pm for a fantastic Spanish Night featuring authentic tapas, sangria, freshly cooked paella by Azahar and great company.

🍷 Spanish Sangria
🥘 Authentic Paella
🍽️ Tapas
🎉 A taste of Spain right here at The Lion

📍 Booking required
📞 Reserve your table now – spaces are limited!

FoodieEvents

13/06/2026

Our Lion Cafe is open every two weeks and is run by a lovely group of volunteers ❤️

Today we have Apple and Martin on coffees, and Lizzie, Apple, Penny, Chloe, Sarah and Rachel dishing out homemade lemon drizzle, banana bread, choc chip cookies and GF Orange and Almond Cake.

Only available 10 - 12pm today! Come and scoff them while you can 🍰🥮

12/06/2026

Not that anyone really needs an excuse for a gin and tonic, but seeing as it's officially World Gin Day...

Why not come and celebrate with us and enjoy one of the fantastic local gins we offer

And if one day of gin appreciation simply isn't enough, ask about our new Gin Club - a monthly excuse to get together, have a chat, and occasionally pretend we're discussing the botanicals 😉

Cheers! 🍸

11/06/2026

This ❤️

Things that only happen in a British pub.

— A complete stranger buys you a drink because you looked like you needed one.

— You go in for one. You leave three hours later having solved most of the world's problems and made two new friends.

— The landlord remembers what you drink before you reach the bar. Every single time.

— A first date that was supposed to last an hour turns into the best night of both your lives.

— Someone tells a story at a wake and the whole room laughs and cries at exactly the same moment.

— The argument about the offside rule goes on for forty five minutes and nobody changes their mind but everyone enjoys it.

— You walk in not knowing anyone and walk out knowing the regulars' names, their jobs, their opinions on the local planning application, and the name of their dog.

— A retirement speech that starts with three sentences and ends forty minutes later with a standing ovation.

— The quiet Tuesday night that somehow becomes the best night of the year.

— Someone who has been coming in every Friday for twenty years gets their usual without asking. And feels, in that moment, completely at home.

— A table of strangers united by a single penalty shootout into something that feels briefly like a community.

— The last round that everyone agreed was definitely the last round forty five minutes ago.

— The person who lives alone having somewhere to be on a Wednesday evening that is not their sofa.

— A conversation that changes how you think about something. Started by a person you had never met before and will probably never see again.

— The door opening on a cold night and the warmth of the room reaching you before you have even stepped inside.


None of that happens on a sofa with a four pack.
None of it can be delivered to your door.

Two pubs are closing every day in 2026. Every one of them takes a list like this with it.
The British pub is worth fighting for not because it is a heritage asset or a line on an industry report.
It is worth fighting for because nowhere else on earth does what it does.


Tag someone who has shared one of these moments with you in a pub.
And tell us in the comments — which one hit closest to home?