The Lion, Debenham

A rare event: a country pub re-opening!

The Lion started life as a medieval brewhouse serving the neighbouring Guildhall and had been serving the community for over 500 years. It closed in the late 1990s.

Our journey through listed building consent and planning was not painless, but we got there in the end and the pub reopened in late 2023, with the first pints poured well ahead of the Christmas season.

In addition to getting the pub working functionally again (with new toilets and kitchen), we made improvements in terms of sustainability and energy use – wood rather than oil fuels most room-heating, reclaimed materials have been used for some of the new build elements as well as in repairs.

A second phase of work will provide bedroom accommodation.