Basford’s dog-friendly Lion
THE Lion in Basford is a fantastic venue and an even better place to take your dog for a pint. It has recently won the Dogfriendly Award for the best pub in the country.
Dogfriendly is a website that researches, reviews and lists the UK’S dog-friendly Places. For the
Lion to be voted the best Dog Friendly pub is a truly amazing achievement.
Inside the old Home Ales house, a Victorian building, I am greeting by a big fluffy, four-legged punter. A quick glance around and I can see more dogs sat happily with their owners. The bare brick walls of the décor are quite striking and, along with the dark wooden floors and plenty of seating, it still feels cosy despite it being quite spacious. An interesting feature is a well right inside the pub – look down and you can see into the cellar.
A large bar hosts a wide selection of beer, cask and keg. There’s ten handpulls with nine being guest beers. The cask always tries to have a more local selection. I myself had Nottingham’s Lenton Lane Brewery’s 5.2% Dark Chocolate Stout – good for Yule, rich and chocolatey with caramel notes. Of the seven keg lines, three are always from Derbyshire Brewery, Thornbridge. The other four are guests with the general rule being one stout/porter, one sour and two exciting and interesting beers. It shows that those at The Lion want to keep their finger on the pulse of what the craft beer scene has to offer. As for the nine traditional ciders, I had Pheasant Plucker by Broadoak in Somerset, a 4.5% full-bodied dry cider which reminded me of Pink Lady apples. I didn’t struggle to find my next drink but if I would have, the 30-plus craft cans available would have certainly piqued my interest.
One can’t visit The Lion and not be aching to use the beer garden, a large space with plenty of tables, decking and space for outdoor events. Come the summer, it is a marvellous sun trap. With a weekly pub quiz and regular live music, usually on a Friday and a Saturday, The Lion is quite the entertainment venue. There is plenty of space to enjoy music and still have some room in the back for those looking for a drink away from the action.
With free treats, a doggy menu, beds and toys for the dogs, it is no wonder that The Lion has won the best dog-friendly pub award. They have thought of everything to keep your pooch happy and welcome.