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The Lion Hotel
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Avg. £90 /night, 2/18 - 2/19
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About
#2 of 2 hotels in Buckden
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Welcome to The Lion at Buckden, Cambridgeshire, one of the oldest coaching inns in England. Dating back to 1492, we continue to retain much of our wonderful charm, character and atmosphere. Whether you are looking for a quiet drink with friends, a Sunday lunch with the family or a place to rest weary legs we would be delighted to see you. You can rest assured your time at The Lion, however long, will be very enjoyable. Located in the heart of Cambridgeshire, Buckden is a small village just off the A1 giving you excellent access to London and The North not to mention all the local places of interest including the historic Buckden Towers. If you are dining or staying with us, we recommend a reservation however this is not a requirement so please feel free to drop in at any time for a bite to eat, a place to stay or just a refreshing drink.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Bar / lounge
Bowling offsite
Tennis court offsite
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
Dry cleaning
Street parking
Wifi
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Kids' meals
Walking tours
Outdoor furniture
Ironing service
Room features
Housekeeping
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Business
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
English
Location
High Street, Buckden PE19 5XA England
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 46 out of 100
46
167 Restaurants
within 5 miles
ReviewsWe perform checks on reviews.Tripadvisor’s approach to reviewsBefore posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
Traveller rating
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Detailed Reviews
We stayed for 2 nights and had a meal both nights. The meals were great and the price came in under £50 for two people, two courses and drinks. I'd recommend the 2 course set menu.
The restaurant was busy with 2 big groups and lots of couples.
We looked at other restaurants in the area and could've spent £140 for a 2 course meal, but it didn't suit us.
The hotel is great and is within 5 minutes from the A1. The staff all work hard and are only too happy to help, bringing drinks to the table and organising dinner.
The room is clean and tidy and spacious.
They have parking at the back. All in all a nice hotel, with hard working staff and a great place to stay.
The restaurant was busy with 2 big groups and lots of couples.
We looked at other restaurants in the area and could've spent £140 for a 2 course meal, but it didn't suit us.
The hotel is great and is within 5 minutes from the A1. The staff all work hard and are only too happy to help, bringing drinks to the table and organising dinner.
The room is clean and tidy and spacious.
They have parking at the back. All in all a nice hotel, with hard working staff and a great place to stay.
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here because of the history - built in 1492!!!! Can you imagine the people who had stayed here or had a drink in the pub? Catherine of Aragon (as well as Henry VIII and Catherine Howard) stayed right net door at Buckden Palace! Suba, the owner, couldn't have been sweeter! She sent up a breakfast on a day I was ill and was always so welcoming and interesting to talk to! It is close to the A1 and has many interesting places within walking distance. The rooms were nice and large and we were able to "spread out" and relax.
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: You must love old historic places! I loved where so may people have stayed!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Lion Lion, Owner at The Lion Hotel
Responded 22 Jul 2024
Thank you for taking time to write the review and supporting us.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed at the Lion Hotel for one night as we were attending a funeral. The hotel is having some exterior work done so there is scaffolding all around it but that did not bother us at all. The staff were very friendly and helpful. We stayed in a ground floor room and there was an unusual smell, guessing it was to do with a damp issue. There was a small dehumidifier plugged in. The bedroom and bathroom were extremely clean. The food both dinner and breakfast was delicious. The Lion hotel has a rustic charm. We wouldn’t hesitate to stay there again.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Avoid this hotel at all cost !!!!
This place needs condemned and the owners need lessons in customer service !!
The hotels smells of damp there are health and safety issues for sure and when brought to the owner’s attention we were told to get out the hotel at 1am - we booked through booking.com for a good job as they wouldn’t refund but booking.com did as we left the hotel.
Pay a little extra and stay across the road at the George Hotel.
This place needs condemned and the owners need lessons in customer service !!
The hotels smells of damp there are health and safety issues for sure and when brought to the owner’s attention we were told to get out the hotel at 1am - we booked through booking.com for a good job as they wouldn’t refund but booking.com did as we left the hotel.
Pay a little extra and stay across the road at the George Hotel.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandra Johson, Owner at The Lion Hotel
Responded 16 Sept 2024
This is a false review. This person checked in at 4 pm then by 10.45pm she send us a message on booking.com saying that she worried and dont want to stay at our hotel as she thinks our fire alarm doesn't work and there is a sock on it. We told her we are not aware of any sock on it and she is worried about her safety so we said we will come and check for you. she refused and said she is in inappropriate clothes and dont want anyone to come in. We also explained her our fire alarm is working fine and they checked and maintained properly. She refuse to believe and said she is concerned about her safety. We told in that case we can cancel your booking and offer you a full refund and you will be able to find somewhere else comfortable. Until 11.30pm she she didn't want to leave, Then by 12.30/1am she said she wants to leave and she wants us to give cash refund but we told her your payment is made through booking.com and we have to do you through booking.com. But She insisted that she want cash. she also said she also kept messaging from our room to our booking portal that she wants to leave but she wanted cash. Then she posted some pictures on her social without sock on the smoke alarm. so she is clearly lied and I think she also tried to put sock on it as we could see she moved things around in the room. We have complained to booking.com so that this customer doesn't do similar things to other hotel to get refund or try to cause issues.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We visited this restaurant for Sunday lunch and the food, after waiting over 30 minutes, was cold and poorly cooked.
We were regular customers before the new owners began to run the place but never ever again.
We complained st the time but our concerns fell on deaf ears. To add insult to injury, when we were offered the bill we were informed the complimentary chocolates had been eaten so would we like a Polo mint!
We were regular customers before the new owners began to run the place but never ever again.
We complained st the time but our concerns fell on deaf ears. To add insult to injury, when we were offered the bill we were informed the complimentary chocolates had been eaten so would we like a Polo mint!
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Date of stay: March 2023
Location
Service
Room Tip: Go elsewhere
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dont waste your money ! Awful place to stay!!!!!!
Looked inviting but it was bloody freezing!
The Staff were great 🙏
Room-comfy bed, clean sheets but freezing cold. Had to get a heater because radiators were off.
Bathroom- Clean but no hot water.
Food- Breakfast offered way too late.so cannot comment
Dinner was awful sack the chef he cannot cook. We stayed 3 nights,l 2 were awful. 1 was ok Burger and chips was edible.
Beer was awful but got better.
The staff are the only credit to this place. Well done girls.
It is not a hotel! Owners need to bring this back to what it advertises and its previous well respected life or shut down. Rip off !
Disgraceful !!! Very disappointing!!!!
Looked inviting but it was bloody freezing!
The Staff were great 🙏
Room-comfy bed, clean sheets but freezing cold. Had to get a heater because radiators were off.
Bathroom- Clean but no hot water.
Food- Breakfast offered way too late.so cannot comment
Dinner was awful sack the chef he cannot cook. We stayed 3 nights,l 2 were awful. 1 was ok Burger and chips was edible.
Beer was awful but got better.
The staff are the only credit to this place. Well done girls.
It is not a hotel! Owners need to bring this back to what it advertises and its previous well respected life or shut down. Rip off !
Disgraceful !!! Very disappointing!!!!
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled on business
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Go somewhere else
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
An absolutely grim experience, booked in for two nights, left after one. Room tired, housekeeping shoddy, bar with sticky tables and floors, I can’t even bring myself to describe breakfast. How this can be described as a hotel is beyond me, I’m assuming none of the owners or staff have ever stayed in a hotel. Best just to avoid.
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Go across the road to The George
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Old and tired but cheap and cheerful enough. Breakfast wasn’t available due to the waitress doing “ the school run” 🤷🏻♂️
Evening meal was ok and the staff were friendly enough but the lack of breakfast put a cloud over it.
How can a manager let staff go off for an hour between 8 and 9 am when there’s no one else to serve breakfast?
Evening meal was ok and the staff were friendly enough but the lack of breakfast put a cloud over it.
How can a manager let staff go off for an hour between 8 and 9 am when there’s no one else to serve breakfast?
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandra Johson, Owner at The Lion Hotel
Responded 26 Sept 2024
Dear Neil Sorry for your disappointment. We do server breakfast from 7am - 8.15am and then from 8.45 to 9.30 /10am . We do not serve breakfast between 8.15 to 8.45am. Unless they book for that particular time we do it for them. All the breakfasts are booked in advance the night before and paid for it. We usually take payment for breakfast and book them for the time they wanted the night before. Sorry if there was any misunderstanding. Thank you and hope you understand.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The Lion Hotel, newly refurbished, proved a great choice when attending a local event. The room was simple but comfortable, the pub itself, for both food and drink, was a real surprise, far better than I expected it would be. Staff are really friendly and very professional, food is excellent, the wine list a bargain and the service superb, especially at breakfast, which incidentally will keep you going all day!
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Date of stay: March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Went for Sunday lunch with the family. It was very quiet but the location is charming, the waiting staff were lovely and the food was decent. Children’s meals were a sensible size. There is a choice of a small roast, which is perfect for someone with a smaller appetite and the desserts were delicious.
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Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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"Room 21 is a twin with tiny shower room and very noisy electric toilet. Room 2 has a queen size double and good sized bathroom with bath."Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
£86 - £89 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandCambridgeshireBuckden
NUMBER OF ROOMS
14
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingTHE LION HOTEL - Updated 2025 Reviews, Photos & Prices
Frequently Asked Questions about The Lion Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to The Lion Hotel?
Nearby attractions include The Escape House (4.7 miles), Paxton Pits Nature Reserve (3.1 miles), and The Cromwell Museum (3.9 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at The Lion Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at The Lion Hotel?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at The Lion Hotel?
Yes, free parking and street parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Lion Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Rose and Mango, The Bell, and Olive Naturally Indian St Neots Branch.
Is The Lion Hotel located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.2 miles away from the centre of Buckden.
Are there any historical sites close to The Lion Hotel?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Island Hall (3.8 miles), St Peter's Church (3.8 miles), and RAF Kimbolton War Memorial (4.5 miles).
Is The Lion Hotel accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.