The Red Lion (Islip, Oxfordshire): A Brief History

The Grade II Listed Red Lion is situated on High Street in Islip, a few miles from Bicester, Oxfordshire. 

According to the British Listed Buildings website, the building was constructed circa the early 17th century, and extended during the 18th; however, another source claims that it could date back to as early as the 13th century. I cannot find any evidence to either confirm or deny this, but personally, I feel that the former is more plausible - although it may well have been built upon the foundations of an older structure. 

It was a popular watering hole in its heyday, when weary travellers frequenting the main road between Oxford and London - which passed through the village - would take refuge in the pub, which provided overnight accommodation, as well as plentiful home-brewed ale and hearty cooked meals.

In May 2005, archaeologists from TV's Time Team excavated the pub's car park, and unearthed a late Saxon/early Medieval ditch. It is surmised that this may have been used to denote field boundaries, or possibly to provide drainage around a cluster of 11 - 13th century dwellings, which were situated close by.

Some former landlords include:
1. Mr William Claridge - 1843.
2. Mr J. Whiteman - 1876.
3. Mr Steele - 1909.

Today, The Red Lion is the sole surviving public house in Islip, which once boasted at least 6 inns at one point - a considerable number for such a small village!

When the Oxford Canal was completed in 1790, the once-bustling village suffered a sudden stagnation, as it no longer benefitted from the same level of passing trade that it once had.

The pub was the site of many inquests over the years, such as the one held in November 1829, concerning the death of a Mr Smart, who had drank himself into a stupor in the establishment, and had subsequently died shortly afterwards. The doctor believed that his death had been caused by 'apoplexy' (a stroke) following a hefty binge-drinking session, and the jury were inclined to agree.

In 1880, another inquest was held, this time on view of the body of 25 year old gardener James Hall. Hall had hung himself in the kitchen of his employer Mrs Charlotte Riggerstaff's home, and it transpired that he'd been 'keeping company' with an unnamed girl for around 2 years, and had recently learned that she was now carrying another man's child, conceived whilst she was away working as a domestic servant in Abingdon. Distraught, James Hall had taken his own life as a result.

In 1892, the body of Islip grocer and shopkeeper William Walton, aged 45, was examined at The Red Lion; the cause was found to be epilepsy.

Above: The Red Lion in more modern times. Source: WhatPub.