NESTLED on the edge of Delamere Forest and overlooked by Kelsall Hill, Ashton Hayes is a small village eight miles east of Chester, set amid the beauty of the Cheshire countryside.
At its heart, standing proudly in a commanding position, is The Golden Lion, a historic pub woven into the fabric of village life.
Believed to be more than 300 years old, the building began life as a farmhouse and is now the sole survivor of the village’s three original inns. In the 1990s, it was an award-winning local favourite, fondly remembered by many for its resident cats, Whisky and Soda.
In 2013, the doors of the Golden Lion closed and the once-vibrant pub fell silent.
Deemed financially unviable, it stood shuttered for 12 long years, shadowed by the threat of demolition, a bleak prospect in Ashton Hayes, where community spirit is the lifeblood of daily life.
But if this village has proved anything, it is that it does not accept defeat lightly. When the last remaining shop and post office were under threat, residents refused to let them vanish. They rallied, organised and secured both for the future.
Today, the shop and post office are proudly community-owned, sustained by a committed team of local volunteers – a testament to what collective determination can achieve.
That same forward-thinking spirit has shaped the village’s wider ambitions. As far back as 2005, long before 'net zero' became part of everyday conversation, Ashton Hayes was already taking climate action. Now, its 1,000 residents have reduced carbon emissions by 40 per cent and are well on their way to becoming the UK’s first carbon-neutral community.
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In a village defined by bold thinking, fierce determination and the power of collective action, the story of the Golden Lion was never destined to fade quietly into the past.
In the summer of 2016, when it seemed the Golden Lion might be lost for good, a determined group of residents stepped in. Forming the Golden Lion Working Group, they approached the parish council with an ambitious plan to bring their historic pub back as a community-owned venture. With support from the Plunkett Foundation, that vision began to take shape.
By 2017, Ashton Hayes Community Hub had been established as a Community Benefit Society, ensuring the pub would be owned by, and run for, the village. After standing empty and derelict for so long, the building was finally purchased in June 2024, helped by a £360,000 grant from the UK Community Ownership Fund.
True to the village’s wider ambition to lead on sustainability, alongside reviving original features and sensitively modernising the interiors, solar panels were installed in the car park.
With a final push from community shareholders, the transformation was complete. In April 2025, experienced publican Lance Warburton was appointed tenant, bringing professional management to the pub while safeguarding its role as a hub for village life.
Born in Altrincham, Lance has more than 35 years’ experience as a licensed publican and a strong reputation across Cheshire. Alongside the Golden Lion, he continues to run the highly regarded Thwaites pub, the Ship Inn, in nearby Handbridge. Lance's son Michael , and Charlotte Garner look after the Golden Lion on a day-to-day basis, along with the front-of-house team.
The inn officially reopened on August 27, 2025, as members of Ashton Hayes Community Hub joined Lance to welcome customers. More than 100 guests attended the launch, with the Sheriff of Chester, Simon Eardley, cutting the ribbon. Anticipation was so high that Granada Reports covered the event live and footage is available on YouTube. The excitement continued throughout the first weekend, with more than 350 meals served to eager diners.
I sat down with Lance at the pub and spoke with Hugo Deynem, chair of Ashton Hayes Community Hub, both of whom were eager to share why the Golden Lion’s re-opening is such a truly special story.
Lance explained why he couldn’t resist the opportunity to help shape the Golden Lion’s next chapter. 'I used to drive past and wonder how such a beautiful pub could stay closed for so long,' he said. 'In a village with only one pub, it should be at the heart of the community. When I heard they were looking for a tenant, I knew I had to step forward.'
Lance showed us a series of photographs revealing the state of the pub before renovations. In many, it looked beyond saving. Sitting there, surrounded by the beautifully restored interior and the original tables that had been in place since the pub closed, it was hard to believe it was the same building.
Lance spoke warmly about the hub’s remarkable persistence and determination throughout the project. 'Their efforts have already earned national recognition, finishing as runners-up in CAMRA’s National Pub Saving Award, which covers the entire UK,' he said. Much of the renovation work was undertaken by local volunteers. Professionals were brought in for the heavier jobs, some working at reduced rates because they were inspired by the story of the pub and wanted to help bring it back to life.
Hugo highlighted an unexpected bonus from the project: 'A huge outpouring of volunteer support for the refurbishment brought together locals with trade skills. Many of them have formed a village ‘team’ – if any other project in the village needs work, from new doors to general repairs, they’ll turn up at the drop of a hat. They didn’t know each other before, but now they’ve become the best of friends, which is lovely.'
Many of those involved continue to visit the pub regularly, and with more than 400 shareholders, including some from as far away as Canada, the Golden Lion enjoys strong support both locally and beyond.
Lance explained that the group always imagined the pub as more than just a place to grab a drink – a true hub for village life where everyone could gather. 'Just before Christmas, we welcomed children from Ashton Hayes Primary School for games and crafts, while the PTA has run quizzes to raise funds for the school,' he said. 'The pub also hosts monthly Women’s Institute meetings and parish council gatherings.' A local board game group is keen to make the pub their new home.
Lance explained that local football teams from Tarvin and Kelsall often head to the pub after matches. While it’s not a regular live-sport venue a TV is sometimes set up for major events, such as this year’s Six Nations. It will make a return for the World Cup, keeping the village connected to the action.
The Golden Lion is free of tie, giving Lance the freedom to showcase his favourite local breweries, a choice that perfectly reflects the pub’s community spirit.
Nearby Weetwood Brewery takes pride of place, with Lance praising its consistently fresh and flavourful beers. He also highlights favourites from Salopian Brewery and Mobberley Brewery.
On keg, the pub pours Staropramen, Prava, Madri, and Guinness. One standout is Alpacalypse from Salt Beer Factory, a 4.3% hazy session IPA crafted to rival popular citrus-forward beers such as Beavertown’s Neck Oil. For those seeking low- or no-alcohol options, Guinness Zero and Sandbach’s Bach 95, a local 0% keg beer, are also available. The pub has a well-curated wine list and an impressive selection of spirits.
Food is also at the heart of the offering, with a menu built around locally sourced ingredients and traditional, home-cooked favourites prepared to a consistently high standard. Tripadvisor reviewers give the pub an 'excellent' 4.9 rating. In the kitchen, experience counts: head chef Matt Arrowsmith has worked alongside Lance for 15 years, while fellow chef Ian Futcher brings a decade of collaboration to the pass. The two work interchangeably, creating a seamless partnership that keeps standards high and service running smoothly.
Alongside the main menu, weekend specials let the team showcase seasonal ingredients and creativity. Lance explains: 'The steak and ale pie is the runaway favourite, while lamb rump and king prawn linguine are also firm crowd-pleasers. Specials change weekly but always nod to tradition and the monkfish starter has become a firm favourite with regulars.
'What really sets the pub apart is its flexibility. As a fully independent establishment, the kitchen can tailor menus to suit its guests. If a party requests something specific – say, a duck main for a table of eight – the chefs will create a bespoke dish, often featuring it as a weekend special. This ability to cook almost anything for any occasion adds a personal touch that keeps diners coming back to see what’s next.'
The pub’s monthly quiz has become a firm fixture, regularly drawing more than 100 participants for an evening of good-natured rivalry and laughter. And it’s about more than bragging rights. Each £1 entry raises money for a local charity, with all prizes donated to that month’s cause. Recent beneficiaries have included the Samaritans and the North West Air Ambulance, with the charity chosen by the residents who host the quiz, adding a personal, community-driven touch.
Live music is also finding its place on the calendar. New Year’s Eve saw popular duo The Myers perform a mix of pop covers and soft rock ballads, leaving the pub buzzing and highlighting a growing appetite for entertainment.
In March, a cheese and wine evening showcased the newly launched wine list, pairing local cheeses from a Chester specialist with carefully selected wines, creating a relaxed and sociable celebration of regional produce.
The pub remains open to ideas from residents, actively encouraging feedback on events and entertainment to ensure it continues to reflect the community’s interests.
For Lance, running the pub carries deep meaning. His vision is simple but powerful: the Golden Lion isn’t just a place to eat and drink, but a true village space. 'It’s all about the community,' he says. 'People should feel a connection with the pub – that they can use it, celebrate in it, and see it as their own.'
Hugo echoed that sentiment, highlighting what makes the pub truly unique. With the hub holding the tenancy, the pub’s lease payments return directly to the community and any surplus is reinvested in other local projects. 'It’s something to consider when choosing where to eat,' he adds. 'Instead of going to the big chains, why not consider supporting a community pub where every pound helps the local area thrive?'
In saving the Golden Lion, the people of Ashton Hayes have done more than reopen a pub – they have reaffirmed who they are: a community that stands together, looks forward, and turns belief into lasting legacy.
Beers on offer
Cask
Weetwood Ales Cheshire Cat Blonde Ale 4.0% abv
Weetwood Ales Best Bitter 3.8% abv
Mobberley Bew House American Red Hoppy Red Ale 4.8% abv.
Keg
Guinness 4.2% abv
Alpacalypse Session IPA 4.3% abv
Sharps Atlantic Pale Ale 4.5% abv
Pravha 4.0% abv
Madri 4.6% abv
Staropramen 5.0% abv
Nearby pubs of note: The Goshawk in Mouldsworth and The Morris Dancer in Kelsall. Lance highly recommends The Bird in Hand in Guilden Sutton, a pub he once ran.
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