The Golden Lion Inn

The Golden Lion Inn is a historic pub and events venue located on High Street in the village of Southwick, Hampshire, United Kingdom. The building dates back to Tudor times and retains a fireplace from around 1560. It is best known for its association with World War II: during the planning of the D-Day landings, it served as an unofficial officers' mess for Allied commanders, and both General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General Bernard Montgomery were frequent visitors. The pub sits in the heart of Southwick, a village that played a central role in Operation Overlord as the location of Southwick House, Eisenhower's headquarters. Today, the Golden Lion operates as a traditional English pub offering local beers, real ale, and award-winning food. It has a comfortable, homely atmosphere with log fires, warm furnishings, and bright spaces. The pub is open for inside and outside seating, with booking recommended. It is a family-run business that has been operated by the same family for over ten years, with industry experience spanning more than twenty years. The focus is on customer service, and the pub holds a TripAdvisor Hall of Fame certificate. The Golden Lion also serves as a versatile events venue. It specialises in functions including weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, wakes, and afternoon teas. Services range from BBQs and finger buffets to canapé receptions and forked sit-down meals. The pub's team handles all aspects of event planning, from menu design and room setup to cooking, serving, and staffing. Food is made on-site by hand to order, and the pub prides itself on sourcing ingredients locally and seasonally. The pub's historical significance is a point of pride. Its website notes that Eisenhower and Montgomery 'sat here and changed the course of history.' The building's Tudor origins and its role in WWII make it a notable landmark in Southwick, a village described as steeped in history and culture. The Golden Lion continues to operate as a community hub and destination for both locals and visitors interested in its heritage.

The Golden Lion Inn is housed in a building of Tudor origin, with a fireplace dating to circa 1560. It stands on High Street in the village of Southwick, Hampshire, nestled beneath the northern slopes of Portsdown Hill. Southwick is a village of thatched roofs and half-timbered cottages that has remained largely unchanged since the 1940s. The pub's most significant historical chapter came during World War II. In the months leading up to the D-Day landings of June 6, 1944, Southwick became the centre of Operation Overlord. Southwick House, an elegant Georgian mansion and ancestral home of the Thistlethwayte family, served as the headquarters of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force. It was there that Eisenhower made the decision to commit three million men and 2,727 ships to the invasion of Normandy. During this period, The Golden Lion Inn was used as an unofficial officers' mess. Generals Eisenhower and Montgomery were often found at the pub before the invasion. According to the pub's own history, Montgomery favoured grapefruit juice, while others opted for beer brewed in the brewhouse at the rear of the pub. The pub's website proudly states that 'Eisenhower and Montgomery sat here and changed the course of history.' After the war, the pub continued to operate as a village local. In the modern era, it has been run as a family business for over ten years, with the family bringing over twenty years of industry experience. The pub has undergone updates to its interior, now featuring a long open bar, a restaurant, and a further bar with fireplaces. Historical paraphernalia is displayed throughout, keeping the memory of its famous wartime visitors alive. The Golden Lion has also developed a reputation for its food and events. It has received a TripAdvisor Hall of Fame certificate, reflecting consistent positive customer reviews. The pub sources food and drink locally and seasonally, and all food is made on-site by hand to order. It offers a range of function services, from weddings and corporate events to wakes and afternoon teas, with a dedicated team handling everything from menu planning to staffing.

• Building constructed with a fireplace dating to circa 1560 (Tudor origin)

• Used as an unofficial officers' mess during WWII planning of D-Day; visited by Eisenhower and Montgomery

• Family-run business for over 10 years (as of 2026)

• Awarded TripAdvisor Hall of Fame certificate

A historic, family-run English pub offering local beers, award-winning food, and bespoke event services in a setting rich with WWII heritage.

• Local beers and real ale

• Award-winning food

• Afternoon tea

• BBQ and buffets

• Canapé receptions

• Wedding breakfasts

• Corporate event catering

1. 1Home - Golden Liongoldenlionsouthwick.co.uk
2. 2History - Golden Liongoldenlionsouthwick.co.uk
3. 3Services - Golden Liongoldenlionsouthwick.co.uk
4. 4The Golden Lion Inn - Wikidatawikidata.org