Above photo, 1900, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo circa 1910.

Above photo, 1925, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo 1950s by Chris Talbot.

Above photo 1950, kindly sent by Susan Northrop.

Above photo 1950, kindly sent by Susan Northrop.

Above photo, 1953, kindly sent by Tim Timpson.

Above photo, 1953, kindly sent by Tim Timpson.

Above photo 1954, kindly sent by Susan Northrop, showing her father Richard John Rose.

Above photo, 1970, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, 1988, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo 2010 by Oast House Archives Creative Commons Licence.

Above photo 2012.

Above photo April 2019, kindly sent by Garth Wyver.

Above beer-mat circa 1955. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo showing Noah Miles, 1891, kindly sent by Francis Holliday.

OLD KENT HOSTELRIES. 1928.

"THE RED LION," HERNHILL.

Hernhill, in the centre of the rolling downs, is a delightful village near the Blean wood’s, and full of orchards which in a few weeks will be a fairyland of blossom. As one comes from Watling Street, on the north side of the picturesque village green, facing the church, is the "Red Lion." There is no doubt that the fine substantial old building dates back to the Fourteenth Century, and doubtless was at one time a beautiful old half-timbered house. It has now been made to suit the conveniences of modern times and has a plastered front. Two wings project each side of the old hostelry and the eaves of the fine roof are supported with brackets. The massive joists carrying the roof tiles are old oak, while the tiles themselves are attached with oak pins.

The interior contains many fine sturdy oak beams, and to suit modern necessities many alterations have been made, and a number of beams have had to be covered up. At the rear of the "Red Lion" the walls are covered with weather-beaten tiles, and just beyond the back entrance is an ancient well which, by the way, is still in use. The license of the "Red Lion" dates back many years, at least some four hundred.

From the Your Shepway, 15 December 2012.

Savour the Lion traditional country Christmas menu.

ON the village green opposite the church, the black-beamed, white-walled Red Lion could well be the perfect English-postcard image.

Located in the picturesque village of Hernhill, the warm, cosy atmosphere at the Lion will make you want to stay all day and all night.

With the traditional log-fires, live entertainment and quality home-cooked food, this free house has something for everyone.

Out in the garden there is an enclosed children's play area, while there is also a sunny front patio on which to sit and enjoy a relaxing meal or cool drink during the summer.

These great features make the pub a desirable location for families, not to mention big celebrations, with parties often catered for, or even just a bit of romance.

There is a wide selection of real ales available at the bar and the pub is renowned for holding real-ale festivals on the village green throughout the year. There is also a good selection of wines and beers for every taste.

For food The Red Lion offers a good choice of meals from the a la carte menu. The specials change with the seasons to use the right ingredients at the right time of year.

The team has recently launched its new Taste of Kent menu, serving dishes and ingredients sourced within just a couple of miles of the pub.

Food is served daily Monday to Saturday from midday to 2.30pm and 6pm to 9pm. On Sunday it is served from midday to 8pm.

Christmas-party booking is also now available - so book now to avoid disappointment!

The pub will be open on New Year's Eve and feature live music as well as a D J throughout the night. It will stay open from 7pm to late and entry is free.

The Christmas menu will feature the traditional dishes like roast turkey with all the trimmings, but a number of other choices also appears.

Example menu: To start, perhaps try the smoked-duck-and-orange salad or classic prawn cocktail.

The mains could be a choice from a number of options including bronzed turkey served with potatoes roasted in dripping and vegetables or tender pork belly stuffed with the Red Lion stuffing topped with a cider-and-grated-apple sauce and roast potatoes.

Try a board of the local cheeses to finish, or get very festive with the traditional Christmas pudding covered with brandy butter.

The Red Lion, Crockham Lane, Hernhill ME13 9JR (phone 01227 751207, website www.theredlion.org)