The Golden Lion
Nestled beneath the northern slopes of Portsdown Hill, the village of Southwick feels almost untouched by time. Its thatched roofs and half-timbered cottages stand much as they did in June 1944, when this quiet Hampshire village became, quite literally, the centre of Operation Overlord.
At the heart of it all stands the Golden Lion, a pub steeped in centuries of history and woven into one of the most significant moments of the twentieth century.
Southwick Revival at The Golden Lion
Throughout the weekend, the Golden Lion becomes a lively hub of food, drink and entertainment:
- Sonny’s Burgers
- A vibrant beer festival
- A refreshing Pimm’s stall
- Live performances in the Golden Lion marquee
Saturday
Open 11:00am – 11:00pm
Food served all day until 11:00pm
11:00 – 12:00
Now That’s Jive dancers (Golden Lion marquee)
12:00 – 14:00
The Amazing Amy Baker sings live
14:30 – 15:30
Now That’s Jive dancers
20:00
Maury Deans Big Band Extravaganza
Tickets £5 on the door
Sunday
Open 11:00am – 5:00pm
Food served all day until 5:00pm
11:00 – 12:00
Now That’s Jive dancers (Golden Lion marquee)
12:00 – 14:00
The Amazing Amy Baker sings live
14:30 – 15:30
Southwick Belles Sing-Along (song sheets provided)
15:30 – 16:30
Now That’s Jive dancers
A Place Where History Was Made
Just a short walk away lies Southwick House, where Dwight D. Eisenhower made the momentous decision to launch D-Day, committing over three million men and thousands of ships to the operation that would help turn the tide of the Second World War.
But the story does not stop at the House.
The Golden Lion itself became an extension of that command centre. Used as an Officers’ Mess during the planning of D-Day, it was here that figures such as Bernard Montgomery gathered, relaxed, and reflected in the tense days before 6 June 1944.
Step inside today and you are quite literally walking in their footsteps.
The building’s Tudor origins remain proudly on display, with features such as a fireplace dating back to around 1560. The worn floorboards carry the echoes of wartime conversations, of decisions made between sips of beer brewed on-site… or, in Montgomery’s case, a simple glass of grapefruit juice.
With its long open bar, cosy restaurant spaces, and roaring fireplaces, the Golden Lion blends past and present effortlessly. The walls, lined with wartime memorabilia, quietly tell their own stories, ensuring the legacy of those days is never forgotten.