The Red Lion Evenley. Discover The Delicious Award-Winning “Home Of The Schnitzel”

Rob Rees Heads Towards Silverstone And Enjoys Schnitzels At the Red Lion Evenley. A Thriving Family-Run Village Pub That Is The Centre Of A Northants Community.

Just outside Brackley in the charming village of Evenley, The Red Lion Evenley – shortened locally to RLE – has built a loyal following with its hearty food, vibrant atmosphere, and most famously, its huge handmade schnitzels. A proper English village pub with bags of personality, it’s now affectionately known as the “Home of the Schnitzel” and considered one of Northamptonshire’s best-kept casual dining secrets.

The Red Lion has been family-run for 15 years. Oli Compton now leads the team, continuing the legacy started by his parents, Paul and Angela, who took over the pub after getting bored in retirement.

Paul’s passion for WWII is reflected in the pub’s vintage memorabilia and décor, while Angela’s love of music lives on through live Sunday evening performances – featuring musicians like Sydney Twynham (lead guitarist for Mud) and Howard Tibble (drummer for Shakin’ Stevens).

Oli is supported by a close-knit, long-serving team that gives the pub its genuine and personal feel. Head Chef Jack has been behind the ovens for 12 years. Gigi manages the floor with a mix of energy and warmth, and Sous Chef Dan – on board for 7 years – is the creator of one of the pub’s most beloved schnitzels, the “Schnitzerella”.

At the heart of the Red Lion’s appeal is its range of legendary schnitzels, fresh and hand-prepared daily. Around 10,000 are served each year, Monday through Saturday, and it’s not uncommon for disappointed guests to walk out on Sundays when schnitzels are not available.

It started with “The Big Boy” (£28), a menu special introduced 14 years ago that proved so popular it was added to the regular menu. It remains a best-seller to this day. It is stuffed with Parma ham, Cornish Brie and fresh herbs, oozing indulgence and naughtiness, served with sweet chilli sauce, pesto mayonnaise, fresh green salad and fries.

A “Half as Big” (£18) size is available for us mere mortals. I enjoyed mine and I don’t know who can actually handle the ‘Full Monty’ version. There must be some mighty hungry farmers in these parts! Other schnitzel innovations have followed over the subsequent years. The indulgent Italian cheese-filled “Schnitzerella” (£20) with mozzarella, basil, sun dried tomatoes and Parma ham was enjoyed by my dining partner.

The inventive “Schnitviev” (£20) completes the regular range, jampacked with an exotic filling of feta, mushrooms, chorizo and spinach. Each schnitzel is cooked from scratch, with two hours of dedicated preparation every morning so you can enjoy maximum freshness and the highest quality.

And you guessed it ….. December brings the “Christmas Schnitzel”, a festive twist stuffed with Camembert, bacon, sausage meat stuffing, and cranberries. It has become a tradition of its own, with over 1,250 served during the Yule season alone.

Each schnitzel is served on a bespoke wooden board handmade by local craftsman Ben of RP Furniture Works. Ben also happens to captain the Evenley cricket team, visible from the pub’s garden and windows.

Though schnitzels are the star, the wider menu sticks to what the hostelry does best: hearty, homemade pub grub made with quality, local ingredients. Portions are generous, flavours are bold, and everything is served with a smile. The chicken is sourced from Mellow Meats in nearby Turweston, and local produce is used wherever possible. Summer strawberries come from Featherbed Fruits, just a mile away.

The atmosphere is as comforting as the food. Expect roaring log fires in winter, the ‘sound of leather on willow’ in summer, and a friendly, bustling crowd all year round. The pub’s unpretentious charm is a world away from the sanitised, managed corporate chains. It is run by a young, personable publican in Oli, who takes immense pride in dispensing excellent food with rare heartfelt service.

Understandably recognition has followed: the RLE was named Muddy Stilettos’ Best Destination Pub in Northamptonshire in 2022 and made the final three nationally – a nod to its unique mix of character, cuisine, and community spirit.

Located just 20 miles from Oxford and a short drive from Silverstone Circuit, The Red Lion makes an ideal stop for any F1 fans attending the British Grand Prix on 4-6 July. It’s even a popular haunt for staff from the nearby Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team HQ.

The Red Lion Evenley isn’t just any old village pub – it’s a family-run institution built around people, passion and a novel schnitzel idea. And that quirky inventiveness is why it has not failed or shut its doors, unlike so many of its ilk throughout Britain.

Whether you’re there for a pint and a view of the green, a live music night, or the mighty “Big Boy”, you’ll leave feeling replete, in every sense of the word.