The Lion was located on the corner of High Street and West Street. The cottage behind has the name Red Lion Cottage, the pub though always appears in records as just The Lion.

The pub was owned by The Colchester Brewing Company in the late 1800s, being sold as a private residence to Arthur Blackwell in 1907. It remained in that family until the 1970s.

The building is one of the early timber framed buildings in Lower Wivenhoe, probably dating from the 1600s although the High Street and return frontages have been clad with a brick facade, possibly following its sale in the early 20^th century.

Various shops and bars have been located here, including a sweet shop run by a distant aunt of my wife. It has more recently been a tapas bar but is currently [2024] vacant.

This list of names is from census returns and 1933 Kelly's Directory.
They are therefore the occupants, not necessarily the licensee or owner.

1861: Rebecca Wade
1871: Joseph Haggar
1881: Joseph Haggar
1891: Not found
1901: James Jupp