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Riding Glencoe, NSW
Stopover New England
Guess what? We’ve found a pub for you...
Did you know most of the sapphires sold in Thailand are Australian stones, heated to lighten their appearance? I didn’t, and neither did I know that a lot of them come from around Glencoe on the New England Highway in northern NSW.
The only thing I did know about Glencoe was that it has an excellent pub. The Red Lion Tavern (which is in fact not a tavern at all) advertises its Scottishness (Caledonicity?) with its name (the red lion rampant is the badge of Scotland) and its décor and offers not only sturdy hospitality and good tucker but also ample and welcome warmth in winter.
| | Several times I’ve warmed myself at one of its fires during winter rides along the New England Highway and while I’ve never taken advantage of its guest rooms (taverns don’t have rooms, which is why this is not really a tavern – pedants rule, ok!) I intend to do just that one day soon.
For many years I used to travel mainly the coast road. A few things have combined to change that. The ever-increasing, drearily slow traffic along the Pacific Highway and the steadily growing number of speed cameras are putting me off.
On the other hand, the refurbished Thunderbolt’s Way has made the inland route more attractive, as has the tendency for terrific b&bs and restaurants to spring up around New England. Take a look at Nundle some time. I also like the scenery, with its granite outcrops and unexpected jump-ups like the spectacular Moonbi Hills. | | | |  | | | | | | |  South African Motorcycle Adventures – visit www.samatours.co.za the home of the ultimate motorcycle experience. See sunny South Africa from the seat of a motorcycle. Experience the best the region has to offer View tours packages now>
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So I expect to see more of the Red Lion and its excellent beef and Guinness pie. Its location 22 kilometres south of Glen Innes also makes it quite a reasonable place to stop overnight on a slow ride to Brisbane. I’m not sure of the parking arrangements for bikes; I’ll have to find out if there is a secure place to leave them. But in a relatively remote place like Glencoe that should not be a major problem.
Please don’t prove me wrong…
Trish, another ale if you please. You know, the red lion was also the badge of John of Gaunt, Shakespeare’s “time-honour’d Lancaster”. In Richard II, he memorably describes England as a “precious stone set in a silver sea”, but I don’t suppose that has anything to do with Glencoe and its sapphires. It’s nowhere near the sea, to start with.
What is it?With a bar, restaurant and three double guest rooms (including a spare bed in one or two) the Red Lion has just about everything you could ask for from a pub. Add good food seven days a week (and pretty much all day) and open fires throughout and it gets irresistible. No, I don’t have shares. Would that I did…
The Red Lion Tavern
New England Highway, Glencoe, NSW 2365
Phone: 02 6733 3271
Website: www.redliontavern.com.au
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