A Medieval Manor Becomes a Royal Borough
The Lion Inn stands on one of Worcestershire's most historically significant sites. The original manor house was built around 1200 in Clifton upon Teme, a village perched on high ground overlooking the serpentine River Teme. During the turbulent period of the Welsh Wars in the 13th century, the village's strategic position on the road between Worcester and Tenbury Wells made it a place of considerable military importance.
The Guildhall of a Lost Borough
In 1270, King Henry III granted Clifton upon Teme Royal Borough status, bestowing upon it the right to hold a weekly market every Thursday and an annual four-day fair. The manor house became the borough's guildhall—what 17th-century historian Henry Jeffreys described as "the manner-place of the borough." Jeffreys recounted that before his father renovated the building, it featured a great medieval hall open to the roof with a fireplace in the centre and a lantern at the top. One section was known as the Court Chamber, where borough business and justice were administered. The anticipated development of Clifton as a significant market town never fully materialised—once the Welsh Wars ended, its strategic military value diminished, and with it, the dreams of commercial prominence faded.
From Court to Coaching Inn
By the late medieval period, the former manor house had evolved into a hostelry serving travellers on the Worcester to Tenbury Wells route. The building became known as the Red Lion Inn, providing rest and refreshment for weary coaching passengers traversing the Worcestershire countryside. Through the centuries, the Grade II listed structure underwent various alterations, gaining a Georgian facade that now fronts the original black-and-white timber-framed building. The timber-framed restaurant remains separated from the main bar by a substantial wood burner, preserving the character of different historical periods within its walls.
Eight Centuries of Stories
Today, The Lion Inn incorporates architectural elements spanning eight centuries—from its 13th-century origins through Tudor timber framing to Georgian refinements. The building has witnessed the rise and fall of Clifton's borough status, the passage of countless travellers, and the transformation of English rural life from medieval markets to modern tourism. Throughout these changes, the structure that once served as courthouse, guildhall, and manor has endured as a focal point of village life. Unexplained Phenomena
Phantom Footsteps
Guests have reported mysterious feet visible beneath their door during the night hours. When investigated, no one is found in the corridor—the feet simply vanish, leaving witnesses unnerved by the inexplicable encounter. Paranormal Activity
Auditory Phenomena
Strange noises occur within guest rooms during the night, while loud, unexplained sounds echo from the landing and other areas of the hotel after the bar has closed and the building should be quiet. These disturbances suggest the presence of unseen activity continuing long after the day's business has ended.
Visual Manifestations
The appearance of feet beneath doors represents one of the most unsettling phenomena reported at the inn. Guests describe seeing what appear to be two human feet standing just outside their room, visible in the gap beneath the door, only to find the corridor completely empty upon investigation.
Modern Day
The Lion Inn continues to operate as a traditional country pub with accommodation, maintaining its position at the heart of Clifton upon Teme. The establishment serves locally-sourced food in its timber-framed restaurant and offers guest rooms in the historic building. The village itself remains a picturesque settlement in the Teme Valley, with the inn situated near the ancient St. Kenelm's Church and surrounded by the rolling Worcestershire countryside. While the weekly markets and annual fairs granted by Henry III are long gone, The Lion Inn preserves its connection to eight centuries of history—and perhaps to some of those who passed through its doors in ages past.