And for 2025, many may consider staying somewhere local and exploring an area near home.
According to statistics from YouGov, three-quarters of people who planned to take a holiday last year would stay in the UK. With flights and travel contributing to our planet’s demise, plus the additional cost of travelling abroad, a trip nearby can provide all the thrill and excitement of a night or two away without the guilt of contributing to global warming, the stress of travel or the expense of flights. It’s also a great way to make something more of an evening out.
I packed up a suitcase to do just that and enjoy a night at the Red Lion in Odiham, just a 20 minute drive from my home in Basingstoke.
(Image: The Red Lion) The pub is in the historic market town of Odiham, right on the high street where there is a plethora of independent shops, perfect for an afternoon of browsing. It’s part of New Dawn Pubs, an independent and local pub company, with a collection of pubs and inns in Surrey and Hampshire.
We were lucky with the weather. After a wander around the shops and spotting the perfect bargain second-hand dress in one of them, we strolled a little further to Basingstoke canal, which was looking beautiful in the late afternoon sun.
Next, we headed to the Red Lion to check in and were shown to our room on the top floor overlooking the high street.
The building is deceptive from the outside, appearing small, cosy and welcoming through the front windows. But once inside it is surprisingly larger than expected with long, narrow corridors leading to its seven boutique hotel rooms for overnight guests.
Our room, named Chinook, was delightful and full of character, from the exposed rustic wooden beams in the ceiling to the thoughtful decor, which gave a nod to the nearby RAF Odiham.
(Image: The Red Lion) Everything had been considered to ensure our stay was comfortable, including the soft, white robes hanging up in the bathroom, a coffee machine, Roberts radio which was already tuned and playing some relaxing background music when we arrived, and some much-appreciated snacks of crisps and sweet treats to keep us going until dinner.
The large shower was bliss, and I took my time getting ready in our cute and comfortable room. I felt like a world away from home, enjoying all the luxuries of a stay away without feeling exhausted from travelling.
It was a treat simply walking down the stairs for dinner and not having to venture outside in the cold and dark or consider how to get home.
The Grade II-listed pub is cosy and welcoming and feels relaxed and unpretentious. Many people were enjoying drinks in the bar area, while others sat down for dinner in the restaurant.
The menu has something for everyone without being overwhelming in choice – I hate having too many options – and gives a gastro pub vibe with traditional pub food such as burgers, fish and chips and steak to something a little different such as Confit of duck leg or seaweed cake. We shared some marinated giant green and black olives alongside crispy calamari, which were both delicious.
The pan-fried sea bass I chose for my main was perfectly cooked with a deliciously crispy skin, accompanied by equally satisfyingly crispy roasted potatoes, charred broccoli and a mouth-wateringly tasty white wine and lobster bisque. It was beautifully presented and reasonably priced at £21.
The portions were large and I wondered if I had space for dessert, but decided it would be rude not to try one so shared a chocolate brownie with chocolate sauce and salted caramel gelato, which was the perfect sweet end to a top meal.
(Image: Emily Roberts) We sat at a table in the bar area to enjoy the live music from James Dean who was brilliant, showcasing his incredible vocals in such an intimate space. It was great to combine a lovely meal with live entertainment and not have to leave to go anywhere else. The Red Lion has many events throughout the year including quiz nights and live music acts, meaning visitors can enjoy a full evening out with food and entertainment.
We only had to head upstairs when the music finished to enjoy a restful night’s sleep in a comfortable bed.
The next morning there was an impressive range of options on the breakfast menu, including continental with fruit, pastries, yoghurts and cereals, along with hot options. My poached eggs on a toasted muffin with hollandaise sauce and a roasted flat mushroom were perfectly cooked, priced at £8.95. It’s easy to see why the pub is so popular with locals for breakfast, and several groups and couples arrived while we were there creating a happy, relaxed atmosphere.
I left feeling relaxed and rested following a dreamy overnight escape. Rooms start at just £125 a night, meaning an overnight stay could be a luxurious treat to get in the diary for this year and banish the lows of January.
For more information visit redlionodiham.co.uk/