This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-34186765

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Lancashire woman visits all 656 Red Lion pubs in Britain Lancashire woman visits Britain's 656 Red Lion pubs
(34 minutes later)
A woman has completed one of the UK's longest "pub crawls" visiting all 656 pubs called The Red Lion. A woman has completed one of Britain's longest "pub crawls" visiting all 656 pubs called The Red Lion.
Personal trainer Cathy Price, 56, from Preston, spent four years travelling the length and breadth of the country as part of her quest.Personal trainer Cathy Price, 56, from Preston, spent four years travelling the length and breadth of the country as part of her quest.
She travelled 90,000 miles in her Saab from the Scottish Highlands to the beaches of Cornwall. She travelled 90,000 miles in her car from the Scottish Highlands to the beaches of Cornwall.
On Saturday, she completed her challenge at The Red Lion in Northmoor, Oxfordshire.On Saturday, she completed her challenge at The Red Lion in Northmoor, Oxfordshire.
Ms Price told the BBC she came up with the idea while enjoying a drink at the Red Lion in Hawkshead, Cumbria, in April 2011 while watching the Grand National.Ms Price told the BBC she came up with the idea while enjoying a drink at the Red Lion in Hawkshead, Cumbria, in April 2011 while watching the Grand National.
"I saw a plaque saying it is the most common pub name," she said. "I immediately imagined what it would be like to visit them all.""I saw a plaque saying it is the most common pub name," she said. "I immediately imagined what it would be like to visit them all."
She said her friend initially "thought she was mad", but warmed to the idea when he realised she was serious.She said her friend initially "thought she was mad", but warmed to the idea when he realised she was serious.
Touring in a camper vanTouring in a camper van
Within two days, she established that a large number of pubs bearing the name were within a 20-minute drive from Preston. The challenge officially began on 9 April 2011.Within two days, she established that a large number of pubs bearing the name were within a 20-minute drive from Preston. The challenge officially began on 9 April 2011.
Ms Price said she discovered a lot about England and the pub trade and met some characters in the pubs. Rarely, she added, was she met with "indifference."Ms Price said she discovered a lot about England and the pub trade and met some characters in the pubs. Rarely, she added, was she met with "indifference."
At every pub, she had a half a pint of ale, a cup of coffee or a soft drink.At every pub, she had a half a pint of ale, a cup of coffee or a soft drink.
Sadly, she also witnessed the sad decline of pubs which she puts down to cheap drink being sold at supermarkets and the smoking ban, as well as developers buying dwindling pub buildings and profiting from housing.Sadly, she also witnessed the sad decline of pubs which she puts down to cheap drink being sold at supermarkets and the smoking ban, as well as developers buying dwindling pub buildings and profiting from housing.
In the years since her challenge began, 90 Red Lions have closed.In the years since her challenge began, 90 Red Lions have closed.
In July, she toured Devon and Cornwall Red Lions in a camper van and made the most of the "glorious" weather.In July, she toured Devon and Cornwall Red Lions in a camper van and made the most of the "glorious" weather.
"The costs have mounted with fuel, food and staying over, but it has been worth every penny," she said."The costs have mounted with fuel, food and staying over, but it has been worth every penny," she said.
And her favourite Red Lion of all? The one in Snargate, Kent.And her favourite Red Lion of all? The one in Snargate, Kent.