York Historic Environment Record

The Red Lion public house is made up of an attractive central, early-Georgian, two-storey block; a lower side wing in place by 1852; and modern extensions in brick which were completed in the 1970s and 1980s - resulting a moderate aesthetic value.
The pub is notable for its historical association with the eighteenth-century evangelical preacher, John Wesley, and the Hodgson family. The latter ran the inn during the reigns of George II and George III. Previous names for the pub include the “Four Mile Post” and “Poppleton House". It currently is also in use as a motel.
The building now backs onto the A59 road, but originally this main road – the course of a Roman Road, now the site of its car park – ran the other side of the building.
As a stop for travellers, it means that the building has been used historically as both a place frequented by locals, with high communal value – in fact, the lane leading to the Red Lion is named “Hodgson Lane” after the prolific 18th century innkeepers – and as a stop for those passing through. It is likely that John Wesley visited the Red Lion on 18 February 1743, and the Red Lion therefore forms part of John Wesley’s visits to Poppleton.

York Civic Trust