A Pub With History
The Cock & Rabbit has stood at the heart of The Lee for well over a century, and its story is woven into that of the village itself.
The present-day pub was rebuilt in 1907 by Sir Arthur Lasenby Liberty, founder of London's famous Liberty department store and Lord of the Manor at The Lee. According to local legend, the original inn stood rather too close to his manor house and spoiled the view, so Sir Arthur had it rebuilt and repositioned as part of his wider redesign of the village green. The result is the beautiful setting you see today—an idyllic village green framed by a pub that has become one of the area's best-loved landmarks.
The village's timeless charm has attracted attention far beyond the Chilterns. The green outside our door has appeared in numerous television productions, most famously in the very first episode of Midsomer Murders, where the pub featured as The Rose and Chalice.
More than a century later, the next chapter began when Oliver took over The Cock & Rabbit. Following a sympathetic restoration, the pub was thoughtfully refreshed, preserving its character while creating the warm, welcoming spaces you'll find today. The addition of Café au Lee completed the vision, offering a relaxed café alongside the traditional bars, restaurant and gardens.
Today, as the last remaining pub in The Lee, we're proud to continue that story. Overlooking one of the most picturesque village greens in the Chilterns, The Cock & Rabbit remains what it has always been: a place where good food, good company and genuine hospitality bring people together.
