The Lion's Den opening at Norwich's Red Lion Bishopsgate

The Lion’s Den is opening on the banks of the River Wensum next to the Red Lion Bishopsgate on Saturday.

Customers will be able to order hot chocolate or mulled wine which they can drink beneath a canopy and toast marshmallows over a fire pit. 

Lee Taylor, who owns and runs Norfolk Paddleboards from the site, is behind the space. 

Lee Taylor runs Norfolk Paddleboards and the Lion's Den alongside Torvi the dog (Image: Denise Bradley) He said: "The whole idea is to bring the pub and the paddleboarding together.

"Drinks orders will go through the pub and people can move freely between the two businesses."

Lee came up with the idea while paddleboarding with customers on the river in the warmer weather.

He said: "People were asking me all summer where they would be able to go in the city to enjoy the outdoors during the winter, too.

"The winter is when we need something like this the most. You've been stuck inside all day and this helps bring people out to enjoy the river all year round."

Those visiting the Japandi-style space will be able to enjoy cheese toasties and mugs of soup from The Red Lion Bishopsgate kitchen, as well as hot chocolate, mulled wine, tea and coffees from the outdoor cabin.

From left: Lee Taylor, team member Melissa Williams and Alby Fraser, manager at the Red Lion Bishopsgate (Image: Denise Bradley) There will also be s'mores kits available to purchase from the staff to toast over the fire.

From December 14, two large wood-fired saunas will also be available to book, which will be installed right on the riverbank. 

The new space also helps the paddleboarding business, which only used to run for six months of the year but will now be available all year round. 

The Lion's Den is a Japandi-style outdoor space (Image: Denise Bradley) Lee said: "We have such a growing paddleboarding community and it has grown significantly over the last few years. 

"Monday sessions can sometimes have more than 40 people and they come together because they love being outside and having a community around them.

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"I really love delivering projects for people and that is what the Lion's Den is.

Customers will be able to order a mug of soup and a toastie to enjoy outside (Image: Denise Bradley) "My big focus here is that there is a space for everyone - not just paddleboarders - and it is a venue in the city that helps people connect with nature and with each other."

The Lions Den opens at 10am on Saturday.