The Lion dates back at least as far as 1820, when the Bury & Norwich Post reported one Mr. Golding breaking his leg there.

Later known as "The 'alf eaton lion", it suffered much loss of trade from the diversion of the main road, so that it could not keep going and closed in 1964.Parish council website

Dr Martin Moss tells us:

Now known as Doone house, this was once a coaching Inn and still retains its stables and yard. The Norwich to London Post would stop here for a change of horses and my Gt grandfather Silas Harry Long was Ostler here to Sam Clements who kept the Pub. I can remember visiting the jug and bottle here with my dad who would buy a couple of bottles of Harvest Ale for my grandad George Harry Long who lived up at Elliot's Cottages, Shop Hill. In the Victorian and Edwardian Era ploughing matches were staged on the Pub land.

Capital Road-Side Inn, Farm & Premises, Alpheton Lion Inn for sale by auction (on behalf of) the late Mr Samuel DEATH (Owner).Ipswich Journal, May 31st 1851**