Evaluate: The Lion at Malpas, Cheshire, UK…

Sitting within the South Cheshire countryside, the medieval village of Malpas was lately topped #1 in The Sunday Instances checklist of the “greatest secret villages to stay in”, praised for its sturdy sense of group and supreme location. On the coronary heart of the village lies The Lion at Malpas, a 16th century inn which has undergone a multi-million pound renovation. As a fan of pubs with rooms, we determined to remain for a few nights to see why this pleasant Cheshire gem has change into such a sought-after vacation spot.

The welcome

We arrived at round 4pm and simply discovered a parking spot in conjunction with the pub (further areas can be found on the rear if you happen to arrive later). Stepping by means of the principle entrance, we have been greeted by the cosy glow of a roaring fireplace which was complemented by an equally heat welcome, earlier than we have been promptly handed our keycards and proven to our room in a close-by constructing.

The room

The rooms are named after villages near Malpas. We stayed in ‘Clutton’, a generously-proportioned room masking 28 sq. metres. Upon coming into, there’s a comfortable porch space with a field for muddy boots — a considerate contact, given the abundance of strolling alternatives within the area, together with the Sandstone Path which passes simply 2.5 miles to the east of Malpas.

The bed room itself exudes an enthralling mix of conventional and trendy design. The mattress is framed by a hanging darkish, rustic picket lattice that enhances the uncovered beams, including heat and character. This contrasts superbly with the homely environment provided by the lighter tones of the partitions and the wood-effect flooring.

Effectively-lit and thoughtfully organized, the room features a dressing desk, a fitted wardrobe, and a small sitting space with a desk and two comfy chairs by the window, good for enjoyable after a day of exploring. The en suite toilet lies simply past.

The lavatory

The en suite toilet may be very inviting, not least as a result of it has underfloor-heating and all the time felt so cosy each time we entered. It’s a recent room with greenish trendy subway tiles on the wall (even when they give the impression of being extra gray in my !), contrasting with the patterned Moroccan-like ground tiles. A glass-screened walk-in bathe, smooth under-mounted sink and a heated towel rail give the lavatory a contemporary, traditional aesthetic.

Fluffy towels, mushy lighting and a plentiful provide of Molton Brown toiletries offered a little bit added air of luxurious.

The amenities

Breakfast was included in our keep, and it was a stunning solution to begin every morning. It’s served within the pub till 10am, good if you happen to choose a lie-in or, like us, fancy a morning run beforehand. Together with a number of cereals and juices to assist your self to, there’s additionally an à la carte menu. You may select from classics resembling Eggs Benedict or Eggs Florentine, or bask in a heartier possibility with The Malpas Breakfast or The Cheshire Breakfast—each scrumptious variations of a full English.

Within the evenings, the menu affords pub favourites resembling fish and chips, burgers and correct pies, alongside artistic dishes that transcend conventional pub fayre. Assume confit duck leg with dauphinoise potatoes and squash purée, or entire butterflied seabass with a lemon, dill and caper butter. Among the many starters, you’ll discover every thing from brûléed figs with a goats cheese mousse and walnuts, to king prawns with a kaffir lime butter, chilli and toasted sourdough for dipping.

The Lion at Malpas can also be very canine pleasant, with our 10 yr outdated Springer, George, capable of be a part of us in most areas of the pub, in addition to keep in our room.

Whereas we spent a lot of our time exploring the native space, there’s loads to maintain you entertained if you happen to select to remain within the pub. Together with a well-stocked bar, books, and magazines, there’s additionally a big selection of board video games to take pleasure in. In truth, on our first evening, we discovered the pub internet hosting a full of life backgammon evening—an enthralling reminder of how pubs can convey folks collectively. It was pretty to see the area being utilized in such a community-driven means, including to the welcoming environment.

Ensure additionally to not miss the historic chair, near the pub’s most important entrance and stored in Malpas because of native residents, that King James I is alleged to have used when he stopped at The Lion.

The varied rooms of the pub might be allotted for various capabilities – helpful if you happen to’re internet hosting a small gathering or occasion, or good if you happen to’re pondering of planning one thing particular.

The placement

Malpas is a wonderful, historic village – even talked about within the Domesday E-book – within the south-western tip of Cheshire, near the borders with Shropshire and Wales. It’s a straightforward 35-minute drive from Chester, and never a lot additional to Manchester or Liverpool, however nonetheless sufficiently removed from all of them to be really rural.

We visited Cholmondeley Fortress Gardens which is simply a 10-minute drive away and have been very lucky in that we occurred to reach simply in time for an Autumn Tints Guided Tour with Head Gardener Barry Grain – a 90-minute stroll by means of the gardens through which we have been immersed in a panoramic palette of seasonal colours. The sky was a little bit overcast however this solely served to make the fiery reds, deep oranges and golden yellows stand out much more.

Barry’s in depth information was shared in such a relaxed method that the tour was a enjoyable expertise.

The highlights for me have been the magnificent purple maple close to the decorative lake and the brilliant yellow, caramel-scented lime tree that capped off our tour earlier than we loved a deal with on the café.

On the day of our departure, we loved clear blue skies so explored a piece of the Sandstone Path at Bickerton Hill on our means house. Now we have walked different sections of the route earlier than, however actually should return to do all of it in the future because it’s fairly lovely.

Different good touches

While it was pretty to sit down within the pub with a drink, we have been supplied with every kind of considerate extras in our room that it will have been straightforward to not depart! A small bottle of gin and a few Fevertree tonics with a welcome observe, a Nespresso machine and a provide of espresso pods, and mini happer crammed filled with crisps, biscuits, Teapigs tea luggage and luxurious sizzling chocolate. There have been even canine biscuits for our canine companion and studying materials within the type of a replica of Cheshire Life.

The fee

For the extent of consolation, consideration to element, and general expertise, The Lion affords distinctive worth for cash with room-only stays ranging from £99 per evening for two folks.

A dinner, mattress and breakfast keep in a Nation Double room resembling ‘Clutton’, that we stayed in, begins from £199 per evening for 2 folks.

The perfect bit

The spotlight of our keep was the nice and cozy and alluring environment that The Lion at Malpas appeared to create so effortlessly — one thing the most effective conventional pubs are famend for. A roaring fireplace, comfy lodging and high quality pub meals all contributed to the proper mix of cosiness, informality and rustic appeal that made our keep a really homely and welcoming one.

The ultimate verdict

There’s one thing comforting about unwinding with mates or household over a pint by a roaring fireplace in a comfortable British pub. It’s arduous to beat. However by providing the appeal of a pub with the consolation of a restful evening’s keep in high quality lodging, The Lion at Malpas takes the expertise to a brand new stage, with out the formality of a luxurious lodge.

Disclosure: Our keep was courtesy of The Lion at Malpas.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxurious Journey Weblog and has labored within the journey business for greater than 30 years. He’s Winner of the Improvements in Journey ‘Finest Journey Influencer’ Award from WIRED journal. Along with different awards, the weblog has additionally been voted “one of many world’s greatest journey blogs” and “greatest for luxurious” by The Telegraph.