Evaluation: 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 “finest secret villages to dwell in”, praised for its sturdy sense of group and best location. On the coronary heart of the village lies The Lion at Malpas, a sixteenth 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 grow to be such a sought-after vacation spot.

The welcome

We arrived at round 4pm and simply discovered a parking spot together with the pub (further areas can be found on the rear in case you arrive later). Stepping by the principle entrance, we have been greeted by the cosy glow of a roaring hearth 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 protecting 28 sq. metres. Upon getting into, there’s a comfy 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 a captivating mix of conventional and fashionable design. The mattress is framed by a hanging darkish, rustic wood lattice that enhances the uncovered beams, including heat and character. This contrasts superbly with the homely environment supplied by the lighter tones of the partitions and the wood-effect flooring.

Nicely-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 rest room lies simply past.

The lavatory

The en suite rest room may be very inviting, not least as a result of it has underfloor-heating and at all times felt so cosy every time we entered. It’s a up to date room with greenish fashionable subway tiles on the wall (even when they give the impression of being extra gray in my {photograph}!), contrasting with the patterned Moroccan-like flooring tiles. A glass-screened walk-in bathe, smooth under-mounted sink and a heated towel rail give the toilet a contemporary, basic aesthetic.

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

The services

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

Within the evenings, the menu presents pub favourites akin to fish and chips, burgers and correct pies, alongside inventive 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 little 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 be very canine pleasant, with our 10 yr outdated Springer, George, in a position to be 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 in case you select to remain within the pub. Together with a well-stocked bar, books, and magazines, there’s additionally a wide array of board video games to take pleasure in. In actual fact, on our first evening, we discovered the pub internet hosting a energetic backgammon evening—a captivating reminder of how pubs can convey folks collectively. It was pretty to see the area being utilized in such a community-driven method, including to the welcoming environment.

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

The assorted rooms of the pub could be allotted for various features – helpful in case you’re internet hosting a small gathering or occasion, or good in case you’re pondering of planning one thing particular.

The situation

Malpas is a phenomenal, 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 simple 35-minute drive from Chester, and never a lot additional to Manchester or Liverpool, however nonetheless sufficiently removed from all of them to be actually rural.

We visited Cholmondeley Citadel Gardens which is barely 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 the gardens during which we have been immersed in a panoramic palette of seasonal colours. The sky was a bit overcast however this solely served to make the fiery reds, deep oranges and golden yellows stand out much more.

Barry’s in depth data 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 bit of the Sandstone Path at Bickerton Hill on our method house. We have now walked different sections of the route earlier than, however actually should return to do all of it someday because it’s fairly lovely.

Different good touches

While it was pretty to take a seat within the pub with a drink, we have been supplied with every kind of considerate extras in our room that it could have been simple to not depart! A small bottle of gin and a few Fevertree tonics with a welcome word, a Nespresso machine and a provide of espresso pods, and mini happer crammed stuffed with crisps, biscuits, Teapigs tea luggage and luxurious scorching 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 presents 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 akin to ‘Clutton’, that we stayed in, begins from £199 per evening for 2 folks.

The very best 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 very best conventional pubs are famend for. A roaring hearth, comfy lodging and high quality pub meals all contributed to the right 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 buddies or household over a pint by a roaring hearth in a comfy 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 resort.

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 ‘Greatest Journey Influencer’ Award from WIRED journal. Along with different awards, the weblog has additionally been voted “one of many world’s finest journey blogs” and “finest for luxurious” by The Telegraph.