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 Occasions checklist of the “best secret villages to live in”, praised for its sturdy sense of neighborhood and ideally suited 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 turn out 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 if you happen to arrive later). Stepping by the primary entrance, we had been greeted by the cosy glow of a roaring hearth which was complemented by an equally heat welcome, earlier than we had 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 overlaying 28 sq. metres. Upon coming 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 putting darkish, rustic picket lattice that enhances the uncovered beams, including heat and character. This contrasts fantastically with the homely environment supplied by the lighter tones of the partitions and the wood-effect flooring.

Properly-lit and thoughtfully organized, the room features a dressing desk, a fitted wardrobe, and a small sitting space with a desk and two snug chairs by the window, good for stress-free after a day of exploring. The en suite rest room lies simply past.

The toilet

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, traditional aesthetic.

Fluffy towels, mushy lighting and a plentiful provide of Molton Brown toiletries supplied somewhat added air of luxurious.

The services

Breakfast was included in our keep, and it was a beautiful technique to begin every morning. It’s served within the pub till 10am, good if you happen to want 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 reminiscent of Eggs Benedict or Eggs Florentine, or bask in a heartier choice with The Malpas Breakfast or The Cheshire Breakfast—each scrumptious variations of a full English.

Within the evenings, the menu gives pub favourites reminiscent of 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 complete 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 also be very canine pleasant, with our 10 12 months outdated Springer, George, in a position to 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 wide array of board video games to take pleasure in. In actual fact, on our first night time, we discovered the pub internet hosting a full of life backgammon night time—a captivating reminder of how pubs can carry folks collectively. It was pretty to see the area being utilized in such a community-driven approach, including to the welcoming environment.

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

The varied rooms of the pub may 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 good looking, historic village – even talked about within the Domesday Ebook – 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 Fortress Gardens which is barely a 10-minute drive away and had 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 by which we had been immersed in a wide ranging palette of seasonal colours. The sky was somewhat 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 had been the magnificent pink 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 approach dwelling. We now have walked different sections of the route earlier than, however actually should return to do all of it sooner or later because it’s fairly lovely.

Different good touches

While it was pretty to sit down within the pub with a drink, we had 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 observe, a Nespresso machine and a provide of espresso pods, and mini happer crammed stuffed 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 price

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

A dinner, mattress and breakfast keep in a Nation Double room reminiscent of ‘Clutton’, that we stayed in, begins from £199 per night time 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 one of the best conventional pubs are famend for. A roaring hearth, snug 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 associates or household over a pint by a roaring hearth in a comfy British pub. It’s exhausting to beat. However by providing the appeal of a pub with the consolation of a restful night time’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 ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED journal. Along with different awards, the weblog has additionally been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.