Evaluation: The Lion at Malpas, Cheshire, UK

Sitting within the South Cheshire countryside, the medieval village of Malpas was just lately topped #1 in The Sunday Instances listing of the “greatest secret villages to reside in”, praised for its robust sense of neighborhood and splendid 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 along side the pub (further areas can be found on the rear when you arrive later). Stepping by the primary 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 overlaying 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 a captivating mix of conventional and fashionable design. The mattress is framed by a placing darkish, rustic wood lattice that enhances the uncovered beams, including heat and character. This contrasts fantastically with the homely ambiance 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, excellent 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 all the time felt so cosy at any time when we entered. It’s a recent room with greenish fashionable subway tiles on the wall (even when they appear extra gray in my {photograph}!), contrasting with the patterned Moroccan-like ground tiles. A glass-screened walk-in bathe, modern under-mounted sink and a heated towel rail give the lavatory a contemporary, basic aesthetic.

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

The amenities

Breakfast was included in our keep, and it was a stunning option to begin every morning. It’s served within the pub till 10am, excellent when you 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 possibly can 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 entire butterflied seabass with a lemon, dill and caper butter. Among the many starters, you’ll discover every part 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 previous 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 a lot to maintain you entertained when you 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 get pleasure from. In reality, on our first night time, we discovered the pub internet hosting a vigorous backgammon night time—a captivating reminder of how pubs can convey individuals collectively. It was beautiful to see the house being utilized in such a community-driven means, including to the welcoming ambiance.

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

The assorted rooms of the pub will be allotted for various features – helpful when you’re internet hosting a small gathering or occasion, or excellent when you’re considering of planning one thing particular.

The situation

Malpas is a good looking, historic village – even talked about within the Domesday Guide – 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 wherein 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 information was shared in such a relaxed method that the tour was a enjoyable expertise.

The highlights for me have been the magnificent pink maple close to the decorative lake and the intense 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 means dwelling. Now we have walked different sections of the route earlier than, however actually should return to do all of it at some point because it’s fairly stunning.

Different good touches

While it was beautiful to sit down 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 go away! 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 filled with crisps, biscuits, Teapigs tea baggage and luxurious sizzling chocolate. There have been even canine biscuits for our canine companion and studying materials within the type of a duplicate of Cheshire Life.

The associated fee

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

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 individuals.

One of the best bit

The spotlight of our keep was the nice and cozy and welcoming ambiance that The Lion at Malpas appeared to create so effortlessly — one thing the perfect 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 attraction 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 fireplace in a comfortable British pub. It’s onerous to beat. However by providing the attraction 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 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 trade 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.