Assessment: The Lion at Malpas, Cheshire, UK

Sitting within the South Cheshire countryside, the medieval village of Malpas was not too long ago topped #1 in The Sunday Occasions record of the “best secret villages to live in”, praised for its robust sense of neighborhood and superb 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 develop into such a sought-after vacation spot.

The welcome

We arrived at round 4pm and simply discovered a parking spot together with the pub (extra areas can be found on the rear for those who arrive later). Stepping by way of 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 masking 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 an enthralling mix of conventional and trendy 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 ambiance provided 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 snug 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 at all times felt so cosy every time we entered. It’s a up to date room with greenish trendy subway tiles on the wall (even when they appear extra gray in my {photograph}!), contrasting with the patterned Moroccan-like flooring tiles. A glass-screened walk-in bathe, modern under-mounted sink and a heated towel rail give the toilet a contemporary, traditional aesthetic.

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

The services

Breakfast was included in our keep, and it was a stunning method to begin every morning. It’s served within the pub till 10am, excellent for those who favor 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 equivalent to 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 equivalent 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 complete butterflied seabass with a lemon, dill and caper butter. Among the many starters, you’ll discover the whole lot 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 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 for those who 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 get pleasure from. In actual fact, on our first evening, we discovered the pub internet hosting a energetic 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 manner, including to the welcoming ambiance.

Make sure additionally to not miss the historic chair, near the pub’s foremost 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 features – helpful for those who’re internet hosting a small gathering or occasion, or excellent for those who’re considering 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 really rural.

We visited Cholmondeley Fortress Gardens which is just 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 way of the gardens by which we have been immersed in a panoramic palette of seasonal colours. The sky was slightly 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 crimson 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 manner house. We have now 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 have been supplied with all types of considerate extras in our room that it will 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 duplicate of Cheshire Life.

The price

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 evening for two folks.

A dinner, mattress and breakfast keep in a Nation Double room equivalent 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 welcoming ambiance that The Lion at Malpas appeared to create so effortlessly — one thing the most effective conventional pubs are famend for. A roaring hearth, snug lodging and high quality pub meals all contributed to the right 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 pals or household over a pint by a roaring hearth in a comfy British pub. It’s laborious to beat. However by providing the attraction 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 degree, 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 trade 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.