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 “greatest secret villages to reside in”, praised for its sturdy sense of neighborhood and preferrred 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 (extra areas can be found on the rear in case you arrive later). Stepping by means of the primary entrance, we had been greeted by the cosy glow of a roaring fireplace 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 masking 28 sq. metres. Upon getting 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 placing 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 stress-free after a day of exploring. The en suite lavatory lies simply past.

The toilet

The en suite lavatory 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 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 a bit of added air of luxurious.

The services

Breakfast was included in our keep, and it was a beautiful method to begin every morning. It’s served within the pub till 10am, excellent in case you want 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 possibly can select from classics akin to Eggs Benedict or Eggs Florentine, or take pleasure in a heartier possibility 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 complete 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 also be very canine pleasant, with our 10 12 months 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 a lot 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 truth, on our first night time, we discovered the pub internet hosting a energetic backgammon night time—an enthralling reminder of how pubs can deliver individuals collectively. It was beautiful to see the house being utilized in such a community-driven approach, including to the welcoming ambiance.

Be certain additionally to not miss the historic chair, near the pub’s predominant entrance and saved 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 excellent in case you’re considering of planning one thing particular.

The situation

Malpas is a stupendous, 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 really rural.

We visited Cholmondeley Citadel Gardens which is simply 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 means of the gardens by which we had been immersed in a panoramic palette of seasonal colours. The sky was a bit of 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 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 piece of the Sandstone Path at Bickerton Hill on our approach house. We’ve 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 beautiful to sit down within the pub with a drink, we had been supplied with all types 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 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 duplicate of Cheshire Life.

The fee

For the extent of consolation, consideration to element, and total expertise, The Lion presents 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 akin to ‘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 very best conventional pubs are famend for. A roaring fireplace, snug lodging and high quality pub meals all contributed to the right mix of cosiness, informality and rustic allure 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 laborious to beat. However by providing the allure 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 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.