Overview: 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 “best secret villages to live in”, praised for its robust sense of group 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 develop into such a sought-after vacation spot.

The welcome

We arrived at round 4pm and simply discovered a parking spot in conjunction with the pub (further areas can be found on the rear in case you arrive later). Stepping by the primary 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 picket 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.

Effectively-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 lavatory lies simply past.

The lavatory

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 each 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, basic aesthetic.

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

The amenities

Breakfast was included in our keep, and it was a stunning solution to begin every morning. It’s served within the pub till 10am, good in case you desire 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 akin 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 provides pub favourites akin to fish and chips, burgers and correct pies, alongside inventive dishes that transcend conventional pub fayre. Suppose 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 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 be very canine pleasant, with our 10 yr outdated Springer, George, capable of 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 in case 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 actual fact, on our first night time, we discovered the pub internet hosting a full of life backgammon night time—an enthralling reminder of how pubs can convey individuals collectively. It was pretty to see the house being utilized in such a community-driven method, including to the welcoming environment.

Make certain additionally to not miss the historic chair, near the pub’s important 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 might 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 placement

Malpas is a fantastic, 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 straightforward 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 by which we have been immersed in a panoramic 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 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 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 method dwelling. We’ve got walked different sections of the route earlier than, however actually should return to do all of it someday because it’s fairly stunning.

Different good touches

While it was pretty to take a seat within the pub with a drink, we have been supplied with all types of considerate extras in our room that it might have been straightforward 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 stuffed 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 price

For the extent of consolation, consideration to element, and general expertise, The Lion provides 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.

The most effective bit

The spotlight of our keep was the nice and cozy and welcoming environment that The Lion at Malpas appeared to create so effortlessly — one thing the most effective 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 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 hearth in a comfy 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 degree, with out the formality of a luxurious resort.

Disclosure: Our keep was courtesy of The Lion at Malpas.