Sitting within the South Cheshire countryside, the medieval village of Malpas was just lately topped #1 in The Sunday Instances record of the “best secret villages to live in”, praised for its robust sense of group and supreme 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 grow 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 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 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 trendy design. The mattress is framed by a hanging darkish, rustic wood 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.
Effectively-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 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 recent 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 ground 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, comfortable lighting and a plentiful provide of Molton Brown toiletries offered slightly added air of luxurious.
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The amenities
Breakfast was included in our keep, and it was a beautiful option 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 may select from classics corresponding 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 corresponding 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 every 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 be very canine pleasant, with our 10 yr previous 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 reality, on our first evening, we discovered the pub internet hosting a full of life backgammon evening—a captivating reminder of how pubs can convey individuals collectively. It was pretty to see the house being utilized in such a community-driven manner, including to the welcoming environment.
Make sure additionally to not miss the historic chair, near the pub’s important entrance and saved in Malpas because of native residents, that King James I is claimed to have used when he stopped at The Lion.
The assorted rooms of the pub might be allotted for various capabilities – helpful in case you’re internet hosting a small gathering or occasion, or excellent in case you’re pondering of planning one thing particular.
The placement
Malpas is an attractive, historic village – even talked about within the Domesday E book – 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 Fort Gardens which is simply 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 through which we have been immersed in a wide ranging 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 intensive 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 piece of the Sandstone Path at Bickerton Hill on our manner residence. Now we have walked different sections of the route earlier than, however actually should return to do all of it in the future 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 every kind of considerate extras in our room that it will 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 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 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 evening for two individuals.
A dinner, mattress and breakfast keep in a Nation Double room corresponding to ‘Clutton’, that we stayed in, begins from £199 per evening for 2 individuals.
One of the best 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 very 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 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 exhausting to beat. However by providing the allure 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 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 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.
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