A Royal welcome to The Lion at Malpas
By Donna Richardson
Inside one Cheshire countryside watering hole is a seat once reserved for an English king, and if anyone sits in it, they have to buy a drink for everyone in the pub. The locals rescued this chair and put it in pride of place in the pub. It is associated with the first Stuart King and links with the Empress of Austria, who visited during the 1800s. This is just one of the tales that awaits when you step inside The Lion at Malpas.
In this storied inn, locals also tell tales of hidden tunnels once used by monks and smugglers during the Gunpowder plot. The Lion, a 16th-century coaching house, has always been at the heart of village life. It has enjoyed many famous patrons, from King James I 400 years ago to our current King Charles III.
Malpas is mentioned in the Domesday book. Many of its houses are black-and-white Tudor residences, and the town came into being after the Norman conquest. The village even has a hidden castle on the hill, built to defend the English borders from the Welsh.
The village is a short drive from the children’s theme park Bewilderwood, where slides and treehouses concealed in the woodland provide the perfect place for little ones to let off some steam.
This charming English inn offers 16 luxury rooms and cottages, making it a fantastic choice for families visiting the Chester Races. Under the management of Bear Inns, the pub is often frequented by people from the world of horse racing as it is a stone’s throw away from the stables owned by former England footballer Michael Owen – who also stops in regularly for a drink.
The Lion is a genuine drinking pub. At the bar, guests can choose from four cask ales, craft lagers, and even a cider made by a local rugby player. There are numerous spots to enjoy a drink, whether it’s under the oak beams or next to the fireplace decorated with countryside ornaments.
Overall, it has a fresh and modern, clean look. Before the pandemic, the owners revamped the bar and added a smart restaurant. Now, The Lion is one of the best places for food in the area, using ingredients sourced from farm-to-field. In the newly refurbished restaurant, guests can enjoy wonderful starters of salmon fishcake, chicken wings, focaccia and spring rolls as starters, while for the main course, the lamb pie is a must try, or the fish and chips. There’s also a great kids’ menu with pizza and burgers. Families can spend long evenings joyfully eating and drinking while playing dominoes and board games. Upstairs, you’ll find an elegant bathroom with a chaise lounge and vintage Vogue posters, which are very stylish.
Guests will feel at home as soon as they check-in, surrounded by luxury and creature comforts. After placing their shoes into the muddy boots basket, they can pour a coffee and relax on the large comfortable bed, which is dressed in expensive linens and accessorised with gold, silver, and brown cushions. They can also help themselves to a generous basket of treats or a gin and tonic. All the cottages are clustered around a courtyard.
Visitors will find an array of independent shops, and one of the highlights of a visit is the café inside the old fire station. Those who pop in for a coffee or a bite to eat can grab a blanket as you order a hot chocolate. Kids, old and young, will love this fascinating building, which has old fire buckets at the counter and the original beams. Guests can also pop into Magpie Books, which are owned by two sisters. Sian Hughes is an author, and Ellen is a children’s storyteller and entertainer. As well as the latest Booker Prize tomes, you’ll find second-hand books and a fantastic children’s corner. There’s also the Crown pub across the road from the Lion, which reportedly has a tunnel between the two pubs.
The Lion is family-friendly and also a great dog pub. Residents’ pooch Oakley welcomes friends as much as the staff. Overall, it has a home-from-home feel, which makes guests feel welcome.
The Swan at Tarporley is its sister property. It is a 16th-century hotel with 16 bedrooms and a restaurant and has won several awards.
Anyone visiting Cheshire during the school holidays should check out these two properties. They are stunning yet affordable, and they are on the border of Cheshire, Shropshire, and Wales, with access to beautiful countryside.
For comfort, attention to detail, and overall experience, The Lion offers exceptional value for money. Room-only stays start from £99 per night for two people.
A dinner, bed and breakfast stay in a Country Double room starts from £199 per night for two people.
Further information – https://thelionatmalpas.co.uk/