THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN CHESHIRE

The Roebuck is an olde English Inn - the oldest in Mobberley – complete with cosy bar and six rustic boutique bedrooms to rest your head. If you’re partial to a pub crawl, two of its sister pubs are within staggering distance. Make the most of the surrounding Cheshire countryside and follow the Roebuck Inn Walk; amble across farmer’s fields to The Bulls Head - opposite the 12th century St Wilfred’s Church - and on to the Church Inn. Mobberley even has its own micro-brewery and award-winning Big Hill Gin Distillery so you can really get into the spirit of things.

This family-owned four-star hotel – just a stone’s throw from the Welsh border – makes a great dog-friendly choice. Surrounded by beautifully landscape gardens, with a luxury spa to boot, the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel welcomes four-legged friends with open arms. Dog friendly rooms come complete with a dog bed and plenty of delicious treats. No need to order room service, either (although this is available 24/7) as dogs can accompany you for dinner at Nelson’s gastro pub. They even have their very own Sir Woofchester’s dog menu, complete with bar snacks (paw scratchings) and even a full-blown roast dinner.

Rookery Hall is a 19th century Georgian mansion house hotel set in 38-acres near Nantwich. Complete with 69 bedrooms, cosy lounges, and a stylish drawing room, along with a luxurious health club and spa – home to an 18-metre pool, hydro pool, steam room and sauna, plus gym and dance studio - located in the old stables. Foodies should make a beeline for The Restaurant, having recently been awarded three AA Rosettes for its modern British cuisine. Head Chef Dion-Wyn Jones and his team champion the finest fresh local produce to create elegant, yet vibrant seasonal fare, paired with wines from their impressive cellar.

Escape the hustle and bustle and book into The Bears Paw – a lovingly-restored gastropub with 17 boutique bedrooms and the promise of an inn keepers’ welcome.  Located in the village of Warmingham - close to the popular market towns of Crewe, Middlewich and Sandbach – it makes a great base to explore the surrounding Cheshire countryside. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, return to the Inn to feast on fresh seasonal produce, before bagging a comfy seat by the grand fireplace and working your way through six real ales from local micro-breweries. 

The Cholmondeley Arms (affectionately nicknamed ‘The Chum’) sits at the heart of Lord Cholmondeley's estate. Once an old Victorian schoolhouse, the iconic pub was completely restored by pub entrepreneurs, Tim Bird and Mary Mclaughlin and has six bedrooms in the adjacent 'Headmaster's House'. Food is a big deal here, under Head Chef Tom Richards; seasonal menus offer all the favourites from Wagyu beef burger to hand-crafted steak and kidney pie. The Chum is also famous for its epic gin collection with over 400 bottles lining the shelves. There’s is a 'Gin Festival' every July, too, as well as gin tasting classes every Saturday. 

Fancy a boutique hotel within walking distance of Cheshire’s playground of the rich and famous? Look no further. As the name suggests, the hotel is located within the picturesque and affluent village of Alderley Edge, falling inside Cheshire’s Golden Triangle. Known as the Champagne capital of Britain, designer shops, café’s, restaurants, and bars come as standard here. Keep your eyes peeled for its multimillionaire residents, including Premier League footballers and their WAGs, actors, and businesspeople. Beyond the bling, you can also enjoy views over Cheshire Plain.

If you prefer a more home-from-home escape, Pennsylvania Cottage offers a quaint countryside retreat. This three-bedroom (sleeps 6), self-catering property comes complete with a cosy lounge with log burner, a fully equipped kitchen, and a large garden with terrace (great for dog owners). It’s also located on the Sandstone Trail – a 34-mile route along Cheshire’s Sandstone Ridge which takes in the green and pleasant English county. If you don’t want to cook post-walk, stroll across to the 300-year-old The Pheasant Inn for AA Rosette dining with panoramic views.

If you’re coming to Cheshire to shop, The Macdonald New Blossoms Hotel makes for a great place to put your feet up between spending sprees. Perfectly placed in ancient city of Chester, you can hit the shops by day and soak up the buzzing nightlife by night. History buffs can check out the largest Roman Amphitheatre in Britain, visit the 1000-year-old Cathedral and stand where Vikings once raided and Norman’s invaded.