by Last year the Sunday Times named Tarporley one of the UK’s Best Places to Live, and it’s easy to see why. The annual list referred to this picturesque village as ‘Cheshire at its well-heeled and welcome’.
It’s only less than an hour from Manchester but this chocolate box village feels almost utopian. Indeed, walking down Georgian high street on a warm Sunday afternoon, you could easily think you’ve taken a step back in time.
From the quaint little houses to the old fire and police stations, with their original features, you really feel like you’re in another world. The high street is lined with cobbled lanes and beautiful historic buildings, making it the perfect spot for a day out or a break too.
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The historic village dates back as far as the Domesday Book and is located approximately halfway along the famous Sandstone Walk. It is also within easy reach of Chester and Delamere Forest (the latter of which you can walk to via the Sandstone Path), as well as family attractions such as Oulton Park, Ice Cream Farm, Beeston Castle and the Crooked.
Tarporley itself has a range of independent shops and restaurants – including the popular High Street Hollies, a recent opening from the famous Hollies Farm Shop (yes, Molly-Mae Hague’s favourite) in Little Budworth nearby. You can also find many award-winning tea shops and pubs throughout the village, including Ginger and Pickles, just named Cheshire Life magazine’s cafe of the year.
Right in the center of the village you will find The Swan, which is one of Tarporley’s most prominent and famous landmarks. The 16th century hotel has been welcoming guests for over 400 years and, to this day, is a popular community hub with locals.
Owned by Si and Chrissie Lees Jones for over a quarter of a century, the historic pub is run by Cheshire operator Woody Barlow and his team at Bear Inns, who also own The Lion at Malpas.
There are 16 individually designed bedrooms, spread across the main hotel building and the old coach house at the rear.
We were lucky enough to stay in one of the wonderful rooms in the coach house. It was a large and spacious room, with beautiful exposed wooden beams and a circular window.
The décor was vintage chic, which perfectly complemented the age and style of the building, but at the same time still felt modern and fresh.
The bed was huge and minimal furniture, so you didn’t feel crowded as you can in some hotel rooms.
In terms of the bathroom, it was definitely going for a farmhouse vibe, with more exposed timber frames and wooden features.
The hotel’s bar and restaurant areas echo the quaint but trendy theme and, after a long walk through the countryside along part of the Sandstone Path, (which was easily accessible from the high street) the option to relax and eat’ in. house’ has a huge appeal.
The reputation of the Swan’s food is ahead of it. Just a few weeks earlier I had seen Woody Barlow and his team’s names down on a show schedule at the Cheshire Show, so I was keen to see what they had to offer.
Due to a visit on Sunday there was a roast on the menu and the other half was very happy with it. He ordered the half-roasted chicken, which came served with the usual trimmings and saw no complaints.
I was expecting during our visit, so my pregnancy eye dominated the day – fish and chips and cheesy garlic flatbread.
The batter on my fish was thin and crispy for the most part, and the crushed peas were full of flavor.
They hit it out of the park with the flatbread too – it was exactly what I needed.
Onto desserts and my other half chose the cheese board, where I thought it was only fair to taste the chocolate brownie. I’ve tried quite a few brownies in my time, and I can honestly say this was one of the tastiest I’ve had and it wasn’t too heavy either, which was a plus .
Whether it’s a weekend getaway with the other half, a place to stop off after a day at Chester Races (Tarporley has direct transport links to the city centre), or a few days away with the kids, we found The Swan to be a great base. for stay. And one that won’t break the bank either.
Travel facts file
Sam was a guest at The Swan Hotel at 50 High Street, Tarporley, CW6 0AG. Tarporley is 35 miles from central Manchester and around an hour’s drive via the M56 and A49.
Overnight stays at the hotel are from £99 for a single room, or The Swan offers a variety of dining and stay packages, such as dinner, bed and breakfast from £169 per person, or Roast and Relax which does just that as he says. on the tin – roast for two with a bottle of wine, cheeseboard and glass of Port, bed and breakfast, again from £169.
