Cheshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Tiny towns your sort of thing? Then you might want to take a look at bijou Malpas. With its black and white timbered buildings, chocolate box cottages and sprawling views across to the Welsh hills, it&#8217;s quiet, it&#8217;s serene and it&#8217;s enviably attractive – without a whiff of pretension. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1829" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/BLN_7445-scaled.jpg" alt="Tarte Tatin at The Lion at Malpas" class="wp-image-4391" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/BLN_7445-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/BLN_7445-300x214.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/BLN_7445-1024x731.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/BLN_7445-768x549.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/BLN_7445-1536x1097.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/BLN_7445-2048x1463.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Lion at Malpas</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>Leading the charge is <a href="https://thelionatmalpas.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lion at Malpas</a>, a spruced up boozer that reopened in 2020 after a transformational makeover. Eclectic interiors have jazzed things up inside, from chandeliers peering over vast wooden tables, to books lining the alcove of the fire. The food is hearty British fare with a Josper grill centre stage. The kitchen champions fresh, local ingredients done simply yet properly. There are rooms too, if you have too many friends coming to stay. </p>



<p>Locals are also a little bit in love with <a href="https://www.oldfirestationmalpas.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Old Fire Station </a>and its all-day dining menu, from mammoth breakfasts and brunch, to tapas and small plates served as dusk descends. Happy hour from Wed to Sat, 5pm-7pm, offers 25% off cocktails. For dinner with a few more frills, there&#8217;s <a href="https://atableateatons.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Table at Eaton&#8217;s</a>, dishing up proper British classics, from scallop Thermidor to roasted rack of lamb. </p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2551" height="1812" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/DSC_3970.jpg" alt="The Old Fire Station" class="wp-image-4384" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/DSC_3970.jpg 2551w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/DSC_3970-300x213.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/DSC_3970-1024x727.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/DSC_3970-768x546.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/DSC_3970-1536x1091.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/DSC_3970-2048x1455.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2551px) 100vw, 2551px" /></figure></div>


<p>Nudge a little further out of town for the sustainable micro-roastery of <a href="https://lostbarncoffee.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lost Barn Coffee</a>, with beans supplied by regenerative farmers across the world. The café here is a down-to-earth space to pick up top-notch coffee and order brunch plates (smashed avocado on toast, Turkish eggs, and fluffy pancakes) and insane-looking cakes. </p>



<p>Head over to Whitchurch (10 mins drive) to explore a growing crop of restaurants, including <a href="https://www.wildshropshire.net" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wild Shropshire</a>, which scooped a Michelin Green Star this year. The dream of self-taught chef James Sherwin, the crew here is quietly making waves on the northern food scene by meticulously observing the seasons and experimenting with ingredients nurtured on their own farm.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1044" height="1324" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/IMG_9803-2.jpg" alt="Taplescape at Baile Home" class="wp-image-4388" style="aspect-ratio:0.814453125;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/IMG_9803-2.jpg 1044w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/IMG_9803-2-237x300.jpg 237w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/IMG_9803-2-807x1024.jpg 807w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/IMG_9803-2-768x974.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1044px) 100vw, 1044px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Baile Home</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>For food-on-the-go and a smorgasbord of local produce, pop into <a href="https://www.malpasfarmshop.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Malpas Farm Shop</a>, which delivers nationwide. Or there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.hsbourne.co.uk/pages/the-littlest-farm-shop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Littlest Farm Shop</a>, run by the same team as Bourne&#8217;s Cheshire Cheese – a tiny pitstop selling locally made pestos, honey, jam and more.</p>



<p>Drive 20 minutes north for Tarporley&#8217;s thriving independent scene. For women&#8217;s clobber, there&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/tabernam_tarporley" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tabernam</a>, where an all-female team bring its rails to life with female-owned brands and plenty of colour, plus&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sibelle.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Si Belle</a>&nbsp;stocking brands such as Tory Burch and Marc Cain, while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.papillontarporley.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Papillon</a>&nbsp;is mother-of-the-bride territory.&nbsp;For interiors, pop into&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/caroltheatticroom" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Attic Room</a>, packed&nbsp;with knick knacks and accessories, or&nbsp;gorgeous <a href="http://bailehome.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baile Home</a>&nbsp;for sheepskin rugs, Scandi-style crockery and jewellery.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1707" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/Spa-at-Carden-2-scaled.jpg" alt="Carden Park Spa Garden" class="wp-image-2707" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/Spa-at-Carden-2-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/Spa-at-Carden-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/Spa-at-Carden-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/Spa-at-Carden-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/Spa-at-Carden-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/Spa-at-Carden-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Carden Park&#8217;s spa garden</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>Looking to hone your downward dog? Malpas may be bijou, but it has its resident yogi in the form of <a href="https://benditlikebuddhayoga.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bend It Like Buddha</a>, with rotating classes of hatha and ashtanga at Edge Hill Village Hall. For cricket and a whole host of sporty goings-on, beeline to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/malpassportsclub/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Malpas &amp; District Sport Club</a>. </p>



<p>In need of some serious R&amp;R? The good news is you&#8217;re a 10 min drive from one of Cheshire&#8217;s most iconic spas. <a href="https://www.cardenpark.co.uk/spa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carden Park</a> is all about glamorous pampering with a serene spa garden (where you can order glasses of fizz to sup poolside), a vast golf course and its very own vineyard. For something wilder, drive east to <a href="https://alderford.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alderford Lake</a>, where thrill-seekers throw themselves around its inflatable aqua park, though there&#8217;s paddleboarding, wild swimming and an excellent farm shop if that&#8217;s more your thing. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Village life is flourishing here with events throughout the year at the sports club, from sunny cricket evenings, to Malpas FC games. There is an annual village summer fair, with axe throwing, a dog show and plenty of stalls, plus the glittering Christmas fair. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<p>Fancy a long, reinvigorating walk? You&#8217;re close to the Sandstone Trail – a 34-mile route (which you can obviously tackle bit by bit) from the market town of Frodsham to Whitchurch. For a mooch around gardens, hotfoot it to <a href="https://www.historichouses.org/house/cholmondeley-castle-gardens/visit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cholmondeley Castle Gardens</a>, blooming with an arboretum, glades, water garden, rose garden and more. Children will love navigating the cycling paths and <a href="https://goape.co.uk/locations/delamere" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Go Ape! </a>at Delamere Forest; or closer still is <a href="https://bewilderwood.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BeWILDerwood</a> with its magical treehouses. While little ones will relish a trip to the <a href="https://www.theicecreamfarm.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ice Cream Farm</a> at Tattenhall, with a side of soft play, water fountains and more.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1280" height="1918" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/pexels-fotios-photos-2130597.jpg" alt="Storyhouse in Chester" class="wp-image-4361" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/pexels-fotios-photos-2130597.jpg 1280w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/pexels-fotios-photos-2130597-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/pexels-fotios-photos-2130597-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/pexels-fotios-photos-2130597-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/06/pexels-fotios-photos-2130597-1025x1536.jpg 1025w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Storyhouse</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>Head to Chester (half an hour&#8217;s drive) for <a href="http://storyhouse.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Storyhouse</a>, an arty hub in a reimagined Odeon cinema, with a theatre, library, restaurant and cinema. It’s also the creative force behind magical open air theatre nights on Grosvenor Park. Explore the rich history of Chester at&nbsp;<a href="https://chester.com/things-to-do/museums-and-galleries-in-chester/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Grosvenor Museum</a>, walk through the gory past of the&nbsp;<a href="https://bigheritage.co.uk/sick-to-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Medieval World at Sick to Death</a>, or sign up to a&nbsp;<a href="https://chestermedievaltours.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chester Medieval Tour</a>&nbsp;with a ‘real’ medieval soldier.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>House prices in Malpas averaged £392,710 over the last year. Detached properties sell for an average £517,972; semi-detached properties for  £303,184, with terraced properties fetching £285,432.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="850" height="566" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/10/CHR230186_23.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6229" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/10/CHR230186_23.jpg 850w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/10/CHR230186_23-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/10/CHR230186_23-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An imaginatively-designed barn conversion with far reaching rural views. <a href="https://www.jackson-stops.co.uk/properties/20415854/sales/chester" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £900,000.</a></figcaption></figure></div>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>Fancy sending your little one to play on a working dairy farm? That&#8217;s the ethos at <a href="https://bradleybarnsnursery.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bradley Barns Nursery</a>, where the great outdoors takes precedence and local produce fuels the menu. Alternatively, there&#8217;s <a href="https://sandybearsnursery.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sandy Bears Nursery and Pre-school,</a> with two rural outposts in Tattenhall and Cholmondeley, again with a focus on the freedom of the countryside. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Local schools include <a href="https://www.malpasalportpri.cheshire.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Malpas Alport Endowed Primary School</a> (though Ofsted rated it &#8216;requires improvement&#8217;) and secondary <a href="https://www.bishopheber.cheshire.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bishop Heber</a> (rated good).&nbsp;Over in Chester, <a href="https://www.kingschester.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The King’s School</a> (mixed) and <a href="https://www.thequeensschool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen’s School</a> (girls) are two prestigious independent schools.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Love your architecture? Pop into the magnificent St Oswald&#8217;s church – pitched on the highest point of Malpas. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>Hop in the car and Chester is around half an hour away. It&#8217;s an hour&#8217;s drive to Liverpool, or drive the 15 mins to Whitchurch, where you can catch the train to Crewe with connections to London (1 hr 40 mins) and Manchester (around 30 mins). </p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 260 Best Places to Live</a></em>. </p>


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