The Church Inn

If you’re visiting Manchester and haven’t managed to get to Mobberley, don’t worry — it’s amazing how many people living here still haven’t made their own pilgrimage to this idyllic rural enclave in serene Cheshire. There’s evidence of a whistle stop here dating back to the Domesday Book in 1086. Skip forward a millennium, or thereabouts, and today this tiny village is known for stunning homes, laidback country lanes, and excellent walking routes. Many of which are forgiving and suitable for mixed and low ability groups thanks to the relatively flat lay of the land here, known as the The Plain. 

Served by its own railways station, with direct services to Manchester Piccadilly and Chester, like so many well-heeled English villages Mobberley is renowned for the quality of its pubs. And the Church Inn is one of the very best. An 18th Century watering hole, pints and — probably — pies have been served here ever since, and standards have always been exacting. Michelin, the Good Pub Guide, Cask Marque, Harden’s, Cheshire Life, and the National Pub & Bar Awards have all felt compelled to recommend, list and hand out trophies to this authentic free house, which prides itself on strong relations to local suppliers and producers. 

This, after all, is an area of England renowned for food cultivation, and all-but-one of the ales in the beer pumps are sourced within a 15 mile radius. With an ever-changing menu, you can always expect The Church Inn to plate up the perfect dish for the season. And as you’d hope, the emphasis here is very much on timeless British cuisine, although that doesn’t mean the team shies away from contemporary flair. For a truly unforgettable experience, private dining is available for up to 22 seated or 50 standing in the atmospheric timber-clad, candle-lit Mallory Room. And we’d also advise keeping an eye on the website for special events including organised walks and wine tastings.