Last updated: 15 July 2023
The Vicarage is a three-storey whitewashed timber-framed Grade II-listed hotel, situated just outside the village of Holmes Chapel, sandwiched between River Dane and Knutsford Road in Cheshire.
The 17th century pub just oozes charm and character. Throughout The Vicarage are exposed beams and supports, wooden panelling, and decked out with vintage wall mirrors. The beam above the fireplace proclaims the pub’s origins back to 1635!
Equipped with 26 refurbished ensuite bedrooms, the hotel is also home to an onsite restaurant and bar, library and a games room. My eye was instantly drawn to snug areas furnished with oxblood-red chesterfield sofas beside a log fire just begging for me to wiggle in with a good book and a nightcap.
When the weather is nice, the lovely terrace area with wisteria tangled round the porch furnished with outdoor furniture and huge pyramid patio heaters is the ideal spot for an evening meal or aperitif.
The main bar is flush with bric-a-brac, polo mallets and helmets while the ceiling beams are covered in heraldry. Next door, the conservatory is drenched in natural light and has a feature wall of clocks all set to different times. Flooring throughout common areas is a combination of flagstone and timber floors, do keep an eye out for the window in the floor for a view of the basement wine cellar. Overall, The Vicarage has a genuine country feel with a quirky twist.
The Vicarage is pet friendly providing a warm welcome to guests four-legged companions. Designated dog-friendly areas in the hotel with some rooms providing doggy bags on arrival and even spaces in the restaurant to ensure guests can dine side-by-side with their pooches.
Bedrooms at The Vicarage
Our room was situated in the listed part of the building. Immaculately clean with plush charcoal coloured carpet and spacious with a comfy bed, home to numerous cushions and a cosy wool throw which I discovered was the perfect weight for a mid-afternoon nap!
Numerous in-room facilities made available to guests to make their stay all the more enjoyable with a fan, hairdryer, tea and coffee-making facilities and some delightful homemade cookies which Russ thoroughly enjoyed along with a wall-mounted flat screen TV and free WiFi throughout the property.
The bathroom is pleasant offering a separate bath and shower. The walk-in shower features an invigorating rainfall shower head which is initially seems overly complicated, plenty of towels and upmarket British toiletries from Duck Island.
During our stay I did note some areas for improvement. With a property of this age, one could expect some creaky floorboards and the like, but there was some quite obvious soundproofing issues which could be addressed by way of a noisy AC unit and a staff breakout area outside our window. In-room, minor defects needed attention such as the rollers on frosted-glass sliding en-suite door which did not providing nearly sufficient sound proofing between facilities and bedroom, which has the potential to make a romantic weekend away rather awkward.
Breakfast at The Vicarage
With the choice seating in the Library or the Conservatory, we opted for the light and airy conservatory to bask in the morning sun over breakfast the following morning.
Perusing the menu of hot dishes I opted for Eggs Florentine with a side of smashed avo before exploring the cold buffet offering an array of cereals, pastries, yoghurt and fruit. Juice, tea and filter coffee is included. As coffee lovers we welcomed an espresso, which is an additional cost and well worth the expense.
Dinner at The Vicarage
The atmosphere at dinner is complemented by clinking glasses, chattering friends and a busy, bustling vibe. The cracking playlist is 90’s and 00’s played everything you haven’t heard in a while and had many diners bopping in their seats.
The large timber tables are well spaced with guests not feeling as though they’re sitting atop of one another which is a welcome change from the London dining scene. The ever-changing menu emphasises excellent regional and seasonal produce which is, wherever possible, sourced locally from gardeners, foragers, and nearby farmers.
Dinner started with a warmed bread basket arriving at our table with bread sticks, hand-churned butter, oil and balsamic, plus some home-made rosemary infused olive oil.
We skipped entrees and heading straight to main meals. Ordering a 7 oz lamb rump which I firmly had my eye on, and Russ selected an 8oz sirloin steak.
The lamb was accompanied with baby potatoes, broccoli and a red currant jus. Tender, incredibly juicy and exactly what I’d hoped it’d be. Ordering a side of chips was a good idea, the equivalent of fare la scarpetta, essentially to mop up the remaining sauce on one’s plate. Yum!
The Welsh beef sirloin was not as dreamy as the lamb, some gristle in parts but the accompanying peppercorn sauce was creamy, flavoursome and made up for the tough parts of the beef.
Pudding is always important, traditional favourites of Crème brûlée, vanilla and mascarpone cheesecake, sticky toffee pudding all feature on the menu. While they’re a good shout, they’re all simply no contest when there’s a cheeseboard on offer. With 5 huge portions of local cheeses served with quince paste, homemade chutney, grapes, plenty of crackers and candied walnuts, it was enough of a cheese board to share between 2 or more, I simply couldn’t finish it!
For drinks there are plenty of craft beers and traditional ales available at the bar, I opted for a cocktail, the Vicarage Garden tickled my fancy. A gin based brew featuring apple, zesty lime and some fresh mint picked straight from the garden. Dangerously smooth, I could easily drink five more.
Final Thoughts
Ideal for a weekend break from London, Cheshire and Holmes Chapel has a lot to offer. For an optimal stay at The Vicarage, opt for one of six individually designed Signature rooms and be sure to stay for breakfast.
The Essentials | The Vicarage, Holmes Chapel
- Where: Knutsford Rd, Cranage, Holmes Chapel CW4 8EF
- Price point: Rooms from £115 p/night
- Reserve Your Room: Click here to research rates for your stay
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