Cholmondley Arms in Cheshire East

The expectation and delivery do not match The venue is quirky and spacious The menu on Sunday focused on roasts - to be expected I had beef which was okay However it had the feel of precooked The potatoes rock hard and inedible The cauliflower cheese over cooked mushed There was just one veggie option (and no veggie roast) When I asked about other veggie dishes I was told abruptly no - with no sense that they cared Husband chose the Brussels Sprout risotto I say chose - had to have Which was also precooked arrived within 5-10 mins and seemed to be floating in a watery soup It was so tasteless that a lot of salt and pepper was needed to bring out any flavour at all Clearly the place is busy Maybe they speak more politely to locals But at nearly £40 for two disappointing meals and a pint of beer I am sure there are better places to go !

Visited here on Saturday for our yearly family get together. The venue is fabulous with nice ambience with a lovely roaring fire on a cold day. We had pre-ordered our lunch so it was served speedily and efficiently. One of our party had requested that her choice for lunch of two starters be served with the mains. But the two people who had chosen starters and a main had all their dishes served at the same time, which is not what they wanted. Some of our party had ordered the sharing board. All of the components were tasty except for the chilli beef which was extremely salty. Thankfully, their complaint was dealt with speedily and efficiently and they ordered a replacement dish which was tasty. There was a child of just one year old in our party and no high chair was available. It wasn't just that they were already all taken. The restaurant actually does not provide this service. It was a good thing a pushchair had been brought along otherwise it would have meant the child having to sit on his mother's lap. This is a service that must definitely be there for the patrons.

We stopped off on our way home to Ormskirk from Ironbridge for our dinner.I had the Steak which was cooked to perfection compliments to the chef followed by Apple andCinnamon Souflè.My dad had the fish and mash followed by raspberry ripple ice-cream, and husband had Chicken Supreme followed by Jam Roly poly and custard. There is a lovely warm friendly atmosphere and and open fire

We were greeted as we arrived by staff at the bar who explained it was free seating, and having passed us menus asked us to return to the bar to order. It wasn’t particularly busy and our order was taken promptly. We ordered 2 x main courses and they did take quite some time to appear but they were delicious. No complaints over the food. The young lady serving did seem very busy but it didn’t impact our meal. Having read many of the previous reviews it does seem to be a very mixed bag but I can’t say we had any real issues with the service or the food. Maybe the explanation is greater due the publicity?

Have visited the restaurant a number of times over the years but have never had the opportunity to stay here, until now and it didn’t disappoint. Arrived on a busy Sunday afternoon but the staff were attentive and took us to our room which was across the extensive car park to the Headmasters House; the Inn having once been a school! Our room was spacious and well equipped, although no TV. This however maintained the illusion that you’d stepped back in time to a pre TV age and we were left to just enjoy the peace and tranquility, with Classic FM playing softly in the background on the radio. It was then time for dinner and the hustle and bustle of late afternoon diners had subsided giving way to a calm and serine dining experience. Being a Sunday there was roast on the menu; one of the best I’ve ever eaten out at a restaurant. Candlelight lit the dining tables and on this evening guests got an even more exclusive corner of the room. Back in our room one could have heard a pin drop were it not for the rain falling outside. No sounds from neighbours, these walls were properly built of brick and no noisy air conditioning nor fridges to assault the senses. Breakfast was again amazing and the staff brilliant. If only we could have stayed another night!

We went with a number of friends for a meal out. I had booked the table about a month in advance. When we arrived there was a table for 7 reserved but not enough chairs for us to sit down. We were crushed into a corner surrounded by other tables so dense that additional chairs had to be lifted over other clients. It was only possible the two people at one end could get out to order drinks and food from the bar. The two people at one end managed to get out to order our drinks and food. There was quite a delay in the main course arriving and when it did it was just one server back and forth that some had to starteating beforeit went cold. My curry was missing a naan, which when it arrived was not properly cooked and hard in the middle. The noise in the room was deafening and we couldn't have any conversation from one end of the table to the other. Most disappointing. We left without bothering to order a pudding. I wrote to the restaurant with my comments but they didn't bother to reply. Very disappointed, disorganised, just wants to cram in as many as they can and does not value its customers. Our main

We travelled an hour to eat here as we were told it was something special. Unfortunately it was very average. The crumpet starter was nice but the fish and chips were nothing special at all. Service overall was good but not having table orders is a big mistake for this type of establishment. The conversion of the building itself is impressive and there was a nice atmosphere. Will not be rushing back

Bad food and unorganised staff! Wouldn’t recommended. Not at all worthy of awards and the service is on par with its food. BAD! Upon arrival, the booked table wasn’t available which in fairness was sorted pretty promptly, however…. That was all that was sorted! Seated to find you have to order your own drinks and food at the bar, which is fine but a bit surprising considering the prices. Ordered the Sunday Lunch and that’s what this review is in total of. Meat inedible. Potatoes cold and hard. Vegetables were not fresh. Bland all round. In fact you’d get better food and service at a local garden centre! Not enough cutlery on the table for the number of us seated. No one checked if the food was ok during the meal. Fair to say we paid and left promptly. Not even when paying did any member of staff ask if everything was ok. I would avoid at all costs!!! Positive: 1. Building Do not waste your money. Plenty of other great places that actually care and serve great food!

We ate here after we had been to a stable tour at Donald McCains yard just up the road. The building is an old school house which has been very tastefully refurbished. The food was excellent, we had the belly pork with fennel & dill puree seasonal vegetables & black pudding pommes dauphine & red wine jus & cod loin wirh bubble and squeak hash cakes with seasonal vegetables and brown shrimp butter, all perfectly cooked. We had the banana souffle and the chocolate fondant for dessert , also excellent , couldn't fault anything. They were very busy on this day as a large private party had booked in , but i thought the service was excellent and they carried out everyones orders very professionally and timely and all cooked fresh. We would return again if in the area

The service was slow and 3 of the main courses we ordered were inedible. The lamb, obviously old mutton and the beef, which was advertised as 28 day aged beef was nothing of the sort. I’ve rarely had such tough meat. We sent one lamb back and they replaced it with beef, which was equally bad. I’d be amazed if others don’t also complain. It was a rip off and we will definitely not be returning.

I can't understand people complaining about ordering at the bar. If you are a restaurant, then expect to be met at the door and receive table service. However, this is a pub doing food so ordering at the bar is a reputable. Service was good, friendly and efficient. Both our main courses were excellent, even if the curry was rather hot. My pork was excellent with great crackling. Puds were mixed. My pud was awful and certainly way overpriced at £6.50. My wife's Sticky Toffee Pud was excellent and good value for money. We would certainly eat here again as we enjoyed our meals and liked the building, which I would think takes some heating in the Winter (see other negative reviews).

Food wasn't bad but expensive for what it was..................service was appalling..............waited nearly an hour for our food said there was a mix up in the kitchen !!!!!! Slight apology and nothing knocked of bill as recompense.................

Went for dinner but found that there was a Wake going on at the pub. Reassured by bar staff that we weren’t in the way and it was business as usual. Ordered drinks and food at the bar before we realised that the wake attendees were getting more and more drunk; shouting, shrieking, banging the table, swearing and making everyone’s evening quite awful. We thought the manager, who was adding to the cacophony by regularly throwing wine bottles into a bin, would intervene, but it appeared his colleague was actually sitting with the loudest of the drunken mourners. The food arrived. Tepid, tasteless, expensive fish on a cold plate- Matching the temperature of the pub ( we kept our coats on) We ate and left as quickly as possible, never to return. I have told as many friends as I can to avoid this absolutely dreadful place.

Sadly a very disappointing meal. My family and I travelled almost an hour to the Cholmondeley Arms to celebrate a birthday dinner. Not only do you have to order your food and drinks at the bar, the starters we ordered took 50 minutes to arrive. On top of this, we had ordered 2 tea pots (at the bar) to have with the birthday cake. By the time the waitress brought over the tea, everyone had already finished their cake which was less than ideal. Such a shame for such an expensive meal.

Another lively cost in this unique and interesting pub. Lovely food, great drinks choice, ambience. A lively country and original pub.

We stayed here recently and had a Sunday dinner as well as 2 breakfasts here so are able to leave a confident review here.I will comment on the hotel element in another review shortly.The Sunday evening meal consisted of a beef Sunday dinner for me and venison sausages with mash for my wife.Both were excellent, hot and tasty food. I also ordered a cauliflower cheese side order.The beef was thick slices, lots of veg and a nice Yorkshire pud. Very good indeed and the cauliflower cheese was excellent also. My wife really enjoyed the venison sausages and mash.I had an ice cream pud and from local makers which was also very good indeed - rum & raisin and chocolate. Yum.The pub is an old school converted and it’s a great place to drink and eat. 366 gins they say and we did try several of them but many, many more to go!A must visit if you are in the area. They use local produce for their menu and the service is fine. Maybe not the cheapest eaterie you could find but the menu choice is good and the food quality very good.On breakfasts - enough choice to choose from, freshly cooked fare.The yoghurt compote was very nice and the sausages plump and tasty. The bacon too was delicious.The usual juice, coffee, tea etc but would have valued a larger fresh fruit choice freshly picked or sliced.A quirky pub with great choice of drinks and quality food.

I visited the restaurant with family around 6pm on a busy Saturday evening. We were apprehensive as lots of cars in car park but they do not take table bookings unless your staying at the pub. However, we got a table immediately and were provided with menus by a friendly member of staff. Thereafter it’s a case of ordering your food and getting your own drink at the bar. Service at the bar was prompt and friendly albeit one of my party was disappointed to hear that there was no steak and kidney pie left so early in the evening. The food arrived after 20 minutes or so and was of good quality and a generous helping. 2 of my party ordered steaks cooked medium but considered them on the rare side of medium but still acceptable and very tasty. We all liked the olde world schoolhouse furnishings and relaxed,efficient service.Overall, we were very impressed with the decor, service, atmosphere and food.

Arrived for a mid week lunch in November. Cold, damp and miserable, not a single fire lit on arrival.12 other customers all sat in their coats looking miserable.Mop bucket left out in her middle of the dining area.The barman never turned around to acknowledge our presence.

Really nice and stylish pub in the Cheshire countryside located in an old school house. Quite often pop in for a drink but ate there recently. Top quality pub food, good choice and homemade

We have stayed here before . We were travelling with our dog and as before we were very well looked after. We stayed in the annex known as the headmasters house which is just over the carpark from the main hotel.it is a very pretty building as is the main restaurant which looks particularly pretty in the evening when it is lit with candles and the open fire. The bar is spectacularly well stocked,a fabulous gin bar and some fine local ales, even a dog beer and biscuits and treats.We enjoyed a lovely meal and the breakfast in the morning was really enjoyable tooWe particularly appreciated the pub walk that was available as a printed sheet, we had a fabulous walk around Bickerton Hill with stunning views over to WalesA lovely very charming place for a drink a meal or a stay

Visited Friday evening and atmosphere was fantastic with live band. Third time I have visited here and always happy with the food and friendly service. Only issue is lack of vegan options which in these times is a surprise.

Not one for burgers but had the Congleton burger and it was lovely bursting with flavours. My wife had the fish pie which was generous in the portion size of the fish. No starters or deserts and both extremely full when we finished. The pub itself is in a wonderful location and well worth a visit if you’ve not been.

I’d heard so much about this gastro pub 8 members of my family were looking forward to a nice Sunday lunch after visiting my fathers grave on his anniversary. What a disappointment, we were shown our table by a rather sullen young lady who obviously didn’t want to be there, after about 10 minutes we realised that we had to order at the bar, which is ok but it would have been nice to have been advised of this when we arrived. I chose the sea food trawler platter as a main which was lovely if not expensive - crackers or toast would have been a nicer addition rather that just soft bread to have with the macerate pate. The rest of the party chose the Sunday roasts, 2 had lamb 1 pork and the rest beef; that’s where things started to go wrong- hot food on cold plates ! An absolute no no, although in this case cold food on cold plates, the Yorkshire puddings although impressive in their size were cold as was the roasts potatoes the portion size depended on which plate you got. We then had nearly an hour to wait until the plated were removed even though a waiter came past several times to nearby tables and was asked by me to clear up. Bu this time we went back to the bar to order dessert but of course they’d run out of most things by then. My advice- go early in pairs only don’t order Sunday roast and have low expectations, they may be the best place to get gin around but certainly not a meal. Won’t go again.

On the way down the A49 we stopped here for some sustenance and were more than pleased with the offering; smoked haddock fish cake with chips was one dish, another was three sausages, mash and onion gravy: no complaints, and the local beer was in fine fettle. If you're passing this way, you ought to drop in.

We visited for dinner with my parents, wife and two small boys. The food was very good, no mistakes there. My wife had the fish and chips, which was as she remembered and I had the vegetarian pie, which I was also pleased with. Desserts were also great, so much so that we visited again for later in the week after a visit to nearby Cholmondley Castle/Gardens. If you have little ones best to arrive early and bring some children's utensils.It is a pub in some sense, but I wouldn't call the food 'pub food'.

Ate here on Sunday afternoon, after having read all the positive reviews - had the Pork roast. The roast potatoes were hard and chewy and had obviously been cooked and reheated. The vegetables were too salty - a really disappointing experience and one we will unfortunately not be repeating.

My first visit with Friends. Lovely and friendly venue - food was good quality. Fish and Chips, Steak & beef and ale pie. All Good quality and tasty. will go again.

We had our second visit here recently for Sunday lunch. It's becoming a favourite - it offers a strong kids menu, the Sunday roasts were terrific (awesome veg with no pea!) and wait for it, the STAFF here are lovely! The puddings were yummy and the tea pot came complete with its own knitted cosy. My mum raved about the tea (which means the water was scalding!). Can't wait to go back!

We stayed one night here in the Headmaster's House, the excellent accommodation across the car park from the pub itself. The room was fabulous, really tastefully done and comfortable, and the pub itself and lovely gardens, which are very dog friendly by the way, was a fine mixture if traditional and gastro.The main meal I had, tandoori cod on lentils, was superb. The service is friendly and efficient and all in all we would certainly recommend it. Oh, and the breakfast was top drawer too!

Arrived with car park packed but usual calming understated atmosphere inside. Food and drinks fantastic. Thank you to all the staff who were friendly and helpful as usual. Best in the area by some distance.

We had the Welsh rarebit and it was excellent! We found the food to be of very good quality The service was friendly and pleasant too

Cholmondley Arms is a lovely place, great decor including log fire, dog-friendly, good choice of beers (I'm told), nice food. Unless you're a veggie. The evening menu from 5.30 does have 2 veggie options out of the 12 mains however the lunch and afternoon menu which is sandwiches only is hopeless unless you eat meat or fish. Not one vegetarian choice, photo attached. Not one. Yesterday when I asked what was available for a vegetarian it was clear that I just had to choose a partial sandwich, just leaving out the meat or fish, or wait until 5.30. As it was only 4.00 I ended up having welsh rarebit with salad (still charged the same despite not having the bacon or egg). This isn't unusual for the Cholmondley Arms, I've been in a number of times, (because my carnivorous friend likes it) and it's been much the same offering every time, it's not a one off, it's deliberate.

Freshly cooked food, big portions and fabulous value. Friendly helpful staff. Lovely atmosphere and obviously popular with locals and visitors.