The Shady Oak Pub in Cheshire West and Chester

We called in for a quick half of draft beer to check out the place. Lovely location on the canal with narrow boats passing all the time. Can't comment on food as we didn't eat. Charming inside with a wood stove burning warmly.

Pub: the pub was amazing, lovely food and staff were great. Staff member remembered our drinks order from the previous night. High quality food. We had pie, fish and chips, sticky beef and vegan lentil pie. Mash wasn't very smooth but everything else was pretty good. Dessert was quite small, and the icecream tasted freezer burnt, and maybe a bit lemony. Campsite: we camped for 2 nights. Check in was very flexible. It costed £10 per person per night. Facilities were fine, not particularly clean but okay. The shower had a shower curtain which was green with dirt/mould. It was a nice campsite!

Beautiful old pub, very accommodating, food was top notch, and it also owns a campsite, great in the summer

James the manager of the Shady was very helpful and allowed us to stay on the carpark with our motorhome along our friends and their motorhomes for a small fee. The food was amazing and the staff so friendly. Highly recommend this pub which does have a campsite attached to it. We will definitely be back James.

Nice place to go to went along the canal food good but pricy

Very nice countryside pub good food and very friendly staff

Great place to stop overnight on the canal. We loved our dinner that much we went back for breakfast the next day. Great friendly service and yummy food. Dog friendly. Warm and cosy and reasonably priced.

Absolutely great pub. Very friendly and polite staff who made us feel very welcome. Could not fault the food at all, it was delicious. On the canal and made a point of stopping again on our return journey because we enjoyed it so much.

Only had coffee. It was a lovely place, right on the canal. Outside area lovely too

Only had a pint and a Pork Pie with pickle 🥧 Just a light bite but good quality pie. Great Canal side friendly pub. Ideal for a walk or bike along the Shropshire Union Canal. Good parking too. 😊👍

Went for lunch here with friends, staff are friendly and very attentive, it is dog friendly and very popular. Good selection of beers a little bit on the expensive side but location makes up for it. Food was very well prepared and timely served.

We came here for food and to take our dog for a walk along the canal. We found a great seniors deal at the pub . It was an offer of 2 courses from a small menu and a glass of wine or beer for £14.50. Portions are smaller of course but great tasting food and friendly staff.

Absolutely lovely pub, staff are very friendly, food is excellent. Stayed on the campsite. Will definitely visit again. Highly recommend.

Very friendly pub. Nice food with vegan options. Friendly staff and ducks 😀 Lovely location.

Absolutely disgusting extreme prices £17.50 for fish and chips !!!!!! Avoid this place absolute scandals

Stayed in caravan site a week ago to meet for a meal with family . Facilities were not very clean. Pub was excellent , food amazing and staff helpful and friendly . We had a family group and dogs we were made welcome and all enjoyed . Play area outside for children .It is right on the canal so lovely to watch boats and walk dogs. Lovely views from the site some noise from trains but minamal

Called to day 12 of us on a narrow noat , 10 of us sat in side while my friend and I sat outside , cannot belive we paid £32 for two large white wines and 2 portions of chips , which I must say had about 12 chips in each small tin bowel . While it was busy next time we go on the boat we will be eating on board

First time here but not planning on returning. Small portions particularly the trout for main course. Large fish and chips disappointing - piece of fish thin and narrow - not worth 18 quid. Desserts poor - chocolate brownie a thin sliver and not a proper brownie. No lemon flavour in lemon and vanilla cake which was also quite dry. Should have complained and got our money back as another member of our party did. Someone else charged £34 for two bowls of chips and two glasses of wine - extortionate!!!

Sunday lunch was not the freshest, roast potatoes were like stones.

Superb proper pies, veg, mash and chips were also great. Totally recommend, very delicious.

Nice quiet pub in a lovely location by the canal. Food was tasty, and the service was brilliant.

Little hidden Gem, a must visit

A lovely canal side pub with an excellent beer garden with festoon lighting etc. Beer was excellent. Food was delicious. Canal moorings. Also have a campsite.

Amazing location fabulous views across canal and countryside. Large carpark. Staff a bit un welcoming, seem to have weight of world on shoulders really miserable, but food very quick large portions and hot.

as serial Sunday lunch lovers, we came to The Shady and both had the Trio of meat Sunday roast and I must say it’s up there maybe even top of my list! food was absolutely lovely and I would 100% go back!

Definitely an eating venue. Not a pub

Really lovely place but didn't get to eat there as it was really busy

Booked this as on a canal boat, was super convenient and looked nice. To be fair it is a lovely place but super expensive for quite small portions. Pretty disappointed if being honest, the food and service was ok but these are top end prices and for us not justified.

Great Sunday lunch everyone enjoyed the food and the staff were very friendly can't wait for our next visit. Which won't be long if I have my way.lovely place in a really nice setting.well Done shady.

Love this pub - a proper country pub with great beer and food.

Great pub setting staff friendly but the burger meal I got was dripping in grease the bun was a sponge of grease actually made me sick after leaving most of meal

The seafood sampler, giant Scottish egg, and french fries were excellent. Paired with a lovely view of the countryside. This was an excellent place to stop into during our canal journey.

Lovely pub, especially on a sunny day. We had the chicken Kiev and fish & chips. Both dishes were great, but the homemade Kiev was particularly delicious, probably the best we’ve ever had. Food was on the pricey side but worth it for the setting. The pub is set on the canal side with lots of outdoor tables, plus climbing frames and swings etc, great for kids. Service was good too.

Excellent from the moment we entered until we left. Would highly recommend The Shady. We will be back. Thanks to all the staff for a very enjoyable time.

great food,good choice of real ales ,really friendly staff,nestled right next to the canal with a great view of beeston castle,its dog friendly too 👍

Lovely pub, lovely setting, good food, staff are always rushed, loud, surly and disengaged with clientele. Specifically at the bar. Been several times and it's always the same. Must improve customer service and attention to make this a better place to be honest.

Had a great weekend here. Lovely spot! Will definitely go back. It was a little on the pricy side for the standard of the food, but the beer is priced well and was delicious. Definitely recommended 👌

I had chicken Kiev which came with salad and chips. One of the most delicious meals I've ever had at a pub! We ate outside, plenty of room and plenty of parking. I thought the music outside was a bit loud as I had to raise my voice slightly to be heard at our table, but that's being picky I guess. Highly recommended particularly on a warm summers day like today. Come here and watch the boat people on the canal,

Very tasty pub meal. Steak cooked to order - even the rare one! Good choice of dishes and good value for money. Great location

The best Sunday lunch I’ve ever had!

Stopped off for a coffee on a dog-walk. Cost of a flat white - £4.45!! I'm sorry, but... what??? I've had cheaper coffees in Switzerland. That is at least a pound dearer than it should be. We visit the Shady for a drink every now and then and it can be lovely, but this really is extortionate. No wonder it was so quiet despite cyclists whizzing by. Come on Shady - sort it!

Popped in for a end-of-walk pint and the beer (Sidekick from MBH) was very good. Looks promising on the food front but we went to The Dysart Arms up the road.

The Shady is an excellent canal side pub and restaurant. The staff are friendly and attentive. The menu is varied and includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is delicious, cooked perfectly and beautifully presented. There is a large canalside garden with moorings and views to Beeston Castle and there's also a campsite.

First timer at the shady, served by some guy wearing shorts (ok it was a hot day) but suprised my wife. Menu was ok, a bit expensive and small portions served to us. Won't be returning in a hurry!!!!!!!!!!!!

We had no food prices to much the beer was expensive

Wonderful restaurant by a beautiful canal with great backdrop scenery. Food was excellent as well as staff and ambience

We go for food on a regular basis and also stay on our caravan the site and pub is amazing 5 star

Great canal side pub. Food is a bit expensive but OK. Kiddies play areas in a great garden, safe from the canal

lovely location, food was nice and service was good.

Large pub, plenty of seating, close to the canal. Campsite/ caravan park part of the wider premises adjacent. Didn't try the food. Relaxing place to get a drink on the trail.

Visited shady twice, out to Chester (on boat) just drinks And on return had Sunday lunch which was absolutely 💯 👌 amazing, never eaten a sunday lunch this good. Service,drinks, location and food. I would highly recommend. The staff make you feel very welcome and hats off they also assisted 2 ladies who had their vehicle stuck in the lane after hitting a pot hole To me, this is above and beyond. What a delightful pub with fantastic staff with outstanding morals. We were happy to help and assist. You guys are running a fantastic pub 👏 keep up the good work and thankyou so much for your appreciation (you know) 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

On the canal, stopped for a quick lunch - food was excellent, lovely friendly staff. Will definitely add to our revisit list & and recommend.

Fabulous food, great staff, lovely location on the canal! Dog friendly.

Went for breakfast, over a hour wait with no one updating us when we would get breakfast, wasn't busy. My wife had eggs benedict, looked good however muffins not toasted. Asked do they lactose free milk, reply was we have soya if that's what you mean? Not sure what's happened as the last visit for Sunday lunch was good

Great pub really impressed with the pub it's self.

On a nice warm day it's a beautiful spot to sit outside by the canal, watch barges glide past and view Beeston Castle on the hill top

Popped in for a pub meal and chose the seniors menu which clearly says including soft drink or cask ale. I asked at beginning of meal about what it included and was told I'll find out but no one came back to us so we assumed it was correct. Starter was good as was my main meal but my husbands was what could be described as a toddler sized portion. The pudding was nice. Unfortunately the wait for the food was unacceptable and the waitress were chatting at bar just hanging around. When we came to pay we were charged for an extra half pint of ale as it was only a half pint with meal ... despite it not saying that anywhere. Overall I was extremely disappointed and won't be returning in a hurry

Lovely spot by the canal. Feed the ducks, fishing available. Food looked amazing.

Tasty food, friendly atmosphere and great location.

Such a wonderful pub! Food is excellent, staff are so lovely and nothing is too much of an effort. They are doggie friendly and there’s a great play area outside for the little ones too. The views of the canal and castles are stunning. We have called here on several occasions (it is very quickly becoming a regular thing!!😅) for Sunday tea and breakfast and all occasions have been 10/10. Well done team Shady… keep it up!

Friendly canalside pub serving good food.

What a lovely pub, definitely worth a visit if you’ve never been

1st time I've been and was very impressed ,great staff which are very friendly and helpful food was great value for money .Will be back soon

The pub is rustic and cosy, lovely food and staff. Definitely visit again.

Stayed outside on a barge and went in for a Sunday lunch around 18:00 and the food was fantastic, best roast beef and batter pudding I've ever had. My brother in law had turkey, and he said the same. Came back again on the Tuesday evening and had loin of pork, which was cooked to perfection.

We are on a boat, and came to the shady, as we had moored near by... What a gem of a pub... Very Canal friendly. Big smiles when we walked in, couldn't do enough for us, and our four legged friend. Doggy biscuits offered.. Food was lovely, fresh, tasty, good value. don't pass this pub without popping in..

What an amazing place! We had a lovely stay here while doing the sandstone trail. The owner and the staff are very kind and helpful! And the perfect location! Thanks a lot, can't wait to return here for the full English breakfast 😋

Very nice canal side pub. Good food and beer. Limited seating inside and a lot of it is reserved.

Stopped off here during a walk on the 2nd June. The service was good and the location was wonderful, especially on this sunny Sunday. However the 'Hot Roast Sandwich with traditional trimmings' for £11.50 was massively disappointing. The bap was toasted, which it didn't specify in the description, making it dry and flakey. And in terms of 'traditional trimmings', we got some gravy and hard roast potatoes that seemed like they were cooked yesterday and warmed up! There was no sign of apple sauce, stuffing or any other traditional trimmings. Very very disappointed, especially for £11.50! Was expecting more.

Great food and atmosphere Excellent service and friendly staff

We only stopped for drinks here, the food coming out did look good. The location is lovely, right on the canal. Plenty of tables and space outside. Service was brilliant.

I didn't have food on this occasion but the staff, drink, service and atmosphere were excellent as always

It was a lunch time offer. So portions were a little on the small side. That said, it was value for money especially when a drink was included. Definitely worth another visit.

Lovely place to visit. Sat outside by the canal side listening to the live music. We didn't have anything to eat as the place was very busy

Lovely pub right by the canal. Asked if we could park the car there and go for a walk. No problem. We had a good lunch after our walk along the canal. Lots of space inside, equally plenty of outdoor seating. Excellent views of Beeston Castle. Interesting bridge near the canal near the pub!

Lovely location with camping on site. Friendly staff and lots of outside space and seating,also small play area for the kids.

Attended a wedding here. Beautiful location on the canal. Outside beers garden with playpark. Owners were wonderful hosts and food delicious. The evening buffet was outstanding. They have room for motorhome so will defo be back.

Lovely gem of a place to stay, staff are welcoming friendly and very helpful can’t praise them enough. Food was excellent especially the shepherd pie,really enjoyed breakfast and dinner. Stayed on the pub site with Motorhome with electric hookups ,facilities all clean.Plenty to do lovely walks. Lots to do and see in the nearby village Tarporley, Definitely worth a visit. Highly recommend, looking forward to visiting again soon.

Service from the chef was horrendous, the chef took our order and didn’t seem impressed when answering questions about my wife’s dietary requirements. This attitude could have had an impact on the 1 hour wait we had for the butternut squash special. Average quality served cold with microwave rice…. To top it off the bath room was disgusting and is in a state of disrepair. Also no disabled bathrooms…

Used it for an evening meal with relatives, linked in with our stay in a motorhome on their site. Located by the canal so lovely setting. Do breakfasts too.

We arrived 3 mins before food service was closing. Bit that was no problem and the staff was super accommodating and served us. Food was excellent. We had pie, salmon and sea food platter:: absolutely fantastic a must try

Great restaurant inre.ote location... come by boat

Plenty of options on the menu , portions plentiful Pleasant location alongside Shropshire Union Canal . Staff very pleasant and attentive OAP specials available Mon _Friday

Heard about this through a friend and so glad we visited. Such a lovely little pub and right onbyhe canal. Lovely setting, great food and really friendly staff. Will definitely go back in summer but imagine it will get really busy then.

Sitting next to the canal, the sun is out, while canal boats trundle past some even waving at you, with a pint and some chips is a pure unadulterated delight! The food is a general pub fare with a little flair. It's always good. In the winter, there is a raging fire, and in the summer, there is outdoor seating next to the canal.

Had lunch with friends. Friendly service nice food, pleasant atmosphere.

We had a great day today, lovely food and beautiful ambience. 5 star !!!!

Had Sunday lunch here..well what can I say ..perfect just perfect. Good hone made roast not thr small fancy ones just fab roast..prices good staff polite defo recommend.

The accessibility from the car park and inside was extremely bad, thin uneven slope or 3 steep steps and inside more steps and NO disabled toilet (toilets a squeeze and 2 cubicles). No one to greet you. Had to sit elderly person by the door and stop a member of staff (who seemed to be the only server). Then after the logistical nightmare getting from the carpark and despite noting on the booking 1 disabled guest, we were seated down another step and a surprised non visible slope under the carpet. It was a squeeze to sit down with guests right behind you. We had to stop the waitress again to get drinks and ordered the food because was were already bored. So far not impressed with the customer service and if we knew it was NOT disability friendly we would of gone elsewhere, but this was booked for 2 months. Our starter came with the mains, confused why. We had the roast. Roast potatoes were weird in texture and taste, and only got 5. Yorkshire pudding was half the size of the plate, flat and very crispy on the edges. Cauliflower cheese tasted horrible and the actual cauliflower was too hard to cut, and this was an extra on the order. Beef was watery and gave it away. Veg was mashed carrots, mash and cabbage. No stuffing. This for me was the worst service and roast I've ever experienced. Also felt too warm in there. Had a few small dogs bark occasionally (the larger ones were perfectly behaved) and a poor old completely flat faced pug coughing and could hardly breath. The only good thing was the strawberry Knickerbocker glory, despite the small jar it came in. Had to stop the server again to get the bill. The bill was a shock!! Over £100 for 3 people. And nearly £10 for one double. Over all, don't waste your money or time, and definitely avoid it you have any mobility problems

Called in today only had 2 sandwiches and a dessert all ok and reasonably priced. Service was good and friendly and a good location by the canal. 2 negatives the first was that the place didn’t seem particularly clean the second being that our dessert was served in a plastic container of the sort you’d get your Chinese takeaway in (see picture)

The Shady has been improved so much, it's had life, sympathy and soul put back into it, which was much needed. Its in a superb setting and should be reflected inside the pub and take advantage of the beautiful setting outside, which I am glad it now does. The current pub chain is sympathetic to its surroundings and countryside decor. Its an icon of a pub in such a picturesque setting overlooking the Cheshire countryside and Beeston Castle, and this reflect. A bonus is you can park in their car park, walk to the Castle or along the canal, then back for a Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner. Ample seating both inside and out.The food is very good and staff very accommodating. THIS PLACE IS A GOLD MINE.

Good food and drinks with beautiful views of Beeston Castle and watching the boats on the canal

We were a group of three. All of us had a meal and drinks. The food was lovely, hot, and fresh. We have been here a number of times as it has always been welcoming.

Lovely Sunday roast, Lovely fresh produce.. 😋

Food expensive and average. Great location.

Recently took over by new managers. We have a boat on the Shropshire Union and it’s a leisurely 45 minute cruise to this place so a few of us use it as a local. They have moorings literally right on the outside seating area and plenty more CRT moorings for when it’s busy. Lovely food, good range of drinks. Friendly atmosphere and great for boaters and land lubbers alike.

Fantastic food and location with great staff and a great pint as well. Thanks

Absolutely loved this place! Chilled atmosphere inside & out as it's on the canal & part of the sandstone trail, summer must be buzzing. The food was lush so tasty 😋, service was 10/10 friendly, informative and literally can't do enough for you. Also booked to stay on the camping field basic but had everything you need,ehu, water, shower.

Really good menu, took a while to chose, and according to one of the people, the best roast dinner they have had.

Absolutely beautiful place. Very warm and inviting. The food was divine . Definitely will go again