Cholmondeley, a tiny village in Cheshire, attracts thousands of visitors each year. Located west of Nantwich and north-east of Malpas, the area is known for its fairytale castle, expansive gardens, and a highly-rated pub. The village is about an hour's drive south-west of Manchester, passing through Tarporley and Budworth.
The Cholmondeley Estate and Gardens
The village largely consists of the Cholmondeley Estate, the historic parkland where the castle and gardens are situated. The Cholmondeley family has lived on these lands since Norman times, with the castle built in the early 19th century by the 1st Marquess. Within the parkland, 70 acres of gardens offer seasonal displays of colour.
Visitors can explore the Temple and Folly Water Gardens, the Glade, the Arboretum, the double herbaceous bordered Lavinia Walk, and the ornamental woodland on Tower Hill. Tickets for garden entry can be booked in advance online or purchased at the gate. The new Cholmondeley Rose Garden features over 800 new plantings across two connected Rose Rooms. The Gardens are open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays, and bank holidays until the end of October.
On-Site Amenities and Events
The estate includes tea rooms in the heart of the gardens and The Den, a natural play area for children. A second play area is located by the Mere. The Deer Park Mere and Nature Trail offers a lakeside walk with views of the castle and a chance to see the Mere's bird and waterfowl population.
Upcoming events at Cholmondeley Castle Gardens include a string quartet performance on the August Bank Holiday weekend, a classic cars festival in mid-September, and a Halloween Festival in late October. The last day of opening for the year is Sunday, 28 November.
The Cholmondeley Farm Shop serves takeaway and cafe food from 9:30am to 2pm, Tuesday through Sunday. It offers locally sourced produce, freshly made sandwiches, and a cafe with seating by a log-burner.
The Cholmondeley Arms Pub
A major attraction is The Cholmondeley Arms, a pub adjacent to the castle and gardens. Located in a former Victorian village schoolhouse, it has won many accolades, including best in Britain at the Great British Pub Awards. The pub is affectionately known as "The Chum," reflecting the correct pronunciation of the village name as "chumley." It was converted into a pub in 1988 and restored by Cheshire pub entrepreneurs Tim Bird and Mary Mclaughli in 2011.
The pub features a collection of over 300 gins, open fires, church candles, and seating nooks. Distilling equipment is displayed in a glass cabinet. The menu includes starters like "Little Porkies" (sausages glazed with maple syrup and mustard) and handmade sausage rolls, alongside pub and seafood boards. Mains feature seasonal specials such as pan-seared cod, Featherblade of Beef, and pan-roasted lamb rump, as well as classics like tikka masala, fish pie, Wagyu beef burger, ale battered haddock, and ribeye. The Sunday lunch menu includes aged Lancashire beef and chicken supreme with Yorkshire pudding, duck fat and rosemary potatoes, cauliflower cheese, and red wine gravy. Desserts include sticky toffee pudding, apple and blueberry crumble, and jam roly-poly pudding. The pub also serves its own Cholmondeley Arms pink gin, craft beers, cocktails, wines, and low-and-no options.
Cholmondeley Castle and Gardens and The Cholmondeley Arms are accessible just off the A49, with the postcode SY14 8ET.
