The Church Inn in Mobberley, named the best pub in the north west at this year's National Pub and Bar Awards, serves an excellent Sunday roast. However, the absence of a children's menu and high chairs makes it a challenging choice for families with young children.
Set in a picturesque village near Manchester, the pub was hailed by organisers as "the perfect, quintessential English village pub". Regulars include Coronation Street stars and Premier League players, with Wayne Rooney hosting his podcast from the upstairs private dining area last Christmas.
A step back in time
The Church Inn dates back to the 1700s and features dark wooden beams, eclectic antique furniture and open fireplaces. Tables are lit by old candlesticks, adding to the traditional atmosphere. Booking in advance is recommended for the dining rooms, as the pub steadily filled up within the first hour of opening on the Sunday visited.
The pub is proud of its range of fine wines, offering a "wine of the month" that allows customers to buy rare fine wines by the glass.
Family dining considerations
Although the website states children are welcome before 7pm, there is no dedicated children's menu. Instead, "mini" versions of dishes are offered; on the day of the visit, these included mini fish and chips, mini roast chicken dinner and mini shepherd's pie. High chairs are not available, meaning visitors with very young children would need to bring their own booster seat.
The mini roast chicken dinner was priced at £12.95, while a plate of vegetables for the youngest diner cost £5.
Generous portions and standout dishes
The roast beef dinner was £20.95, and the lamb shank was £27.95. Both arrived with large Yorkshire puddings, a mound of vegetables including roast parsnips, and rich gravy. The lamb was the favourite of the two plates.
For dessert, the children opted for ice cream at £4.95 for three scoops, while the signature Yorkshire rhubarb souffle was £10.95. A glass of Monbazillac dessert wine was £7.95.
The Church Inn offers everything an adult could want from a traditional village inn with a gourmet edge. For a family visit, however, the reviewer concluded she would leave the children with a babysitter to fully enjoy its particular style of hospitality again.
