Hanging Gate, Higher Sutton

Reopened outside in April 21 after long closure, the pub is slowly being refurbished and the bar and adjacent room together with the outside are now open. Excellent views from the terrace. Food is provided by Gritstone check Facebook page for variations.

Dogs are only welcome outside the pub, table service available if you don't want to leave dog alone outside.

The Hanging Gate is a fascinating pub, dating from 1621 and its name is believed to be a combination of the Scandinavian "gata", meaning pathway, and the fact that Royal Macclesfield Forest poachers were hanged here. Earlier this century it was also called "Tom Steels" after a one-armed landlord! It is on the old Roman salt route.

Bare stonework peeps through the whitewash all over the pub, adding to its historical charm. It is a superbly refurbished hillside building, with four small rooms on several levels as you progress down the hillside. You enter through a porch into a tiny hall, with an intimate snug containing a lovely, open fire and main bar ahead. To the right is the first of a number of stepped rooms, clinging onto the hillside. This contains a small bar, an old wood-burning stove with surrounding coach lights and a rack with the daily papers. Travelling down the stone steps we pass a cosy side room containing dried flowers and watercolours by a local artist. The lower room also houses a fire adorned with a replica Civil War breastplate and a large bay window with ample seating and a wonderful panorama of the surrounding countryside. Low ceilings and beams afford a trap for the unwary tall amongst us. There is a witches circle in the top room, whilst the bottom room commands a magnificent panoramic view over the Cheshire plain and Welsh hills, which reputedly includes the Liver Building (probably the beer helps!).

The pub ghost is either a sheep rustler hung outside, or an early landlord, according to choice. The cellar is built into the rock and is always 10C - ideal for beer! The inner man and woman are catered for by simple home-made pub food, much of it locally produced, which is served every lunch and evening. Walkers are welcome, and this is good walking country.