Stagger - Cheadle Hulme Centre
Cheadle Hulme
Friday 21 February 2025
All in all this is a very different stagger to normal. Of the seven pubs scheduled to be visited only two were actually built as pubs, all the others being conversions from other use. Their use as pubs range from well back in the 18th century (with one building stretching back to the 17th century) to the new kid on the block, having only opened in May 2015. Also, as a complete contrast to the recent West Didsbury only one "No real ale" establishment will be encountered.
We start this evening a little out of the centre on Cheadle Hulme at the Kenilworth, located at 66 Cheadle Road. Travel from Stockport is best achieved using the 368 bus to the stop adjacent to Cheadle Road, followed by a short walk. If travelling from Manchester/East Didsbury the last scheduled 42B will drop you outside the door. The Kenilworth is a large open plan pub with an ambiance often described as estate pub in the sense of friendly and catering for all tastes. There is a good food offering, so if you missed your tea [we're up north, so none of that fancy dinner designation] you could sate you hunger here. A recent re-decorate/refit has basically left the pub the same, just with a fresh lick of paint. On leaving we reverse (for most) travel back towards Cheadle Hulme, carrying on across Albert/Turves Road towards our next destination.
After passing under the railway we come upon the second pub of this evening's stagger, the Horse & Jockey. Don't panic if you thought the second establishment was actually the Hesketh, you are in the same place! In 1864 William Bamford Hesketh built a pub on the site of the original village inn (the Horse & Jockey) but it took the name of its builder rather than its older name. At one time in its history it was used by the manor for its Court Baron & Dinnering day where tenants paid their dues and were then feasted. Nowadays that tradition is continued with the extensive cavery on offer noon until 9pm daily (sorry the manor no longer picks up the tab). The interior has been knocked about a bit, first in 1895, then more recently but it still works well as a drinkers pub, with four ales available. Weather permitting we can sit in an attractive garden area at the rear, but unfortunately are unable to have a game of bowls as the green was converted into a car park in the 1970s.
Our next
destination, the Church Inn, looks as though it could have also been the original village pub, but were infact built in the 18th century as cottages. These were knocked through (see it's not just a modern practice) and opened as The Knapsack Inn near a Pump Farm, with the first landlord being John Brown (of neither tractor nor body mouldering fame.) It was owned by generations of Turners and then by the Bromleys who also owned Ravenoak Hall/Oakley Manor across the road, now the Governor's House. Bought by Robinsons and possibly only their second pub and also offers food, but this time it is best to book in advance to avoid disapointment. We can again (weather permitting) sit outside in a small, hedged and well-tended garden, with a further outdoor area to the rear, but bowls has never been on the cards. Internally you are greeted by a comfortable, oak panelled Lounge Bar with a real fire in a carved stone fireplace.
The Governor's House was built as Oakley Manor and was originally called the Ravenoak (1882) and catered for English style evening meals to live piano accompaniment, receptions, and provided accommodation. It was rebuilt in 1998 by Hardy and Hansons and became the Governor's House. Now owned by the Greene King Brewery, this is a managed house but with a good choice of cask conditioned ales. The central bar area serves several well decorated semi enclosed spaces. The rear part is given over to food, with an extensive, reasonably priced full menu but also jacket potatoes, sandwiches, burgers and tapas, and a carvery on Sundays. Occasional beer festivals are held that can feature up to 15 ales.
Next up is the John Millington which requires a walk or a cunningly timed exit to catch the bus.
Why the John Millington? The building was originally built in 1683 as Millington Hall (lefthand photo), for the Millington family. As it is now a Grade II listed building, conversion into a pub in 2004 required careful handling of the changes. "But who was John Millington?" you may ask. John served as an Alderman on Stockport Council (that bit I have been able to discover) but when exactly I can't trace, so if you should know, why not come along on the night and enlighten us. "What about the beer?" you ask. It is now a Hydes house, so offers their Finest and Original along with four guest beers, with often one or two from their Beer Studio range. The excellent meals should be mentioned, but as we have a schedule to keep to, sampling the menu will have to wait for another night.
Next up, a few doors down from the John Millington, should be the Inventery, but they don't sell any real ale. Onwards!
Moving on we have
a complete contrast in our next and final establishment, in fact if there are more than a dozen on the stagger we may have to draw straws to see who enters first. The Chiverton Tap was converted from an old established drapers and millinery business (Arthur Chiverton) and was only opened in May 2015.
The interior reflects the drapery heritage, but the beer range is anything but flannel. Bollington Best Dressed and Long Hop are the regulars, accompanied by up to 4 locally sourced guest beers.
Remarkably here is a photo (right) showing the shop in its former guise, date unknown, but look at the stone setts in the road. The Chivington Tap now occupies the nearest corner shop.
Travel
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Cheadle Hulme
| Timing | Pub Name | Address | Bus, Rail | Notes |
| 7.30pm Start point: | Kenilworth Hotel | 66 Cheadle Road SK8 5DX |
Map | |
| Then | Hesketh Tavern | 63 Hulme Hall RoadSK8 6JZ | Map Cheadle Hulme |
|
| 8.30pm Mid point: | Church Inn | 90 Ravenoak RoadSK8 7EG | Map |
|
| Followed by: | Governor's House | 43 Ravenoak Road SK8 7EQ |
Map | |
| John Millington | 67 Station Road SK8 7AA |
Map Cheadle Hulme |
||
| Inventery | 59-61 Station Road SK8 7AA |
Map Cheadle Hulme |
No real ale | |
| Finishing at: | Chiverton Tap | 8 Mellor Road SK8 5AU |
Map Cheadle Hulme |
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