With stunning views out across Cheshire, this hilltop pub is hailed a "hidden gem" with bags of history and character. The Castle in Halton is no doubt well-known to those living in the area but for those of residing further afield, a trip provides a welcome discovery.
The pub stands at the top of Halton Hill and adjoins the ruins of Grade I listed Halton Castle, which in its current state dates back to the 13th century having replaced the previous castle constructed in the same location in 1071. The pub itself was a former courthouse built nearly 300 years ago in Cheshire.
The Grade II* listed building reportedly housed prisoners in cells in the basement with the courtroom based on the first floor - now housing the restaurant and bar. There is a fresh modern feel inside, but the character of the building has not diminished and you instantly get a feel of the history once you've climbed the steps and entered.
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The Castle offers both lunch and evening menus with classic meals to choose from, as well as tapas style dishes and children's food, reporters Cheshire Live. And with such a lovely hilltop location, you can expect stunning views out across Runcorn and Widnes from the hilltop - especially in this glorious summer weather - and on a clear day you can see as far as North Wales and to the Peak District.
The evening menu at The Castle boasts a range of small plates in the tapas style suitable for sharing. They include the likes of pork belly, salmon skewers, lamb koftas, crispy calamari and watermelon with feta all priced from £6.
But at lunchtimes you can expect standard pub grub fodder - the likes of battered fish and chips (£12.95), ploughman's lunch (£9) and the Castle fry up for £8.50. On Sundays there are also traditional roasts of lamb, chicken and beef.
The pub has a four-star rating on Tripadvisor with one reviewer, seanharris125 from St Helens, saying: "This is what you call a hidden gem. First impressions are great, been done up very nice.
"Great big garden with nice views. But the food is why I keep coming back, the menu is very modern tapas style and it's the best food in the area by far, and at a very decent price. Have to try it to appreciate how good it is."
Heaton123 added: "This is a hidden gem and absolutely amazing! The food is unreal. The staff are the best anywhere I’ve ever been before and the whole experience is impeccable. The beer garden is the best with the best views, scenery and again the best staff around!"
Visiting here is more than just about the food though. The beer garden offers amazing views overlooking the village and out across the county and Merseyside, and there are of course the castle ruins to explore.
The walls are in a ruinous state, but you can walk the entire perimeter, and on selected days the interior is opened to the public. There are hopes to make it more accessible in the future by the Norton Priory Museum Trust.
Meanwhile, The Castle is hosting its own beer festival from July 8-10 with 30 local ales to try, which is as good a reason as any to pay this character-filled venue a visit. Food is served from Wednesdays evenings through to Sundays at the pub, with opening hours from 12noon to 11pm daily and until 12am on weekends.
The Castle can be found on Castle Road, Halton, Runcorn WA7 2BE
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