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Hanging Gate, Higher Sutton

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Reopened outside in April 2021 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 available at the weekend (check times). Dogs welcome. 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, currently with two small rooms. You enter through a porch into a tiny hall, with an intimate snug containing a stove and the small bar ahead. To the right is another small room. Further rooms are planned to be opened as the refurbishment continues. 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! Rotating guests beers come from Wincle, Weetwood, Peak Ales, Storm, Beartown & Peakstones.

The inner man and woman are catered for by simple home-made pub food, much of it locally produced, which is served all weekend. See website for food pop-ups.

Walkers are welcome, and this is good walking country.

The nearest public transport is the 14A Macclesfield to Langley bus. It is a 1.8 mile walk along roads from Langley but there are also several public footpaths in the area.

Historic Interest

dates from 1621

Information for this venue is provided by the Macclesfield & East Cheshire Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Cheshire East (B)
Last updated
28/08/2025
Last surveyed
09/02/2025
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
HG Sutton Ltd
Pub ID
MAC/78
Asset of Community Value

Dating from 1621, this remote hillside pub went through a few ownerships in the early 1950s and a newspaper cutting on the wall dated 1955 details a number of refurbishments to bring the pub 'up to standard'. To the left of the entrance porch is the snug which incorporates a former pantry for making and storing cheese, some remnants of which can still be ascertained. The distinctive bar counter does look like it could date from the 1950s and some of the bar back shelves are of glass which became popular in around 1960. This tiny room has an original stone-flagged floor and a Victorian fireplace.

The middle bar has been enlarged at some time in the past by the removal of a side corridor - you can see the markings in the ceiling. This very small room has a small quarter circle 1950s counter entered via a split door, another stone-flagged floor under the carpet and fine old beams. The rest of the corridor survives and off to its left is a cosy parlour, again with excellent beams but nothing else of note.

Steps lead down to the cellar which was the extent of the original building. Then in the late 1960s the cowshed was converted into a dining room and contains nothing of interest. In 2006 it was further extended in conservatory style to double the size of the room. Outside gents' and ladies'. The PVC windows are no doubt very practical in this exposed position but are architecturally unfortunate.

Dating from 1621, this remote hillside pub went through a few ownerships in the early 1950s and a newspaper cutting on the wall dated 1955 details a number of refurbishments to bring the pub 'up to standard'. To the left of the entrance porch is the snug which incorporates a former pantry for making and storing cheese, some remnants of which can still be ascertained. The distinctive bar counter does look like it could date from the 1950s and some of the bar back shelves are of glass which became popular in around 1960. This tiny room has an original stone-flagged floor and a Victorian fireplace.

The middle bar has been enlarged at some time in the past by the removal of a side corridor - you can see the markings in the ceiling. This very small room has a small quarter circle 1950s counter entered via a split door, another stone-flagged floor under the carpet and fine old beams. The rest of the corridor survives and off to its left is a cosy parlour, again with excellent beams but nothing else of note.

Steps lead down to the cellar which was the extent of the original building. Then in the late 1960s the cowshed was converted into a dining room and contains nothing of interest. In 2006 it was further extended in conservatory style to double the size of the room. Outside gents' and ladies'. The PVC windows are no doubt very practical in this exposed position but are architecturally unfortunate.

General information about historic pub interiors
Monday
Noon - 8:30pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
Closed
Friday
4:00pm - 10:00pm
Saturday
Noon - 10:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 8:30pm

Summer Bank Holiday
Mon 25th August 2025
Noon - 8:30pm
Easter Monday
Mon 6th April 2026
Noon - 8:30pm
Early May Bank Holiday
Mon 4th May 2026
Noon - 8:30pm
Spring Bank Holiday
Mon 25th May 2026
Noon - 8:30pm
Summer Bank Holiday
Mon 31st August 2026
Noon - 8:30pm
Monday
No Service
Tuesday
No Service
Wednesday
No Service
Thursday
No Service
Friday
No Service
Saturday
Noon - 5:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 5:00pm

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Current beers

This Pub serves 1 changing beer and 0 regular beers.

Changing

Changing beers typically include: Beartown , Storm (varies) , Wincle (varies)

Source: Local


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Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
weekends only
Evening Meals Evening Meals
weekends only
Garden Garden
Stunning views
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Parking Parking
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
cleanish, well behaved dogs on short leads inside.
Real Fire Real Fire
Smoking Smoking
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
Real Cider Real Cider
Transport
Directions
take Ridge Hill road from village centre for 1.5 miles, after double bend pub is on right

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