Highwayman, Rainow

NEWS: The Highwayman has been closed since winter 2010 after a succession of licensees failed to turn around the fortunes of this once popular pub. The food prices of the last attempt were VERY high as they attempted to turn it further into a super-expensive gastro pub. Planning permission is now in place (March 2012) to turn into a 5-bedroomed house and therefore it's future as a pub looks bleak.

The Highwayman must have one of the county's most appealing pub interiors. A very attractive, remote and windswept moorland inn, with breathtaking views from the front door. It was known as the Blacksmith's Arms until 1949 and locally as "The Patch". Within, there is a maze of connecting rooms with a small tap room at the far corner. Very low ceilings and genuine old beams are complemented by scrubbed wooden tables and numerous settles, with a particularly fine, carved example in the back room, next to a wall-mounted iron shield. The room to the right of the hall is reached through a latched, barn-style door and has a separate bar hewn from a single timber. The front snug is named after a local, historical rogue, Tom King.

The Highwayman is blessed by 18 inch thick walls and no fewer than three blazing open fires in the winter months. Given the exposed situation, this can be a bleak spot when the snows come, but there could be worse places to be cut off! This is one of the very few pubs serving Thwaites beer in Cheshire. The benches in front garden have wonderful view over the rolling hills.

Over recent years, the pub has tended towards the feared "gastrobpub" with a refurbishment. This is a little harsh as the refurbishment was in character and the food is excellent, albiet on the expensive side. The pub has just won Cheshire Life casual dining pub of the year as well as several AA awards. All food is locally sourced and ranges from sandwiches to full blown inventive meals. But the time when a pub could survive just as a pub are long gone and maybe this is what we have to accept to keep the classic, rural gem. Drinkers are still very welcome though, just leave your muddy boots at the front door.

The pub does occassionally close for private events so it's best to check before making plans to travel. Children welcome in the non bar areas.