Frankbee Village is full of country charm (Image: Andrew T-Bay)
With spring weather weekends, many of us are looking for day trips and views over the weekend.
Reporter Jess Molyneux believes he has found the perfect place. Just 25 minutes from Liverpool is Frankby, a Wyral Village full of country charm.
Jess said: “Escape from the bustle of the city centre, one of my favourite places in Merseyside is the small village known for its historic buildings, scenic walks, popular country pubs and incredible five-star hotels.”
She added that Frankby “is largely rural with its rural scenery and local farms, and not too far to reach.”
Frankby is a 25-minute drive from Liverpool city centre and an hour by bus 437. Upon arrival, Jess was impressed by the beauty of the place. “As you descend at the small Frankbee Greenstop, you will be surrounded by beautiful old cottages and village halls, Reuden Hall, nearby.
“Five minutes away from the bus stop, Hillbark Road, is Farmers Arms, a popular pub that residents admire from across Wyral. It is a standout landmark on quiet roads, with stunning views, huge beer gardens and everything you want from the traditional country pub.”
Farmers Arms is setting a real fire in case it's chilly (Image: Andrew T-Bay)
Jess realizes that the pub is a popular place. “For lunchtime on weekdays, the pub was busy with a couple who stopped by for drinks with their dog after a walk. Around them.
“Farmers Arms was one of four formerly British Pub Award-winning Merseyside Pubs. It is a destination in itself, and the pub has been at the heart of the community for over a century.”
Paul of DGB Hospitality Group said of Farmers Arms: “This pub is originally garnished much smaller and has expanded over time. It was a big business and now there is a big beer garden, but we are on the edge of this road – a big landmark for Frankbee.
“It's definitely a destination. There aren't many sidewalks in reality, so people go to Royden Park and then come to us or just head over here.” When it's cold, people head to the pub for classic meals and Sunday roasts, but the site continues to attract customers from Frankby and beyond the whole year. ”
Horse at Royden Park (Image: Andrew T-Bay)
Paul added: “It's a lovely area. You have a lot of lovely people. And Kaldi, West Kirby is up the road. It's only 20 minutes from Liverpool, but it's rural.
'”For six months of the year, it's a cozy country pub and the biggest beer garden in Merseyside for the other six months of the year. In the summer, there's a lot going on with live music and sports in the garden.
“It's almost like two businesses. In the winter, there's this cute little pub and in the summer it's like this festival. That's great.”
Paul added that he is very fortunate that the pub is next to Royden Park. He states:
“It's just a nice place and it's so close to a big city that it won't be like this. It's very unique. I live in Liverpool, but you've come here, there are horses that come, people riding horses.
Farmers Arms, Frankbee (Image: Andrew T-Bay)
He also recommended people visiting Frankby over the weekend. “I love Sundays. I think the perfect Sunday is to go to Leuden Park. There are train tracks for kids. A lovely walk to take your dog.
Jess also visited Frankby Hall, which was built in 1846, reminding him of Downton Abbey. She said: “It has been home to the Roydon family for generations, and you can still see the fascinating buildings on the grounds of Frankby Cemetery.”
She also said, “You can head to the current daffodil entrance to Royden Park, leaving Hillberk Road. The property consisting of the park and Thurstaston Common was originally owned by Ernestroyden.
Hilburk Hotel and Spa in Frankby (Image: Andrew T-Bay)
Jess wasn't bothered by the weather.
“The park includes woodlands, memorial areas, mere fishing, walled gardens, miniature railways and more. On Sundays, children can see the steam-powered passenger locomotives that are loved by children.
“Reuden Park also holds craft fairs on a regular basis. However, you can also find a large Mock Tudor House on the premises known as the Hillburk, which was redesigned between 1929 and 1931.”
She explained that the area has a rich history. “Before Norman's conquest there was a full barn built of sandstone, replaced in 1868 by a wealthy iron merchant known as Septimus Redward.
Seller Restaurants at Hillburk Hotel & Spa (Image: Andrew T-Bay)
She explained the history behind the property as follows: “In 1929, the house built there by Septimus Redward was demolished, the Bidston Court was demolished and transported on the road to Hillburk, where it took two years and two years to complete.”
The Mock Tudor real estate became a nursing home for the elderly, but was purchased in 2002 by the Contessa Hotel, which decided to renovate the Grade II list building.
It became Hillbark Hotel and Spa, and was awarded a 5-star awarded by the AA Tourism Bureau in 2012. It has the unique distinction of being the smallest five-star hotel in the UK, with only 17 bedrooms giving it an intimate atmosphere. The hotel's cellar restaurant also features three rosettes.
Jess explained his experience visiting Hillberg: “You'll walk through the gates and meet the hotel's stunning façade. The interior, the Hilberk Hotel and Spa boast everything from the stunning bedrooms to library rooms, wine cellar restaurants and more.”
Owner Craig Barker spoke to Liverpool Echo about his vision for the hotel. “The building was restored when it was home, so when you come here it doesn't feel like a corporate hotel.
“There are certain things that have drivers that take people to Frankby and other nearby villages. The parks are big, the hotels are another big. It attracts people as 25% of customers are London, 25% are elsewhere in the country, 25% are Merseyside and the city of Liverpool is North Wales.”
Craig also recommended things to do in the area. “It's so close to the Viking Museum and the Ocean Lake to West Kirby, so not just Frankbai, but here we have a collection of villages offering so many villages.”
He added that those who are not staying at the hotel can still visit. “This building comes to tea and coffee to spas, food, events and drinks, visit two restaurants and come in the summer, so people come to sit on the terrace and have wine or afternoon tea.
“The summer is great for the outside terrace, and in the winter there is all the fireplace. It's perfect for everything. Every month, I walk all the way from here to the beach, then walk all the way through the countryside and farmland. It's a beautiful part of the world.”
