The ferry tavern in Penques, Cheshire boasts one of the best pub garden views, sitting on the island between the Mersey River and the St. Helen Canal (Photo: Male)
Sitting on its own island, surrounded by breathtaking waterscapes, the quaint pub boasts one of the most enviable places, especially when exposed to sunlight. Located in Penques near Warrington, Cheshire, the ferry tavern enjoys a unique setting between the Mersey River and the canal of Sankee St. Helen. Occupying its own island strip, this award-winning Cask Ale Pub features a vast beer garden with benches. On sunny days, visitors flock to the grassy riverbanks and immerse themselves in picturesque surroundings.
If you're a little lucky, you might be watching stickers or mice playing around in the waters. Recent wildlife sightings have sparked excitement on social media platforms. But timing is important for those looking to find these aquatic creatures, and the best tides provide the best opportunities, Manchester Evening News reports.
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Pubs are popular for the sunlight (Photo: Male)
It has been run by couples Andy and Jade Mulholland for the past 20 years. (Image: Ferry Izakaya)
The Pub Island strip was formed at Fiddler's Ferry after the opening of the Sankey Canal in 1762, commemorating the dawn of the industrial age. The pub itself opened its doors the same year and has been quenching the thirst of tired travelers for over 260 years.
For the past 20 years, the ferry tavern has been managed by Andy Mulholland and his wife Jade. Jade runs deeper as Jade spent her childhood in the pub after her parents took over the facility in 1992.
In 2023, they were honored to be named Pub of the Year at Kamla in North Cheshire, and have been consistently featured in their guides over the past quarter century.
Local watering holes are famous for their various spinning casque ales, priced at £4, offering 7-8 options on tap at a time.
Not only will it hit their drinks, but the pub also captivates food lovers with “Foodie Fridays” and features street food vendors who hand out pizza, fish and chips, Greek mezzes and dim sum each week.
Having experienced busy weeks thanks to the glorious weather, landlord Andy predicts an even busier era as Easter approaches.
With a laugh, Andy said: “It's like a solar pub! When the sun is shining, we get a good business.
The pub has won multiple awards (Image: Ferry Izakaya)
The pub has a great beer garden (Image: Ferry Izakaya)
“In the summer there are 20 benches and people also sit along the riverbank so you can drive hundreds of people out into your garden. On hot, sunny days, it's stuffed.
“In winter, we walk across the canal and get to us by walking through the parking lot, so it might not be attractive in winter months because we are a little more out of the way.
Andy, 47, and his wife Jade, 42, are devoted parents to Charlie (11 and Jack).
Andy said: “These seals are coming down the mouth of the estuary and the Merseys are getting cleaner and cleaner, so they are very frequent.
“They can wander around for a few days. When I first saw the seals that had stayed here for a few days, it became quite appealing.
“The frequency of Polpoise is not that often, but whenever you can guarantee that if you pass the pub, the video will pop up on social media, it's always tagged. That's great for us as a business.”
Some wonder if the pub is really on the island due to the unusual location between the mouth of the estuary and the canal, but Andy said, “We have to cross the water to get to us! Whether it's the canal on the back or the river in front, we are definitely on the island!
You can see seals underwater (Image: Ferry Izakaya)
Perfect location by the river (Image: Ferry Izakaya)
“There are no gas mains or water mains. There are septic tanks and caloric gases here.
Customers will need to travel to the pub via narrow lanes leading to the car park, then walk through the level crossings and bridges that span the canal.
This pub is also a great rest area for cyclists and ramblers crossing the passing Transpeniine Trail.
Since Andy and his partner Jade took the helm in 2005 and following Jade's parents, their strong interest in the pub legacy led to a historic journey, revealing the licensee's pedigree dates back to 1762.
“History is incredible here. This was the main intersection of the Mersey River. It is called the Ferry, as the original licensee in 1762 was a ferryman.
“It opened in the same year as the canal, so it was a hive of activities to unload cargo with many thirsty workers, so I was clearly a business-savvy.
“It is believed that this is the point where Oliver Cromwell crossed. He stayed at a river inn and was told that this was the only place we know.”
In particular, the pub will be holding its own music festival, Glastonferry, in July and planning another event in September.
Just a quick visit to this unique little pub, the vast horizon may even be able to witness a spectacular sunset.
