The Galloping Major

Three-course dining in the middle of the local park – lucky are the residents of Cheadle that they have The Galloping Major and John Lewis on their doorsteps. 

This fine-looking restaurant in the Oddfellows Hotel squeezed in our one ‘£’ price bracket because its set menu is just under £25. However, it has the feel of a ‘££’ type establishment; classy rather than casual. And with a setting like this, it’d be a shame not to be.

The Galloping Major is housed in what was once the ballroom of a gothic Victorian mansion, all vast fireplaces and ornate plasterwork. It’s not formal though: the decor has that quirky quality common in boutique hotels, making it more playful than imposing.

Typical dishes on the three-course set menu could include a starter of potted mackerel, radish, salsa verde and soda bread. Mains could include sea bream with heritage tomato salad, and baby roasted potatoes. End on a dessert such as orange polenta cake, honey and oat ice cream.

There’s an afternoon tea menu (their parkside terrace is the perfect place for dainty cakes and a pot of Earl Grey) plus a Sunday Lunch menu, and a bites menu (small plates, deli sandwiches and the like).

Afterwards, you can walk it all off in the 100-acre parkland. Watch out for flying arrows from local archery club The Bruntwood Bowmen who practise there.

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