Fancy a drink in the sunshine this weekend in this triple award-winning beer garden?

WHEN the sun is shining and you fancy a drink outside, there’s nowhere better than The Carriers Inn.

The popular pub in Hatchmere has just won our latest Best of 2024 award – Mid Cheshire’s Best Beer Garden – for the third year in a row.

Triple cheers to everyone at The Carriers Inn!

In April, we launched our Best of 2024 competition.

This year’s search for Mid Cheshire’s best in a whole host of categories started with hair and Fox Hairdressing was crowned our first winner quickly followed by JD’s Café and their pies and Blue Beauty Cheshire took the best nails title.

Next up, The Bowling Green is officially Best for Roast Dinners, we toasted The Grape and Bean for their cocktails and Zaza Café Bar serves up the area’s best breakfasts.

Then we moved onto fish and chips with customers and readers sending in their nominations and votes for their favourite plaice to get the perfect Friday night treat.

The Corner Fish and Chip Shop in Winsford was last week’s winner.

Voting for Mid Cheshire’s Best for Fitness is currently taking place and we’re also looking for nominations in our latest search - Best for Tattoos.

Vote for Mid Cheshire’s Best for Fitness 2024

Nominate your favourite for Mid Cheshire’s Best for Tattoos 2024

We said cheers to 10 top beer gardens in Mid Cheshire with some great spots for a drink in the sunshine making the shortlist and The Carriers Inn took this year’s coveted crown making it a hat-trick of Best of titles.

The Carriers Inn is by Hatchmere Lake

Leigh Capon and Joanne Dewar took over at the pumps at the Delamere Road pub two years ago in May 2022.

Joanne said: “We are an independent pub serving delicious pub food.

“We cater for all ages, whether customers are out for a family walk, a quick lunch or a nice evening meal.

“Our burgers and hot dogs are proving very popular - our range includes the Hacienda burger and Cat ‘n’ Dog dog.

“The Carriers Inn is located in the heart of Delamere Forest.

“We have a stunning covered garden room, an extensive beer garden and inside seating for 100 guests.

“Our team consists of 18 local residents, providing invaluable life skills for many.

“We pride ourselves on our team training and family values.”

Owners Joanne Dewar and Leigh Capon

The couple both grew up in Eastbourne in East Sussex and decided they wanted to work for themselves following “years of working hard and putting in long hours for big corporate companies”.

Joanne, who is 53, said: “We decided if we are going to continue putting in this amount of work why not do it for ourselves?

“Between us, we have more than 50 years combined experience in the hospitality industry.

“We’re both qualified chefs and are award-winning hospitality managers.

“Our business is pubs and restaurants.

“We recently opened an Italian restaurant at The Tigers Head country pub in Norley, which is just one-and-a-half miles from The Carriers Inn.”

The beer garden to the rear of the pub is popular in the summer with its stunning views of the lake and forest.

Customers love the lakeside location of The Carriers Inn

Joanne said: “Our award-winning beer garden is lakeside and the view is stunning.

“Many of our guests love the tranquil experience, just sitting and enjoying the peace and quiet.

“We love to listen to stories from our guests of how they had their first date here or how they have spent their evenings with loved ones, just enjoying the view.

“Our award-winning beer garden also lends itself to our Summer of Sounds Beer Garden Live Tribute Shows 2024.

“We have just hosted Flash, a tribute to Queen, and next up we have Kiss The Teacher, a tribute to Abba on Friday, July 5.”

What do customers think of the beer garden at The Carriers Inn? Why do they think it deserved to win our latest title?

The beer garden has plenty of cosy corners to enjoy the live music throughout the summer

One nomination said: “One hundred per cent it’s The Carriers Inn.”

Another said: “Perfect after a stroll around Delamere Forest.”

Joanne said: “Our customers love our varied menu, which suits all tastes, and we are dog friendly – we even offer a doggie menu, The Mixed Growl, which is a firm favourite with our four-legged friends.

“Complimentary dog treats and a dog water station is readily available.

“We love working for ourselves and being part of a lovely community.

“Our regular customers are the best and support us day in and day out.

“We love putting on events and hearing from our guests what a fabulous time they had.”

There are three more events planned for the summer – tribute acts for ABBA, Madonna and Elton John.

A Queen tribute act graced the stage earlier this month

Joanne and Leigh were over the moon to be shortlisted again this year for Mid Cheshire’s Best Beer Garden 2024.

Joanne said: “We all work extremely hard to ensure our beer garden looks its best for everyone to enjoy.

“We were extremely happy to have won for the third time in a row.

“Waking up each morning to the beautiful lakeside beer garden is what keeps us going and seeing guests who are enjoying it too, makes the hard work worthwhile.

“We would like to thank our gardener, George Evans, for keeping the lawn in tip top condition, and our regular customers who support us every day.

“They voted for us to win this award again this year and it means so much.

“A very big thank you to our clients and guests who took the time to vote for us.

“We wouldn’t be here without you all.”

Joanne and Leigh took over two years ago