Corn Mill

Dramatically positioned right on the rocky rushing River Dee, this enjoyable all-rounder is housed in a restored mill. Quite a bit of the working machinery remains - most obviously the great waterwheel, (sometimes turning) and the interior has been interestingly refitted with pale pine flooring on stout beams, a striking open stairway with gleaming timber and tensioned steel rails, and mainly stripped-stone walls. A bustling chatty atmosphere greets you, with quick service from plenty of pleasant young staff, good-sized dining tables, big rugs, thoughtfully chosen pictures (many to do with water) and lots of pot plants. One of the two serving bars, away from the water, has a much more local feel, with pews on dark slate flagstones, daily papers, and regulars on the bar stools. As well as Phoenix Brunning & Price, they have a great range of drinks, with four guests from brewers such as Caledonian Deuchars and Woodland, around 50 sensibly priced malt whiskies and a decent wine choice. A long narrow deck along one side of the building juts out over the water, with views from its teak tables and chairs across the river to the steam trains puffing away at the nearby station, and you may see a horse-drawn barge on the Llangollen Canal.