Inside the award-winning Cheshire gastropub that offers the perfect M6 pit stop

It is the longest motorway in the country and has 15 service stations on the way from Midlands to Scotland via Greater Manchester, but if you get hungry while driving along the M6 and don't fancy the likes of McDonald's or Starbucks, one Cheshire gastropub could be perfect.

The Wheatsheaf, in Sandbach, scooped a winner's plaque on an episode of Channel 4's Four in a Bed in 2019 and it is just a four minute drive. As well as food and drink, there are 18 bedrooms and the venue even boasts the AA 5 Star Gold Award.

Taken over by the Pear family in 2016, it is no stranger to commuters stopping by on their journeys across the UK. Speaking to CheshireLive, managing director Jake Pear said drivers regularly call at The Wheatsheaf due to it being 'nicely situated'.

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He said: "We are very regularly a stop off for people heading to Scotland and the Lake District, it's the two places we hear most.

"There's a lot of people over the years that have told us that is where they are going. We have the tartan carpets and curtains, so they do like that.

"As we are based off junction 17, if people take time to research a little bit about what's in the area as opposed to just going to regular services they'll find us.

"We are literally a three to four minute drive from the junction so we are very nicely situated. And obviously the town of Sandbach in itself is a good enough reason to venture out here as well."

When asked what makes The Wheatsheaf such a great alternative to service stations, Jake said the pub is a 'contrast to a soulless services' and that the gastropub pride themselves on great food.

"It's got to be the