Lion Salt Works café near canal tow path goes dog friendly

Fully accessible from the Trent and Mersey Canal towpath in Wincham, the Lion Salt Works Museum has been working with Stockport-based charity, Pure Innovations, to make sure the ground floor café is suitable for visitors with and without dogs.

Many dog walkers pass the museum on a daily basis, and they can now pop in to buy a drink and one of the many tasty bakes, which are all freshly made onsite.

The café now has a designated area for dogs and their owners and clear signage advises all visitors on how the spaces in the café can be used for the enjoyment of all.

Although dogs are welcome in the café and grounds, except for assistance dogs, they are not allowed in the museum itself.

This is a huge year for the museum as it celebrates the 10th anniversary since opening after a multimillion-pound restoration project to preserve the last open pan saltworks in Cheshire.

The Lion Salt Works cafe is just off the Trent and Mersey Canal towpath, so handy for dog walkers (Image: Cheshire West Museums) The first non-assistance dog to visit the café was Sandy, along with her owner, Helene Murphy.

Kate Harland, museums and heritage manager for Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “We have been planning for several months to make the Lion Salt Works dog friendly, and I’m delighted that dog walkers can now use our café.

“Working with Pure Innovations we have identified different areas of the cafe for dogs and those without.

“As we celebrate our 10th birthday, I’m pleased that we can now welcome more visitors to enjoy our wonderful grounds and the fantastic bakes made by the Lion Bakers from Vivo Care Choices.”