Panayiotis Miltiades, Holly Davis and Sam Hull have revitalised a much-loved venue
A historic pub has been given a new lease of life after a group of friends relaunched it as a gastropub. The Eastham Ferry Hotel, located on Wirral’s Ferry Road, dates back nearly two centuries and lies surrounded by gorgeous greenery and River Mersey views.
The building was built in 1846 near the old Eastham Ferry and next to the abandoned site of a Victorian zoo, which is now part of Eastham Country Park. The destination is still popular with day trippers and walkers.
The building closed in November 2022 by the previous owners and was left to ruin. Today, the pub has been revitalised with a large investment transforming the worn interiors into a beautiful drinking and dining space.
The venue reopened late last year by friends Panayiotis Miltiades, Holly Davis and Sam Hull with focus on becoming a gastropub. Penny said: “Eastham Ferry Hotel has a special place in my heart.
“I used to share special times here with my wife and children for many years. It made me sad to see such a wonderful building, with so much history and memories, just left to ruin. A few of us began to think about restoring it and bringing back these kind of memories for people.”
The Grade II* listed building has been fully renovated with modern furnishings and spacious dining and drinking areas while keeping the original structure’s integrity in place. More than £800,000 was invested to transform the venue into the beauty past customers know it can be.
Holly said: “It’s been a huge project but a labour of love. It was in a really poor condition with damp, ceilings coming down and all sorts. We’re all so proud and when we see people enjoying our food, drinks and events after such a big refurbishment. People have been travelling from far and wide since we opened and we have big plans for the summer in our garden.”
The Eastham Ferry Hotel intends to hold regular events including a beer festival and Greek nights alongside regular offers such as afternoon tea and Sunday roasts. There is also a private dining area for large groups to enjoy.
Holly added: “A lot of thought and love has gone into restoring the building but it’s much more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a place where so many memories have been made for so many people over the years. We have a great team here and we’re all determined to keep this magic going for many years to come.”