WATCH: Thirsty cows take over Staffordshire pub beer garden
A 14th Century Staffordshire hotel and restaurant has had an invasion of an unexpected herd of 'customers' even before it can reopen to the public.
Staff at The Moat House in Acton Trussell, near Stafford, found a dozen young dairy cattle from a nearby farm had 'moo-ved' in to take over its outside tables area at 6.15pm on Tuesday.
WATCH the CCTV footage of the unexpected guests here:
Managing partner of the Lewis Partnership, Chris Lewis, joked: "We had spaced out the tables and chairs to try our metre or two-metre social distancing, but they showed no respect for that. We wondered if they thought they had herd immunity."
The cows had come from three fields away to visit the grade two listed 41-bedroom moated manor house hotel.
"They had a look at all our outside wedding facilities and at one stage they looked like guests at a wedding.
"The farmer took them away to a nearby field, but a couple had a dip in the canal. They didn't do any damage, but some of our hanging baskets were trimmed. It was like a walking buffet for them," said Chris.
Mr Lewis said The Moat House was working towards reopening in early July after being closed since March 23.
It has started takeaway meals from last week and Mr Lewis said: "The response has been absolutely fantastic, The phone have been ringing off the hook.
"People are also starting to tentatively book for the restaurant as well."
The Lewis Partnership also owns The Red Lion, Bradley; The Dog and Doublet, Sandon and The Bank House, Hixon
