By Kingfisher Visitor Guides
Looking to have a posh night of fine dining? Lancashire’s dining venues pull out all stops to suit your taste buds.
Pubs and bistros
You’ll never have to walk far to find a friendly pub in Lancashire. Travel to the edge of the Forest of Bowland and search out The Green Man at Inglewhite. It’s a village pub full of character, where seasonal dishes are complemented by three open fires, award-winning ales and fine wines. Dogs, cyclists and walkers are very welcome too.
Basically as far north as you can get within the Lancashire boundary, the village of Tunstall in the beautiful Lune Valley offers The Lunesdale Arms, bringing a British take on Southern Mediterranean cuisine. On the Preston to Liverpool A59 road, you’ll find superb eating establishments like Alexander’s Brasserie and The Hop Vine. The Brasserie, at the Rufford Arms Hotel, offers modern English and Mediterranean food.
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- You’re guaranteed a comfortable environment for fine dining.
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- Expect a wide range of dishes in Lancashire
The Hop Vine, also in Burscough, has been serving travellers since 1874 and was known for most of its existence as The Royal. It now boasts its own brewery housed in former stables used for stagecoaches that passed through. This small producer uses English hops, in the main, brewing exclusively for The Hop Vine and its sister pub The Legh Arms at nearby Mere Brow.
The Rose N Bowl in Stacksteads, Rossendale, includes a traditional carvery and it’s a fantastic stop for mountain bikers. Plus, it’s home to the World Gravy Wrestling Championships! They take place every August Bank Holiday Monday but don’t worry, there’ll be fresh gravy served in the restaurant whenever you go. For a beer hall experience, all-day dining and the Distillery Bar & Grill, Clitheroe’s Holmes Mill offers it all in one atmospheric location.
You’ll never have to walk far to find a friendly pub in Lancashire. Expect moreish home-made food and award-winning ales
Tea rooms and spectacular views
The Mill at Lostock Hall is a cafe popular with everyone from business people to families and friends. It’s set in the grounds of St Catherine’s Park, a beautiful green space including a sensory garden, wetland and woodland area. At nearby Longton, Happy Bunnies is a wonderfully quirky family-run tea room serving breakfast, lunch and yummy cakes.
Exchange Coffee in Clitheroe is an atmospheric coffee emporium spread over three floors, with nostalgia crammed into nooks and crannies and the aroma of freshly-roasted beans tempting you in. You’ll also try more than 65 different loose leaf teas. The award-winning Breda Murphy Restaurant in Whalley is nestled in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and there’s plenty to admire inside as well. Enjoy a ground floor dining area, Reilly’s Gin Bar and a delicatessen serving seasonal foods.
High quality dishes are served at Breda Murphy Restaurant in Clitheroe
Situated in the picturesque village of Waddington on the edge of the Forest of Bowland is The Higher Buck. As with many other rural venues, walkers, cyclists and dog owners are most welcome. Delicious Deli & Cafe does exactly what it says on the tin at Gisburn, within the Forest of Bowland. The White Hart, at Sabden, is another beautiful venue in a stunning location, this one below Pendle Hill in the heart of the Ribble Valley. With fresh, home-cooked food and a large drinks selection, you’ll enjoy a lovely beer garden and a real wood fire.
The award-winning Breda Murphy Restaurant in Whalley offers a ground floor dining area, Reilly’s Gin Bar and a delicatessen serving seasonal foods
Fine dining opportunities
Nothing says quality more than a Michelin-star award and Moor Hall Restaurant in Aughton has two Michelin stars. The Grade 2-listed building dates back to the 13th century, to match your fine dining experience with fine surroundings. Northcote, near Blackburn, has held a Michelin Star since 1996. Sitting in the beautiful Trough of Bowland with sweeping views, the restaurant menu pays particular attention to the seasons and the ingredients stay largely loyal to Lancashire producers.
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- Expect fine dining at Moor Hall in Aughton
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- Moor Hall has the perfect dining environment
The White Swan at Fence is also the proud owner of a Michelin star – an outstanding achievement for a local pub that decided to put great emphasis on its food. White Swan menus depend wholly on what is most fresh with suppliers, again with an emphasis on quality local produce.
Nothing says quality more than a Michelin-star award and Moor Hall Restaurant in Aughton has two Michelin stars.
Fine dining is enjoyed at a number of other restaurants in Lancashire, notably the Freemasons at Wiswell and Angels in Ribchester, with tantalising menus that change with the seasons. Family business Novello in Lytham St Annes specialises in contemporary Italian fine dining. The intimate setting is perfect for romantic nights out.
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History and heritage of Lancashire
