Assheton Arms

The Assheton Arms is a classic country pub, perfect for a stop off after a walk in the Ribble Valley. Given that its wine selection is so good, perhaps you should take advantage of the accommodation (many of the bedrooms have views of Pendle Hill) and turn lunch into a weekend getaway.

Dishes are typical pub fare with a few little tweaks that show the Assheton Arms is serious about its food.

Expect things like crispy fish goujons with tartare sauce, ox cheek pie, rib-eye steak frites and a fabulous seafood platter loaded with smoked salmon, potted shrimps, prawns, peppered mackerel, smoked trout, pickled rollmop, house salad, pickled cucumber and crusty bread. The massive ploughman’s is a standout too.

There’s a lovely terrace overlooking the village church outside and inside it’s all stone-flagged floors, low beams and roaring fires. A proper pub – and it’s part of the well-run Bowland Inns and Hotels group so you can go with high expectations.