Lancashire’s Top 5 Restaurants

Mark Birchall, ex-head chef at L’Enclume, is chef-patron of Moor Hall, an outstanding, three Michelin star, five AA Rosette restaurant with rooms.

Cooking goes from strength to strength at the Freemasons at Wiswell in Lancashire’s Ribble Valley. Roaring fires, cast-iron fireplaces and pictures of fantastically proportioned livestock lend a cosy vibe to the renovated cottages which make up what’s been described as the original gastropub.

Some folk in the village still refer to The White Swan at Fence as The Mucky Duck and you can still order a pint of Timothy Taylor’s at its very pubby bar. But over recent years The Swan has established itself as a destination fine-dining spot thanks to young chef Tom Parker from up the road in Burnley.

The Parker’s Arms is a homely pub, serving and baking extraordinary, modern European food.

Great British Menu winner Lisa Goodwin-Allen was at the helm at Northcote for a long time, until she announced her departure in March 2025. Simon Ulph has now taken over as head chef. He worked alongside Lisa and has extensive experience in several Michelin star establishments so a smooth transition is predicted.