The, er, humble pie has never really been fashionable but with the hardy trend for sharing and small plates in so many recently opened restaurants still rampant, you have to work a bit harder to snuffle out a good un. But don’t worry, as ever, we’ve done the graft for you.
Whether it’s a Lancashire cheese and onion pie at The Bird at Birtle or the “Double Bomber” at The Eagle and Child, not to mention regularly rotating seasonal specials from celebrated purveyors of pastry like Stosie Madi at The Parker’s Arms or Rob Owen Brown at The Hinchcliffe, there’s a pie here with your name on it.
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Birtle
Bird At Birtle
The big, first-floor window at the rear of Andrew Nutter’s Bird At Birtle frames the moors – and this gastropub, a sister to Nutters’ restaurant proper – is an ode of sorts to its impressive, rural location.
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Book Now Lancashire
The Cartford Inn
This historic coaching house serves adventurous British pub food in poetic configurations. Cooking is by mushroom forager and head chef, Chris Bury, whose CV includes the Fat Duck and Claridges, while award-winning suppliers include local wine merchants, D Byrne and Gornall’s dairy, near Preston. The interior, some of which dates back to the 1800s, is packed with wood panels and idiosyncratic artworks while the wider complex takes in glass-clad extensions, an al fresco terrace, and cool, eco-style cabins, integrated into the landscape. A place to get away from it all for a day, or a night – and enjoy some of the best food in the region at the same time.
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Book Now Cheshire
The Church Green
The Church Green is Aiden Byrne’s countryside pub where excellent meat comes as standard. Fifty ounce tomahawk, for example, and slow-cooked lamb shoulder pie, are typical dishes at the local legend’s acclaimed gastropub.
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Ramsbottom
Eagle & Child
The Eagle & Child is famous for offering excellent Sunday lunches and award-winning pub grub in the hills above Manchester.
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Book Now Lancashire
Parker’s Arms
The Parker’s Arms is a homely pub, serving and baking extraordinary, modern European food.
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Book Now Lydgate
The White Hart at Lydgate
The White Hart at Lydgate is a rustic dining pub with an excellent reputation and wine list. Located 700 feet above sea level, where Saddleworth Moor starts, the restaurant is in an impressive former coaching house, and it’s a place for all: there’s a restaurant and brasserie with two AA rosettes, a pub, function areas and a boutique hotel.