RIBBLE VALLEY FOOD HEAVEN

Often referred to as the food capital of the north, Ribble Valley has excellent food and drink at its very heart. Be it beer brewers, cattle raisers or ice cream makers, our local suppliers put their heart and soul into providing fresh, quality food and drink for everyone to enjoy. And it really is “farm-to-table” service here: whether you’re in a tearoom or a restaurant, you’re bound to find locally sourced produce on the menu.

Another defining feature of local food and drink is the incredible variety. Ribble Valley has places for all budgets, and times of day—from Sunday brunches as a group to romantic evening meals for two.

…And the variety doesn’t end here! Chinese, Indian, Italian, and the very best of British are just a few of the endless culinary experiences you can enjoy in Ribble Valley. Come and savour them for yourself!

Here is just a sample of what is on offer…

The Red Pump Inn at Bashall Eaves offers sensational steak dishes. Their beef comes from native Longhorn, Shorthorn and Galloway cattle, and is slowly matured for a wonderful flavour. Their suppliers, Ginger Pig, produce for some of the best restaurants in London, Paris… and Bashall Eaves!

Occupying the original Spinning Block, the new Bar & Grill at Holmes Mill is one of the latest, and most spectacular, additions to the James’ Places group. Most restaurants have a bar of one sort or another. Few restaurants have a bar like this. It’s big, it’s beautiful, it’s simple, stylish, and also superbly well stocked. For morning coffee to aperitifs, cocktails and nightcaps, the bar at the Spinning Block Bar & Grill is worthy of a visit on its own!

A great English pub experience is The Aspinall Arms which sits on the banks of the River Ribble overlooking the medieval All Hallows church and 14th century Great Mitton Hall. Serving classic British cuisine, the menu is wonderfully varied, and dishes are freshly cooked using local ingredients. The Aspinall is a particularly popular spot with walkers, cyclists, and families.

The Spread Eagle in Sawley is also in a picture postcard location, with the River Ribble on one side of the building and on the other the remains of the 12th century Cistercian Sawley Abbey. All day, the Spread Eagle serves up ‘Lancashire Tapas’ and regional dishes with a twist, as well as their famous afternoon teas or light bites. Dining can be informal in the bar, or in one of the intimate dining rooms.

When you visit Clitheroe be sure to call into Toms Table, a new French-inspired bistro off Lowergate in Clitheroe, opened in the midst of the Covid pandemic in July 2020. The eponymous Head Chef Tom Drinkall hails from a local farming family and has returned to his Clitheroe roots after working in top kitchens around the world.

A meal at Northcote is a celebration. Championing the finest produce and honouring the ingredients is a passion for Executive Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen and the brigade. An award-winning wine list complements the outstanding dining experience with real Northern hospitality. At the heart of Northcote is the Michelin star restaurant, elegant and sophisticated, overlooking the gardens and connecting dishes to the landscapes many ingredients originate from.

The AA Rosette restaurant at the Coach and Horses Boltonby-Bowland provides another gastronomic treat. With its own micro-brewery, it has a focus on quality, seasonal ingredients, locally sourced where possible. From their casual sandwich menu, perfect for those out for a walk in the countryside, to a delicious Sunday roast and fine dining tasting menu, it offers an outstanding culinary experience.

Fitzy’s bar and restaurant at the Higher Trapp Hotel has been stylishly refurbished to create a cosy and relaxing environment, oozing with charm. The floor to ceiling windows catch the sun and offer a breath-taking view of the Pendle countryside.

The Calf’s Head is a wonderful place for a tasty and hearty meal. Located in the beautiful village of Worston and enjoying dramatic views across to Pendle Hill, the Calf’s Head must have one of the best Pub Gardens in the Valley.

Other wonderful places to check out are the Lower Buck and the Waddington Arms, both in the village of Waddington, as well as the White Bull in Ribchester and the 3 Millstones in West Bradford. Each of these are charming village Inns with gorgeous accommodation, in case you choose to stay over.

One venue for different dining experiences must be Gibbon Bridge hotel in Chipping where you can enjoy sumptuous afternoon tea in their stunning gardens or private dining is available in the Conservatory, Orangery or Cavalier Lounge, with Alfresco dining available in their unique all-purpose heated and covered dining areas for a minimum or 10 guests or more.

International flavours

Ribble Valley is also very much a centre for international cuisine and one shining example is La Locanda at Gisburn, winner of the prestigious Independent Italian Restaurant Award recognising the family-owned and run Italian at the Pizza, Pasta & Italian Food Association’s Platinum Award. The restaurant won the award on a variety of aspects including service, eating experience, menu, hygiene, and cleanliness.

True food experiences

Why not go on a gourmet countryside and cooking break? Dale House Kitchen, Slaidburn organise cookery retreats in their beautiful farmhouse situated in the Forest of Bowland AONB. Courses, which include bread making, game preparation and wild foraging, combine the training and experience of a classical chef with a sense of fun and adventure.

Northcote’s Obsession is recognised as one of the most prestigious and internationally recognised gourmet festivals in Europe, where world class chefs with numerous Michelin stars between them are invited to cook at Northcote. The festival sees chefs travelling to Ribble Valley to cook their unique Obsession menus. Alternatively, get stuck into Northcote's intimate cookery school. learning new skills as you go.

Clitheroe Food Festival is the ultimate celebration of local food. Once a year, many of the streets are closed and the town becomes a food mecca, with the sights, smells and of course tastes, of fantastic food and drink.

Ribble Valley is renowned for its food quality, with much of the produce being made here in the heart of the Valley. The suppliers of these artisan products are passionate about creating the best of food and drink, made available on our doorstep.

Buying local food

Here in the Valley, there are a substantial number of independent cheesemakers – each offering a remarkable number of quality cheeses and, just a few miles from Chipping, the village at the heart of Ribble Valley cheese making, you will find Little Town Dairy and Farm Shop. Here, locally sourced yoghurt, cream, crème fraiche and ice-cream are made, and the Little Town Dairy supplies to some of the world’s leading cruiseliners – including P&O. Local meat and dairy produce is available in the adjacent Little Town farm shop, where sweet home-made treats are also sold in the on-site tea room.

Much of the locally sourced, hand-reared produce from Ribble Valley is also available at the weekly Clitheroe Market, and particularly highlighted at the annual Clitheroe Food Festival, an annual celebration of the challenging work and commitment that local food and drink suppliers invest into their fantastic produce. During the festival (which is free to enter), the town centre is taken over by an array of culinary stalls – all offering tasteful delights. So, for a true taste of Ribble Valley, come and sample our fabulous local food products.

Locally grown and hand-sourced produce is available to buy at many local outlets across Ribble Valley, but the largest is the Bowland Food Hall, a most wonderful showcase for the very best of Lancashire’s food and drink producers. Open seven days a week, this modern temple to gastronomic indulgence provides a platform for local producers to sell their wares in an elegant setting.

To find out more about locally sourced food and drink and our wonderful local suppliers visit www.ribblevalleyfoodheaven.com