HOTEL of the week
THE LAWRENCE, PADIHAM, LANCASHIRE
WHERE AND WHY On the edge of the Ribble Valley, the hotel dates back to 1821 when it was a grand house, doctor’s surgery and stables. Under new ownership since last year, the Grade II listed building has been restored to its former glory by Michael Huckerby and it has clearly been a labour of love. While retaining its Georgian features, Michael has also stamped his own unique style on the 15-room boutique hotel with bottle green wood panelling and bespoke velvet chairs in the comfy sitting room. And nothing is too much trouble for our host and his staff as we were made to feel like part of the family. A nice touch was the hotel’s well-stocked honesty bar where you can help yourself to drinks. It’s no wonder The Lawrence was voted Best New Tourism Business in this year’s
Lancashire Tourism Awards. We stayed in the fabulous split level suite which had a king-size bed and sitting area downstairs, with a bathroom on the mezzanine floor, complete with roll-top bath.
ON THE MENU Recently opened, the Courtyard Room restaurant is open for dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings and lunch on Sundays (mains from €12). A traditional afternoon tea is also served here with a bottomless supply of tea and coffee (from €22) on Saturdays and Sundays. The breakfast was a fantastic full English using locally-sourced produce, with fresh juice, coffee, cereals and pastries.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE The Ribble Valley is a veritable foodie heaven with a plethora of top notch restaurants such as
Freemason’s at Wiswell, which has been voted Lancashire and the North West’s top pub. From the mouthwatering menu I opted for woodland mushroom soup with fondue of Procter’s Kick Ass Cheddar and truffled cheese hot dog (€13) as a starter, with a main of suckling pig with black pudding, sweet potato and spiced quince (€28). We worked off the calories by climbing to the top of Pendle Hill, notoriously famous for the witch trials. And nearby in the Forest of Bowland, declared an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there are dozens of scenic walking routes.
WAKE-UP CALL Room rates start at
€87 a night. thelawrencehotel.co.uk, 0044 07921 684742