I've lived in the Ribble Valley for 13 years,
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ever since opening my restaurant, The Freemasons, in 2009. I came to the Ribble Valley from Blackburn, where I’m originally from. I chose to open the restaurant in the Ribble Valley, as I had visited it over the years and always found it to be such a wonderful place. At that time, there was a good food and pub scene in the valley, but it was all quite similar. With The Freemasons, I wanted to push the boundaries of what pub food could be.
The Ribble Valley really is the jewel of Lancashire, with beautiful scenery all around, great pubs and places for walking, plus it’s peaceful and remote with an abundance of fresh air. It has everything you need. In nearby Clitheroe, you can walk the Tolkien Trail, a 5.5-mile circular trail inspired by Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien, who loved spending time writing in the Ribble Valley. There are charming
historic market towns, scenic nature spots, and the Forest of Bowland and Yorkshire Dales are just a short drive away—perfect for an autumnal weekend away in the countryside.
People in the Ribble Valley are very proud to live here, and there is a great community spirit among the residents. It’s an aspirational place and there are many people that own their own independent businesses. The place is very much part of me now having lived here for over a decade. five AA Gold Stars as a Restaurant with Rooms, and we were voted sixth best gastropub in the 2021 Estrella Damm 50 Best Awards and 38th place in the recent National Restaurant Awards. Guests return to us time and time again, either for an overnight stay, a meal for a special occasion or a hearty Sunday lunch. They love the relaxed atmosphere combined with the superb food and exciting dining experience.
Our overnight guests love to try our epic Tasting Breakfast (which is included with their stay), served in Mr Smith’s, my experimental kitchen space that brings you close to the culinary action. We offer special gastronomic experiences too, like the "Chef for the Day" experience and themed cookery masterclasses. They offer a great way to discover a brand new hobby while on staycation, or to elevate your home cooking skills to the next level. 65