WE are Taste of Manchester but it would be insanely inclusive not to celebrate the success of our Lancashire hinterland. The Ribble Valley and around is home to some of the best dining inns in the country and this has been recognised by five of themvbeing baned in the 2017 Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs.
They are the Freemasons at Wiswell (6) (above); The Parkers Arms, near Clitheroe (13); The Inn at Whitewell (21); The Assheton Arms, Downham (22); and The White Swan, Fence (48).
Greater Manchester doesn’t figure, while Cheshire’s sole representative is the exceptional Yew Tree Inn at Bunbury. Overall winner is an old stager, Andrew Pern’s Michelin-starred Starr Inn at Harome, North Yorks.
Pictured is a rump and kofta of lamb created by Freemasons' outstanding chef, Steven Smith.