Six must-visit pubs located in Clitheroe in the Ribble Valley: These hidden gems are open seven days a week
Six stunning pubs, restaurants and hotels located in and around the Ribble Valley are offering seven days a week service to suit locals and tourists alike.
The venues, including Holmes Mill and The Emporium in Clitheroe, the Assheton Arms at Downham, The Waddingtom Arms in Waddington, the Shireburn Arms in Hurst Green and Mitton Hall, Whalley, all share the same core values – good food, a wide variety of drinks and a warm welcome every day of the week.
Run as part of the award-winning James’ Places group, they each have their own unique appeal.
For the traditionalist
Holmes Mill at Clitheroe is the home to the Bowland Brewery and what is thought to be one of the longest bars in the country, with up to 40 different hand-pulls. Here you can enjoy a brewery tour or one of their popular “Beercation” overnight stays in the adjacent hotel, The Spinning Block. There’s also the beer hall serving tasty tucker and great beer of course, but also a food hall, duck pin bowling alley and oodles of entertainment.
What visitors say: Recent Google and Tripadvisor reviews include “Great customer service from Page and Taj excellent door staff will definitely be coming back again with my friends and family” and “Brilliant place, dog friendly and with Vegan Vegetarian food. Exceptional beers! Great setting, good staff (very smart and polite) food large portions and very tasty. Well worth a visit especially on a Monday and Tuesday, they have 'drink it dry' beers at £2:20 a pint!”
Find out more at www.jamesplaces.com/holmes-mill
Good fun and foodie heaven
If your idea of a good time involves pizza, a wine bar, a tasty brasserie and even a coffee shop and gift store, head to the Emporium. There are three floors of delights (including home furnishings and accessories) all under the one roof. Certainly unique, somehow it all works!
What visitors say: “Very busy restaurant but food and service were both excellent. Emily P our waitress was exceptional. Thank you Emily P.” and “Wow! Called here for coffee, decided to have two sharing platters between the four of us, one fish, one Greek. They were fabulous! Staff very attentive and friendly x we will be back x”
Find out more at www.jamesplaces.com/the-emporium
Chocolate box perfect
If an artist dreamt up a picture-perfect pub in a picturesque village, the Assheton Arms in Downham would be the result! An Instagram-able delight that delivers on the quality every bit as much as the quaint, this is perfect for drinks, dining and overnight stays.
What visitors say: “Absolutely brilliant so cosy, great food and a beautiful setting but the staff are amazing they do everything they can to ensure you have the perfect stay and we cannot wait to stay again soon” and “Beautiful location and a really welcoming accommodation. We stayed two nights and we've been really looked after. The area lends itself to beautiful walks to other pubs where there's always a roaring fire waiting. We'll be coming back without a doubt.”
Find out more at www.jamesplaces.com/assheton-arms
For the heritage lover
Head down to Waddington, near Clitheroe, and find yourself in a beautiful old coaching inn with all the charm and facilities you might expect, including mouth-watering country pub food classics, served at both lunchtime and dinner, complimented with a new Lite Bites menu served between 2.30pm and 5pm.
The Waddington Arms sits in the heart of the village, making it a charming spot for locals, and also a lovely starting point for a day out. Once it warms up a bit, you will love the pub garden. You can even add an overnight stay if you wish.
What visitors say: “We popped in for Sunday lunch – we were just passing and Googled to see if it was dog friendly (it is). The staff are super helpful and friendly. We ordered soup of the day (roast tomato) and a beef roast dinner. I have to admit I was just expecting "same old". This was not the case. The soup was delicious. The roast dinner was next level. Rather than a bog standard meat and two veg there was an amazing medley of veg, the sliced beef was at least 1cm thick and the Yorkshires were homemade. Huge portions too. Not cheap £62 but you get what you pay for. I couldn't recommend it enough.”
Find out more at www.jamesplaces.com/waddington-arms
A meal and a drink with a view
The Ribble Valley is packed with stunning views, and the Shireburn Arms at Hurst Green delivers delightfully. You can relax and unwind with a drink and fine food any day of the week, make it a stop-off point as your explore the beautiful outdoors, or stay a while in this charming 17th century inn. The choice is yours – and they don’t even charge anything extra for the view!
What visitors say: “We stopped off on this pub for some food after a walk ending in Hurst Green. We are vegans and were pleasantly surprised by some tasty options... including a falafel wrap. Atmosphere great, with wooden beam ceilings & friendly efficient staff.”
Read all about it at www.jamesplaces.com/shireburn-arms
Tea for two!
Is there anything more indulgent, more decadent and more instantly rewarding than a delightful afternoon tea in beautiful surroundings? It’s worth adding Mitton Hall in Whalley, a stunning 15th century manor house, to your list of favourites. Whether you want that special occasion treat, a simple coffee and a cake, or a catch up with friends, these stately surroundings will treat you like a king and queen, while making you feel very much at home.
What visitors say: “Went for a coffee today after being out and about. Sat in the bar area as on photo. It was a miserable day, but being there was really nice. Just a short visit. All the fires were lit in the rooms, lovely and warm.”
Whichever of the delightful list of local venues makes your mouth water, the regular promotional offers only add to the mix, including:
– Holmes Mill – Drink it Dry (Monday and Tuesday), Burger & Beer £17.00 (Mon – Fri) Beer Hall sessions (3rd Thursday of the month), Quiz Night (last Thursday of the month) Feel Good Fridays (last Friday of the month)
– The Emporium - Wine Down Wednesday (Weds), Fizz Fridays, Saturday Night Live music (set dates), Platter & Prosecco (Mon – Fri) , Beat the Clock Pizza (4.30pm – 6.30pm Mon – Thurs)
– Shireburn Arms– Pie & Pint £12.50 Mon to Thurs, Fish Fry-day £22. For two, Pub Quiz (first Tuesday of the month)
– Waddington Arms – Early Bird Menu 5pm – 6.30pm, Breakfast menu available Fri – Sun.
For more information about James’ Places across the Ribble Valley and beyond, visit www.jamesplaces.com