Taste of Ribble Valley


Ribble Valley… the food capital of Lancashire

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! 

For fantastic eating out experiences, 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!

Artisan Ribble Valley is one of the newest gastronomic experiences, offering a food celebration using fantastic mouthwatering produce from local, independent award-winning artisan producers.

Vegetarian Italian omelette on rustic wooden table

Occupying the original Spinning Block, the new Bar & Grill at Holmes Mill is the latest, and most spectacular, addition to the James’ Places collection of Ribble Valley hotels, bars and restaurants. Most restaurants have a bar of one sort or another. Not many 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 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.

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 breathtaking view of the Pendle countryside.


The Garden Kitchen at Holden Clough Nursery offers a different experience again, whether you choose their big breakfast or their renowned picnic bench teas which change in themes through the seasons.

The Calf’s Head is a great 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 great places to check out are the Lower Buck and the Waddington Arms, both in the village of Waddington, as well as the White Bull and the Ribchester Arms, both in Ribchester.

Visit www.ribblevalleyfoodheaven.com for a selection of wonderful places to eat out, and for special offers.

Home grown for you to take home

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.

Here in the Valley, there are a great 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. 

Grace and Janetwho are chefs at Gibbon BridgeHere, locally sourced yoghurt, cream, crème fraiche and ice-cream are made, and the Little Town Dairy supplies to some of the world’s leading cruise-liners – including P&O. Local meat and dairy produce is available in the adjacent Little Town farm shop, where sweet homemade 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 showcased at the Clitheroe Food Festival, an annual celebration of the hard 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.

Find Out More

To find out more about locally sourced food and drink and our wonderful local suppliers visit Ribble Valley Food Heaven

Copyright - Ribble Valley Borough Council 2023.