Assheton Arms Anita’s Pick for Tasty Gastro Pub Food in Lancashire

By Anita JonesIn Food & Drink, Lifestyle0 Comments

Assheton Arms
Anita’s Pick for Tasty Gastro Pub Food in Lancashire

July 18, 2025

The award-winning Lancashire hotspot

This stunning Grade II listed country pub can be found in the Lancashire conservation village of Downham and has a mantelpiece that is brimming with awards from Lancashire Life Dining Pub of the Year, a host of Lancashire and Ribble Valley Tourism accolades and 9.1 out of 10 in the 2024 booking.com Traveller Review Award. Visitors can soak up breathtaking views of Pendle Hill from the pub itself or one of its 12 guest bedrooms, all of which are bursting with contemporary charm.

Assheton is known for it’s winning blend of top quality ingredients, beautiful settings and warm personality – a combination that sees customers coming back time and time again. The pub’s seafaring heritage means diners can expect fresh seafood dishes as well as tasty, traditional meat dishes and seasonal specials.

“Boasting stunning views of Pendle Hill, twelve guest bedrooms are available, so you can stay the night in Lancashire and really make the most of your visit.”

THE FRESHEST OF FOOD

With a family history of fishing that dates back to the 18th century, it’s no surprise that a passion for fish and seafood sits at the heart of the Assheton Arms and our chefs are renowned for the freshest of fish dishes in the area – a daily menu promises delicious ingredients from local fishmongers and local markets.

These sit on the menu alongside classic British pub food, so there really is something to suit everyone. And on Sundays, a choice of roasts and all the trimmings with meats sourced from local farmers is available all year round – as well as a tempting game selection during game season.

ACCOMMODATION

Located in two cottages and the former post office of this the Ribble Valley conservation village, the pub’s 12 en-suite bedrooms boast comfortable interiors for those wanting to stay a night after enjoying dinner and drinks in the pub. Add to this the wonderful surroundings of the great outdoors, pretty market towns and historic attractions and it really is a great destination for a weekend break.

DOG FRIENDLY BREAKS WITH YOUR FOUR LEGGED FRIEND

Dog friendly rooms are also available as the Assheton Arms welcomes muddy boots and dogs for both dining and stays. They even stock Sir Woofchester’s dog treats and dinners so your pooch can indulge too.

By Anita JonesIn Food & Drink, Lifestyle0 Comments

The North West of England’s Best Gastro Pubs – Anita’s Picks

July 17, 2025

A selection of our favourite pubs in the North West...

Tea and cake, fish and chips, wet weather, the royal family – England is famous for many things. But, there’s one that holds a special place in almost everyone’s heart – the English pub.

The heart of most communities, a pub is a place for coming together. It’s somewhere you’ll always find a friendly face and of course, the home of the Great British pint. If you come across a pub that serves great food as well as ale, you’ve truly hit the jackpot and with the ‘gastro pub’ concept becoming more and more prevalent, the traditionally more humble public house is now a treat for all the senses.

Here are a few of our North West favourites…

The Fishpool Inn, Delamere, Cheshire

Located en route to Chester from the sprawling and beautiful Delamere Forest is The Fishpool Inn. Typical to Cheshire, the 18th Century building is built in sandstone and has been lovingly restored with a contemporary twist. The open kitchen serves food taking inspiration from around the globe, including tasty stone baked pizzas.

The Roebuck Inn,
Mobberley, Cheshire

Dating back to 1708, The Roebuck Inn is a little slice of heritage set in the gorgeous parish of Mobberley. With award-winning food and an extensive wine list, the pub is a firm favourite with those from the area and beyond. Dark, cosy interiors are lit by candle light and furnished with purposefully mismatched furniture to create an interestingly eccentric space. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and offering wine region-themed guest rooms, this one is a must visit.

The Church Inn,
Mobberley, Cheshire

The Church Inn has been featured in many best pub guides including the AA British Pub Guide and it’s easy to see why. The pub been tastefully renovated to bring it up to date from its 18th Century roots with cosy corners lit by candlelight and quirky local artifacts. The menu is positively mouthwatering and the bar has an impressive wine selection, as well as local gin. Visitors can also take a seat on the terrace and take in the view of the adjacent church, wrapping up in blankets when it’s not too warm.

The Pheasant inn,
Chester, Cheshire

Just outside the roman city of Chester and nearby to Beeston and Peckforton Castle is
The Pheasant Inn, a pub which boasts some of the county’s most impressive views stretching
all the way to Wales. A favourite for over 400 years, the pub offers fabulous drinks, dining and cosy rooms. Built in traditional sandstone, it has characterful interiors and charm in abundance.

The Cholmondeley Arms,
Malpas, Cheshire

As a former Victorian schoolhouse, this pub is absolutely bursting with quirky charm. It sits at the foot of Cholmondeley Castle and offers quality cuisine, a drinks menu with something
for everyone and a welcoming atmosphere. For those that want to explore the local area, the Cholmondeley Arms also has quaint, dog-friendly guest rooms.

“Tea and cake, fish and chips, wet weather, the royal family – England is famous for many things. But, there’s one that holds a special place in almost everyone’s heart –
the English pub”

Parkers Arms,
Nr Clitheroe, Lancashire

The award winning Parkers Arms offers modern classic food using the finest regional produce in a very special way. They also offer an eclectic wine list and a selection of real ales. If you want to make a weekend of it you can stay over in one of their two ensuite guest rooms with views. The Parkers Arms has a rustic yet contemporary style, casual yet elegant, warm and welcoming in the true Lancashire way. Voted as one of the Top 50 Gastro Pubs in the Estrella Damm Awards.

The Freemasons,
Wiswell, Lancashire

The Freemasons is no stranger to ‘Best Pub’ directories and has built an enviable reputation for its high quality cuisine by head chef and owner, Steven Smith. The country pub is set within the Ribble Valley and brings a touch of contemporary sophistication to the traditional English pub. Definitely one for foodies!

The Inn at Whitewell,
Clitheroe, Lancashire

This pub has a real tale to tell – it started life as a manor house in the 1300s and was inhabited by the keepers of the Royal forest. Hundreds of years on, in the 1700s it was transformed into an inn and has been a watering hole for locals and visitors ever since. Nowadays, The Inn at Whitewall also offers food of the highest quality, as well as overnight accommodation and is situated just a short walk from the River Hodder.

The Black Swan,
Cumbria

Set in the Eden Valley, at the foot of Howgill Fells is the conservation village of Ravenstonedale –
a friendly Cumbrian town and home to The Black Swan. A rustic pub that puts quality at the centre of everything it does, ‘The Swan’ as it’s lovingly known, uses local ingredients to design its popular menu.

By Anita JonesIn Food & Drink, Lifestyle0 Comments

SUPER SUMMER FOODS

July 15, 2025

Nutritionists say when it comes to the crunch, eating a rainbow of colourful food is the recipe for all the natural goodness your body needs.

SUMMER, with its abundance of garden fresh, ripe and tasty ingredients, is the perfect time to enjoy some of the season’s best from farmers’ markets and grocery stores, offering organic and often locally sourced produce. Or you can grow your own and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Try a bowl of freshly blended fibre-filled beetroot, and juicy strawberries. Top with sliced banana, desiccated coconut and rich-in-fibre chia seeds. Then serve with homemade granola, for a light, flavoursome sunshine smoothie bowl.

Shop Set of 3 heart
shaped dishes

Shop Set of 4 patterned
glass tumblers

Shop Heart shaped wooden chopping board/platter

“Summer, with its abundance of garden fresh, ripe and tasty ingredients, is the perfect time to enjoy some of the season’s
best produce”

POACH a PEAR!

For just desserts lightly poach a pear and add chilled natural Greek yoghurt with golden honey, rich in antioxidants, and crushed hazelnuts. Garnish with health boosting thyme leaves.

SUPER GREENS

Create a delicious and wholesome super greens soup, mixing broccoli, asparagus with its anti-inflammatory qualities, nutrient-packed kale and sunflower seeds, served with crusty sour dough bread. This delicious meal is ideal for al fresco dining.

TANGY CARROT & PINK GRAPEFRUIT

Refresh the palate with a tangy
carrot and pink grapefruit summer juice, with the added zing of the medicinal marvel, fresh ginger. Pink grapefruit combines fibre, potassium, lycopene and vitamin C which all help to maintain a healthy heart.

By Anita JonesIn Dining Room, Lifestyle, Lounge0 Comments

Tips for Creating a Striking Gallery Wall and Console Display

June 18, 2025

A gallery wall and console display makes a stunning addition to any home.

Transforming the interior of your home with a well-styled console display or gallery wall can truly elevate the overall aesthetic of your home interior. Consider mixing and matching different decorative elements to achieve a captivating visual impact – striking the right balance between cohesion and diversity will result in an appealing and well-composed interior display. Also when coming up with your display concept it’s always a good idea to consider incorporating a harmonious colour climate and a unifying theme to tie all the elements together.

Capturing your style with a carefully chosen console display

For a striking console table display you can’t go wrong if you choose a combination of vases, sculptures, and candle holders alongside functional items like trays and boxes – resulting in the best of both worlds – a visually appealing yet practical display. Adding a striking piece of wall art or a mirror above the console can complete the look and ensure that your interior display truly reflects your personal style.

In the console display pictured above we have kept the display simple and uncluttered using a few carefully chosen artisan items – a contemporary table lamp, a stylish stack of nature books, eye catching ornaments and decorative leafy arrangements. Our nature-themed display incorporates earthy tones, botanical prints, and natural textures like wood, shell, stone and wicker that bring a sense of the outdoors into the space.

GALLERY WALLS

Gallery walls are a stylish way to introduce your personality into your home design and give you the chance to inject inspiration and colour into a room. The most interesting gallery walls feature a combination of art, photography and typography in various textures and types of framing. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different sized mounts and a mixture of slim-line delicate frames or chunky statement pieces.

Whether you choose a collection of family photographs, a quirky quote or even your favourite framed art pieces, arranging them thoughtfully to ensure they complement each other in terms of colour and style will enhance the overall appeal. And adding to your display with decorative elements like wall sconces, plants and greenery can bring extra flair and a finishing touch to your gallery wall display.

“Gallery walls are a stylish way to introduce your personality into a design and a chance to inject inspiration and colour into a room”

Consider a theme for your console display or gallery wall

To get started, try picking a theme or style for your content and run with it! For a boho-chic theme, consider mixing natural textures, intricate patterns, and eclectic decorative pieces to achieve a laid-back and free-spirited vibe. If you’re aiming for all-out glamour, make sure you incorporate luxurious materials like marble, metallic accents, and opulent art pieces that can create a sense of extravagance and sophistication. By integrating a consistent colour palette and a cohesive theme, you can ensure that your interior display creates a captivating and harmonious ambiance.

By Anita JonesIn Lifestyle, Outdoor Living0 Comments

The Great Outdoors – Anita’s Picks

June 16, 2025

PLACES TO EXPLORE TO GET CLOSER TO NATURE
AND HISTORY...

Now that the summer holidays are approaching we are all looking for things to do to get us out in the fresh air. Therefore we have put together some of my favourites in the area for days out with the family or a group of friends.

Lyme Park

Set in a 1,400 acres estate, Lyme Park offers glorious walks with stunning views. Wander through the romantic rose garden that played host to Mr Darcy and Miss Bennet’s first meeting in the popular BBC Production of Pride and Prejudice and see how the other half live with a tour of the heritage house and its lavish Regency interiors.

After this, sit back and relax with a coffee while the children run around the Crow Wood Playscape and enjoy the giant slide, rope walks and badger den.

DUNHAM MASSEY

A wander around Dunham Massey can transport visitors to the set of a period drama. The main house is bursting with heritage and guided tours reveal stories and secrets of the past, as well as antiques and artifacts from years gone by.
Perfect for wildlife lovers, the ancient deer park is also home to ducks, swans, owls, woodpeckers and butterflies. Dunham Massey also boasts the Winter Gardens and Rose Gardens – a treat for all the senses with sights and scents of the seasons throughout the year. Guided walks are available
or you are welcome to meander freely before treating yourselves to a bite to eat at the
Stables Restaurant.

QUARRY BANK MILL

A visit to Quarry Bank Mill is the ideal way to learn all about the roots of the industrial era and discover what it was like to live and work in a traditional mill. Learn about the legacy of mill founder, Samuel Greg, see the historic machinery in action and explore the different worlds of the owners and workers. There’s also play areas, shops and restaurants, so you can really make a day of
a trip here.

“For the perfect family day out explore stunning gardens and parks in Cheshire and embrace the natural beauty”

TATTON PARK

Tatton Park is a firm favourite in Cheshire and it’s easy to see why. The sprawling estate comprises 50 acres of landscaped gardens, 1,000 acres of deer park and a farm that specialises in rare breeds – and that’s just the outdoors. There’s a neo classical mansion, medieval Old Hall and variety of restaurants and cafes, too. Children can look forward to the adventure play area, woodland trail, traditional fairground rides and even a den building zone – where will they explore first?

Tatton Park also plays host to hundreds of events a year, so keep an eye on
their calendar.