Ribble Valley Food Trail - a guide for following this route in 2022

With some of the best foraging areas in the entire country on the doorstep, it is no wonder that Ribble Valley is often referred to as 'the food capital of the North'. Unsurprisingly, this abundance of quality produce has led to some truly excellent eating establishments popping up all over the area. The Ribble Valley Food Trail was created to try and join some of these establishments together in a route which people could follow, which we think is a great idea. We wanted to create a guide for anyone looking to follow this trail in 2022, let's get into it:

How do you follow this Trail?

There have been a number of iterations of the trail over the years, and the most recent version of the trail we could find included 34 different establishments, but sadly a handful of the establishments have now closed. However, you've still got more than 20 locations to visit.

The Ribble Valley covers more than 300 square miles (most of which is in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) but many of the establishments found in this trail are based in the two market towns, Clitheroe and Longridge. So if you don't feel like heading to every single location included in the trail, heading to one of the market towns to visit a few of them might be a good idea.

Let's look at every establishment along the trail in closer detail:

FireShot Capture 1800 - Ribble Valley District - Google Maps - www.google.com

Stanley House Hotel & Spa, Mellor

This is a really lovely spa hotel in Mellor, but the food served here is top notch too. The dinner menus are seasonal and afternoon tea is a delight too. Learn more here - stanleyhouse.co.uk

The Millstone, Mellor

This is a stunning 17th-century coaching inn serving up hearty and delicious meals. Learn more here - millstonemellor.co.uk

Mrs Dowson's Ice Cream, Clayton-le-Dale

You can visit this working farm and enjoy the delicious ice cream with from milk from a herd of low-intensity, grass-grazing cows. Learn more here - mrsdowsons.co.uk

Food By Breda Murphy, Whalley

Food with a modern British & Irish twist by Breda Murphy in Clitheroe. Learn more here - https://www.bredamurphy.co.uk/

The Three Fishes, Whalley

Run by well-known chef Nigel Haworth, this restaurant serves up no-nonsense dishes made from local ingredients. Learn more here - https://www.thethreefishes.co.uk/

Cowman's Famous Sausage Shop

It's got a brilliant name and it's a simple place - just lots of different sausages to try! Learn more here - http://www.cowmans.co.uk/

Mansell's Coffee Shop

The coffee here is delicious and the setting, tucked away in a courtyard, is lovely. Learn more here - https://www.facebook.com/mansellscoffeeshop/

D. Byrne & Co

Set in a stunning Victorian building in Clitheroe, here you can choose from more than 4000 wines to try, good luck with that! Learn more here - https://dbyrne-finewines.co.uk/

Ferguson's Deli (Clitheroe)

Savoury and sweet pies are served up here, all made using traditional recipes. Learn more here - https://www.facebook.com/Fergusonsdeli/

Exchange Coffee Co., Clitheroe

With Tanzanian and Columbian coffee on the menu, this cafe is a great place to grab an interesting coffee. Learn more here - https://www.exchangecoffee.co.uk/

Wellgate Fisheries (Clitheroe)

This award-winning independent Fishmongers has been a firm favourite with locals for years, and is a great place to grab some fresh fish. Learn more here - https://www.facebook.com/wellgatefishmongers/

The Duke of York Inn (Opening soon!)

After being closed for many years and looking like it may never reopen, we're happy to say that The Duke of York Inn is reopening! This pub is a great place to grab delicious no-nonsense pub grub. Learn more here - http://www.dukeofyorkfirtree.co.uk/

The Spread Eagle, Sawley

Classic pub food and a warm welcome is what you're guaranteed on a visit to the Spread Eagle, learn more here - https://spreadeaglesawley.co.uk/food/

Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn

The Seasons restaurant at this hotel prides itself on only using fresh, seasonal ingredients produced by the finest artisan suppliers in the area or foraged from their own 22 acres of grounds. Learn more here - https://www.stirkhouse.co.uk/

Gazegill Organic Farm, Rimington

This farm has been run by the same family for 500 years and is the place to head to for quality meat and dairy - https://www.gazegillorganics.co.uk/

Robinson's Eggs

The hens producing the eggs at this farm are free range and also have access to natural scratch areas and perches. Learn more here - https://robinsonseggs.co.uk/our-products/

The Parkers Arms, Newton-In-Bowland

The menus here are based on seasonal local ingredients, and all food is prepared fresh on the premises. Learn more here - https://www.parkersarms.co.uk/menu/

The Inn at Whitewell

The head chef here, Jamie Cadman, has been at the Inn for more than 20 years, and is still serving up delicious meals. Learn more here - https://www.innatwhitewell.com/food-drink

The Gibbon Bridge, Chipping

The food served here is all about an emphasis on local - much of the produce is sourced from its own kitchen gardens and local suppliers, and there is also an onsite bakery. Learn more here - https://gibbon-bridge.co.uk/dining/

Leagram Organic Dairy, Chipping

This location is all about delicious cheese - over 28 different varieties of cheese to be precise, including some really interesting options like the 'Terrifying Tongue Tingler'. Learn more here - https://www.leagramorganicdairy.co.uk/

Little Town Dairy, Longridge

A family-run dairy serving up delicious dairy, with an especially great selection of yoghurts. Learn more here - https://littletowndairy.co.uk/product-range.html

Tina's Corner Bakery, Longridge

Amazing breakfast butties, delicious sandwiches, and proper Eccles cakes - need we say more?

Learn more here - https://www.facebook.com/tinascornerbakery/

The Red Pump Inn, Bashall Eaves

Serving up probably the best steak you'll find in the region, the Steakhouse here is a must for meat lovers. Learn more here - https://www.theredpumpinn.co.uk/

What should you be aware of before heading on the Ribble Valley Food Trail?

The obvious point is that you probably won't be able to visit every stop on this trail (unless you've got deep pockets and a big appetite!), so it is worth planning in advance a few of the establishments which seem most interesting to you along this trail, and planning to visit those.

Hopefully, this guide has inspired you to follow this great trail. We've got guides about lots of other trails throughout the UK including the Borders Abbey Way, The Pictish Trail, and the Southern Upland Way. If you prefer to cycle then you could try the Coast & Castles route. We've also got guides about other Welsh locations such as Aberystwyth, St Davids, and Bwlch Nant y Arian.

Happy travels!

Ribble Valley Food Trail – a guide for following this route in 2022