Surrounded by Lancashire’s finest scenery, this picturesque country inn with rooms makes a welcome retreat with its relaxed dining space, sunny beer garden and roaring fire. Chef Stosie Madi and her business partner Kathy Smith are the brains behind this award-winning gastropub, having taken over the site in January of 2007. The pair undertook a full refurbishment of the venue, eventually reopening the doors in its current iteration in December of 2009.
Here, the kitchen gives local produce the respect it deserves. The menu changes according to what is in season or has been foraged and is suffused with passion for the region. On your visit, you may come across starters such as confit Lancaster mushroom and lemon parfait on toasted sourdough, or perhaps asparagus with pheasant egg and wild garlic mayonnaise.
From the mains, Parkers Arms signature pies of the day (served with thick triple-cooked chips or creamed mash) are a must-try, while dessert sees the likes of spiced ginger pudding or 70% baked Valrhona chocolate mousse slice topped with cultured cream.
On our visit, we found our layered creamed potato and Lancashire cheese pie with crisp golden pastry to be a triumph. Local cask ales are joined on the drinks list by a wine selection that caters equally well to quick, filling lunches as to lazy, indulgent suppers.
It’s worth noting that Parkers Arms takes provenance seriously too – all of the restaurant’s pastries, ice creams, bread, cakes, jams, chutneys, biscuits and chocolates are made on-site by the kitchen team, as well as its famous hand-raised pies and pasties. As everything is prepared freshly on the premises, the team are able to cater for food allergies, as well as those following vegetarian or vegan diets.
Add warm, friendly service, skilled cooking and the beautiful location into the mix, and this handsome country pub is well worth the trip.