Harden's survey result
Summary
Opinions are somewhat divided this year on this famous pub with rooms in the Ribble Valley, where chef Steve Smith departed in mid 2024 for the bright lights of Manchester. Fans say its production of “Michelin-starred service, wines and food, all without the aspirations and fuss”, continues unabated and feel “you don’t get much better than this for quality and value”. But it also inspired a couple of disappointments this year, including amongst former fans, who perceive “a lack of heart or passion” to recent meals, or who have found some dishes “uninspired and poorly prepared”. Hopefully teething problems?
Summary
“Fantastic food… fantastic value for money… and you can even take the dog”: this pub with rooms in a Ribble Valley village has emerged in recent years as one of the area’s top food-led destinations despite – in fact maybe because of – its easygoing and “cosy” style and the fact that what it serves is “so much more than pub grub – clever, no-fuss, local food of the highest order, all served in a relaxed environment”. In June 2024, after our annual diners’ poll had concluded, chef Steve Smith departed, and chef Matt Smith (who had previously worked at the pub) returned. Exactly how the dust will settle on this switcheroo is still not definite but we have rated it on the optimistic assumption that it retains its high quality.
Summary
“Set in a tiny hamlet in Lancashire’s Ribble Valley”, Steve Smith’s “fine-dining destination disguised as a pub with rooms” is one of the top 50 most commented-on destinations outside London in our annual diners’ poll. “The food is superb, and the wine list well chosen” and it’s all served “in an easygoing atmosphere… you can even take the dog!” Even amongst fans, though, opinions divide sharply over the level of value it provides: what is “very fair” to some is – to others – becoming more borderline (“I know everything is more expensive now, but sadly this is now in the sphere of me not being able to justify the expense”).
Summary
“Set in a quaint Ribble Valley village”, Steve Smith’s “delightful and traditional” destination “provides a slice of country refinement in a real, classic country pub” and holds its own against much of the stiff culinary competition in the area. His cuisine “continues to provide unusual combinations of exceptionally prepared dishes”, crafted from “unfailingly good quality ingredients”. You can stay, too, which fans say is “amazing” (“the breakfast is something else!”)
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Freemasons at Wiswell?
8 Vicarage Fold Clitheroe, Wiswell, BB7 9DF
Restaurant details
Freemasons at Wiswell Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Quaint restaurant in the Ribble Valley, welcoming and delicious food."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £37.50 |  |
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| Dinner | £37.50 | |
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| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 80.00 | Always available | 8 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £22.00 | £36.00 | £11.00 | £15.00 |
| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £45.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Bread | £6.00 |
| Service | 13.00% |
8 Vicarage Fold Clitheroe, Wiswell, BB7 9DF
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑8 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑8 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑5 pm |
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