Northcote Rd, Langho, BB6 8BE
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Just awesome every time we go. The team… the food… the place. It’s been brilliant for 30 years” – constant expansion, innovation and reinvention has characterised the steady growth in profile and physical size of this Ribble Valley operation, just off the A59: nowadays one of the more recognised foodie destinations in the UK, certainly amongst those ‘up north’. Lisa Goodwin-Allen runs the kitchens with “stunning presentation and incredible light and purposeful cuisine, with her personality coursing through the menu”. MD Craig Bancroft leads “a front of house team with a real sense of character”. “Wine pairing at Northcote is almost as much part of the experience as is the food and head sommelier Magdalena Sleziak is a real asset, presiding over a tremendous wine list (offering both value and extravagance), well thought through with choices from all over the wine globe”. All the above are on display each year during the annual Obsession festival early each year, which the property has turned into a part of the annual social calendar for very many well-heeled diners throughout the North West. And yet more change is now afoot, as in October 2024, the owners for the last five years, Britannia Hospitality Limited (owners of The Stafford in London), put the property on the market with Savills. It comes with planning permission for a swanky new dining room at the rear of the property which may yet further transform the dining experience here. We presume any new buyer will keep the existing team in place, and carry out the planned extension. But who knows? So there is likely some change afoot in the next 12 months, but it’s not yet 100% clear exactly how this one will roll.
Summary
“Going from strength to strength under the stewardship of Lisa Goodwin-Allen” – this much-extended manor house in the Ribble Valley (just off the A59) built its renown under chef Nigel Haworth and his former-protégée Lisa’s “exceptional and innovative” cuisine maintains its reputation in fine style, thanks to the “really excellent layers of flavour and texture running through all her dishes”. Although its nowadays in the same group as that of The Stafford in London’s St James’s, long term MD Craig Bancroft remains at the helm and “the fact that he is so closely involved and so passionate about wine just shines through in the wine list (of course there are well-known vintages from France etc, but many other interesting options)”. The odd regular fears that “a corporate approach is taking over the uniqueness that is Northcote”, but most accounts applaud the “lovely” setting. A highpoint of the year here is the annual Obsession food festival, which runs annually for two weeks in January and February with a series of guest meals from famous chefs – it has established itself now as a key event in the UK’s annual foodie calendar.
Summary
“Lancashire hospitality at its best” but in a thoroughly forward-looking vein has won rightful acclaim for this much-extended manor house, in the Ribble Valley (which stands immediately off the A59). “The team of chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen and MD and cellarmaster Craig Bancroft are paired like the best food and wine” and staff “remain fun, focused and dedicated”. Lisa manages to juggle her increasing TV fame with delivering “really elegant and fabulously balanced menus” (“always enhanced with fabulous wine pairings” overseen by Craig); and “despite running an exceptional kitchen, she still finds time to pop out to chat to dinner guests”. Grievous complaints are notable by their absence, although the niggle that “portions are definitely on the ungenerous side” surfaced in a couple of reports this year, as did the notion that the overall style “seems just a little more ‘corporate’ since it has joined ownership with The Stafford in London”. But “for a special occasion, it's hard to beat” and “divine bedrooms add to the fabulous experience”. A highpoint of the year is the international gastronomic festival called Obsession which they run annually in January and February, which “has grown over 20 years from them chasing chefs to attend, to restaurants now asking how they can be considered for one of the nights”. “We try to go here at least once a year… well worth the 3-hour drive!”
Summary
One of the best-known gastronomic retreats in the UK – this converted manor house lies in the heart of the scenic Ribble Valley. Built in late Victorian times, just off what’s nowadays the A59, the original house has been much altered and extended over the years, including the addition five years ago of the ‘Garden Lodge’ – a separate accommodation block in the gardens. Now owned by The Stafford Collection, it is still led by MD Craig Bancroft who (as co-founder with chef Nigel Haworth) has helped drive its emergence as a major force in the region over the years: not least its impressive, twenty-year old ‘Obsession’ festival of fine food and wine held in January and February of each year. Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allan “seems to have grown in confidence after her increasing TV exposure” and “having taken on the mantle of Nigel Haworth she has, if anything, exceeded her mentor”. “Under her skilful guidance, the kitchen delivers exceptional flavours from a seasonal menu” (“had no one been watching, I would happily have licked all five plates”) and numerous reporters complimented the ‘at home’ boxes here as the best they experienced in the Covid era. The cooking is matched with a wine list “reflecting the passion of the team especially Bancroft the MD who has also trained some seriously good sommeliers”, and service generally is “so attentive and professional yet personable and friendly”. If you were looking for a gripe, you could find one or two fans who feel that “for all the extensions and renovations”, they don’t dig the decor. More commonly, though, the surroundings are judged “utterly delightful”, contributing to “a marvellous experience from start to finish”.
For 33 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 Northcote?
Owner's description
Nestled in Lancashire's Ribble Valley hills, a warm, true northern welcome awaits guests at this food-lovers' paradise.
At the heart of our charming country house is the elegant Michelin starred restaurant and exquisite culinary delights created by Executive Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen and the brigade. A comprehensive wine list is compiled by the wine team, led by Managing Director Craig J Bancroft MI.
The traditional and the modern are woven into the fabric of Northcote, from the luxury garden lodge to the traditional manor house rooms, from the sunny terraces to the cosy corners warmed by roaring log fires. This is a place to relax, reset, reconnect and indulge in outstanding food and award-winning wines.
The hotel also has it's own Cookery School, with inspirational and varied courses throughout the year.
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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| Lunch | £49.50 |  |
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| SundayLunch | £49.50 | |
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| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
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| Menu1 | 135.00 | Always available | 5 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £20.00 | £40.00 | £28.50 | £20.00 |
| Drinks |
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| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.50 |
| Extras |
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| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
Restaurant details
The chef
Executive chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen is one of the most innovative and exciting chefs in the UK today.
Leading the kitchen brigade at Northcote since the age of 23 and a regular face on Britain’s tv screens, she draws inspiration from the beautiful Ribble Valley landscape to produce stunning dishes which showcase the wide range of incredible produce the region has to offer.
Northcote has held a Michelin star since 1996.
Northcote Restaurant Diner Reviews
"By comparison with other similar restaurants, one or two of the dishes lacked a little "sparkle" although the majority were truly excellent and inventive. When is comes to a seasonal menu, we've never tasted one that so fitted that description so well - Autumnal in every respect. The service was absolutely faultless throughout, and the restaurant very comfortable, if a little too dark for my personal taste, These criticisms are very minor - and I am comparing it with L'Enclume, Moor Hall and Forest side."
"One of our favourite places to eat and stay. We adore the food (understatement really) and love the elegant but comfortable service, and the surroundings are lovely. Nothing is too much trouble here and we are always made to feel valued. Best time in the bar is Winter, when the roaring fire reflects off the beautiful door fittings; warm days and evenings the most beautiful place is the outdoor terrace for pre- meal drinks."
"Very comfortable, large Master suite - champagne and flowers Delicious 5 course menu with wine flight. Amazing Roscoff onion - cheese foam, iced balls"
Northcote Rd, Langho, BB6 8BE
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
