Harden's survey result
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!”)
Summary
“Without doubt some of the most consistent and high-quality cooking around these northern wastelands!” – Steve Smith’s lovely old inn is rightly renowned as one of the culinary heavy-hitters of the Ribble Valley thanks to cooking which all reports acclaim as “terrific”. There’s also “a really interesting wine list with lots of quality at all levels”. Ratings have slipped a notch in recent times, though, perhaps due to “prices that are a bit stern” and a couple of gripes about an experience “let down by service” (“perhaps he struggles to get good front-of-house staff?”)
Summary
“Fine dining in a local pub” – “high quality ingredients and well-rehearsed techniques to ensure a top-class, punchily-flavoured product”; and with “a brilliant wine list” – again win massive acclaim for Steve Smith’s “lovely” old inn, set in a tiny village in the Ribble Valley. In July 2019, it re-opened after a major investment, with the addition of a new kitchen, chef’s table (min 6, max 12), kitchen bench (4 stools) and bedrooms.
Summary
“Fine dining in a local pub” – “high quality ingredients and well-rehearsed techniques to ensure a top-class, punchily-flavoured product”; and with “a brilliant wine list” – again win massive acclaim for Steve Smith’s “lovely” old inn, set in a tiny village in the Ribble Valley. In July 2019, it re-opened after a major investment, with the addition of a new kitchen, chef’s table (min 6, max 12), kitchen bench (4 stools) and bedrooms.
For 32 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?
Restaurant details
Freemasons at Wiswell Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Went for a special occasion. Given our 6month old we went for Sunday lunch and despite the small traditional pub layout they we’re able to accommodate the pram. The lamb fat bread buns are still delicious (although they’re bigger and not quite as delicious as there were on our last visit pre pandemic) The lamb main was cooked to perfection. Lovely venue and cosy feel. Would recommend "
"fabulous stay and if you go midweek and stay over it's incredible value"
"Great experience for lunch at the Freemasons. excellent high quality tasty seasonal food at a great price. Great to try different dishes with the lunch taster menu, attentive service, a great selection of beers, wines, spirits and more in a cosy and relaxing atmosphere. Definitely be back for more."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £32.50 |  |
|
|
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £13.40 | £40.00 | £13.95 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £35.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
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, 5:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑5 pm |
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