The Old Loft

There's a traditional, homely feel to this laid-back pub where you're guaranteed a jolly atmosphere and a proper pint. In fact, it's rare to find somewhere this relaxing that serves food quite this good. The set menu allows the kitchen to concentrate on delivering unpretentious yet refined dishes from small batches of top-quality local and seasonal produce. The likes of organic chicken with morels, white asparagus and wild garlic are prime examples, showcasing impressive classical technique and providing delicious depth of flavour.

Situated in a tiny village in the Ribble Valley, this impressively refurbished pub is certainly at the smarter end of village locals. The cosy bar is perfect for just a drink, while the orangery-style dining room at the rear is bright and airy. The cooking stays true to the site’s traditional pubby roots, however, with no fripperies on show in full-flavoured dishes like Lancashire cheese soufflé or treacle-glazed pig’s cheeks – instead the focus is on well-sourced produce and textbook execution. The set three-course menu is where you’ll find the best value for money.

Tucked away in the Lancashire countryside, you’ll find this welcoming restaurant down a narrow single-track road. You pass through the family-run Gazegill Organics Farm on the way, which provides plenty of top-quality produce for the eponymous chef to work with. The restaurant building has a bright, modern and colourful style that contrasts the surroundings, along with views across the fields to Pendle hill. The wholesome yet refined cooking is the epitome of field-to-fork dining, with home-reared beef being a particular highlight and making the Sunday roast all the more appealing.

Chef Nigel Haworth has always been a strong ambassador for Lancashire produce – particularly from the Ribble Valley – and now has his own vegetable garden and polytunnel at this contemporary dining pub. The à la carte might include such unpretentious options as tempura scallops or flavoursome corn fed chicken; there's also a seasonal set menu available in 5 or 8 courses, bookended by cheese rolls and mini Eccles cakes – which have rightly become restaurant staples.

Tucked away down a narrow lane in the heart of the Ribble Valley, this delightful pub is as characterful inside as it is from the exterior. Cosy and welcoming, the whole place exudes a rustic charm thanks to an open fire and antique furnishings. The modern British dishes use the best of the local larder and deliver bold, well-judged flavours in adventurous, original creations like the 'Malteser' dessert. For the ultimate experience, book the "Chef's Bench", which consists of just four seats in the heart of the kitchen. Make a night of it and stay over in one of the bedrooms too.

There’s a snug bar, a comfy lounge and a stylish vaulted dining space with an inglenook fireplace at this lovingly restored pub, parts of which date back to the 17C. They keep the menu short and seasonal, offering eye-catching, modern, ingredient-led dishes alongside local ales and an extensive list of sensibly priced wines. Personable service completes the picture.