Ribble Valley
Inn At Whitewell

Inn At Whitewell

Whitewell, Forest Of Bowland, Ribble Valley, United Kingdom

Sushi • Pizza • Steak • Mexican


"Over the past 8 years we have regularly made the hour or so journey to the Inn at Whitewell, for either a Cream Tea or lunch. Both have always been of a very high standard, the legendary, oversized and freshly prepared, warm scones, rivalling those offered by the finest Tea Rooms, being a particular incentive. I am glad to say that along with the unchanging beauty of the location and timeless architecture, the service has remained very good. It makes it all the more disappointing that the past two occasions we have ventured out, the scones have been very poor. The first of these 2 trips, we thought there may have been a batch that had gone slightly wrong that day or a new recipe had been tried and failed, without any evidence of quality control. And today we hoped the quality we had enjoyed in the past would have been restored once again. Sadly, this was very much not the case. The scones were exactly the same as the previous visit: dry, crumbly to the extent that it was impossible to butter without large chunks of it breaking off, and the bottom was slightly warm and the top cold. Bought in? Frozen? Certainly not freshly baked on the day, warmed thoroughly in the oven, and worse than that, more like an over-baked, dense sponge cake than a scone. This definitely falls into the realms of a First World problem, I know, but it is disappointing when any respected and reliable institution falters. I don’t know that much notice is taken of any negative reviews on this platform, but I can only hope that some sense of pride might lead to the kitchen once again perfecting this quintessential British staple."

The Swan With Two Necks

The Swan With Two Necks

Pendleton Village, BB7 1PX, Ribble Valley, United Kingdom

Pubs • Full • Steak • Lunch


"‍ What an experience this place is. After a lovely stroll around Fair Snape Fell, which I highly recommend, we decided to stop for the obligatory post-stroll refreshment. We took the longer route home because we fancied one at The Swan With Two Necks in Pendleton. Having been there on my own with a friend before, I was keen to introduce the place to my husband, son, and mum, and it was well deserved after that walk. As is the custom after a long walk, Little Man started catching flies as soon as we got in the car, so I sent John into the pub to scout out seats before I disturbed him. John texted that he had found a free table, so happy days, in we go. As we sit down, the owner, Steve, approached and asked if we had reserved a table. We hadn 't, we just popped in for a quick drink. He then told us that we need to move then. A little taken aback by the lack of people skills, we got up, and my husband did say that he had thoroughly checked for a reserved sign, to be told that We don 't use reserved signs, just like we don 't electrify the tables, and next time, check with the people in charge. He then told us to follow him to a table where we could sit, and he was still going at it like a dog with a bone all the way there. So, we turned around and said, no thank you, he was rude, and we had no intention of staying, to which he replied, Right, off you go then! What an utterly bizarre experience, it was like stepping through a portal where manners and people skills were no longer prerequisites for being a civil person. There are all these social media posts about 36 years in the business and about Lancashire pub of the year, and it 's beyond comprehension that this same, rude, condescending, arrogant person is one of the same. I 'd never suggest that anyone avoids a local business; it 's not in my nature. However, if you do choose to go there, make sure you have a thick skin and you don 't have any issues with being treated appallingly."

Shireburn Arms

Shireburn Arms

Whalley Road, BB7 9QJ, Ribble Valley, United Kingdom

Pubs • Full • Steak • Dining


"Re: Christmas 2 night special Mr Mrs S.Burke: Complaints in writing Shireburn Christmas Wed, 27 Dec 2023, 18:52, We were so disappointed with our stay at the Shireburn Arms that we stayed one night and checked out, forfeiting part of our payment of £490 in advance, covering Christmas day. After attending a wedding earlier this year, we were expecting to dine in the lovely dining area, Instead we were seated in the Public Bar, so busy with non- diners standing right up close in animated rather loud conversation and several small children running around. The tables were very close together and a party of six right up to our backs. You did your best and seated us in a separate room but we spent the evening just the two of us as we accepted this offer in choice over the rowdy alternative, not what we had planned! The last straw in this scenario was that our food was very poor, appearing and tasting as if it had been on hot plates for an extended time, I couldn 't cut my roast potatoes which were rock hard, We felt we had complained enough and left it there, leaving the food half eaten. When I asked about Christmas dinner the next day we were told it would be the same, served to us in the bar. We were not willing to spend another day in these surroundings, hardly the settings described in your Christmas Brochure which were promoted but simply were not delivered. We decided it would be less upsetting to leave than stay on for what I feel sure would be more of the same. I have to say, the company 's policy seems to be to make as much money as possible, over and above customer comfort and satisfaction. I asked for a refund, on our booked accommodation, left early through no fault of ours, just so unsatisfactory and you said you will speak to your higher management. As I said, if after 2 weeks from that date (25th Dec) we don 't reach what I feel is a satisfactory outcome, I will post a review of the establishment on Trip Advisor Regards Susan Burke To date 13/1/24/ we have received not a word from the Shireburn Arms or their management James Places so I am posting this review, and I see it will join many other dissatisfied customers"