Unassuming UK village is an absolute gem for foodies with ‘exceptional' restaura
While those who've visited say it's a 'peaceful' and 'wonderful' little spot in reviews online, it's fair to say there's not exactly a lot to keep you occupied in Aughton, Lancashire.
According to Tripadvisor there are just three main things to do in the village – head to church or visit the Oaks Golf Club for either a round of golf or a pamper session at the on-site spa.
Despite this, people from all over Europe and even as far out as the USA, keep on flocking to the village each year and there's one very good reason why – the food.
Aughton is a real must-visit for foodies with not one, not two, but three Michelin Star restaurants – which have an impressive five stars between them and are all within walking distance of one another. https://www.instagram.com/p/DGnj6OaoO8c/
Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here.
Moor Hall, a hotel with a modern British restaurant is the most notable of them all, with the eatery having three stars to its name – this means the cuisine has been deemed 'exceptional'.
If that weren't enough, the restaurant also boasts a Michelin Green Star for its sustainable practices (most of the seasonal produce is grown in the grounds of the hall), as well as five AA Rosettes and a third place prize at The National Restaurant Awards 2024.
Headed up by chef patron Mark Birchall, the restaurant offers a Provenance tasting menu for dinner which is priced at £235 per person (and this is going up to £265 from July 1). There's also a four-course lunch menu for £125 per person (£145 as of July 1).
The restaurant has a cheese room containing some of 'the best British and Irish Farmhouse cheeses' as well as a wine cellar. The AA Awards 2024 awarded Moor Hall's wine list as the 'best in England and overall', and there are two options for wine pairings with a meal, including a £145 Prestige pairing or a Rarity pairing for £295. An alcohol-free pairing is also available for £85 and features single vintage teas from around the globe.
There are hundreds of five star reviews on Google, which hail the food as 'amazing', 'fantastic' and 'the best in the country'.
Kate Weil wrote: 'Been here several times […] it is quite simply the best restaurant in the country. Staff are exceptional, food is beyond belief and the wine is everything. Michelin and quality hospitality at its best. Love coming here, worth every penny.'
Similarly, Saveena Pomian said: 'Difficult to express this experience in words. You feel every course is the best thing you have ever tasted, only to be beaten by the next! From the amuse bouche including a delectable warm black pudding in a crisp shell to the most amazing beef tartare that burst with freshness on the palate. This was followed up by native lobster with a delicate flavour and then a moist Guinea hen with a perfect side of offal ragout.
'The carefully chosen ginger ice cream freshens ready for an apple and blackberry pudding. There is an amazing choice of English cheeses followed by an exciting choice of petit fours. We had 12 'courses' in all and the wine pairing was perfect.'
They added: 'The atmosphere is relaxed and the service is spot on. Attentive without being obtrusive. An absolutely fantastic gastronomic experience'
Moor Hall is also home to the second of Aughton's three Michelin Star restaurants, known as The Barn.
This is a sister restaurant to the main dining space and shares the same ethos, however dining here is much more affordable. Set in a rustic barn, a three course lunch will cost £48 per person, while a set dinner menu is £56 per person.
Example dishes might include Chalk stream trout, radish, sea greens and malted wheat or Roasted Sladesdown duck served with organic carrots, red kale and girolles. On Sundays, you can tuck into a hearty roast dinner with 60-day-aged Belted Galloway Sirloin or Herdwick Lamb Rump with yorkshire puddings and some other fabulous trimmings.
The third and final spot is sō–lō, another modern British restaurant, but one set in an 'understated' and informal setting.
Created by chef Tim Allen, the menu features culinary influences from all around the world, mixing flavours and textures with seasonal ingredients.
Guests can choose between a £105 tasting menu for dinner, a £52 three-course lunch or a £64 Sunday lunch menu that features dishes such as Cumbrian Heritage Sirloin, Ham, Egg & Chips and an artisanal cheese plate.
The unassuming 'unstuffy' sō–lō has also garnered a big following online with dozens of impressive reviews. Phil Steele posted on Google that his meal there was 'incredible excellent', while Nidtima Maroengsit commented: 'Had an amazing experience. The food is fantastic, especially the Sunday roast – truly a must-try. The staff are so friendly and helpful, making the whole dining experience even better. Highly recommend it!'
And Steven Smith boldly claimed it was 'as close to perfection as you can get'.
If you're in London, you'll have to be prepared to spend a good chunk of time getting to Aughton.
The train is going to be the quickest way to get there but you won't be able to get one direct service.
You'll want to start at London Euston and take an Avanti West Coast train to Liverpool Lime Street. From here, you'll want to head to Liverpool Central and then get the Merseyrail towards Ormskirk, getting off at Town Green (Aughton).
Moor Hall is a 15-minute walk from the station, while sō–lō is just five minutes away.
Aughton is mostly residential, so there's not too much to do but the wider parish does have two shopping areas, two train stations, churches and a village hall. More Trending
As well as visiting the local Michelin star restaurants, there are a few other pubs and eateries in the village, including The Dog and Gun Inn, Daily Dose Coffee, The Stanley Arms and Arthur's of Aughton.
And nature lovers can head to the Gorse Hill Nature Reserve to see various wildlife or visit the cafe.
For more to do, you can head to nearby Ormskirk, where you'll find farms to visit with the kids, the WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, the West Lancashire Light Railway, Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve, and various walking and cycling routes.
Beach lovers aren't far from the coast, as Formby Beach is just a nine mile drive from Aughton, or if you're more of a city person, Liverpool is a little over 30 minutes by car or train.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE: Wizz Air launches £18 flights to 'enchanting' European gem where pints are just £1
MORE: Owner of 'pocket bully' which mauled boy, five, blames child for attack
MORE: Devastated and broken, I headed to the Himalayas to heal my heartbreak
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
STV News
3 hours ago
- STV News
Scots tourist dies in cruise ship pool while docked in Naples
A Scottish tourist has been found dead in a pool on board a cruise ship docked in Naples. Marella Cruises, who work with TUI, confirmed on Wednesday that a passenger on board the Marella Voyage had died from natural causes. The ship was docked in the port of Naples when an 83-year-old man was found unresponsive in the pool, as reported by Italian news site Cronache della Campania. The Marella Voyager left Majorca on August 16 before stops at Olbia in Sardinia, Naples, Rome, Ajaccio in Corsica, Palamos in Spain, and a return to Majorca. A spokesperson for the company said: 'We can confirm that sadly a passenger passed away of natural causes onboard Marella Voyager. 'Our thoughts are with the passenger's family during this difficult time, and our care team is providing assistance.' An FCDO Spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Italy.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
North Wales Live
4 hours ago
- North Wales Live
One in three Brits will picnic 'no matter the weather'
One in three Brits are determined to enjoy their picnic regardless of the weather, even if it means eating sandwiches in the car or beneath an umbrella. Research involving 2,000 adults showed that for 20 per cent, the unpredictability of the weather brings a touch of 'excitement' to their al fresco dining adventure. The research discovered that the typical Brit enjoys three picnics each year, but frequently expect it to be disrupted by the weather. Nevertheless, a third would continue with their picnic arrangements despite heavy rain, viewing it as an integral part of being British. Almost half would hunt for an alternative location to dine if conditions changed, eager not to waste any food. According to the survey, fruits, crisps and chocolate bars were recognised as the leading foods most likely to withstand a wet picnic. A spokesperson for Nestlé UK and Ireland, which commissioned the research, said: "There's something quintessentially British about a picnic - whether it's blazing sunshine or a stubborn grey sky. "We'll still lay out the blanket, unpack the homemade sandwich, break off some chocolate and make the best of it, as the study shows, and that sense of British comfort hits a little harder when so many of our go-to picnic treats come from brands that are part of Britain's heritage too." The study also revealed that more than half of Brits are more likely to purchase food and beverages when they know these products are manufactured in Britain, with one-third routinely examining the packaging to confirm its origin before making a purchase. The main reasons for purchasing British products focus on product quality, strengthening the economy and backing local jobs. A spokesperson for Nestlé commented to say: "It just proves that for many of us, summer picnics are about feeling connected - to our favourite memories, our national quirks and everything the British summer season has to offer. "What makes those moments even more special is the familiar food and drink that brings it all together. There's a real sense of pride in choosing British-made products that have been part of our summer traditions for generations. "Many of the treats we reach for in those moments are made right here in Britain – something the research shows us people are especially proud of.
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The UK passport rules that are STILL catching thousands of Brits out as families are forced to miss their holidays
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of Brits still using their burgundy passports are being caught out by confusing rules when travelling. Since March 2020, anyone getting a new passport would be issued the new blue versions instead. 2 Your burgundy passport could be causing you problems this summer Credit: Getty - Contributor But along with the new passport colour, stricter rules are also in place since the UK left the EU. And despite the rules being enforced for more than five years, holidaymakers are still being caught out. So here is everything you need to know about your passport to avoid being banned from your flight. Incorrect expiry dates Previous rules allowed British passport holders to roll over 10 months from their previous passports. This would mean they would have a validity of up to 10 years and 10 months. Yet the current rules no longer see those additional 10 months as valid, even if they are on your passport. For example. If your passport was issued in June 2015, but your expiry date says September 2025, that expiry is actually incorrect. Instead, your passport would have expired 10 years past the start date - making the real expiry June 2025. Most airlines are unable to accept passports if they are showing as more than 10 years old, when looking at the state date. Three month left rule A number or countries require British holidaymakers to have a few additional months left on their passport to travel. What do you need to do to ensure your passport is OK for travel? For example, most places in Europe including Spain and France require you to have at least three months left on the passport before it expires. The confusion comes, however, from both of these rules being enforced. While they do not have to run at the same time, most airlines and tour operators are requiring passports to meet both of the new rules. This is despite the UK Foreign Office website stating: "The expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue." Despite this, many families are still being forced to follow both of these rules, so it is worth making sure your passport is valid for both reasons. Are people still getting caught out? Earlier this year, a Brit was banned from her flight at London Gatwick because of the confusing passport rules. While trying to board her flight in March 2025, her passport had a start date of June 2015 and an expiry of August 2025. Airline staff incorrectly said she needed to follow both rules so she was banned from flying and left £700 out of pocket. And last year, passenger Alex Brooke was left in tears because they were caught out as well. Trying to travel in May 2024, they said: "Because my passport had been issued in April 2014; that meant it had been issued 10 years and 1 month ago." A mum travelling to Paris in June was incorrectly told her passport was out of date due to a similar confusion, and was stopped from boarding her flight, What are the passport rules? The Sun's Head of Travel Lisa Minot has explained exactly what Brits need to know. "Travellers used to be able to roll over up to nine unused months from their old passport onto a new one. "But post-Brexit, anyone wanting to travel to the EU can no longer rely on those extra months. "In order to travel to the EU, all passports must be no more than 10 years old on the day you arrive in your European destination. "And you'll need at least three months on your passport on the day you head back to the UK. "Figures have shown up to 100,000 holidaymakers a year face being turned away at airports if their passport is more than 10 years old. "The 10-year rule only applies to countries in the European Union but every country may have different rules on what is accepted - some countries like South Africa, for example, insist you have at least six months left on your passport when you travel and a full clear page." We've listed all of the countries where you need at least three months on your passport. And here's how to get a fast track passport renewal.
