The Three Fishes farm-to-table restaurant by Nigel Haworth
Why do people travel to eat?
If you live in a city like London, or equally like I now do in Brighton which has gastronomy by the bucket load you understand all too well the joy of eating in an independent restaurant.
For me it’s all about the experience of meeting new people, seeing new places and surrounding yourselves by those who love food and at its best is about passion and sharing.
My suggestion is to surprise your loved one and get up early into your vintage sports car and just hit the road.
Based in the beautiful Ribble Valley in Lancashire, a county famous for its unique identity.
With my love of history and film I think of the great football teams of the past like Preston North End, obviously the War of the Roses, cricket, countless famous celebrities and of course its cheese.
I could not resist a slice of the very unique Mr George Fornby singing “The Lancashire Toreador”
Your Special Day
Arrive at the nearby the Everything Retreat
Have a lie down and just unwind, then go for a walk, shower and dress for dinner.
Then its time to eat.
The Three Fishes
Set in open countryside, surrounded by fields, rivers and a church the essence is high end wholesome grub, generally either produced onsite or sourced locally.
Nigel Haworth a renowned chef has a long culinary pedigree behind him, but in some ways I like to say it how I found it. You can tell the place is run by foodies that know their stuff but the soul of the restaurant to my mind is about hospitality in its purest and non-cluttered form. He is a man with a big broad smile who wants you to enjoy your food. This is high end but not the degree of being pedantic.
Actually, if I had gone independently, I would most likely have eaten a three or 4 course meal eating locally sourced meat and cheese, not at the same time I hasten to add and would love to experience his take on a local pudding. We had 7 courses, and it was excellent, genuinely faultless but personally I am a fan of less.
If you can try to meet Nigel as he often has a tale or two to tell to enliven your evening.
The Three Fishes lets you savour fresh food served with care
Must try Shorrock’s Lancashire bomb with some bread made and humus made on site. So very simple but oh so very good.
The farm supplying not all but a good proportion of the restaurant’s vegetables is run by an a small local and very enthusiastic team which are filled with love. If you can have a tour it’s lovely to see and will not take long.
Equally if you are there is the summer I have seen the videos on The Three Fishes Instagram page and personally I would not hesitate to order a good steak with a bottle of full-bodied red wine and get stuck into enjoying time with friends, eating cheese and laughing.
The style of the buildings, the people and the food all matches. Its uncluttered, very heartening and focused on an exemplary eating experience.
Finish the night at the bar with a whisky.
Whalley
The restaurant is historically in the area where 3 rivers converge and if you like your history and tales of old, suffice to say I will use the word witches. There is the book The Lancashire Witches
Half the fun is finding out for yourself.
THE SLEEPOVER
at the Everything Retreat
Nestled within stunning countryside, explore the collection of 12 meticulously designed lodges, each crafted with luxury in mind.
Do not compare with every other place you have stayed at but just enjoy the sublime views, the authentic and natural hospitality you will receive. No fakery just honest smiles.
Let the peace takeover, switch off the phone and enjoy a very comfy nights sleep as I did and wake up to hopefully a sunny day and even if its colder, which it was not for me, but even if it is, put something comfy on and have a fresh and healthy breakfast delivered to your room.
After which is you are like me have a walk, a lie down and then go wandering.
If you like the idea, hire bikes from The Everything Retreat, park your car, switch off your phones. I am sure they will tell you when its closing time and if you are too blotto then it’s super easy to get a taxi to take you back.
Morning wanderings through the beautiful village of Whalley, just down the road. In the Ribble Valley on the banks of the River Calder in Lancashire, England.
Certainly wander through the village, down to the river, see the viaduct and Whalley Abbey The village has the ruins of Whalley Abbey, a 14th-century Cistercian abbey. The monks of Whalley described the site of their abbey beneath Whalley Nab, on the banks of the Calder, as locus benedictus – a blessed place.[9]
Whalley Viaduct. Known locally as “Whalley Arches”, Whalley Viaduct is a 48-span railway bridge crossing the River Calder. It is a Grade II listed building.
48 hours in the Ribble Valley, eating at The Three Fishes in the beautiful Lancashire countryside. Eating good food, breathing fresh air, having a digital detox and blowing the cobwebs out is very good for the soul.