Whether you’re a local or you are visiting from afar, this thriving market town makes a fantastic day out.
FELL BISTRO
Longridge’s ‘endearing little bistro’, as the Michelin Guide so fondly describes it, which opened its doors on September 22 last year, is the first of its kind to offer a menu cooked by two Masterchef professionals and a Michelin-star chef: chef directors Oli Martin and Matt Willdigg and head chef Sean Wrest.
Named after the nearby Longridge Fell and sitting cosily on Berry Lane, the diminutive bistro features an open kitchen with its chefs on display.
‘We cook our meats over coals using an Argentinian grill as well as using a large woodfired oven to cook the majority of our vegetables, giving our food a unique flavour,’ managing director Alex Blamire says.
This modern take on a traditional style bistro was labelled one of the Michelin inspectors’ favourite new restaurants in the February 2023 edition, just five months after its opening.
‘We wanted to open somewhere which delivers that high standard of food service but in a relaxed atmosphere, giving a warm approach to northern hospitality,' Alex adds.
‘Not everyone wants all of the bells and whistles that come with fine dining – we want people to be able to come in and socialise, chat with the staff, with each other, and not be afraid to ask questions.’
fellbistro.co.uk
SOAPBOX DERBY
First staged last September, the Longridge Soap Box Derby is a first-of-its-kind event for the town with a specially built track on Berry Lane for the weird, wacky and wonderful karts hurtling around chicanes, over jumps and through water features.
The event, organised by local charity Longridge Community Action and with the help of not-for-profit business group Love Longridge, is free to attend with prizes for showmanship, innovation and best dressed – plus a side of big screen action and Ribble FM commentary.
A spokesperson says: ‘Longridge is getting a healthy dose of creativity, showmanship, engineering excellence and dare-devils this year as soapbox racing once again comes to town on September 17, 2023.’
longridgesoapboxderby.co.uk
LONGRIDGE FELL
It’s the magnificent views from Longridge Fell that attract the crowds, with the discreet and most southerly fell in England standing at 1,148 feet tall. The spire has bragging rights (and rightly so) to 360-degree, panoramic visibility extending over Chipping and the Bowland Fells, to Fair Snape Fell and Pendle Hill. On clearer days, you can see much further.
The long and gradual climb from the fell’s southern side takes walkers through forest tracks and over gentle slopes, with the descent a natural gateway into one of the prettiest corners of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
It’s a good one to take a picnic to and walk time and time again, with a number of subtle off-track routes meaning there’s always somewhere new to explore. It’s also ideal for mountain bikers.
LONGRIDGE FIELD DAY
This annual event has been a staple in the community for more than 60 years and will this year take place on Saturday June 10 on the town’s recreation ground on Kestor Lane.
It’s a popular event for locals, with stalls this year including a crafts tent and artisan market, family-friendly activities and a huge variety of displays.
The day kicks off with a main street parade at 12.30pm, complete with local schools, businesses, vintage car enthusiasts, dance troops and bands... the list goes on. It’s a real community day out to celebrate all things Longridge.
YOUTH MAYOR
Teenager Joshua Kirby is Longridge’s first ever youth mayor, elected in April 2022 to stand on the board and be the voice for the town’s young people.
The idea is that their voice will be heard and acted upon, and the 17-year-old's term of office, which will see him stand in post until September this year, features three main objectives: to tackle vaping among young people and raise awareness around it; to create better access to sports facilities; and to develop an internet café where young people will have open access to Wi-Fi.
The Cardinal Newman College student, who studies IT software development and maths, meets with his youth council every second Wednesday of the month, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
