It is the time for eating, drinking and making merry. Here are 10 places to indulge in a festive dinner
Aven, Preston
Top chefs Sean Wrest and Brett Thornton, who head up the kitchens at Preston’s Aven restaurant will be serving dishes from their own festive menu - a first for the city centre destination. Expect refined, fine dining inspired dishes running along their tasting menu at £55 a head.
Sister venue and new launch, Oh Pizza! In Longridge, headed up by former MasterChef contestant Matt Willdigg has several collaborations in the pipeline in the run up to Christmas.
Christmas at Casterton Grange with Oli Martin
Former Hipping Hall head chef and MasterChef contestant Oli Martin will be hosting a festive pop-up restaurant at Casterton Grage Estate, near Kirkby Lonsdale on December 11thth. This immersive festive dining experience, where you bring your own drinks, features a carefully curated menu featuring the chef’s signature beef wellington. On December 8th, Oli will host a live cooking demonstration, part of the estate’s open house event, where visitors can learn how to prepare some of Oli’s favourite festive dishes. Perfect for anyone looking to bring a bit of magic into their kitchen this Christmas.
castertongrange.com
East Lancashire Railway
These gorgeous, restored Pullman-style carriages, which are decked out for the season, are the ideal alternative way to dine in style this November and December. As the steam train travels through the Irwell valley, diners can sip on fizz, enjoy four courses and coffee and mince pies for this Christmas lunch on the move. The journey lasts just under three hours, leaving plenty of time for festive feasting while taking in the views out of the carriage window.
Various dates, eastlancsrailway.org.uk
Ribby Hall
Take all the pressure away from Christmas Day dining by letting the chefs at Ribby Hall Spa and Village in Wrea Green take the strain. Choose from three experiences at The Woodland, Terraza or The Rowan will all three offering a festive three course meal, gifts for under 11s and much more. Sit back and relax and enjoy time with family and friends.
ribbyhall.co.uk
The Toll House Inn, Lancaster
Cosy nooks and roaring fires are the backdrop for festive food at this popular Daniel Thwaites pub. On December 25th, hunker down in the inn’s cosy restaurant for champagne, dishes including beef carpaccio, salmon and lobster ravioli, traditional roast turkey and walnut and cashew and chestnut roast. The Toll House is also hosting festive afternoon tea – think turkey and cranberry and Wensleydale and fig chutney sandwiches and amaretto and raspberry brulee – as well as festive dining from November 27th to December 30th.
tollhouseinn.co.uk
Northcote, Langho
Whether it’s a festive lunch with friends or colleagues, a gourmet tasting menu with loved ones, letting the Northcote team take care of Christmas Day for the entire family, or ringing in the New Year in style; dive into one of Michelin-starred Northcote’s new festive menus – choose from their seasonal Christmas lunch, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Lunch, Christmas Eve dinner, and their Boxing Day lunch and dinner. A festive treat for all the family.
northcote.com
One for some festive joy in the run up to the big day, this festive afternoon tea from one of Lytham’s newest places to eat includes festive flavours of smoked salmon and cream cheese, turkey, stuffing and cranberry and cheese and chutney sandwiches, a mini seasonal soup, pigs in blankets, a mini orange and cranberry scone and more.
Starting on November 29th, find them on Instagram @fig_olive_lytham.
The Cartford Inn
It’s always a good time of year to visit The Cartford Inn. But Christmas has that extra bit of sparkle. Although not open on Christmas Day, this is a festive destination dining experience not to be missed. This gorgeous inn, run by Julie and Patrick Beaume and recently named AA Inn of the Year Great Britain, is filled with character and chic styling courtesy of the team as well as festive dishes to tempt. This is a place who know how to help their guests celebrate.
thecartfordinn.co.uk
Parkers Arms, Newton in Bowland
Mantles festooned with boughs of holly, crackling roaring fires as warm as the wonderful welcome and the best of Christmas in the country can be found at this multi award-winning inn from chef patron Stosie Madi. Menus, as you would expect from a chef of Stosie’s calibre, are full of comforting yet refined dishes bursting with local produce and the best festive flavours. Expect a laid back, welcoming experience where you’ll leave feeling well looked after and well-fed.
parkersarms.co.uk
Moor Hall, Aughton
Michelin starred magnificence awaits at Mark Birchall’s Moor Hall and its sister neighbourhood restaurant, The Barn at Moor Hall. In the former, there are plans for an exclusive New Year’s Eve event including a delicious tasting menu, sensational snacks, and a celebratory glass of champagne alongside a spectacular firework display at midnight. For the ultimate way to bring in 2025, you can book a two-night stay with dinner in The Barn on your first evening, the New Year’s Eve dining package on New Year’s Eve; breakfast for the duration of your stay. In the latter, The Barn, there will be a festive set menu from Thursday to Saturday. Diners can also enjoy various special menus for Christmas Eve lunch, Christmas Day lunch, and a New Year’s Eve dinner.
moorhall.com
