Food for thought in Wrightington

As I followed the signs from the motorway to Wrightington, passing through Hunger Hill, the image of it being a haven for food lovers was hard to shake off.

The parish encompasses Hunger Hill, Mossy Lea and Wrightington itself (for ease, I'm going to refer to as Wrightington part one) as well as a stretch of moorland and fells. In fact, if you ignore the signpost on the main road that directs you into Wrightington and instead follow
the B5209 towards Parbold, you're still very much within the bounds of the parish passing Wrightington Hotel and Country Club and the hospital before coming to the junction at The Dicconson Arms where there are a few shops, all of which have Wrightington as their address (Wrightington part two).

I think it's fair to say that Wrightington part one is mainly a residential area, although there are a couple of  businesses including a garage, beauty salon and traditional village post office as well as primary school and  a couple of churches. Wrightington part one also boasts a
village hall for community events, a fishery and Derby House, a riding school and shop catering for equestrian needs and both of which seem to draw on what must be Wrightington's agricultural roots.

Wrightington part one is mostly the one road through Hunger Hill, Mossy Lea and then Wrightington with country lanes diverting off and over the hills. With a mix of
properties, bungalows, houses, a few terraces there are some homes that look newer than others and some that look much older, making it hard to try to date the place.

It seems that the area known as Wrightington Bar could be the oldest part with a row of low stone cottages that have thick stone lintels above their windows and low heavylooking wooden front doors. Passing them quickly in the car they certainly catch your attention and when you go back for another look they definitely look the part. One of the cottages has its name and the date 1922 carved into a stone above the door - it looks older than that. Then I came across a bungalow with a 19th Century date stone - which I'd have thought was newer. I assume the stone was from a previous building that once stood on the site.

Wrightington part two has more shops and businesses which again include a beauty salon as well as an interiors shop and café. From the road approaching from the motorway you also pass the Lake House and cross its lake via a bridge. It's a pretty stunning sight, especially
when the cold winter sun bounces off the water and if you're lucky you might catch a glimpse of a helicopter landing in the extensive grounds.

The people of Wrightington have an abundance of places to eat and drink. To start with there's The Mulberry Tree in Wrightington (part one) which has quickly become the place
to be seen and has won a number of awards since it was opened in April 2000, including being named Lancashire Life Newcomer of the Year in 2000-2001 and Restaurant of
the Year in 2002-2003, a fact the team proudly display on the sign hanging outside the premises.

Standing opposite the row of small cottages, the pub was built in 1832 and has been a wheelwrights, brewery and a blacksmith in its time. Head chef and patron, Mark Prescott, was born and brought up in Wrightington, returning to his hometown to start the business after 16 years working in some of the top restaurants including the Chester Grosvenor where he began his career, the Waterside Inn at Bray and Le Gavroche.

Further up the road in Wrightington part one there's The White Lion, a country pub and restaurant that was recently refurbished by new owners Matt and Ellie Furzeman, and whose most famous landlord was Robert Mawdesley, known in the area as Ald Bob, who
had run the pub strictly as an alehouse with no wine or spirits allowed to cross the threshold and the beer served in jugs.

In Wrightington part two there's the hotel and country club which as well as its Blazers Restaurant and Atrium Café bar boasts a Simply Heathcotes restaurant on the first floor of the hotel, as well of course as The Dicconson Arms and the little café at the interiors shop.

Then of, course, there's the High Moor Restaurant, which located as it is on the hills somewhere between part one and part two has some stunning views across the countryside to complement the menu which features the best of traditional British cuisine with a modern twist and hint of international flavour. Originally a Coaching Inn, the High Moor has been welcoming travellers since 1642 and has retained its character and style and has also been the winner of Lancashire Life's Restaurant of the Year award.

The High Moor's sister establishment, The Rigbye Arms Country Inn and Bistro is also located just 500 yards away if you're after a more casual and impromptu dining experience.
What makes Wrightington such a haven for quality  restaurants? At one time, farmers and farmhands toiling on the land would have needed places for refreshment. Today, it's probably a simple case of success breeding success.

 

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No standard liver at The Highwayman

YOU won't find Hungarian goulash on one of Nigel Howarth's menus. In fact, it's about as likely as him having summer pudding on sale in mid winter.
These aren't the idiosyncrasies of a petulent celebrity chef. It's a philosophy which has put the very level-headed, Michelin-starred Mr Howarth on the front burner of his trade.

For the full story see the June 2007 issue of Lancashire Life.

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Go West

WHEN the shipping magnate Lord Alfred Holt built his country retreat close to the Lancashire hamlet of Aughton in 1785, he added a lofty tower. From this vantage point, with his maritime telescope, he could watch the tall barques and brigantines as they sailed past Formby Point.

For the full story see the June 2007 issue of Lancashire Life.

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Farmer's market on your doorstep

TOD Bulmer's family has spent 500 years farming the land around Leigh - but now he is ploughing a new and profitable furrow.
He is bidding to win over more Lancashire folk to a better standard of food. His company, Northern Harvest, sources and delivers the best of regional produce to the county's dining tables - from stately homes to traditional terraces.

For the full story see the May 2007 issue of Lancashire Life.

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