A59 Whalley Road
Starting east of Preston at the Swallow Hotel intersection with the A677, and running eight miles as far as the Langho roundabout, this stretch of the A59 morphs from Whalley Road to Myerscough Smithy Road and finally Longsight Road. The fact that this part of the Ribble Valley has more than its fair share of eateries is no doubt related to the presence of the huge British Aerospace operation at Samlesbury.
Swallow Hotel - Hotel Brasserie
Close to junction 31 of the M6 on the junction of Preston New Road and Whalley Road, the Swallow Hotel has a leisure centre and 78 rooms as well as a hotel brasserie (the Trafalgar Restaurant) and a separate bar menu. There is a 'Little Munchers' menu for the under-14s.
Huntleys - Farm shop and restaurant
It was the foot-and-mouth crisis that first prompted the Cowpe farming family of Samlesbury to diversify and in a few short years they have built up a successful ice cream business and farm shop operation. Huntleys is the latest venture, a café by day and restaurant by night, housed in a purpose-built, two-storey building on the farm.
Northcote Manor - Michelin-starred fine dining
Just off the Langho roundabout, Northcote Manor has been for more than 20 years now one of the north's stand-out restaurants. Nigel Haworth heads up the kitchen operation with partner Craig Bancroft tending a 400-bin wine cellar. Try the Gourmet menu or an overnight Gourmet Break.
Yu And You - Contemporary Chinese
Opened in 2004 in the substantial stone shell of a former pub at Copster Green, Yu And You is a very well put together Chinese restaurant and bar. Wooden floors, stylish seating, modern art on the walls - it's a world away from the stereotypical red hanging lanterns. The bar has a full license so you can drop in just for a drink.
Royal Oak - Posh pub food
Right next door to the Shajan, the Royal Oak is part of a fledgling pub chain with the Derby Arms in Inskip, near Kirkham, as a sister establishment. The food is of a better quality than your usual pub grub and there are lots of special deals to tempt diners including early birds, daytime and Sunday specials and Friday steak deals - even a regular diners card.
Shajan - Upmarket Indian
With its large premises and even larger car park, Shajan is unmissable as you speed along the A59 at Clayton-Le-Dale. Step inside and you enter a plush restaurant which can seat up to 200 people. The bar area, with its exposed brickwork and comfy sofas, is particularly inviting. Open for lunch and dinner, seven days.
Fact File
Parking:
All the places along the A59 have their own car parks
Cash:
Preston or Whalley, depending on where you are on the A59.
Taxi:
Try LMC (01254 245057)
Pub:
Right opposite Aerospace in Samlesbury there's the modern Boddington Arms or more traditional Myerscough, a Robinsons pub. Also the Bay Horse at Osbaldeston which has had a modern refurb, Best bet for food is probably the Royal Oak at Clayton-Le-Dale
Farm Shop:
Huntleys of Samlesbury is the biggest operation but Fairfield Farm at Clayton-Le-Del has its own tea rooms and butchery.
More Lancashire Neighbourhood Watch Areas A59 Whalley Road - Accrington | Bolton Road, Darwen | Carnforth | Clitheroe | Henry Street, Lytham | High Street, Garstang | Kirkham | Longridge | Lord Street, Southport | Ramsbottom | Winckley Square, Preston
