Reviews in Freckleton

The following review was written by Steve Anderson and was printed in the Evening Gazette on October 26, 2002. The logic is simple, really: if you like good, hearty farmhouse cooking, then where better to go than a restaurant based on a family-run farm where large dairy and beef herds are still raised? And if the farmhouse in question is a 16th century building set in the heart of the scenic Fylde countryside, then so much the better. We had heard recommendations about Rigby's for some time and were keen to sample the fare for ourselves. So after a quick check on the Blackpool A-Z to make sure we wouldn't get lost in the dark on some unlisted road, we set off towards Wrea Green for an early evening drive. Take the Warton road out of the village and after a few minutes, Carr Lane appears on the right - there are three signs for Rigby's at the junction, but even so I still almost missed it! Don't raise your hopes of arriving at some picturesque, old-world farmhouse - from the car park, the restaurant is not much to look at; the real delights are inside. We arrived just before seven, to find the lounge area already quite busy. We did manage to find a couple of seats and with a drink in hand, browsed some temping choices on the menu. Starters are priced between £3 and £5.50 and I liked the sound of Bury black pudding, the seafood pancake or smoked salmon rolls. Vegetarian main courses start at £7.50 and the roasted red pepper wellington, with an orange cranberry sauce, at £8.50, may well be worth a try on another day. Roast breast of English duckling seemed good value at£11 and usually wins my vote, but on this occasion I was torn between a farmhouse mixed grill (£13), which sounded enormous, or the 8oz fillet steak (£11). In the end, having remembered a warning that portions were substantial, I opted for the steak - and was glad that I did! First, though, I had chosen a starter from the specials board, mushroom and Stilton filo parcels served with a redcurrant jelly (£4), which arrived promptly and was polished off almost as quickly. The combination worked well and also earned approval from my wife, who had declined a starter but, as always, was happy to pinch a few bites from my plate. Our main courses, though, were something to write home about. My steak was as good as any I?e tasted, so wonderfully tender that I carved slivers at a time to make it last. A creamy peppercorn was well worth the extra pound to complement the beef. Across the table, my wife was enthusing about the roasted loin of lamb, which was served with a garlic and rosemary gravy. Again, incredibly tender, a lovely flavour and some nice crispy fat on top. We both agreed (after I pinched a chunk of lamb) that it would be difficult to improve upon. Alongside lay a mountain of crisp, chunky chips, some sliced potatoes, fresh carrots and cauliflower cheese. It was after failing to finish the chips that I was thankful I hadn? ordered the mixed grill - or the 24oz T-bone steak, for that matter. I had ordered a bottle of Miranda High Country Shiraz (£15) which proved a nice match with the steak. We needed a 10 minutes?rest (a walk round the car park would have been good, too) before contemplating dessert. Eventually we managed to fit in a summer pudding and a portion of lemon meringue roulade (both £3) which were pleasant enough, although not up to the standard of the main course. The bill, including drinks, came to £52.10. But our real memory of the night was some of the best steak and lamb we?e had the pleasure to enjoy.

My family and I have enjoyed many delicious meals at the Ship since the "new management" took over. The food is delicious, the surroundings superb and the prices fantastic!

mixed grill is excellent

restaurant food in a friendly pub atmosphere,try the chicken pommedero or the shank of lamb absolutely fantastic due to new owners this place is like hidden gold waiting to be found

Excellent food that is freshly prepared. Traditional farmhouse meals - for those with a 'big' appetite!