From quiet village inns to well-known food spots, during 2024 we visited a new pub pretty much every week.
As the year came to a close yesterday, we’re looking back at the best 2024 Lancashire Telegraph pubs of the week.
Back in March, I visited the now-closed Stork Hotel in Simonstone.
The feature followed Ezme Longton and Elizabeth Whalley as they began the task of taking over from the previous tenants, who’d be in charge for 26 years.
(Image: Submit) Fish and chips were the main star of the pub’s menu and locals reportedly couldn’t get enough of the dish.
It’s a shame to see the venture didn’t work out, but I’m sure the pub will be back in action under new stewardship soon.
Heading over to Accrington in May, I had the ‘perfect pint’ at the Whitakers Arms in Burnley Road.
(Image: NQ Staff) Vanessa and Jamie Wolfenden decided to leave their previous jobs and take the reigns at the boozer.
Fish and chips were on the agenda again for me – on Fridays, they charge only £10.50 for the dish with a pint of beer or glass of wine.
The food there was described by Vanessa as “good pub grub” and I agree, plus the establishment lies at the foot of The Coppice, making it a good spot for walkers.
Regular Clair Toman summed it up best by saying: “Vanessa and Jamie are creating a great community pub, bringing it back to life with good food and drink offers, Sky Sports, and bingo and quiz nights.”
In June, for a taste of ‘summer pubbing’, I went to The Emmott Arms in Laneshawbridge.
(Image: The Emmott Arms) Less than 1,000 people live in the village, which is served by two pubs, but the publican and chef Jordon Hadfield has no issues bringing in the crowds.
He said: “My favourite dish we do is the harissa lamb, it’s a nice summery dish with jewelled rice, pomegranate and lemon yoghurt.”
His pick for the most popular dish was the chilli beef, which “everyone seems to want”.
In July, it was the turn of the Shooters Arms in Southfield to shine.
“Even people who’ve lived in Lancashire all their lives don’t know about us,” Publican Lucy Nicholson said.
(Image: Shooters Arms) The award for the quirkiest beer garden has to go to the Shooters, with teepees and a fantastic bench section facing towards the moors.
There was a lovely community feel, with Lucy even getting shopping for elderly people.
And in another pub of the week first, the animal produce served up was actually farmed by Lucy herself – not a bad use of resources.
At the back end of summer, The Thornton in Burnley proved to be a little hidden gem.
(Image: The Thornton) Landlady Annie Henderson’s pub is just down the road from Turf Moor yet still retains a rural charm, with a lake-side beer garden.
Annie, who took over the pub in 2024 with her husband Theo Asimakopoulos, said: “It was quite a big step as we moved from North Lincolnshire, so quite a way, but I’m originally from Lancashire so we settled in quite well.”
The flavour of the month at The Thornton seemed to be the small plates, which “fly out” the kitchen.
For the first winter pub, I went to The Swan with Two Necks in Pendleton.
(Image: The Swan With Two Necks) The pub’s elite tap selection is something to behold, with an eclectic and unique mix.
It boasts a rotating lineup of ales from a number of breweries, and certainly no Carling or Fosters at the pub once named by CAMRA as the best in the country.
The Dilworth family has been running the hostelry for 37 years, with landlord and landlady, Christine and Steve Dilworth at the helm.
The Freemasons at Wiswell (Image: Freemasons) For one of the year’s final pubs, and perhaps the poshest, we covered The Freemasons at Wiswell.
The pub has Michelin-star ambitions and three AA rosettes.
A Beef suet pudding with red cabbage is what general manager Andrew Thompson seems to think is the best dish.
The pub offers “the ultimate gourmet experience” with three menus: a la carte, a tasting menu, and the celebration of autumn menu, which is four courses, and complimentary snacks, for £37.50.
What’s your favourite pub in East Lancashire?