the culture trip publisher

Culture Trip embarks on new journey with US publisher

Culture Trip, which was founded in London in 2011, has agreed to be bought by US News & World Report, a digital media company, for an undisclosed multimillion pound sum, Sky News understands.

City editor @MarkKleinmanSky

Monday 26 February 2024 15:12, UK

A tour operator dubbed "the Lonely Planet for the 21st Century" is journeying into American ownership after striking a deal with a US-based publisher.

Sky News understands US News & World Report, a digital media company, has struck a multimillion pound deal to acquire Culture Trip.

The agreement, which is expected to be announced publicly on Tuesday, comes about seven months after Culture Trip initiated a review of its strategic options.

Sources said the deal would augment US News' travel franchise, which includes rankings and advice to aid international travellers.

Culture Trip has been working with Lazarus Consulting, a mergers and acquisitions advisory boutique, on its options since last summer .

Its app has been downloaded more than 3m times, and it boasts millions of monthly users.

"The Culture Trip mission is to connect people through expert reviewed destinations globally and is considered one of the most 'insider' resources for travellers deciding where they want to have the best experience," said Ana Jakimovska, chief executive of Culture Trip Travel UK.

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"Adding to this, the ability to experience the travel recommendations via our small, insider-led group trips makes Culture Trip a holistic travel platform.

"We are thrilled about the expertise and resources US News brings in helping us fulfil this mission."

Culture Trip has raised more than £130m from investors since launching 13 years ago, but like the entire travel sector saw its business badly dented by the COVID pandemic.

It raised money on several occasions, including an $80m Series B round in April 2018.

Set up in 2011, the business grew rapidly, tapping into millennials' zeal for "authentic" overseas travel experiences.

The company describes itself as "purpose-led", and operates small tour groups to far-flung destinations around the world.

The firm originally focused on generating revenues from advertising, but in the face of competition from technology behemoths Meta Platforms and Google, it switched to selling hotel bookings.

That in turn took Culture Trip into competition with the likes of Expedia and Booking.com, so it elected to shift its emphasis to selling curated trips focused on the millennial demographic.

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"As we continue to find ways to help people make informed decisions, the Culture Trip website is a natural extension of our US News travel business," said Eric Gertler, US News' executive chairman and CEO.

"Consumers want information they can trust and resources they can rely on when planning a trip.

"This acquisition now empowers millions of travellers with the tools they need to find the best value and experience."

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Culture Trip embarks on new journey with US publisher

A tour operator dubbed "the Lonely Planet for the 21st Century" is journeying into American ownership after striking a deal with a US-based publisher.

Sky News understands US News & World Report, a digital media company, has struck a multimillion pound deal to acquire Culture Trip.

The agreement, which is expected to be announced publicly on Tuesday, comes about seven months after Culture Trip initiated a review of its strategic options.

Sources said the deal would augment US News' travel franchise, which includes rankings and advice to aid international travellers.

Culture Trip has been working with Lazarus Consulting, a mergers and acquisitions advisory boutique, on its options since last summer .

Its app has been downloaded more than 3m times, and it boasts millions of monthly users.

"The Culture Trip mission is to connect people through expert reviewed destinations globally and is considered one of the most 'insider' resources for travellers deciding where they want to have the best experience," said Ana Jakimovska, chief executive of Culture Trip Travel UK.

"Adding to this, the ability to experience the travel recommendations via our small, insider-led group trips makes Culture Trip a holistic travel platform.

"We are thrilled about the expertise and resources US News brings in helping us fulfil this mission."

Culture Trip has raised more than £130m from investors since launching 13 years ago, but like the entire travel sector saw its business badly dented by the COVID pandemic.

It raised money on several occasions, including an $80m Series B round in April 2018.

Set up in 2011, the business grew rapidly, tapping into millennials' zeal for "authentic" overseas travel experiences.

The company describes itself as "purpose-led", and operates small tour groups to far-flung destinations around the world.

The firm originally focused on generating revenues from advertising, but in the face of competition from technology behemoths Meta Platforms and Google, it switched to selling hotel bookings.

That in turn took Culture Trip into competition with the likes of Expedia and Booking.com, so it elected to shift its emphasis to selling curated trips focused on the millennial demographic.

"As we continue to find ways to help people make informed decisions, the Culture Trip website is a natural extension of our US News travel business," said Eric Gertler, US News' executive chairman and CEO.

"Consumers want information they can trust and resources they can rely on when planning a trip.

"This acquisition now empowers millions of travellers with the tools they need to find the best value and experience."

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Culture Trip embarks on new journey with US publisher

Related posts you may like, global airlines soars to new heights with blacklane partnership for premier chauffeur service – travel and tour world, top romantic days out in the uk to book with getyourguide.

A tour operator dubbed ‘the Lonely Planet for the 21st Century’ is journeying into American ownership after striking a deal with a US-based publisher.

Sky News understands that US News & World Report, a digital media company, has struck a multimillion pound deal to acquire Culture Trip.

The agreement, which is expected to be announced publicly on Tuesday, comes about seven months after Culture Trip initiated a review of its strategic options.

Sources said the deal would augment US News’ travel franchise, which includes rankings and advice to aid international travellers.

Culture Trip has been working with Lazarus Consulting, a mergers and acquisitions advisory boutique, on its options since last summer .

Its app has been downloaded more than 3m times, and it boasts millions of monthly users.

“The Culture Trip mission is to connect people through expert reviewed destinations globally and is considered one of the most ‘insider’ resources for travellers deciding where they want to have the best experience,” said Ana Jakimovska, chief executive of Culture Trip Travel UK.

“Adding to this, the ability to experience the travel recommendations via our small, insider-led group trips makes Culture Trip a holistic travel platform.

“We are thrilled about the expertise and resources U.S. News brings in helping us fulfil this mission.”

Culture Trip has raised more than £130m from investors since launching 13 years ago, but like the entire travel sector saw its business badly dented by the COVID pandemic.

It raised money on several occasions, including an $80m Series B round in April 2018.

Set up in 2011, the business grew rapidly, tapping into millennials’ zeal for ‘authentic’ overseas travel experiences.

The company describes itself as “purpose-led”, and operates small tour groups to far-flung destinations around the world.

The company originally focused on generating revenues from advertising, but in the face of competition from technology behemoths Meta Platforms and Google, it switched to selling hotel bookings.

Story continues

That in turn took Culture Trip into competition with the likes of Expedia and Booking.com, so it elected to shift its emphasis to selling curated trips focused on the millennial demographic.

“As we continue to find ways to help people make informed decisions, the Culture Trip website is a natural extension of our U.S. News Travel business,” said Eric Gertler, U.S. News’ executive chairman and CEO.

“Consumers want information they can trust and resources they can rely on when planning a trip.

“This acquisition now empowers millions of travellers with the tools they need to find the best value and experience.”

Read further .

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International Edition

Culture Trip embarks on new journey with US publisher

Culture Trip, which was founded in London in 2011, has agreed to be bought by US News & World Report, a digital media company, for an undisclosed multimillion pound sum, Sky News understands.

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Reviews 2.6.

Most relevant

It used to be excellent

It used to be excellent, great source of information, background, culture, etc on diverse locations. Then some folks started tinkering with it, now has become useless. Selling travel books and excursions (very expensive ones) , of which there are dozens. I have deleted the app.

Date of experience : June 22, 2023

If It aint broken dont fix it

It used to be pretty good though reviews were a little dated. Now it’s absolutely hopeless. None of the links work and it tries to sell me things of which I have no interest. I have deleted the app and will no longer use it as a reference.

Date of experience : June 23, 2023

Website Reviews for Culturetrip.com

I can trust The Culture Trip website to come through for me every time. The content is informative, substantive and well written. I like their selection of stories, also. They tend to publish cutting-edge stories that you can't read may other places. I like how easy the website is to navigate, too. Great site. Five stars that are well deserved.

Date of experience : May 13, 2018

Everytime I google an info about a…

Everytime I google an info about a specific place, a travel etc Culture trip's articles appear on the first place. So After 10 000 researches on google and seeing 10 000 times Culturetrip's articles pop up, I eventually was curious to see what it was about. What a joke. Poor content but great SEO!

Date of experience : February 06, 2020

"Good idea are bound to get stolen"

Kris Naudt does not create the concept of culture Trip. This is not his idea. Not only he stole the mission, the vision and the all concept but also the credit. In 2018 he re-invented his previous company established since 2011 with this brand new stolen concept but he is not the visionary.

Wonderful informative website

Wonderful informative website, great customer service and really exceptional communication! Thank you!

Date of experience : June 09, 2021

Excellent website and very informative…

Excellent website and very informative articles.

Date of experience : April 24, 2018

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Culture Trip embarks on new journey with US publisher

A tour operator dubbed ‘the Lonely Planet for the twenty first Century’ is journeying into American possession after hanging a cope with a US-based writer.

Sky News understands that US News & World Report, a digital media firm, has struck a multimillion pound deal to accumulate Culture Trip.

The settlement, which is predicted to be introduced publicly on Tuesday, comes about seven months after Culture Trip initiated a overview of its strategic choices.

Sources stated the deal would increase US News’ journey franchise, which incorporates rankings and recommendation to help worldwide travellers.

Culture Trip has been working with Lazarus Consulting, a mergers and acquisitions advisory boutique, on its choices since final summer time .

Its app has been downloaded greater than 3m instances, and it boasts thousands and thousands of month-to-month customers.

“The Culture Trip mission is to connect people through expert reviewed destinations globally and is considered one of the most ‘insider’ resources for travellers deciding where they want to have the best experience,” stated Ana Jakimovska, chief government of Culture Trip Travel UK.

“Adding to this, the ability to experience the travel recommendations via our small, insider-led group trips makes Culture Trip a holistic travel platform.

“We are thrilled concerning the experience and sources U.S. News brings in serving to us fulfil this mission.”

Culture Trip has raised greater than £130m from buyers since launching 13 years in the past, however like the whole journey sector noticed its enterprise badly dented by the COVID pandemic.

It raised cash on a number of events, together with an $80m Series B spherical in April 2018.

Set up in 2011, the enterprise grew quickly, tapping into millennials’ zeal for ‘genuine’ abroad journey experiences.

The firm describes itself as “purpose-led”, and operates small tour teams to far-flung locations around the globe.

The firm initially targeted on producing revenues from promoting, however within the face of competitors from expertise behemoths Meta Platforms and Google, it switched to promoting lodge bookings.

That in flip took Culture Trip into competitors with the likes of Expedia and Booking.com, so it elected to shift its emphasis to promoting curated journeys targeted on the millennial demographic.

“As we continue to find ways to help people make informed decisions, the Culture Trip website is a natural extension of our U.S. News Travel business,” stated Eric Gertler, U.S. News’ government chairman and CEO.

“Consumers want information they can trust and resources they can rely on when planning a trip.

“This acquisition now empowers thousands and thousands of travellers with the instruments they should discover the very best worth and expertise.”

Source: information.sky.com”

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Authors scramble after the main distributor for small publishers suddenly closed

Deena Prichep

Book distributors get titles into readers' hands. And last week, Small Press Distribution abruptly closed — leaving over 350 small presses scrambling to figure out how their industry can move forward.

ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:

The book on your nightstand was written by an author, put out by a publisher and sold by a bookseller. And there's another player that gets less attention - distributors, the people who get books into stores. A little over a week ago, the main distributor for small publishers closed down without warning. Deena Prichep reports on what happens now to small presses.

DEENA PRICHEP, BYLINE: Books are an art, but they're also a business. And for many small publishers, a huge part of their business was SPD - Small Press Distribution. They'd been around for 55 years, working with over 350 small presses. And then, they weren't. Publishers found out by email, by text.

DIANE GOETTEL: You know how sometimes if you fall down or something happens suddenly, and you can't tell right away how badly hurt you are? That's how I felt for the small press world when I got that email.

PRICHEP: Diane Goettel heads Black Lawrence Press. They publish poetry, literary fiction, debut authors - the sorts of books that major publishers won't always take a chance on.

GOETTEL: My gut instinct was this is going to be very bad. And for smaller presses or fledgling presses, it could be the end.

PRICHEP: There's kind of three parts to how bad this is. First off, there's the back pay. Publishing tends to pay quarterly, which means publishers are owed months of payments that they may never get. Josh Savory runs Game Over Books, which primarily publishes voices from marginalized communities.

JOSH SAVORY: We did the GoFundMe for about 5,000 to cover the costs of, like, paying authors.

PRICHEP: Many presses are owed several times that amount. And small presses run small margins.

SAVORY: And I have no idea how much it's going to cost to get those books back.

PRICHEP: That's the second part of the problem - the actual books. SPD consolidated orders for buyers by having all the books in the same warehouses, which just shut down.

SAVORY: I got an email from them that said that, like, here, fill this out. You have two weeks. If you don't fill it out, we're going to destroy your books.

PRICHEP: And publishers have to pay to ship the books back. For presses whose back stock could fill pallets, like Diane Goettel at Black Lawrence Press, that could add up.

GOETTEL: My husband and I might, you know, put together a really great road trip playlist and rent a U-Haul.

PRICHEP: And there are authors who are out on book tour right now. Alvina Chamberland's novel, "Love The World Or Get Killed Trying," came out one week before SPD shut down.

ALVINA CHAMBERLAND: So I got an email from my publisher that was like, don't panic.

PRICHEP: Chamberland is on the road to connect with readers but also to sell books.

CHAMBERLAND: I had just done, like, five events in New York. They'd all gone really well. Then all of a sudden on Monday, I get all these emails from bookstores. Like, we would really like to order the book, but it's not available.

PRICHEP: Small presses are dealing with the finances and logistics, coming together for emergency meetings, selling books from their own websites. But the biggest problem is - what happens next? There are other distributors, but they won't be able to take on everyone, or they have minimum orders that the smaller presses just aren't able to meet.

STEPHEN SPARKS: It becomes a loss culturally, in that we are not going to have as easy access to these kind of radical ideas or, like, creative ways of thinking and writing.

PRICHEP: Stephen Sparks runs Point Reyes Books in California and regularly ordered from SPD. These titles may not be the biggest sellers, but they make a difference.

SPARKS: To get a book to someone, you know, that could crack open the world, that may, like, change their life. I mean, that's why we do this.

PRICHEP: SPD - which is not responding to questions - reported under a million dollars in book revenue last year. This is a fraction of the book industry, but it includes books that have won national book awards and Pulitzer Prizes. They've launched careers. They've changed readers' lives. And small presses hope that even without SPD, they'll be able to figure out a way to continue doing that. For NPR News, I'm Deena Prichep.

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Puerto Rico’s southern coast is the island’s best-kept secret

Take it from a guayama native: the caribbean coast is worth exploring from end to end.

The scenery starts to change when you leave the tall hotels and tapón (traffic jam) of San Juan behind.

Head south on Route 52, and you will start seeing the lush green mountains of Cordillera Central. As you approach the southern coast, the dense vegetation transforms into clusters of cactuses and shrubs, painting an arid landscape against the distant view of the Caribbean Sea.

Ranging east to west from the town of Yabucoa to Cabo Rojo, the southern coast of Puerto Rico is rich in culture, food, beaches and nature. But beyond all the tangible attractions, locals say the spirit of hospitality makes the place unique. “Our greatest asset is the people, who make people feel at home,” says Milexys Rosado Romero, the owner of Hacienda Tres Casitas , a farm stay in Cabo Rojo.

I learned this growing up in Guayama, where neighbors traded mangoes for papayas. My parents were always inviting people for coffee, or my dad might arrive home with a bagful of fresh seafood he got from a friend he ran into at the beach.

Unfortunately, no reliable public transport options exist, so renting a car is the best bet to reach the smaller towns and unspoiled beaches. Highway 52 traverses the island from north to south, taking you from San Juan to Guayama in around 90 minutes, depending on traffic, and to Ponce in two hours or less. Highway 2 takes you west to Cabo Rojo and up the western coast, and Route 3 takes you along the eastern coast with scenic ocean views of Patillas and Maunabo.

If traveling during the fall, you may catch surfers in Guardarraya Beach in Patillas. It’s hard to get lost as you can easily find lesser-known beaches via Google Maps, with good cell coverage throughout the region.

Many of the lodgings offered on the southern coast, from the luxury Copamarina Beach Resort to the kid-friendly Combate Beach Resort , have been owned by local families for generations. Farm stays, small inns known as paradors and vacation rentals dominate the accommodations, making for a relaxed scene.

I recommend visiting from Wednesdays to Sundays for a livelier scene and more dining options; earlier in the week is perfect for having the beaches all to yourself.

Low-key beaches in Cabo Rojo

Even the Caribbean Sea beaches on the southern coast of Puerto Rico are in chill mode, more relaxed than their choppy Atlantic Ocean counterparts in the north.

With small waves and shallow waters, Combate Beach, on the southwest corner, is ideal for families. Make it a day-long affair with a passion fruit mojito at Annie’s Place with picturesque sunset views.

For a more rustic beach experience, go to Playa Sucia, one of Puerto Rico’s southernmost beaches. While there, hike the trails leading to El Faro de Cabo Rojo and Puente de Piedra for 360-degree views of a colorful mix of Caribbean blues, sandy-colored rocky enclaves and green mangroves along the coast. Walk a mile and a half north of Playa Sucia, and you will encounter the Salinas de Cabo Rojo, with colorful yellow-shouldered blackbirds flying over the pink salt flats.

Boquerón is a neighborhood known for its stands of local fish, oysters and clams. You can also take a dip at its small sandy strip. The neighborhood is vibrant, with music blaring throughout the many kiosks and beachside restaurants, most specializing in seafood. You don’t have to go far inland to find roasted pork at Camino Los Charros. Rosado also recommends La Catumba Lechonera among the many restaurants that specialize in pork.

Restaurants on the rise in Guayama

“Guayama esta pegao” — in style, according to what I’ve heard from many friends across the island.

A coastal city on the southeastern side, it is known for having a charming plaza (town square) with homes and buildings dating from the 1800s. One of these historical homes houses Gallo Pinto , a restaurant by chef Ángel David Moreno Zayas that has become a destination with dishes like grilled oysters, bone marrow with beef tartare, and fried red snapper.

“I’ve worked in many kitchens in San Juan and the mainland United States, but I wanted to open my restaurant in Guayama,” says Moreno Zayas of his hometown. “It started as a casual place because we were recovering from the pandemic, but now we’ve incorporated more fine-dining elements, and the reception has been spectacular.”

After a feast at Gallo Pinto, one must save room for ice cream at one of Guayama’s classic spots, Rex Cream. Owned by Chinese-Cuban immigrants, the Louke Chang family, it’s a mandatory stop. A scoop of salty-sweet corn ice cream with a generous sprinkle of cinnamon is perfect for a walk along the plaza.

At Pozuelo, a fishermen’s neighborhood beyond the city center, go to El Arcoiris for one of my childhood favorites, the octopus salad with a side of tostones. Or bite into a crispy alcapurria — a fritter made of banana and root vegetables — at El Fogón de Susa as you stroll along the beach.

You can find one of the most impressive wine lists in the south at Prime Market , where local couple Laury Cordero Sabater and Antonio Palau transformed an old home along Route 3 into an ample outdoor patio with a menu specializing in steaks.

Art and culture in Ponce

It’s hard to find Puerto Ricans prouder of their hometown than Ponceños. I’m not disputing their pride, because the city has so much to offer, especially in terms of arts and culture.

“Start with a walking tour of the city center of Ponce to learn about the history of Ponce and gain an orientation of the city,” says Melina Aguilar Colón, the founder of Isla Caribe tours. “One of the sights not to be missed is the Parque de Bombas de Ponce,” she said. Initially built in 1882 for the Exhibition Trade Fair, the Ponce firehouse is a symbol of the city; the distinct red-and-black-striped facade was an inspiration for the Ponce flag.

After walking through the city center, go for cocktails along Paseo de la Salsa Cheo Feliciano, named after the pioneering salsa singer José Feliciano. At El Marlin 107, William Collazo, a big name in Puerto Rico’s cocktail community, mixes drinks with tropical infusions like coconut water, guava and mangoes. On the weekends, expect live music along the street where you can test your salsa skills. For dinner, head to Chef’s Creations, where you catch chef Jorge Rivera cooking over a wood-fired grill in his restaurant’s patio.

Although the city has suffered structural damage during Hurricane Maria in 2017, followed by an earthquake in 2020, Ponce has focused on reconstruction and updates to many of its cultural institutions. The Teatro La Perla, a cultural hub for performance art, is set to reopen in 2025 with plays and musical performances. The Art Museum of Ponce , home of the iconic “Flaming June” by Sir Frederic Leighton (which is currently on loan to the Royal Academy of Arts in London), recently reopened its doors after extensive repairs.

Ponce is also considered the birthplace of plena music, one of the traditional sounds of Puerto Rico. Deeply infused with African beats, plena tells the story of the Puerto Rican people from the early 1900s. You can learn more about plena and other Puerto Rican music like bomba and danza at the Museo de la Música Puertorriqueña, a small museum in the city center.

El Bosque dry forest and bioluminescent bays

According to Aguilar Colón, “everybody knows about El Yunque rainforest, but nobody talks about El Bosque Seco de Guánica, the dry forest on the island’s southwest coast.” I agree.

One of the things that makes Puerto Rico unique is the contrast of ecosystems in a relatively small island. Walking along the trails, you will notice the different varieties of cactuses, Guayacán trees and mangroves as you get closer to the shoreline. Birdwatchers will rejoice with the sights of sparrow hawks, hummingbirds and brown pelicans. The dry forest is one of the island’s hottest places, so ensure you bring plenty of water and sun protection.

Next to Guánica, in the neighboring town of Lajas, there’s another natural phenomenon. La Parguera is home to one of the three bioluminescent bays of Puerto Rico. Because of overpopulation, it’s not as bright as in Vieques, but it’s still worth a trip if you’re in the area.

The local dock offers boat rides, and you can also find kayak tours taking you deeper into the bay for better views. Beyond the bay, the Parguera is known for its bustling scene on the weekends with plenty of bars, restaurants and bands.

Jessica van Dop DeJesus is a travel and food writer, digital content creator and the author of “ The Dining Traveler Guide to Puerto Rico .” She divides her time between Brussels, D.C. and western New York. Follow her on Instagram @diningtraveler .

Where to go

Our favorite destinations: These 12 destinations are at the top of our wish list for where to go this year, without crowds. In 2023, we explored an Alaskan bear paradise, Brooklyn’s famous pizzerias and a hidden gem in Italy, among other highlights ..

Travel like a local: Residents share their favorite places in our top city guides: New Orleans , Rome , Tokyo and Mexico City .

National parks: This comprehensive guide has details on all 63 U.S. national parks. For a deep dive into five of the most well-known, you can listen to the Field Trip podcast . Then explore tips from locals for visiting Yosemite , Glacier and Everglades .

Tales from the road: Dolly Parton has opened a new resort at her theme park complex in Tennessee, while “Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines have a new hotel in Waco . Road-trippers may be just as excited to see the cartoon beaver at Buc-ee’s , and bargain-hunters should consider a stop at the Unclaimed Baggage store in Scottsboro, Ala.

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How to plan a food trip through the Ribble Valley, UK

Michelin-starred dining, independent butchers and artisan cheesemakers make this beautiful corner of Lancashire a rural idyll for food travellers.

From its blasted fells and verdant plateaus to its tangled woods and meandering rivers, the Ribble Valley is a rural wonderland that apparently inspired the otherworldly landscapes of JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings . It is a natural haven for birders, walkers and cyclists, particularly where this corner of Lancashire merges into the Forest of Bowland, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Ribble Valley also tastes amazing. A seasonal food ethos grows out of its fertile farmland, underpinning the work of Michelin-acclaimed restaurants such as the Northcote in Langho and market-town gems such as Cowman’s sausage shop in Clitheroe. Key local producers, such as cheesemaker Mrs Kirkham’s, enjoy national recognition. Yet none of this feels overexposed. With the majority of travellers passing by the Ribble as they rush north to the Lake District, it continues to offer visitors a sense of discovery.

Where to eat at in the Ribble Valley

1. The Parkers Arms , Newton-in-Bowland

Reaching No 7 on the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs in the UK list in 2023, The Parkers Arms has long been a place of pilgrimage for clued-up foodies. It serves gutsy Lancastrian cooking – and its pies are legendary. But that only tells half the story. Chef Stosie Madi’s work is often deft and light, exemplified by her fish cookery, while her French-Lebanese heritage brings a distinctive flavour to the menu. Dishes might range from minced mutton manoushe flatbreads to braised Bowland rabbit leg, butter-roasted loin, mustard sauce, mash and greens. Passing walkers or cyclists can snack from the bar menu. Three courses, £50.

2. Northcote , Langho

The valley’s benchmark dining destination for more than three decades, this Michelin-star restaurant and boutique hotel is constantly evolving. From its cookery school to the annual international guest chef event Obsession (in January and February), there are always interesting things happening at Northcote. Expect seasonally driven dishes, such as halibut with Jerusalem artichoke and winter truffle or aged dairy cow tartare, warm bone-marrow, alliums and horseradish, accompanied by exceptional wines from managing director Craig Bancroft’s lovingly curated cellar. Mains from £29; doubles from £216 per night, B & B.

3. La Locanda , Gisburn

High-quality local, seasonal ingredients are the cornerstone of Italian cooking – so, naturally, chef Maurizio Bocchi feels at home in the Ribble Valley. Key imports such as wine and olive oil aside, the Modena native cooks authentic Italian dishes using local meats, game, dairy and vegetables. The menu might include rabbit stuffed with Tuscan sausage and cabbage with rosemary potatoes, or cappellacci pasta filled with pumpkin and amaretti biscuits, finished with butter, sage and hazelnuts – served up in La Locanda’s comfortable farmhouse-style space. Mains from £15.  

4. The Inn at Whitewell , near Dunsop Bridge

This remote inn on the River Hodder has accommodated travellers since the 16th century. It is an evocative old building; all worn flagstone floors and roaring fires. Eat in its cosy bars or restaurant. First visit? Look to those dishes, such as the fish pie, chicken liver pate or bangers and champ with onion gravy, that have become established classics over many years. Do not miss the in-house wine shop. Mains from £16.50; doubles from £145 per night, room only.  

5. Freemasons at Wiswell , near Whalley

A degree of fine dining glitz runs through chef Steven Smith’s polished pub. You will find Sunday roasts as well as complex and creative dishes, such as prawn mousse-filled sea bass with Thai mussel curry, and salt and pepper tempura broccoli. There is a tasting menu, a chef’s table for those who like to watch kitchens work and, for those staying over, four stylish bedrooms. Mains from £39; doubles from £240 per night, B & B.  

An unmissable experience

Bowland Brewery

In its attractive food hall, upmarket cinema and bowling lanes, Holmes Mill development in Clitheroe offers numerous distractions. Heaven for cask and craft ale drinkers, its large beer hall is also the home to Bowland Brewery, which for 20 years has quenched local thirsts with tipples such as its classic, citrusy pale Hen Harrier or the Bowland Bumble, made with honey from the brewery’s beehives at nearby Little Middop Farm. On select Fridays, outside operational brewing hours, tours offer visitors the chance to learn about the brewing process: from raw malts and hops to the mash tun and the fermentation tanks. A tutored tasting of three third-pints follows. One-hour tours, £20 per person.  

Where to stay

The Higher Buck, Waddington

Is Waddington the Ribble Valley’s prettiest village? Fans of Hurst Green, Downham or Chipping might disagree, but this cluster of ancient buildings huddled around a gurgling stream is unquestionably idyllic – and home to three individually compelling pubs (see also The Lower Buck Inn and Waddington Arms). The Higher Buck has seven handsome, well-maintained bedrooms while its crowd-pleasing menu similarly excels. A cheddar soufflé with apple chutney and the Buck’s sensational steamed steak and ale pudding are testament to chef-landlord Michael Heathcote’s rigour. Mains from £17; doubles from £115 per night, B & B.  

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