If you were to head 11 miles north of Liverpool or 16 miles west of Wigan, you’d stumble across a rather unassuming village that’s home to around 8,300 people.
While those who’ve visited say it’s a ‘peaceful’ and ‘wonderful’ little spot in reviews online, it’s fair to say there’s not exactly a lot to keep you occupied in Aughton, Lancashire.
According to Tripadvisor there are just three main things to do in the village – head to church or visit the Oaks Golf Club for either a round of golf or a pamper session at the on-site spa.
Despite this, people from all over Europe and even as far out as the USA, keep on flocking to the village each year and there’s one very good reason why – the food.
Aughton is a real must-visit for foodies with not one, not two, but three Michelin Star restaurants – which have an impressive five stars between them and are all within walking distance of one another.
Sign up to The Getaway newsletter
Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here.
Where to eat in Aughton
Moor Hall, a hotel with a modern British restaurant is the most notable of them all, with the eatery having three stars to its name – this means the cuisine has been deemed ‘exceptional’.
If that weren’t enough, the restaurant also boasts a Michelin Green Star for its sustainable practices (most of the seasonal produce is grown in the grounds of the hall), as well as five AA Rosettes and a third place prize at The National Restaurant Awards 2024.
Headed up by chef patron Mark Birchall, the restaurant offers a Provenance tasting menu for dinner which is priced at £235 per person (and this is going up to £265 from July 1). There’s also a four-course lunch menu for £125 per person (£145 as of July 1).
The restaurant has a cheese room containing some of ‘the best British and Irish Farmhouse cheeses’ as well as a wine cellar. The AA Awards 2024 awarded Moor Hall’s wine list as the ‘best in England and overall’, and there are two options for wine pairings with a meal, including a £145 Prestige pairing or a Rarity pairing for £295. An alcohol-free pairing is also available for £85 and features single vintage teas from around the globe.
There are hundreds of five star reviews on Google, which hail the food as ‘amazing’, ‘fantastic’ and ‘the best in the country’.
Kate Weil wrote: ‘Been here several times […] it is quite simply the best restaurant in the country. Staff are exceptional, food is beyond belief and the wine is everything. Michelin and quality hospitality at its best. Love coming here, worth every penny.’
Similarly, Saveena Pomian said: ‘Difficult to express this experience in words. You feel every course is the best thing you have ever tasted, only to be beaten by the next! From the amuse bouche including a delectable warm black pudding in a crisp shell to the most amazing beef tartare that burst with freshness on the palate. This was followed up by native lobster with a delicate flavour and then a moist Guinea hen with a perfect side of offal ragout.
‘The carefully chosen ginger ice cream freshens ready for an apple and blackberry pudding. There is an amazing choice of English cheeses followed by an exciting choice of petit fours. We had 12 ‘courses’ in all and the wine pairing was perfect.’
They added: ‘The atmosphere is relaxed and the service is spot on. Attentive without being obtrusive. An absolutely fantastic gastronomic experience’
Moor Hall is also home to the second of Aughton’s three Michelin Star restaurants, known as The Barn.
This is a sister restaurant to the main dining space and shares the same ethos, however dining here is much more affordable. Set in a rustic barn, a three course lunch will cost £48 per person, while a set dinner menu is £56 per person.
Example dishes might include Chalk stream trout, radish, sea greens and malted wheat or Roasted Sladesdown duck served with organic carrots, red kale and girolles. On Sundays, you can tuck into a hearty roast dinner with 60-day-aged Belted Galloway Sirloin or Herdwick Lamb Rump with yorkshire puddings and some other fabulous trimmings.
The third and final spot is sō–lō, another modern British restaurant, but one set in an ‘understated’ and informal setting.
Created by chef Tim Allen, the menu features culinary influences from all around the world, mixing flavours and textures with seasonal ingredients.
Guests can choose between a £105 tasting menu for dinner, a £52 three-course lunch or a £64 Sunday lunch menu that features dishes such as Cumbrian Heritage Sirloin, Ham, Egg & Chips and an artisanal cheese plate.
The unassuming ‘unstuffy’ sō–lō has also garnered a big following online with dozens of impressive reviews. Phil Steele posted on Google that his meal there was ‘incredible excellent’, while Nidtima Maroengsit commented: ‘Had an amazing experience. The food is fantastic, especially the Sunday roast – truly a must-try. The staff are so friendly and helpful, making the whole dining experience even better. Highly recommend it!’
And Steven Smith boldly claimed it was ‘as close to perfection as you can get’.
How to get to Aughton
If you’re in London, you’ll have to be prepared to spend a good chunk of time getting to Aughton.
The train is going to be the quickest way to get there but you won’t be able to get one direct service.
You’ll want to start at London Euston and take an Avanti West Coast train to Liverpool Lime Street. From here, you’ll want to head to Liverpool Central and then get the Merseyrail towards Ormskirk, getting off at Town Green (Aughton).
Moor Hall is a 15-minute walk from the station, while sō–lō is just five minutes away.
Looking for more foodie travel inspiration?
- This ‘unforgettable’ destination is officially a foodie paradise — and it might surprise you
- I spent 96 hours in Asia’s street food paradise — it was heaven on a plate
- Gorgeous town in Portugal is a foodie paradise with flights from £27
And if you’re heading on a trip soon, here’s some advice about what you should and shouldn’t eat on the plane, from someone who spent 12 years working in cabin crew…
What else is there to do in Aughton?
Aughton is mostly residential, so there’s not too much to do but the wider parish does have two shopping areas, two train stations, churches and a village hall.
As well as visiting the local Michelin star restaurants, there are a few other pubs and eateries in the village, including The Dog and Gun Inn, Daily Dose Coffee, The Stanley Arms and Arthur’s of Aughton.
And nature lovers can head to the Gorse Hill Nature Reserve to see various wildlife or visit the cafe.
For more to do, you can head to nearby Ormskirk, where you’ll find farms to visit with the kids, the WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, the West Lancashire Light Railway, Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve, and various walking and cycling routes.
Beach lovers aren’t far from the coast, as Formby Beach is just a nine mile drive from Aughton, or if you’re more of a city person, Liverpool is a little over 30 minutes by car or train.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
