Freemasons Arms

Best thought-of as a good civilised restaurant, this does have the look and comfortingly informal feel of an upmarket pub - not to mention the thoroughly pubby plus point of its well kept local ales on handpump, such as Bank Top Golden Legacy, Moorhouses Pride of Pendle and Tirril Nameless, as well as the racks of well chosen wine bottles behind its tempting bar counter (there's an excellent choice by the glass). Three rooms open together, with lots of mainly sporting antique prints on the cream or pastel walls, rugs on polished flagstones, carved oak settles and an attractive variety of chairs around handsome stripped or salvaged candlelit tables (all beautifully laid), and open fires, with a woodburning stove on the right. There are more rooms upstairs, including a comfortable one that's popular for pre-meal drinks, or their good coffee afterwards. Service by neatly uniformed young staff is meticulous and courteous. Teak seats for the candlelit tables under an extendable awning on the quiet flagstoned front terrace have not only infra-red heaters, but also plaid rugs to wrap around you.