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Acclaimed chef Mike Shaw has been appointed Chef Patron at The Freemasons at Wiswell, marking a new chapter for the award-winning Lancashire gastropub.
Nestled in the ‘chocolate-box’ village of Wiswell, near Clitheroe in the picturesque Ribble Valley, The Freemasons at Wiswell is a stylish, award-winning inn offering exceptional food and drink in an elegant yet relaxed rural setting.
Since its transformation and reopening in 2009, The Freemasons has earned a loyal clientele and a reputation as one of the UK’s finest gastropubs. The inn holds three AA Rosettes and has long been a fixture on the Top 50 Gastropubs list, recognised for its balance of fine dining flair and comforting British hospitality. Its bar features an excellent selection of traditional cask-conditioned ales from independent breweries and a wine cellar showcasing wines from around the world.
Shaw’s impressive career includes time at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Hambleton Hall, Aubergine, Restaurant Neat and Gilpin Lodge. Under his leadership, The Freemasons will offer set menus alongside a programme of relaxed gastronomic events celebrating the seasons and the best of British produce.
True to The Freemasons’ deep connection with its surroundings, Shaw has already been working closely with local suppliers and gamekeepers to craft new dishes. Current menus feature cured duck liver and Tamworth ham with pickled rhubarb and golden raisin; hand-dived scallops with artichoke, oscietra caviar and walnut; and local loin of venison with crepinette, braised red cabbage, quince and pepper sauce.
The Freemasons also offers four luxury bedrooms named after local wildlife — Hare, Fox, Partridge and Grouse. Each room is individually designed and features an en-suite bathroom with walk-in showers, with some also offering freestanding roll-top baths. Guests can enjoy super-king beds, 50-inch Smart TVs, Nespresso coffee machines and luxury bath products.
Two of the four bedrooms are dog-friendly, allowing up to two well-behaved dogs at no extra charge. Breakfast is included with all stays and served in the pub’s restaurant.
Reflecting on his move, Shaw said: “I’ve visited The Freemasons over a number of years and thought, what a beautiful place. When I was offered the role, I just couldn’t turn down the chance to run the kitchen in one of Lancashire’s favourite gastropubs.”
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