The Alma Inn, Lancashire

Overview

Close to yet a world away from bustling Colne over the hill, the Alma is an 18th-century coaching house hidden away on a tiny lane on the edge of Laneshawbridge and the A6068.

It's worth finding as it's an oasis of peace and calm away from the throng of the valley road and towns and the views across the beautiful Pendle countryside to wild moorland from the two terraces are stunning - perfect for alfresco summer drinking and dining.

The striking stone building oozes charm and character too, with stone floors, original beams and real fires featuring throughout the bar and dining rooms. The adjoining light and airy conservatory offers extra dining space at busy times like Sunday lunch, and is an ideal space for weddings and parties. Nine super bedrooms make the Alma a good base from which to explore the Ribble Valley, the Yorkshire Dales and Bronte country - Wycoller Country Park is close and Haworth is just eight miles away.

Rooms from

Doubles and twin: £90

Good to know

All major credit cards accepted
Disabled access
Alfresco & private dining
Wedding venue
Parking available
Dogs allowed overnight

Dog-friendly
Dogs are welcomed in the pub with treats and water bowls, and they are allowed overnight in some of the bedrooms.

Scenic and serene
A little hidden oasis of peace and calm, indulge in some R&R in the beautiful Pendle countryside and wild moorland.

No car needed
With Colne train station just a short taxi ride away, you can leave your car at home.

Rooms

The nine refurbished upstairs bedrooms blend traditional and contemporary furnishings and ensure high levels of comfort and excellent facilities to enhance your stay.

Most offer oodles of space and you can expect to find beautiful bed linen, fat mattresses, rich fabrics and calm, soothing colours, with fabulous views across the stunning Pendle landscape through mullioned windows.

Little additional extras include Nespresso machines, homemade biscuits, Smart TVs and free wi-fi. Bathrooms are a big feature - they're all rather smart (with Orla Kiely bathroom products) and one or two are absolutely stunning, with tubs and huge walk-in showers - book Room 9, order a bottle of fizz and enjoy the massive jacuzzi bath for two! Wake up to a hearty Lancashire breakfast, don your boots and head off up Pendle Hill.

Restaurant & bar

The Neve family have been fishing off the Lancashire coast since 1840, so it's no surprise that those years of passion, experience and expertise are reflected in the menu, with the day's catch highlighted on the chalkboard in the bar.

Expect the likes of harissa monkfish, chorizo, stuffed baby squid, red pepper and olive couscous and rocket pesto, alongside scallops with garlic butter and gruyere crumb, and traditional fish pie. There's more than just fish though, the seasonal menus make good use of local produce and may feature Goosnargh chicken and ham hock pot pie, smoked Lancashire cheese tart with caramelised onion, chicory and walnut salad, and steak burger with fries and pickles. The 28-day dry-aged Lancashire rib-eye steak served with roast field mushrooms, grilled tomatoes and proper chips is a fabulous plate - best tackled after a walk up Pendle Hill.

Leave room for a classic pudding, perhaps steamed syrup sponge and custard, lemon curd and ginger nut cheesecake, or opt for a plate of local cheeses.

Things to do

The extraordinary Bury Market has been around since the 1500s and is widely believed to be one of the best in the country. Covering an area of 200,000 sq ft, you'll find a bewildering array of produce from tripe to tomatoes; there aren't too many places where you can buy ducks' eggs, Goosnargh chicken, Morecambe Bay shrimps, Bury black pudding, and Cheshire gooseberries in a few yards of each other. For those coming from Ramsbottom, catch the East Lancashire steam train from Ramsbottom to Bury, it's a proper treat. Just don't forget to take a big cool box for your purchases!

The rugged grandeur of the nearby Forest of Bowland is a spectacular part of Britain's Pennine landscape. The forest is characterised by steep-sided valleys and tracts of heather-covered grouse moor. In addition to gentler routes and family rambles, there are several long-distance trails to enjoy - including the Ribble Way and the Pendle Way. For something a little different, try the 9km-Tolkien Trail at Hurst Green, north of Blackburn.