Lancashire's iconic Michelin-starred Northcote hotel and restaurant goes up for sale

One of Lancashire's most exclusive venues nestled in the Ribble Valley, has been put up for sale.

Recognised as one of the UK's premier restaurants and country house hotels, Northcote Manor boasts a Michelin star, awarded in 1996 to the Lisa Goodwin-Allen led restaurant—a distinction it has proudly held onto ever since.

Just last month, the high-end eatery made headlines when Tripadvisor named it the best in the UK and third globally in the 2024 Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Restaurants awards. On Tuesday (October 8), this 19th-century manor house was listed for sale without a publicised guide price, reports Lancs Live.

READ MORE: Pub cordoned off after thugs smash windows and throw flaming bottles inside

Savills, the estate agents charged with marketing the property, are using a 'price on application' approach, inviting potential buyers to enquire to discover the price. According to the Rightmove listing, the multi-award-winning business generated an impressive turnover surpassing £6.5 million in 2023.

The sale is pitched as a freehold opportunity that includes over 25 luxurious bedrooms and planning consent for an extra restaurant. The included description reads: "The land of the Asset was initially owned by Henry Pete, known as the landlord of Lancashire, whilst the Manor House was constructed in 1880 as the private residence of Mary Elizabeth Yates.

"For over a century, the Asset retained its status as a private dwelling until 1983, when John Wolstenholme of Westwood Garages acquired and transformed it into a 6- bedroom hotel with a fine dining restaurant. The Asset is a luxury hotel and Michelin-starred restaurant led by Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen in the heart of the Ribble Valley.

"It is one of the UK's leading food and wine destinations. It boasts 26 bedrooms in total (18 in the Manor House and 8 in the Garden Lodge). It has been a member of Pride of Britain Hotels (PoB Hotels) since 2007 and its Restaurant has held one Michelin star since 1996.

"The Asset is situated in the heart of the Ribble Valley, Lancashire, North West England. Surrounded by popular market towns such as Burnley, Clitheroe, Skipton and Hebden Bridge, the Asset is a central hub for leisure visitors.

"It also offers easy access to nearby cities such as Blackburn and Preston. It lies in the village of Langho, linked with Blackburn and Clitheroe by the A666 and with the Langho railway station on the Ribble Valley line.

"Ribble Valley is renowned for its high-quality food products, with many of these being sourced and produced locally. The neighbouring town of Clitheroe hosts a very popular food festival every year, with more than 100 businesses taking part."

Five years ago, the hotel was acquired by Britannia Hospitality, the owner of the Stafford London hotel, and became part of the Stafford Collection, which is described on its website as "an independently owned luxury portfolio of beautiful properties in distinct locations in the UK". Earlier this year, Britannia Hospitality reported pre-tax losses of £6.6 million for the year, following a loss of £3.5 million in the previous 12 months.

Northcote's turnover rose from £5.8 million to £6.1 million, but it swung from a pre-tax profit of £215,978 in 2022 to a loss of £171,284 in 2023, as reported by business news outlet City AM. LancsLive has reached out to representatives of Northcote Manor for comment.

The Rightmove listing can be viewed here.