The eagerly anticipated Top 50 Gastropubs list will be published in a week’s time, with a number of East Lancashire venues hoping to keep their places – or rank even higher.

The list, sponsored by Estrella Damm, recognises culinary excellence in gastropubs across Britain, with the best pub grub, setting and service ranked to find the best of the best.

The 2023 list will be published on Monday, January 23, with kitchen staff and gastropub managers surely biting their nails awaiting the rundown to see where they have been ranked for this year.

But where did East Lancashire’s top gastropubs rank in the 2022 list, and will they better their positions in 2023?

The area had a year, as they say, in 2022, with two gastropubs in the top five.

Coming in at an incredible second place in 2022 was Parkers Arms in Hall Gate Hill, Newton-in-Bowland.

Set in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Parkers Arms was described as the “most idyllic pub on the list” and has climbed higher up the table annually for several years.

Chef patron Stosie Madi and partner Kathy Smith were praised for their dedication to excellence, with the review saying “food here is honest, putting flavour and experience above all else, taking pride in the local produce – foraged and sourced – from the surroundings and the best suppliers”.

Placing fifth was the Freemasons at Wiswell in the Ribble Valley, which offers meals where “experimental meeting traditional, fusing locally sourced ingredients with wild, sharp world flavours”.

Owner and head chef Steven Smith was praised for his skill and while the meals are not your usual pub fare the experience is, with the Freemasons an integral part of the community.

In at 25th place was the Michelin starred White Swan in Fence, described as a “pub like no other offering some of the best food in the region”.

Chef Tom Parker was dubbed a “genius” by the list and the restaurant was praised for its ever-changing menu and affordability.

East Lancashire final entry was the Higher Buck in Waddington in the Ribble Valley, described as a “real gem with a loyal following with honest dishes and fine ales”.

It was praised for the variety of its menu and also for its affordability, and was described as a “must visit” in the area.

Making the top 100 long list was the Cartford Inn in Preston, recognised for its “strong range of pub classics and modern dishes” and away from the food its cultural events.

“It is a magical place owned and run by some equally magical people,” the awards said.

The 2023 Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list will be released on Monday, January 23.