Last updated: March 04, 2024
The Gibbon Bridge is a country house hotel and former family run farm set in 23 acres of stunning gardens. The award-winning hotel with destination restaurant is located in the Forest of Bowland in the heart of Lancashire’s Ribble Valley and a huge welcome awaits when you step through the doors into The Gibbon Bridge’s cosy reception area.
Surrounded by greenery, the landscape is beautiful and there’s rolling hills as far as the eye can see. The Gibbon Bridge’s gardens boast plenty of space and there’s a relaxing area beyond the light and airy conservatory with trickling waterfalls, a stream and a river, outdoor seating areas, and a bandstand which makes the perfect backdrop for a wedding with Longridge Fell in the distance.
With 30 bedrooms at The Gibbon Bridge, many are located in a separate building which is just a short walk from reception. The hotel’s Staple Oak suite (perfect for honeymooners) offers up a split level suite with original features, a walk-in wardrobe and woodburner style fireplace. Our standard room was stylish and spacious with double bed, whirlpool bath, and statement drop pendant sash lighting. Decorated in varying shades of blue with complimenting grey furnishings, table and chairs, there was a nice calm, relaxing feel to the space and I loved the views out on beautiful greenery from the windows.
Enjoying a pre-dinner drink, we sat in the cosy bar area with its brown leather sofas and blazing fire – perfect on a cold February night! The restaurant at The Gibbon Bridge prides itself on locally sourced produce (some of which even comes from its own gardens) and the menu has a range of classic British dishes ranging from sandwiches and sharing boards through to mains like duck breast, fish pie and steak and chips. With a hint of French influence, I enjoyed the twice baked cheese souffle on marinated tomatoes, topped with crispy kale. Light and fluffy and textbook golden with a decorative drizzle of salsa verde, I chose a hearty fish pie for my main course, rich and creamy with chunky salmon and shrimp and a good layer of mash – grilled to perfection on top.
My partner opted for the roasted rump of lamb, served pink, accompanied by a mint, parsley and caper salsa verde, resting on a slab of dauphinoise potatoes.
Too full for dessert, we headed back to the room and enjoyed a good night’s sleep ahead of our busy weekend. Breakfast is also served in the conservatory between 7am and 9.30am and as it had been dark when we arrived, it was nice to enjoy the hot and cold buffet with a pot of coffee while looking at the stunning views through the bi-folding doors. With the conservatory extended back in 2015, the room now boasts quirky tropical décor and a feature mirror and glass chandeliers brought over from South Africa.
There’s many unique and interesting nook and crannies to explore at The Gibbon Bridge, with plenty of events spaces and the elegant Orangery which is perfect for weddings. For a night away in a truly relaxing part of the UK’s beautiful countryside, or even if you just fancy visiting for a special dinner, The Gibbon Bridge is a great choice. The hotel also runs a number of events and murder mystery nights – check out their social channels and website for all the latest and to book your stay.
