Aughton's excellent Moor Hall restaurant has been picking up more awards, and named the best restaurant in England at the National Restaurant Awards 2022 - and ranked the second best in the UK.

It was beaten to the top spot in the UK, which it held last year, by Ynyshir in Powys, Wales, and Chef Patron Mark Birchall, said: “I’m over the moon that Moor Hall was awarded Best Restaurant in England 2022 after being no. 1 in the National Restaurant Awards for two consecutive years.

“It’s a list filled with incredible restaurants, chefs and the people who run them, so it’s humbling to be included at all.

"This isn’t about me though, this award goes to the entire team at Moor Hall; it’s such a group effort, and we’re so fortunate to have the best team imaginable.

“Bringing this award back home to Lancashire and flying the flag for the North West and its amazing produce means the world to me.”

Moor Hall holds two Michelin Stars, a Michelin Green Star, and five AA Rosettes. The award citation reads: “Chef Mark Birchall opened Moor Hall in 2016 having spent the best part of a decade working at Simon Rogan’s then two-starred restaurant L’Enclume, promising at the time to create ‘something special’.

“He’s succeeded. His stunning Lancashire restaurant with rooms is located in a Grade II-listed building that dates back to the 13th century and is set in five acres of gardens with its own lake, no less. Within just two years of opening, Birchall replicated the success of his mentor, also winning two stars, and he has no intention of stopping there.

“The setup at Moor Hall is impressive. The beautiful glass-fronted restaurant has an open kitchen as well as a walk-in cheese room, where diners are encouraged to visit to make their selection. The restaurant makes its own charcuterie in house and uses honey from its five beehives located within its verdant grounds.”

Meanwhile Moor Hall Restaurant was presented with a Silver award in the Taste of England category at the VisitEngland annual Awards for Excellence 2022, which celebrate the best of the country’s tourism industry.