WHITE paint gleaming in the sunshine, the White Hart Inn in Sabden seemed as likely a spot as any to get lunch during a mystery tour over Pendle Hill.

The Thwaites pub has had a refurbishment and reopened earlier this summer. It’s looking good, maintaining cosy country charm while introducing modern touches and splashes of colour.

With plans to enjoy the weather in the beer garden, we ordered drinks and food at the dinky, central bar; a refreshing J2O and pear cider, and a tuna melt and the ‘gourmet’ burger and a side of chips.

We’d made a perfect choice of venue on a hot lunchtime, and the spacious beer garden with plenty of tables.

It seemed many others had also ordered food, so it took quite some time for our meals to arrive. In no rush to leave the sun, we sat back and relaxed.

When our food was delivered, with broad smiles from the landlord, the ciabatta melt was bursting with its tuna mayonnaise and cheese filling, and was declared ‘great’.

The burger itself was good quality meat and well-cooked, but for £4.50 I maybe question its simplicity — just a burger in a bun with the merest nod towards a side salad, additions such as cheese or bacon raked up the price too. The chips were pretty standard pub fare — not bad but nothing special either.

From a pretty classic pub menu, to the more interesting specials, there’s a good range of dishes on offer.

Besides the burger, prices weren’t bad, coming to £17.60, and I’d be keen to sit back with a few more ciders on another sunny day.

  • Food  8
  • Drink 8
  • Service  8
  • Atmosphere 7
  • Value  7