Address: The Waddington Arms, Waddington, Nr Clitheroe BB7 3HP.

Phone number: 01200 423262.

Lancashire Telegraph review by Ellie Hargreaves from May 16, 2009.

HAVING driven past a series of seemingly deserted pubs, we arrived at the Waddington Arms faced with a conundrum.

Spend ages searching for a space in the impossibly packed car park then wait 45 minutes for a table, or go back to one of the inns our journey had taken us past and enjoy a dining room to ourselves.

We stayed put, of course, despite our rumbling tummies, because even from outside we could smell the delicious cooking and hear the lively buzz coming from the bar.

Inside, we found modern but traditional decor, friendly staff, and our mission for the night — trying to bag the first available table.

Luckily we soon did, and within half an hour were tucking into starters of tomato and orange soup — “one of the best tomato soups ever,” according to my fellow diner — and a duck and rabbit terrine which was so rich and flavoursome it even agreed with the pet bunny owner among us.

For mains we had fish, chips and mushy peas, bangers and mash, and steak, ale and mushroom pie.

Enough praise can’t be heaped on the fish dinner (which was better than our local chippy’s offering, with crisp, melt-in-the-mouth batter and delicious home made chips) and the steak pie (succulent meat, a tasty gravy and the perfect beef-to-pastry ratio).

The bangers and mash were fine too, although my other half did say that they were no better than mine which, if you’ve ever tasted my cooking, isn’t the greatest compliment.

With side dishes of chips and a selection of vegetables, the portions were a good size so we struggled to make room for dessert.

There’s always room for ice cream, though, so we shared a trio of flavours and fought messily over scoops of butterscotch, chocolate and mint.

The only fault I could find with the pub on the night was the confusing special offer on the blackboard, which advertised two courses for £12.95 and three courses for £15.95 but only gave the option of two main courses to choose from.

Other than that, I enjoyed one of the best meals out that I have had for a long time.

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