The Grey Mare elated to be in Lancashire's best contest

Currently, ten businesses are battling it out to be named the Lancashire Telegraph’s Best Restaurant and Gastropub, with the Grey Mare, in Elton Road, Belthorn, one of our finalists.

A stalwart of the East Lancashire culinary scene for the past 29 years, owner Becky Prince said that it is “one of the biggest awards you can win”, due to it being voted for by their customer base.

A roast at the pub (Image: The Gray Mere)

She said: “We were absolutely elated, honestly, we were overwhelmed. We didn’t realise that the competition was running, to be honest with you, so to hear we got in the top ten is absolutely brilliant.

“I think it is one of the biggest awards you can win, really, as it is voted for by customers. I mean, that is just the best thing ever, really, to know that they love what you do, and you know that is a really great thing.”

The pub has built a reputation for British classics (Image: The Gray Mere)

Standing out thanks to its amazing location, the restaurant has also built a strong reputation for its classic British pub food, which is also filled with locally sourced produce.

Lamb is a big seller at the pub, with favourites including the hot pot and the boned and rolled lamb, served with fresh vegetables.

Cheescakes have been a staple at the pub (Image: The Gray Mere)

For dessert, customers haven’t been able to get enough of the cheesecake selection, which is selling so well that they are struggling to take it off the specials board.

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Becky added: “I think the Grey Mere is a little bit of a different venue because of its amazing location, amazing views, and we also have to be quite good at what we do to attract a customer in the first place and keep them coming back.

Views from the pubs garden (Image: The Gray Mere)

“We’ve been there a long time as well, we are in our 29th year, have had three refurbishments, and we are about to do another one to keep things fresh.

“It is such a beautiful area, and it is wonderful that we get so busy.”

Running the pub alongside her husband Steve, the pair have kept innovating and trying to keep things fresh.

Included within this are current plans to extend into the venue’s ‘secret garden’ and make a new area to dine and drink, and take in the views in the area.

Readers will be able to vote for their favourite by picking up a paper copy of the Lancashire Telegraph and filling in a voting slip, with the winner to be announced at a later date.