The Top 50 gastropubs in the UK have been revealed, and it’s safe to say we’re well and truly spoilt here in the north.
Four out of five of the country’s very best foodie pubs are located up north, with number two – The Parkers Arms in Clitheroe – just an hour’s drive from Manchester.
Time to start making some bookings.
Despite being pipped to the top spot by Suffolk’s Unruly Pig, the Clitheroe pub has still leapt up two spots from its 2021 position to make it the best in the north of England, according to the prestigious Estrella Damn Top 50 Gastropubs 2022 list.
Other pubs up north to achieve recognition in the list include The Star Inn (Harome, North Yorkshire), The Angel (Hetton, Skipton), and Freemasons (Wiswell, Clitheroe), ranking at numbers 3, 4 and 5 respectively.
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It’s certainly been an eventful year for Michelin-starred pub The Star Inn, which burnt down in a fire in 2020 – yet still managed to claim one of the top spots, despite only having been back open for a few months.
Further down the list sits the critically acclaimed Pack Horse at Hayfield, which sits at the foot of Kinder Scout and is only a 50-minute drive from Manchester. The pub was also recently added to the Michelin Guide, to the delight of chef-owner Luke Payne.
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In total, fifteen northern pubs made it into the top 50 list, with more notable selections close to Manchester including West Yorkshire pubs The Moorcock in Sowerby Bridge, and The Shibden Mill Inn.
Suffolk’s Unruly Pig, meanwhile, was been crowned the UK’s finest, moving up from last year’s Highest Climber category to become the very best in the Estrella Damn Top 50 Gastropubs 2022 list today.
The Top 50 Gastropubs list, now in its 13th year, ranks the UK’s best gastropubs according to the votes from more than 400 gastropub owners, food critics and other industry experts.
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Image: The Pack Horse at Hayfield
Chris Lowe,, Top 50 Gastropubs publisher, said: “After a tough two years for the hospitality industry, we are thrilled to see such a strong list of contenders this year, including a new number one and several new entrants!
“The Top 50 Gastropubs provides a platform for food-lovers to explore the very best offerings across the UK. We are delighted to host this year’s event in Manchester for the first time, highlighting the range of talent across the UK.
“I’m incredibly delighted for Brendan and everyone at The Unruly Pig to get the number 1 spot.”
Further northern pubs to feature in the list include The Rat Inn (Anick, Hexham) The Broad Chare (Newcastle Upon Tyne), The Higher Buck, Waddington (near Manchester), The Pipe and Glass, (Barnsley,Yorkshire), The Shibden Mill Inn (Shibden, West Yorkshire), The White Swan at Fence (Fence, Burnley), Heft (High Newton, Lancashire), The Higher Buck (Waddington, Lancashire) and The Hovingham Inn (Yorkshire).
Inside The Moorcock at Sowerby Bridge, which jumped up 10 places on this year’s list from #39 to #29 / Image: The Moorcock, West Yorkshire
James Healey, UK Country Manager for Estrella Damm, said: “As the authentic premium beer of Barcelona, Estrella Damm is proud to continue to support the UK’s gastropubs.
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“This is the seventh year that we have sponsored the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub Awards, an awards ceremony that celebrates high calibre ingredients, culinary excellence and innovation, qualities that are also shared by Estrella Damm.
“We want to extend our congratulations to all 50 gastropubs on the list and hope more pub-goers are lucky enough to experience their talent in 2022.”
The Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs 2022 list is as follows:
Plans approved for huge new purpose-built ice arena and events space in Trafford
Emily Sergeant
Plans for a new purpose-built ice arena and event space at TraffordCity have officially been approved this week.
Marking what is said to be a ‘major milestone’ for Greater Manchester‘s leisure and sports offering, the new 3,000-capacity TraffordCity Arena approved by Trafford Council will feature state‑of‑the‑art ice skating and ice hockey facilities, and a flexible event space designed to host a wide range of entertainment and community activities.
According to plans, Planet Ice is set to be the new venue’s ‘anchor tenant’ and it will become one of the brand’s largest venues in the UK.
Located on the former Soccer Dome site, adjacent to The Snow Centre, Trafford Golf Centre, David Lloyd, Fives Soccer, iFLY, and The Padel Club, this new arena is predicted to further strengthen Trafford‘s position as the UK’s leading leisure destination.
The new arena will offer year-round ice activities, lessons, and staking sessions, alongside premium hospitality experiences like family dining, bars, leisure, and VIP areas.
But on top of the that, the new venue has been ‘designed with versatility in mind’, so it will also host concerts, screenings, and a range of immersive experiences, all with the hope of creating a ‘dynamic’ destination for visitors.
The project is being developed by ICITIES in partnership with Peel Waters – the latter of which has cleared the site to enable future leisure developments.
The new arena is expected to deliver ‘significant’ economic benefits to the region, developers are saying, by contributing both construction roles during the build phase and the more than 50 permanent operational jobs once it opens – including in hospitality, event management, and leisure services.
Plans have been approved for a huge new purpose-built ice arena and events space in Trafford / Credit: April Walker | Joao Viegas (via Unsplash)
Due to the increasing popularity of ice sports, Trafford Council believes the new arena will bring a significant number of new visitors annually to the region, boosting the local visitor economy, driving further investment into the area, and also benefit surrounding businesses and leisure attractions too.
“As Planet Ice enters its 30th year, we’re delighted to see planning permission granted for this landmark project,” explained Heath Rhodes, who is the Chief Operations Manager at Planet Ice.
“Demand for ice facilities in the North West continues to grow, and this arena will help meet that need while delivering first class amenities for visitors.
Peel Waters has confirmed that contractors for the project will be announced very soon, with construction even expected to begin as early as spring 2026 and an estimated build time of around 12-15 months.
Featured Image – ICITIES & AEW Architects
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Police appeal for information after two people die in light aircraft crash in Rochdale
Emily Sergeant
Two people are confirmed to have died following a light aircraft crash into an area of farmland in Rochdale.
Emergency services responded to reports that an aircraft had crashed in a farmland area of Littleborough in Rochdale shortly after 11am yesterday (3 February 2026), and upon arrival at the scene, the bodies of two men were recovered – before they were, sadly, pronounced dead.
The plane had taken off earlier in the morning from Birmingham, and it is believed that it was a Cirrus light aircraft.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), there wasn’t anyone else onboard the plane, and there are no reported injuries on the ground either.
Police are also ‘additionally exploring’ the deployment of a parachute prior to the crash.
GMP is working in conjunction with colleagues in other emergency services – including the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB), which arrived on the scene yesterday evening to begin conducting their own investigation – and a cordon remains in place around the area as all investigators continue with their enquiries.
National Grid also attended the scene to support the response and help make the area safe, however it has been confirmed there should be no disruption to electricity supply.
A public appeal for information and witnesses has now been issued, with Chief Superintendent Danny Inglis, from GMP’s Rochdale district, explaining: “This is a devastating incident where two people have lost their lives and our thoughts are with their families and friends.
“We have been working closely with emergency service colleagues and partner agencies throughout the day to establish the full circumstances. There will be an enhanced presence as officers and investigators comprehensively survey the area and ensure all available evidence is recovered.
Georgina Pellant -
25th January 2022 
