Northcote in Langho continues its long Michelin-starred run

Few restaurants in the North West carry the kind of history that Northcote does. The Langho restaurant, on the edge of the Ribble Valley, has held a Michelin star continuously since 1996, a run of recognition that has made it one of Lancashire's best-known dining addresses.

At the heart of the kitchen is Lisa Goodwin-Allen. In 2018 she successfully retained the star that Northcote had held since 1996, a moment that confirmed her as one of the leading chefs of her generation. Keeping a star through a change of leadership is never guaranteed, and doing so at a restaurant with such a long record was a significant achievement.

The business entered a new era in 2024, when new owners Alf and Clare Ellis were announced. Lisa Goodwin-Allen took on an expanded role as Chef Patron-Director, keeping continuity in the kitchen while the restaurant moved into its next chapter.

Northcote's standing in the industry was underlined again in 2026, when it was named among the top 50 operators in the Kuits NRB Top Fifty Hospitality Power List, announced at the Northern Restaurant and Bar show in Manchester. It appeared alongside fellow Lancashire businesses including Moor Hall and Bowland Inns and Hotels.

Part of the restaurant's appeal has always been its connection to the surrounding countryside. Langho sits close to the rolling farmland of the Ribble Valley, an area that has become known as one of the North West's most rewarding places to eat, with producers and kitchens supporting each other.

Northcote has also played a role in shaping other chefs. Tom Parker, who went on to win a Michelin star at the White Swan in Fence, trained at Northcote before moving to Pendle, one example of how the restaurant's influence reaches across the county.

For Lancashire food lovers, Northcote is the kind of place that marks special occasions, from anniversaries to milestone birthdays, and its continued success is good news for the whole area.

Northcote is in Langho, near Blackburn. Menus and reservations are available through the restaurant directly, and booking ahead is recommended, particularly at weekends.