Lancashire spot named 5th best in UK at National Restaurant Awards

Moor Hall, a restaurant in Aughton, Lancashire, has been ranked fifth best in the UK at the 2026 National Restaurant Awards, continuing its streak of seven consecutive years in the top five. Organized annually by *Restaurant* magazine, the awards recognize excellence in the UK’s dining scene, judged by an academy of chefs, restaurateurs, and food writers. The restaurant, led by chef-patron Mark Birchall, opened in 2016 after his tenure at Simon Rogan’s two-Michelin-starred L’Enclume. Moor Hall earned three Michelin stars within nine years, with judges highlighting its impressive setting—a 13th-century Grade II-listed manor house with five acres of gardens, including a lake and beehives for honey production. Dining at Moor Hall centers on a tasting menu, with four- or eight-course options, alongside a signature charcuterie experience at the bar. The kitchen uses produce grown on-site, and guests can tour the gardens as part of their visit. Judges described the food as ambitious and the restaurant as a ‘true Lancashire gem.’ The top four restaurants in the 2026 awards were Bouchon Racine in Clerkenwell (first), The Ritz in Mayfair and Osip in Bruton (joint second), and Dorian and The Ledbury in Notting Hill (third and fourth, respectively). Moor Hall’s consistent recognition reflects its dedication to culinary excellence and innovative dining experiences.