The return of chef Nigel Haworth to the Lancashire restaurant scene is good news for game lovers. Haworth is more familiar to many for his previous role as chef patron of nearby Northcote Manor. His latest venture is The Three Fishes, an old pub in the village of Mitton near Clitheroe. The Three Fishes was managed by Haworth from 2004 and became part of the successful Ribble Valley Inns that was eventually sold in 2018. Haworth reacquired it in June of the this year and it will open in two weeks time after a major overhaul.

“We’re in a great area for game,” Haworth told The Great Game Guide. “I get all my game from Ian Bates at Lancashire Game and we’ll be starting with partridge in December and for opening I’m going to be making a game terrine that will contain whatever is available – teal, pheasant, partridge, duck, venison. We’ll see.

“I’ve always cooked a lot of game. My most famous dish was one I did for Great British Menu. It was a dish of hare with girolles and damson prunes. Matthew Fort said it was one of the best dishes he’d ever had.

“However, the food at the Fishes will not be fine dining. We’re going for a more casual feel and game will feature all year round. There’s plenty of fallow, red and roe deer and we’re also going to grow a lot of our own vegetables, herbs and we are putting an orchard in as well.

“It’s an exciting area with so much great produce. There will be a seasonal 4 course menu and a small choice menu. You might see a loin of venison or a game pie alongside other favourites like oysters or a veal chop.”

The Three Fishes, Mitton Road, Whalley, Clitheroe BB7 9PQ.