Been away for ages busy with work and the like! Finally written 100th review with more to follow......
Been away for ages busy with work and the like! Finally written 100th review with more to follow...I hope!! Nick
Member since:10.11.2003
Reviews:102
Members who trust:16
The White Hart, Lydgate, Manchester
Going back many many moons (well okay approximately 10 years) the White Hart Inn in Lydgate was your bog standard, not very nice run of the mill typical English pub. It was then purchased by two nice gentlemen; one an extraordinarily talented chef and the other a wonderful business man and hey presto 10 years later you have one of the most thriving 'gastro pubs' in the country that people travel for miles around to come and eat at and has won award upon award. This is a wonderful place to drink and eat where the staff are friendly and knowledgeable, the food is excellent and the surroundings spectacular.
Where is it? The White Hart Inn is located in Lydgate Saddleworth and is approximately 15 miles from city centre Manchester and is only about 10 minutes drive from the M62 and is not far from the Saddleworth Moors (hopefully that will help you to place to for those not from this neck of the woods!)
What's there now? Well from the outside the White Hart still has the look of a typical British pub complete with benches outside for the some summer sunshine that we do occasionally enjoy! Entering through the main door at the front is the pub with two small rooms located on the right hand side. The pub is like most British pubs but does have a very good wine list as well as
an extensive range of changing guestbeers that will keep most people trying different things for hours! Celebrating the past of the local area the seating is made from old coach house wood and the walls are decorated with art (that you can purchase) by local artists..
The two-roomed bistro on the left hand side features a local and traditional menu that serves good hearty food including a great selection of sandwiches at lunch-time. My favourite is the open chicken sandwich which with great thick cut home made chips works out at about £8.00 per person so god value for a nice treaty! The evening menu features more home style cooking including a great selection of bangers (i.e. sausages) from the White Hart's own kitchens as well as a varying selection of bread that is always served and is to die for! My favourite is the onion and the walnut! Make sure you try on of the sumptuous home made desserts and the sticky toffee pudding is famous locally!
The décor is traditional in the bistro to match the food with warm (very warm actually!) inviting open fire. As the bistro is partially open to the bar area I always go for a corner table to make the dining experience a little quieter! Another thing to note is that if you have an early dinner (i.e. pre-7pm then your table may be re-allocated to another group later so you may not be able to keep it until late!) A three course evening meal would cost approx £25.00 excluding drinks per person.
The restaurant is a small intimate affair in a new constructed ground floor extension that is air conditioned with light modern furniture and wooden flooring. A modern bar area is the perfect relaxing way to start your meal with an aperitif and enjoy view out of the double French windows. The courses here are medium sized with some great variations on stunning classics with meat and fish options interspersed with imaginative vegetarian options. The service is always impeccable and the wine list is great with some excellently priced wines including the house wines which offer value and choice. A three course meal will cost in the region of £50-75 including wine, canapés, coffee and home made chocolates. A lovely treat!
In winter the restaurant also has some great offers including 'fish on a Tuesday' and '2 for 1' on Sundays and Mondays with some great set menu options that means it costs approx £15.00 per person to eat here. (The 2 for 1 is a speciality selected menu up to a maximum of 4 persons and has around three choices per course and includes canapés, coffee and chocolates.
Highlights of the calendar? Throughout the year the White Hart offers a staggering range of special events; all offer great food, drinks (usually company) and it is recommended to book well in advance to avoid disappointed!
Make sure you look out for some of the speciality comedy nights and music events which never disappoint as well as the annual James Bon black tie ball held in January which is fantastic and includes all wines, meal and entertainment for a relatively reasonable price of £65.00 per person. Would you like your martini shaken or stirred??
Make sure that you are here for the Whit Friday Banc Contest and see some of the most famous bands form around the world compete in this great setting!
Christmas day is a magical affair as is New Year's eve with celebrations galore including a choice of dining all throughout the period from buffets and carvery to traditional Christmas dinner. Better get to the gym now…
Other facilities: Weddings and functions are the other main activity of the White Hart with the restaurant and newly opened oak room being booked up to three years in advance! The newly opened oak room is a wonderful space that can accommodate up to 250 guests in a light and airy environment complete with restored oak beams. The food is wonderful with a choice of full dining or buffets as well as a beautiful patio area with landscaped garden perfect for a pre-reception drink!
The upstairs library is an intimate room that accommodates up to 20 persons approximately for meetings, private dinner parties or smaller functions. We have held a few family birthdays here and it is something special with great views overlooking the beautiful surrounding countryside.
Accommodation: The White Hart now also offers 12 deluxe en suite rooms that are great value for around £80.00 per room including traditional breakfast (and yes the breakfast includes those homemade sausages and bread!!) If you stay here then you are within easy driving distance of Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds as well as being able to take in the beautiful countryside surroundings including Last of the Summer Wine country, the Pennine Way and the Saddleworth Villages.
All of the rooms are individual and are named after local people (many writers and historical figures). All rooms are twin or double and are well appointed and maintained with clean, modern bathrooms, TV and tea and coffee facilities.
For more information: The White Hart website offers comprehensive information on the facilities, dining etc as well as directions and prices. If you would like to book a meal or a room then you are best to phone and enquire as online booking isn't available. If you are ever in Manchester then this place is only 30minutes drive from the city centre and well worth a visit!
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