A quiet village that many drivers pass by is definitely worth a stop, although securing a table may prove challenging after its top restaurant receives another accolade. The pretty English village of Aughton, with only around 8,000 residents, boasts five Michelin stars across three exceptional restaurants, all situated within half a mile of each other. One of them, Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms, has been awarded 5th place in the coveted National Restaurant Awards, held on June 8, 2026.
Moor Hall: A Three-Michelin-Star Gem
Moor Hall is a 16th-century Grade II-listed manor holding three Michelin stars under Chef Patron Mark Birchall. It frequently ranks among the very best dining destinations in the entire UK, and once again it has made it into the top five in the country—most of the other top restaurants are in London, unsurprisingly. Moor Hall, however, is situated deep in the West Lancashire countryside, in what is often called the 'salad bowl of England,' which provides the local area with world-class local produce.
Despite having only 8,000 residents, this West Lancashire village boasts an incredible five Michelin stars across three restaurants. It is frequently praised for its proximity to Lancashire’s fertile farmlands, which provide world-class local produce. The village is located just a short drive from the historic market town of Ormskirk and about 20 minutes north of Liverpool.
Aughton: The Culinary Capital of Britain
Aughton has quite rightly been called 'the culinary capital' of Britain. At the National Restaurant Awards, its flagship eatery Moor Hall was awarded 5th place at Magazine London on Monday, June 8, 2026. And if that wasn't enough, The Barn at Moor Hall, Moor Hall's sister establishment, holds its own Michelin star for visitors looking for a more casual dining experience. Then there is Sō-lō Restaurant, with chef Tim Allen at the helm, which secured a Michelin star just two years after opening, sealing Aughton's reputation as a foodie destination.
Moor Hall is only the second three-star restaurant in the north of England—the other being L’Enclume in Cumbria. The majority of three-star restaurants are in London. In an interview with the Guardian, Birchall said being out of the capital does have some advantages, such as their own kitchen gardens and easy access to local growers.
Advantages of a Rural Location
Birchall stated: 'You’re not getting surroundings and gardens like this in London. London’s amazing, it’s so diverse, you can get any food you want, pretty much. We’ve got to work harder. We’ve got to fight harder for our guests. We don’t have hundreds of thousands of people walking past our restaurant every day.' He added: 'We wanted to make it a world class destination, with the outrageous ambition … to have three stars and to make it a true global destination.'
The rural parish of Aughton is a quiet and unassuming village despite its international culinary reputation. It perfectly blends a quiet, rural village atmosphere with an unexpected reputation as a world-class culinary hotspot. Rather than one main high street, its independent shops and amenities are clustered around Town Green Lane and Moss Delph Lane. In 2022, it was named one of the top 12 coolest postcodes to live in, according to the Times, as reported by the Lancashire Telegraph, thanks to its foodie reputation.
Exploring Aughton
Aughton has also won county awards for its well-kept village, and its St Michael's Parish Church is an architectural highlight with a large spire and octagonal upper storey. But if you want to visit Moor Hall, do not turn up without a reservation. The restaurant gets booked up months in advance, especially at weekends, with some dates requiring up to a year's wait. However, you can always book a room too and make a weekend of it to really explore this gorgeous little English village.
