📰 Britain's Hidden Gourmet Gem: Why Ormskirk is the Tastiest Town You’ve Never Heard Of

By Subhash Suthar, April 12, 2025

Move over, Mayfair. Step aside, Shoreditch. There's a new culinary capital in the UK—and it’s not where you’d expect.

Welcome to Ormskirk, a charming market town tucked away in the heart of West Lancashire. With three Michelin-starred restaurants, lush countryside, a centuries-old gingerbread tradition, and a growing international foodie following, Ormskirk is now officially Britain’s tastiest town.

What was once a quiet stop between Liverpool and Manchester has transformed into a gourmet pilgrimage site, attracting chefs, critics, and curious foodies from across the globe. And the star of the show? A 16th-century manor house turned world-class dining experience: Moor Hall.

✨ Where Culinary Magic Happens

At the helm of Moor Hall is Chef Mark Birchall, a culinary visionary who has just become the only British chef in 2025 to receive a third Michelin star. Nestled among six acres of gardens, orchards, and serene lakes, Moor Hall offers an 18-course tasting menu inspired entirely by the land around it.

“Our food tells the story of this place,” says Birchall, who forages for ingredients just outside the kitchen. “We’re blessed with rich soil, skilled farmers, and a microclimate that brings out the best in every vegetable and herb.”

And if you think this is fine dining with a side of formality, think again. Walk just 30 seconds around the lake and you’ll find The Barn, Moor Hall’s rustic sibling offering a more relaxed—but equally refined—experience. Yes, it has a Michelin star too.

⭐ A Culinary Cluster Like No Other

Not far down the road, Chef Tim Allen’s sō-lō has been turning heads and teasing taste buds since 2021. With its sleek design and daring menu (think Louet Fessier oyster emulsion and salt-baked celeriac grown specially for the restaurant), sō-lō earned its Michelin star in under 18 months.

“We’ve had guests fly in from Singapore, Mexico, and Norway just to eat here,” says Allen. “But we also get football fans popping in before a match—many of them trading pies for tasting menus.”

And with six Michelin stars between them—all within half a mile—Ormskirk and nearby Aughton now rival culinary giants like Paris, Tokyo, and New York in star-per-square-mile bragging rights.

🥬 Farm to Fork: The Power of the Land

So, what’s the secret? It’s not just the chefs—it’s the land.

The West Lancashire coastal plain is known as “the salad bowl of England”, producing vibrant brassicas, sweet root vegetables, and lush greens. The region supplies a staggering 15% of the UK’s total food production, according to the National Farmers Union. It’s a farming powerhouse, and the restaurants here treat the land like a treasure chest of flavor.

And that connection to nature is more than just marketing fluff. Moor Hall has also earned a Green Michelin Star, awarded to restaurants leading the way in sustainable dining.

🍬 The Sweetest Heritage: Ormskirk Gingerbread

Of course, no visit to Ormskirk is complete without a stop at its legendary Ormskirk Market, one of the oldest in the country (established by Royal Charter in 1286!). Here, amid artisan stalls and local produce, you’ll discover the town’s oldest culinary treasure: gingerbread.

Soft, spicy, and sweetly nostalgic, Ormskirk gingerbread has been passed down through generations and remains a beloved treat—so much so that some locals have crowned themselves the “Gingerbread Queens”, proudly preserving the town’s sugary legacy.

Whether you’re nibbling heritage gingerbread, sipping wine over a 12-course tasting menu, or strolling through vegetable patches with a Michelin-starred chef, one thing is clear:

Ormskirk isn’t just a place to eat—it’s a place to taste history, terroir, and talent in every bite.