White Swan at Fence
A charming pub offering fine dining with a focus on seasonal ingredients, creative dishes, and exceptional value in a relaxed, friendly setting.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
White Swan at Fence
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A charming pub offering fine dining with a focus on seasonal ingredients, creative dishes, and exceptional value in a relaxed, friendly setting.
Book Ahead
Reservations are recommended as the restaurant is popular and fills up quickly.
Try the Fixed Price Menu
The daily changing fixed-price menu offers an exciting and curated culinary journey.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
British
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+44 1282 611773
Address
300 Wheatley Ln Rd, Fence, Burnley BB12 9QA, United Kingdom
Website
whiteswanatfence.co.uk/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Exceptional Value & Quality
Enjoy high-quality, imaginative cooking at reasonable prices for the quality.
Imaginative & Delicious Dishes
Experience creative, beautifully presented dishes like celeriac risotto and apple crumble souffle.
Relaxed, Friendly Atmosphere
A cozy pub setting with roaring fires and a welcoming vibe, complementing world-class cooking.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Reservations are recommended as the restaurant is popular and fills up quickly.
Try the Fixed Price Menu
The daily changing fixed-price menu offers an exciting and curated culinary journey.
Ask for Wine Pairings
Greg at the bar offers expert recommendations for wine pairings to complement your meal.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Reservations are recommended as the restaurant is popular and fills up quickly.
Try the Fixed Price Menu
The daily changing fixed-price menu offers an exciting and curated culinary journey.
Ask for Wine Pairings
Greg at the bar offers expert recommendations for wine pairings to complement your meal.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The White Swan at Fence is widely praised for its exceptional, imaginative food and high-quality cooking, often described as Michelin-star worthy yet served in a relaxed, pub-like atmosphere. Diners love the friendly, attentive service and the excellent value for money. However, some reviews mention concerns about inconsistent portion sizes on tasting menus and a desire for improved decor and more polished service to fully match the fine dining experience.
"Visited here after my daughter won a medal for 4 with accompanying wine in the young chefs competition!! From the moment we arrived the experience was amazing! The staff are so attentive, the food is second to none and the wine to accompany each course was divine! Will definitely be returning! Thank you"
Samantha Hughes
"The tasting menu is always delicious here and the service is friendly and relaxed.
The taster is now £75 per head.
We did feel that the portions this time were super-small. It felt as though the baked cheesy potato course was used to fill you up, but with only a third of a chicken breast for main and most courses no more than a mouthful, it seems as though the kitchen has been through a significant cost cutting exercise.
The “special” wines are a good idea, and we are happy to pay more for something more unusual, but again, limiting the measure to 100ml is penny-pinching and leaves a metaphorical “bad taste”. Better to increase the price and pour a decent measure.
I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch, but my fellow diners are less convinced about returning in light of these recent changes."
Rosie TeaCake
"We absolutely loved our mid week evening at the white swan. The service is great - attentive but not overly so & very friendly. The food is imaginative, beautifully presented and most importantly delicious! Reasonable prices for the quality & a cosy pub atmosphere.
Can’t wait to visit again - it’s a real experience rather than just a meal out!"
Emily J
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The White Swan serves elevated comfort fare with a focus on seasonal ingredients, including dishes like game Wellington and wagyu beef, with occasional Japanese-themed and fish nights.
The restaurant offers a set menu that changes daily, providing a curated culinary experience for diners.
It's a relaxed, friendly, and unpretentious atmosphere, often described as a cozy pub with roaring fires, complementing the fine dining experience.
Yes, it is highly recommended to make reservations in advance as the restaurant is very popular and tends to fill up quickly.
Yes, you can ask Greg behind the bar for recommendations on wine pairings. He is known to be very knowledgeable.
Diners frequently praise the cheese board and have highlighted dishes such as turbot, venison, and soufflés.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
‘Around here, people want top-end food’: how Lancashire’s Ribble Valley became Britain’s gastropub capital | Restaurants
A handsome and proper pub bar welcomes diners to this locally loved venue, where a small team turns out a seasonally changing set menu. Tom Parker’s kitchen alternates between winter-friendly plates of game Wellington, Whitewell partridge and wagyu beef and Japanese-themed evenings and fish nights. Dinner is about £45 plus drinks.
Ten of the best countryside pubs in Lancashire and the Lake District
The White Swan, Fence Local lad Tom Parker spent eight years learning his trade at Northcote and it shows in the small but perfectly brilliant menu he produces at this traditional little pub. In recent times he has had rave reviewed from Jay Rayner and picked up a top gong from Lancashire Life. www.whiteswanatfence.co.uk
The 50 places in Lancashire you have to eat out at in 2023
Fine dining fused with a traditional British pub setting is what you'll get at the White Swan. And they do it oh so well. Seasonal ingredients are delicately weaved into the menu to keep it fresh and exciting all year round, it's worth a visit each season.
Restaurants in and around Lancashire with Michelin stars: See the 2022 list
What the Michelin Guide says: "The sign might proclaim ‘The White Swan’ but to the locals this traditional-looking pub will always be the Mucky Duck – so-called because the coal miners used to stop here for a pint on their way home from work.
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