The Ranken Arms — Restaurant in England

Saw some favourable reviews so decided to take a drive over one weekday afternoon and give the place a try. A car park out front with limited spaces. Can imagine this soon fills up at night time and weekends. No designated disabled that I could see. Available spaces compromised due to a wagon doing a delivery to the pub. But someone was just leaving so we managed to get in the space they vacated. Access for wheelchair or disabled didn’t look feasible from this car park. Couple of fairly high stone steps up from car park to the pavement leading to the pub. Also a step up into the pub. Once inside it seemed ok with no steps that I could see. From other reviews it appears there is a car park as well around the back. However, cannot confirm that from this visit nor if there is better access for those whose mobility is compromised. Once inside I have to say first impressions were good. It was bright and open. Some of the pictures online don’t seem to do it justice. It was fairly busy. Lot of people eating. We were told we could have a table but would have to vacate it by three as a funeral group were booked in. We had around an hour and a half so thought that was ample. Once seated we ordered drinks and checked the menu. My brother ordered a pint of Moretti at £5.20. I got a pint of Lime and Soda with ice at £1.50. Very reasonable prices in todays climate and compared to other places we have recently visited. They had a good selection with several dishes you don’t see on a lot of other pub menus. I ordered the Lamb Samosas to start with Chilli con Carne for my mains. My brother went for the home made meat pie with chips, mushy peas and gravy. My starter arrived about ten minutes after ordering. Full of lamb and very tasty. Crispy outer as well and piping hot. Chilli sauce had a nice kick to it but nothing overbearing. A lovely starter but I do think at £5.99 for 3 samosas it was a little expensive. Mains took about 30 minutes to arrive from time of ordering. Again piping hot. My brother said his pie was excellent but he wasn’t happy with his chips. He said they appeared to be burnt. I had to agree they did look a little overcooked but I thought they tasted great. Proper fresh chips. His other complaint was the amount of chips he got. He had about a dozen chips on his plate. Mine was half chips, half rice and I did have more chips that him. Please see the photos I have left. The Chilli was lovely. A bit of a kick to it but again nothing overpowering. So apart from the issue with the chips we both enjoyed our mains. Not the biggest portions but certainly adequate and at £12.95 each very good value for money and very competitively priced with other establishments. We didn’t bother with dessert but I fancied a coffee. Didn’t see a menu so just asked the waitress what they had. Ordered a Cappuccino. It came with one sugar lump on the saucer which I found a bit strange. However, more were quickly brought over once I asked. The coffee was very nice. One of the better cups I have had recently. Unfortunately I cannot tell you how much it cost as it was only when I got home and checked the bill more closely I noticed it hadn’t been included. Overall a positive dining experience. Food was very tasty. Prices for the food and drink reasonable and competitive although I still feel the starter was a little over priced. Didn’t have much interaction with our servers. They seemed busy and perhaps a little pre occupied getting ready for the funeral group coming in. We were asked when we went to pay if everything was ok. Yes apart from my brothers chips. But I feel it’s always nice to be asked during the meal. In conclusion I would be happy to visit again if in the area and try some of the other dishes on the fairly...

Very good thank you will be back.

Neurodivergent friendly; low lighting and everyone is friendly/chilled, not a loud environment least it wasn't when we went on a quiet midday Friday, busy though in a good kind of way where there's a quiet buzz. Non-intrusive and leave you to eat but check to make sure all is good (which it was). Food hot and hand-made, proper chips and pate homemade, waitresses very friendly and attentive, owner really nice too. Clean, pretty women's toilets - can't speak to the mens, lovely area outside and fantastic beer garden with clean tables and astroturf (I think), impressively well kept. Bet it's lovely in an evening. Tables cleaned properly not the kind of sticky table you get these days full of marks. Beef is proper beef not the chewy kind and cooked to perfection, chocolate fudge cake is beautiful and big servings, took some of my food to-go. Some parking at the front and overlooks a quiet lovely little park and houses, quiet countryside road that led us to the pub itself into the village of Hoddlesden. Guinness with a huge 'head' and tasted better than any can or bottle, perfectly pulled. Reasonable prices and prices reflect the quality of the food, ie, they're not cheap either but I wouldn't expect them to be. Will try out more dishes in future. Real choice in the menu from starters to mains and impressively presented - particularly the starter with the pate absolutely restaurant level quality of a very high standard.

Really truly everything you can ask for in a pub and haven't been to one as good as it since I was a child.

Went to an Italian restaurant prior this of a supposed high reputation for lunch and walked out because service was so poor - glad we did and found here instead.

Just everything - ambience, food, service... can't say enough good things. 10/10. And we are...

Arrived just after 1pm today. Just had cancellation on a table so, could fit us in for a table for two next to the fireplace. The service was first class, the glasses were very clean, nice 80's music playing showing our ages, the food was delivered prompt, it was exceptional, well-prepared with generous portions, home-made and delicious. Everywhere we looked it was clean, the disabled toilet was very well laid out and clean, the ladies had hand creams and deodorants, just those little touches make for a well-thought out experience. Parking was free, just a couple of steps up from the car with no issues like you get in busy town centre's. This pub comes highly recommended, we didn't have a reservation but were made very welcome, our hosts were attentive to our every need, the atmosphere was pleasant and everywhere was warm with no draughts. We have many decades of hotel and catering experience and know when every effort has been made to make a guest feel welcome. Hygiene is a disappointment in many places we have visited but not the Ranken Arms. Next time we are in the area, looking for somewhere to relax and enjoy ourselves, this is the place we will visit for sure. Check out their Food Standards Agency(FSA) rating. It's a farce. Went to the Ranken, a month ago and everything was spot on 5 * stars. The FSA are a joke. There's even a defibrillator outside the front of the building. I nearly needed it after reading...