Spread Eagle Inn, Sawley — Restaurant in Ribble Valley

We had hoped for a lovely evening meal by the river. We had never been here but thought we would give it a chance. Upon arrival we asked for a drinks menu but there wasn't one. We asked which Bourbon or Whiskey they had but the waitress was unsure. She said she was new, so ok, no problem. We ordered 2 coke's and I wandered to the bar to see which spirits were available. We were then served pepsi max which just isn't for us. The waitress then swapped to normal pepsi. It happens a lot so no big deal.

The manageress came by and asked if we were ready to order and I asked if we could just order some starters for now. She then in an accusing tone asked if we were actually going to order mains. We dismissed the rude remark and informed her that we hadn't yet chosen our mains but we would order after our starters.

Starters were alright. The waitress then came to take our order. We ordered a ribeye cooked medium, chicken schnitzel and some seasonal vegetables.

When mains arrived and we cut into the steak it was grey, well done, medium well if I'm gracious. Coming from Texas and eating steak every week, I know my beef. It was about 10 minutes before a server walked by whom we kindly flagged down and informed that the steak was over cooked. He apologised and said he would get it fixed. A few minutes later the manageress came to our table and said that the chef had put a probe back into the steak and it was medium and that if we needed to be shown what the temperature parameters were she could arrange for that. That aside, if we wanted a steak recooked she would be charging us for it!!! We told them if that's the case just keep the steak. I imagine that it didn't cross their minds that a steak on the table for 10 mins would have cooled and that the temp probe to assess level of cook applies to right when you take it off the heat. Common sense and any degree of customer service was non existent. We have dined all over the UK and thd world and we have never experienced such disgusting customer service. The manageress was patronising and rude. We were asked on 2 occasions after that by other staff "if everything was ok?" To which replied well, no, not really and explained but there was no interest or response. We asked for the bill and paid the £78 (?including the uneaten steak). Suffice to say we will not be returning nor would we ever recommend it to anyone we know. If anything we would strongly advise you to AVOID AVOID AVOID. Try Spread Eagle at Mellor instead, it has amazing food and outstanding...

I can only speak for my experience in room 7. We arrived at about 6pm and ate at the pub. It was decent enough pub food, my wife enjoyed her veg - tatin, I had fish and chips which were satisfactory, decent haddock nice batter and big chunky frozen chips which were very powdery. But ok. Service was polite and friendly but very slow they seemed to be understaffed.

The room was clean and modern looking, the bed comfortable and their was Aircon (although the batteries were dead in the remote). There were 4 hard boiled eggs in the fridge... No idea why. Good tea and coffee and fresh milk in the fridge.

However... We went to bed at about 10 and there was the loud sound of a large extractor fan about 8 feet below our window, like plane taking off. This stopped at about 11pm and cleaners outside talked and swore about problems with a colleague for about 30 mins while scrubbing at the extractor filter (and a few blows on the metal with a hammer?). Eventually I leaned out of the window and said "are you nearly finished" and they said "we are cleaners the pub makes us come here after they close". They did stop however and we manage to get to sleep. Until 12:10 just past midnight when we were woken by someone knocking on the door to the room "hello it's the manager I wanted to apologise. We've sent the cleaners home. Sorry about this".

Breakfast was ok, a pump action thermos of self serve coffee and a decent choice of cooked breakfast and cereals but again understaffed so a little slow. Friendly however.

I asked as we checked out if they had been told about our experience of room 7 and they said yes they were taking 10% off as a gesture. I was previously thinking I'd suggest paying 50% as the whole point was to get a good sleep before a 250 mile drive. As is expected though, I just said "thank you".

Without the disturbance it would have been a decent 7/10 stay in a nice looking pub with a modern room (and a super loud old creaking toilet flush while I'm in full grumble mode). The 2.5 hour disturbance between 10-00:15 made it a 5/10 experience

Pic of the extractor fan as seen from our window is included...

I am taking on a charity skydive for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of my much-loved son-in-law, who we tragically lost to cancer at just 40 years old. He leaves behind four beautiful children, the youngest only 12 months old.

When I mentioned this challenge to Carol and Nigel at The Spread Eagle in Sawley, Clitheroe, I could never have imagined the kindness and generosity they would show. From the outset, their support has been overwhelming. Even Simon, the area manager from Robinsons Brewery, kindly donated a £50 voucher, which the pub is raffling to raise extra funds for Macmillan.

The gesture that truly touched me, however, was last night. Knowing that Ted was a vegetarian, Carol created a special cheese and onion pie in his honour, adding it to the specials board with a percentage of every sale donated to our Macmillan challenge fund.

Ten of us went along as a group of friends to try it – and what an evening it was. The whole experience was seamless from start to finish. Alan and Alex welcomed us at the bar, making sure everyone had a drink while we gathered. We were then shown to our tables by Rachel and Holly, who continued to look after us with genuine warmth and care, keeping glasses topped up and making us feel so welcome.

When the food arrived, again served by Rachel and Holly, it did not disappoint. The cheese and onion pie was outstanding, and every dish was beautifully prepared. The service was impeccable, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting.

Every single member of the Spread Eagle team went above and beyond to make sure our evening was special – and they succeeded. The generosity of Carol, Nigel, Simon, Alan, Alex, Rachel, and Holly has not only helped raise funds for an important cause but has also given me and my friends a memory we will treasure.

I wholeheartedly recommend a visit to The Spread Eagle, Sawley, Clitheroe. Come and try the food, enjoy the hospitality, and support a team that truly embodies community spirit. I promise you will not be...