Enjoy The Moment
You can’t help but feel enveloped in the charm of Greendale Teahouse & Rooms from the minute you pull up to the car park and wander up the stepping stone path, writes Lucy Bale. Photography: Kirsten Platt
When I arrive at Greendale Teahouse I am instantly hit with the buzz of chit chat, and I see chef Michael Vanheste in the kitchen adding the finishing touches to what I later found out to be the signature Lancashire Croque. Although charming and quintessential, the menu and wine list immediately pay homage to Michael and Zoe’s impressive culinary backgrounds.
Born and bred in Belgium but with childhood memories of eating ice cream on the green in Downham, Michael Vanheste has gone full circle and now runs Greendale Teahouse & Rooms on Downham Road with his partner Zoe and their team Caroline and Neil. With stunning views spanning across the Ribble Valley and the caps of the Yorkshire Peaks, Greendale is the perfect spot to enjoy an exciting new menu.
Some of you may know Michael from his days at Northcote’s cookery school or prior to that Betty’s Tea Rooms. Before I dived into their menu, I wanted to learn more about Michael’s background and what led him to swap the finesse of fine dining for the nostalgic pleasure of a good old English breakfast – or Bowland breakfast in Greendale’s case!
I was surprised to learn that when Michael left Belgium for the UK, he couldn’t really cook at all! It was his desire for dishes from his homeland that forced his hand to give cheffing a shot and subsequently led to a stint in London learning his trade followed by some well-known names in the north.
After leaving Northcote, Michael helped set up and run The Gaddum in the Lake District and reminisces about how he got the job: “It was a good opportunity, but they must’ve thought, this guy, this weird Belgian, there’s something about him.”
And, they must’ve been right as Michael and Zoe went on to win Best Afternoon Tea in the Lake District for two years running. Then came a season in Greece, a global pandemic and everything in between – then the opportunity to reimagine Greendale.
Greendale is steeped in history and has always had a hospitality function since it was built in the 1880’s as a temperance bar known for good lodges, fabulous food and Sunday dances. The team has certainly ticked two of those boxes since they settled in June last year – I wonder if they will bring the Sunday dances back?
Michael talked me through their all-day brunch menu with passion: “It’s all about the quality. No fancy fermentations but brilliant traditional British food with a twist.”
As we sit surrounded by freshly-baked bread cooling, it was no surprise to learn that everything is homemade from their mayonnaise to their brioche. The bacon and sausages for their well-loved breakfast are sourced from Roy Porter’s in Chatburn and the yoghurt served with homemade granola is from a dairy farm in Gisburn. I polished off a coronation chicken sandwich, all made from scratch of course, and it certainly delivered with the perfect balance of zing and spice!
The menu ticks all the boxes whether you’re after a classic breakfast, a lunchtime sarnie or fancy calling in for a cream tea. Zoe’s scones, cakes and sweet treats are enough to turn even the most stalwart savoury enthusiast. A trained chocolatier, Zoe’s handcrafted artisanal chocolates are also on offer for the perfect gift – if they survive the car journey or walk home!
As if the seasonal menu and specials board weren’t impressive enough, the ethos of quality and craftsmanship runs through to their drinks menu. The coffee from the aptly named Heavenly Coffee Company comes with a homemade biscuit and the tea from Quinteassential, was fit for the Queen herself! If you wanted to indulge further, there is Zoe’s gourmet single-origin hot chocolate. I was also impressed with the carefully curated wine list! Greendale is a crowd pleaser no matter what your taste or cravings and the stunning views are the cherry on top!
If you wanted to submerge yourself in the quiet and calm of the Ribble Valley countryside for a night or two, there are four wonderfully appointed bedrooms with views of either Downham Hall gardens or the Forest of Bowland – I call that a win-win! After some brunch and a walk around the Forest of Bowland and dinner in the local area, you’ll welcome the peacefulness the rooms offer.
The team at Greendale have created something very special and their passion for high quality, local ingredients and down-right good food is clear. Michael told me: “We do everything to create a little moment.” And I definitely felt that the minute I walked through their doors!
