Lancashire's Hipping Hall to close in July after nearly 20 years of trading

Hipping Hall restaurant with rooms in Kirkby Lonsdale, Lancashire, has confirmed it will be closing on 24 July after nearly 20 years of trading.

Owner Andrew Wildsmith bought the former B&B property, which dates back to the fifteenth century, in 2005 at the age of 28, having completed a PhD in organic chemistry at the University of Cambridge prior to making a career shift into hospitality.

The kitchen was most recently led by Peter Howarth, who joined Hipping Hall in October 2021 from the Devonshire Arms’ Hotel & Spa in Bolton Abbey.

George Norrie joined as general manager of the Grade II listed, three-AA-rosette property in July 2019, having worked at L’Enclume in Cumbria and the Samling in Windermere.

Wildsmith told The Caterer: “I can confirm that Hipping Hall will be closing its doors on the 24th July after nearly 20 of trading. We would like to thank all our guests, suppliers colleagues - past and present - who have all worked so hard to make this business a success.”