Eight at Gazegill named North of England Champion in ‘rural Oscars’
Eight at Gazegill, the acclaimed farm-to-fork restaurant nestled within a 500- year-old organic farm in the heart of the Ribble Valley, has been named North of England Champion in the prestigious 2025 Countryside Alliance Awards.
Known as the “Rural Oscars,” the Countryside Alliance Awards celebrate rural businesses that go the extra mile for their communities and embody the best of British countryside values. Eight at Gazegill’s commitment to sustainability, provenance, and innovation made them stand out in a highly competitive field.
In awarding the title, the Countryside Alliance praised the restaurant: “Eight at Gazegill has been honoured as a leading light in rural enterprise, a true celebration of passion, sustainability, and innovation. Nestled within a 500-year-old organic farm in the heart of the Ribble Valley, this exceptional ‘farm-to-fork’ restaurant showcases the very best of countryside dining. From home-reared beef and foraged ingredients to panoramic views of Pendle Hill, every detail reflects a deep respect for nature, food provenance, and local heritage. In just eight months, it has grown into a destination venue, powered by wind and solar energy, with aspirations to become the UK’s first off-grid fine dining experience. A heartfelt, community-driven enterprise, Eight at Gazegill is reimagining what rural hospitality can be, an inspiring example of how land, people, and purpose can come together to create something truly extraordinary.”
The win now propels Eight at Gazegill to the national finals, where they will compete against regional champions from across the UK. The overall winners will be announced at the Champions’ Reception at the House of Lords on Wednesday 18 June 2025.
Restaurant MD and owner of Gazegill Organics Farm, Ian O’Reilly said: “To receive this recognition for the restaurant is truly humbling. Gazegill Organics Farm won in 2023 for Food and Drink Producer, but we’re so proud to represent the North at the finals in a different category and share the continuation of our story with the rest of the UK.”