Just a short drive from Liverpool sits a village offering up the best food money can buy.
Aughton, in Lancashire, has become a food haven over the years with top chefs choosing the location to flex their skills in their very own restaurants.
The food is so good, Aughton boasts four Michelin stars despite its tiny area. So-Lo is the most recent recipient of the credit, with Moor Hall bosting two and its sister restaurant The Barn's one holding the other.
READ MORE: Brianna Ghey live court updates as murder trial continues
READ MORE: Man beaten by masked gang attempting to break into building
Locals are in awe of the village's transformation, reports Lancs Live, including Sarah Lawton who said: "It can only be a good thing and I'm very proud of them when talking to other foodies who don't live round here."
James Henshaw, who runs JW Henshaws in the village 'high street', added: "It is awesome, but I think people just expect it now. No one is really talking about it, but it is still brilliant for the area, it brings attention to Aughton. The village is becoming a place to visit, not just for the Michelin stars but people can stay here and then travel into the city [Liverpool] as we have our town train station."
He's right, too, with Town Green station ideally located next to the small row of shops lining Town Green Lane, providing residents with vital daily necessities, a light lunch, fresh meat, hair cut, coffee to go or glass of wine. Aughton is next door to Maghull, the larger historic market town of Ormskirk, Edge Hill University and close to motorway networks.
It exudes affluence in the form of tree-lined Granville Park area and its multi-million mansions. Despite this, the area remains relatively rural and quiet, with clusters of housing hamlets down narrow country lanes surrounding it.
Moor Hall executive chef Mark Birchall started Aughton's journey to becoming the village to be for fine dining, wining its first Star in 2017 and a second followed a year later, with The Barn's in 2022. So-Lo is the latest addition with its chef Tim Allen's “modern but approachable, nothing too outlandish” menu has won over the notoriously- hard-to-please Michelin judges.
However, Sarah touches on a potential downfall to Aughton's success, and fears prices will "double" at So-Lo, despite it currently being relatively affordable. But either way, fellow resident Michelle Smith, hopes Aughton's restaurant prowess will have a "knock on effect" on neighbouring Ormskirk.
She said: "It’s lovely to know it’s on our doorstep and we can get a superb meal. Also puts an obscure little northern town on the map. A bit like Cartmel and L'Enclume. Couldn’t be happier."
Get a free National Trust pass worth up to £50 for your family day out this autumn
Get the top stories straight to your inbox by signing up to our what's on newsletter