Awards & Press
An award‑winning boutique hotel on the River Wyre.
The Cartford is a boutique hotel and restaurant with rooms in Little Eccleston, Lancashire, set at the historic crossing of the River Wyre. Our fifteen individually designed bedrooms, two riverside lodges and our kitchen have been recognised by the AA, the MICHELIN Guide, Condé Nast Johansens and some of Britain’s most respected food and travel writers.
Here you’ll find our current accolades, the honours we’ve collected over the years, and what the critics have said.
- 5 Gold StarsAA Restaurant with Rooms, 2026
- 2 AA RosettesFor culinary excellence, 2026
- MICHELIN GuideRestaurant listed in the Guide
- Best Boutique HotelJohansens nominee, 2026
Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence
Nominated for Best Boutique Hotel
We’re delighted to have been nominated for Best Boutique Hotel at this year’s Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence, alongside some of the finest hotels in Britain and Europe.
See us on Condé Nast Johansens
Current accolades
Rated, starred and recommended.
Each of these comes from independent inspectors who visit, stay and dine with us before they decide.
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AA 5 Gold Star Restaurant with Rooms
Five stars from the AA, with Gold Star recognition marking the very best within the rating, 2026.
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2 AA Rosettes
Awarded to our restaurant for culinary excellence, 2026. Seasonal Lancashire produce, cooked with a French influence.
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Listed in the MICHELIN Guide
Our restaurant is selected by the MICHELIN Guide inspectors in Great Britain & Ireland.
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Recommended by Condé Nast Johansens
Included in Condé Nast Johansens’ independently inspected collection of luxury hotels.
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AA Hospitality Awards
AA Inn of the Year, Great Britain 2024/25
In 2024 The Cartford was named AA Inn of the Year for England, and we were then named the overall winner for the whole of Great Britain at the AA Hospitality Awards 2024/25.
It was a proud moment for everyone here, and a recognition of the whole team: the welcome, the rooms and the cooking together.
See all the winners
Over the years
Honours and awards
Nominated, Best Boutique Hotel
Condé Nast Johansens Awards for ExcellenceResult to comeAA Inn of the Year, Great Britain
AA Hospitality AwardsRead moreAA Inn of the Year, England
AABest Places to Stay
The Times & The Sunday TimesRead moreFoodie Hotel of the Year
The Times & The Sunday TimesRead morePub of the Year
Sawday’s & The TelegraphRead more
“To describe [The Cartford] as an undiscovered gem would merely be to shine a light on my own ignorance.”
- Condé Nast Johansens
- Condé Nast Traveller
- The Times
- The Observer
- The Telegraph
- Food and Travel
- MICHELIN Guide
- Sawday’s
- CoolStays
Good to know
About The Cartford
Is The Cartford a boutique hotel?
Yes. The Cartford is a boutique hotel and restaurant with rooms in Little Eccleston, Lancashire, with fifteen individually designed bedrooms and two private riverside lodges. It is rated AA 5 Gold Star Restaurant with Rooms and is recommended by Condé Nast Johansens.
What awards has The Cartford won?
The Cartford was named AA Inn of the Year for Great Britain 2024/25 and for England in 2024. It holds an AA 5 Gold Star rating and 2 AA Rosettes (2026), is listed in the MICHELIN Guide, and has been named Foodie Hotel of the Year (2021) and one of the Best Places to Stay (2023) by The Times and The Sunday Times. In 2026 it was nominated for Best Boutique Hotel at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence.
Is the restaurant in the MICHELIN Guide?
Yes. Our restaurant is listed in the MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland and holds 2 AA Rosettes for culinary excellence. The cooking is seasonal, built on Lancashire produce, with a French influence.
Where is The Cartford?
The Cartford is on Cartford Lane, Little Eccleston, Lancashire, PR3 0YP, beside the Cartford toll bridge over the River Wyre. It sits in the Fylde countryside between Preston and the Lancashire coast.
For journalists
Press & media enquiries
For interviews, imagery, press visits or collaborations, we’d love to hear from you.
- Press & marketingjackson@thecartfordinn.co.uk
- General enquiriesoffice@thecartfordinn.co.uk
- Telephone01995 670166
Page last updated .