A Day On Safari!

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

Food Hero Tour safari's will be run in friendly collaboration with the award winning Ribble Valley Food Trail and local accommodation providers. The idea is to help bring the trail to life, plus you will meet many more producers who are not on the trail but who are maybe working towards inclusion or are just outside the Ribble Valley area.

You will also gain a more in depth experience with each producer than you might individually, as well as product tastings, some history of the area, and sights of interest will be pointed out as you go round and of course you will have a beautiful bespoke lunch!

Your day will unfold by parking up in their yard and going inside for a tasty start at Julie's home, situated in the Hodder Valley. First things first - that huge Lancashire welcome and a 'brew'!! Take in the stunning views across the Bowland Fells, with a local bacon or sausage ‘butty’ and cup of locally roasted coffee or perhaps ‘Lancashire Tea’!
Juliewhalleytruck Climb on board your luxury transport for the safari at 9.30am (no latecomers!).

Throughout the day you be chauffeured around the Ribble Valley perhaps also taking in the Forest of Bowland pending on whom you will be visiting.

You will meet several Buns of Bowland suppliers and other local artisan food and drink producers.

You may meet those who make products such as Ramshackle Cheese made famous by the BBC’s Countryfile programme, or the Lonk Lamb farmers who made it to the Great British Menu final with Nigel Haworth - and won!

Watch them craft their produce or tend their flocks, and learn the methods and skills involved to ensure a tasty quality product.

There are opportunities to get your hands on cheese and butter making, milking sheep, goats - oh and the odd cow if you fancy it!, learning all about game rearing, digging for veg, collecting eggs and watching trout jump!

Lunch will take the form of three course's at one the sumptuous top local restaurants or fantastic cozy country pubs, where you will dine on a menu based on the foods you will see that day. (For an extra few pounds you could dine at the famous Michelin star awarded ‘Northcote’, if you wish to book this as a group please contact Food Hero Tours).

After lunch you will visit a few more producers before finally returning to Julie's home, either to have a further chat and a coffee (and a bun!) or go back to unwind in the comfort of your local accommodation. Julie can also recommend places to stay too.

I am very picky about where I stay and have assessed hotels in a previous life so those I do recommend will be really good!
Julie Whalley

No two safari's will be the same, and can be tailored to group requests, perhaps on alternative days (though this will depend on the producer's availability of course!). Group sizes are between 6 and 8 and every day will be filled with tastings and new experiences.

There’s always going to be a ‘refreshment’ box on board the vehicle and cold storage for all your purchases!!

Families with children all over the age of 11 years old are welcome.

Price: £120 per person or £220 per couple

Gift Vouchers available and corporate/friends groups are welcomed.

Dates 2011:

March: Tuesday 1st, Saturday 19th

April: Tuesday 5th, Tuesday 26th (All March and April booking will hold a special price of £100 per person as these will be 'Maiden Voyage' safari's.)

May: Tuesday 3rd, Saturday 21st, Tuesday 24th

June: Tuesday 1st, Saturday 4th, Tuesday 14th

July: Saturday 16th, Tuesday 19th, Tuesday 26th

August: Tuesday 2nd, Saturday 6th, Tuesday 9th, Tuesday 16th

September: Tuesday 6th, Saturday 10th

Autumn will bring the start of Artisan Food Workshops and more information on these will be available once the new demo workshop kitchen is completed!

Booking Your Tour

Call Julie whalley on 01200 446 737 or email mail@foodherotours.com

Food Hero Tours Policy Notes and Extras:

People with disabilities or special dietary requirements also catered for. Please make any requirement known when booking.
Buns of Bowland run Ribble Valley Food Safari's in addition to production.
A none refundable deposit of £50 is required for each booking and the balance of full payment must be received at least twenty one (21) days before your Safari. If the booking is cancelled by you for whatever reason within this time frame and we can fill your booking, we will refund your balance of payment or we will offer you an alternate date. Other than this documentary evidence must be provided for us to decide whether to provide a refund less the £50 none refundable deposit. Gift vouchers bought/used also fall under this policy.
Buns of Bowland reserves the right to change/cancel the dates of bookings as the Safari’s are dependent upon the minimum group size to make it viable for each producers time (which is to say the least understandable). If this so be the case than either an alternative date or a balance refund will be offered.
Buns of Bowland will not accept liability for any loss suffered by you other than is reasonably and fairly acceptable. All vehicles left on site is entirely at the owners risk.
Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult (groups of 7 over the age of 16 but under 18 need to be accompanied by one adult). The Safari’s are NOT suitable for children under the age of 11 and due to insurance purposes a valid passport must be shown for proof of age.
Drug taking (other than prescribed medication) or excessive alcohol intake during the day may result in you being removed from the safari at any point.
Suitable, sensible waterproof footwear and clothing is essential! If you forget this on the day of the tour you may not join us on safari and NO refund will be offered. Health and safety is paramount to you and your fellow safari colleagues.
Transport collection from and back to local accommodation providers can be organised, depending where you are will determine any costs incurred for this extra service.
We would advise taking out some form of insurance against any loss of fees caused by cancellation, injury, illness etc.
We welcome cyclists and will accommodate bicycles safe storage as far as we can sensibly, although you retain this is at your own risk.
If you wish to add another day onto your food safari experience it may be possible to arrange bespoke cookery/butchery courses. I also run 'Bun Making' workshops for example and know several butchers who may be available.